{"id":59743,"date":"2026-03-05T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/what-to-eat-in-ankara-a-culinary-guide\/"},"modified":"2026-04-14T17:31:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T14:31:48","slug":"what-to-eat-in-ankara-culinary-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/what-to-eat-in-ankara-culinary-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"What to eat in Ankara: A culinary guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The leading flavors of Ankara cuisine: Meat dishes and the Aspava culture<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A richly set table filled with complementary dishes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When you set foot in Ankara, the first flavor you should try is undoubtedly \u201cAnkara tava.\u201d Prepared with lamb, orzo, and regional spices, this dish is slowly cooked for hours over low heat in copper pans, developing a rich, distinctive aroma. You can find some of its most delicious and satisfying versions in the traditional tradesmen\u2019s restaurants around Ulus. Another emblem of the capital\u2019s cuisine is \u201cAnkara d\u00f6ner,\u201d made from thinly sliced meat and popular throughout the city. Yet when it comes to d\u00f6ner, Ankara has its own iconic phenomenon: Aspava. The name derives from the phrase \u201cAllah Sa\u011fl\u0131k Para Afiyet Versin Amin\u201d (\u201cMay God grant health, wealth, and appetite, amen.\u201d) When you visit an Aspava restaurant and order a d\u00f6ner wrap with sauce, your table is quickly filled with unlimited salad, French fries, \u00e7i\u011f k\u00f6fte (raw meatballs), cac\u0131k (yogurt with cucumber and garlic), and semolina halva with ice cream. This generous tradition of complimentary side dishes is a dining ritual you should experience at least once in Ankara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The harmony of contrasts: From street food to fine dining at Atakule<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Ankara simit, one of the city\u2019s iconic street flavors<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When you begin exploring Ankara\u2019s street food culture, you are first greeted by those familiar, comforting aromas. In the early morning, the famous Ankara simit, fresh from the oven and coated in roasted sesame without molasses, offers a crisp, natural start to the day. As you wander through the city, grabbing a warm d\u00f6ner wrap from a modest street-side shop reminds you just how flavorful and authentic this street culture truly is. Yet the capital\u2019s dining scene extends far beyond lively street bites and traditional tradesmen\u2019s restaurants. As evening approaches and you head toward one of the city\u2019s landmarks, Atakule and its surroundings, these unpretentious settings give way to a modern, refined fine dining culture. While taking in a panoramic view of the capital, you can enjoy carefully crafted dishes from world cuisines, prepared with precision and creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eating fresh fish in a landlocked city<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Fish ready to be served with its accompaniments<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ankara may not bring the sea to mind, yet the city is home to some of the country\u2019s finest seafood restaurants. To challenge the familiar question, \u201cCan you really eat good fish in a city without a sea?\u201d you need only look more closely at the capital\u2019s well-rooted fish culture. The freshest catches from the Black Sea, the Marmara, and the Aegean are delivered daily to the capital via a fast, efficient logistics network. Among locals, there is even a confident claim: \u201cThe freshest fish is eaten in Ankara.\u201d This means that in the heart of the steppe, you can enjoy a surprisingly fresh seafood feast. If you find yourself on Sakarya Street in K\u0131z\u0131lay, the scent of frying fish drifting from the row of side-by-side eateries welcomes you to a warm, unpretentious atmosphere; here you can sit on simple stools and savor a plate of freshly fried anchovies. If you are looking for a more elegant and tranquil dinner, the established seafood restaurants around Gaziosmanpa\u015fa and Filistin Street are the place to go. With their variety of mezes, seasonal fish, and attentive service, these venues bring a refreshing sea breeze to Ankara\u2019s diverse dining scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A historic pause: The flavors of Beypazar\u0131<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Famous Beypazar\u0131 kurusu, a popular snack enjoyed with tea<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When you move a little beyond the city center and turn your gastronomic route toward the district of Beypazar\u0131, the traditional flavors of Anatolia welcome you. Slow-cooked for hours in earthenware pots inside stone ovens, Beypazar\u0131 casserole becomes a true feast, with tender meat and a subtle smoky aroma that settles into the dish. After your meal, as you stroll through the district\u2019s streets, you can taste the walnut-filled Beypazar\u0131 baklava made with 80 delicate layers of pastry, as well as the region\u2019s signature carrot lokum. On your way back, the best gift to bring to your loved ones is the famous Beypazar\u0131 kurusu (a traditional, hard-baked savory biscuit), a tea-time staple known for staying fresh for months without going stale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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