Malatya's gastronomic specialties, a true taste of Anatolian cuisines, are served at this little restaurant run by a charming elderly couple. After devouring mumbar (stuffed lamb intestines), anal kzl (bulgur balls and chickpeas in a tomato stew), and kiraz yapra köftesi, you'll need to be rolled out the door (bulgur-stuffed cherry leaves in a yoghurt sauce).

To sample all five meals on the menu, get the Malatya taba (Malatya plate). Prepare to be pampered as if you were a long-lost friend, with strong encouragement to clear your plate, exactly like your mother did.

Google Rating: 4.7/5.0

Address: Beşkonaklar Caddesi 41a
Phone; 0422-321 2000
Hours; 10am-8pm
Price: Malatya tabağı ₺40

Tolga and his family have opened the doors to their home, which is surrounded by an organic garden and overlooks the deep ravine of Ayval, to provide a taste of real Cappadocian cookery. They provide meals and highly recommended hands-on cooking sessions, led by Tolga's small dynamo of a mother, Hava. It's a foodie's paradise. It is necessary to make reservations.

It is located on the major road of Ayval. Tolga can organize transportation to and from Ayval from your Cappadocia base. It also includes a few rooms for those who desire to stay in a homestay setting.

Google Rating: 4.8/5.0

Phone: 0384-354 5907
Hours: noon-9pm
Price: cooking class & meal per person €50, meal only per person €25

This classy bar-restaurant in a Beşiktaş office building first opened its doors in 1997, yet it feels as though it's been around since Atatürk stayed at the adjacent Dolmabahçe Palace.

Vogue is a favorite hangout of the Nişantaş power-broker set, thanks to its cuisine of pasta, seafood, sushi, lamb shanks, and roast duck, as well as its panoramic Bosphorus views and different molecular cocktails.

Vogue has been one of Istanbul's most exclusive and cherished venues since its inception, with its panoramic view of the Bosphorus and unique ambience.

Vogue Restaurant, the premier choice for business entertainment, offers a diverse menu of international specialties, including Mediterranean dishes, over 70 types of sushi, and an extensive wine selection.

Google Rating: 4.4/5.0

Address: 13th fl, A Blok, BJK Plaza, Süleyman Seba Caddesi, Vişnezade
Phone: 0212-227 4404
Website: www.voguerestaurant.com
Hours: noon-2am
Price: starters ₺70-86, mains ₺82-185

Suvla's 60 hectares of certified organic vineyards are on the other side of the peninsula, near Kabatepe, but its winery, replete with an ultra-stylish garden café, tasting area, and produce store, is on the outskirts of Eceabat. Its cuisine includes fresh salads, pastas, and Turkish-style pizzas, as well as simple modern twists on Turkish classics like köfte (meatballs).

Suvla makes five types of wines, ranging from its entry-level Kabatepe krmz (red wine), beyaz (white wine), and blush to a grand reserve cabernet sauvignon and Roussane Marsanne. All are available for tasting at the winery's tasting room (tastings range from $35 to $80) or in the restaurant, which has a giant glass wall looking into an oak barrel-filled ageing chamber.

The winery is at the end of a road off Atatürk Caddesi, in the southwestern corner of town.

Address: Suvla Winery, Çınarlıdere Mevkil 11
Phone: 0286-814 1000
Website: www.suvla.com.tr
Hours: lokanta noon-3pm, tasting room & concept store 8.30am-5.30pm
Price:mains ₺40-84, pizza ₺42-55

At this family eatery, diners lay on couches and undergo a taste-bud tour of village fare. Order the tadm (taste) menu with a test kebap on our recommendation (meat and vegetable stew slow-cooked in a sealed terracotta pot; the best in town). The bamya (okra) will win over even the biggest skeptics to the benefits of this contentious vegetable.

At Dibek, don't leave without trying the moreish tel kadayf (dough soaked in syrup and topped with walnuts and tahini) and the luxurious homemade sour cherry liqueur.

Mehmet, the owner of this 475-year-old property, renovated the rooftop into a stylish wine bar in 2019, which also serves cheese and antipasto platters as well as a more European-style menu (mains $50 to $150). After your village feast, head upstairs to sip wine while overlooking Göreme village.

Google Rating: 4.0/5.0

Address: Cami Sokak 1
Phone: 0384-271 2209
Hours: 11am-11pm Mon-Sat
Price: mains ₺28-70, tasting menu ₺80

If you only have one dinner in Bursa, make it this one. The legendary skender kebap (or Bursa kebap; döner kebap on fresh pide topped with tomato sauce and browned butter) was created in 1867, and it is one of two Bursa restaurants claiming to be the birthplace of the legendary skender kebap (or Bursa kebap; döner kebap on fresh pide topped with tomato sauce and browned butter

The wood-paneled hall, with with tiled pillars and stained-glass windows, provides a traditional setting for sampling the renowned meal. There is no menu; just request a bir (one) or a bir buçuk (112) portion.

This is the main branch among a dozen eponymous restaurants scattered across Bursa; the branch close to the Koza Han has a unique domed setting.

Address: Ünlü Caddesi 7
Hours: 11am-9pm
Price: İskender portion ₺38

The first Istanbul branch of a Karaköy Güllüoğlu founded in Gaziantep in the 1820s, this much-loved baklavac (baklava shop) debuted in 1949. Although there are several Güllüolu offshoots around town, this is the best. Pay at the register for a porsiyon (portion) of whatever you like, then order at the counters.

The most popular baklava flavors are fstkl (pistachio) and cevizli (walnut), however a karşk (mixed) porsiyon can also be ordered. On the side, many regulars purchase kaymak (clotted cream, $5). A cup of tea will help to balance out the sweetness. Su börei (lasagne-like layered pastry with white cheese and parsley) is excellent here. o.

Google Rating: 4.2/5.0

Address: Katlı Otopark, Kemankeş Caddesi, Karaköy
Phone: 0212-293 0910
Website; www.karakoygulluoglu.com
Hours: 7am-midnight Mon-Sat, from 8am Sun
Price: portion baklava ₺13-23, portion börek ₺11-12

Erhan eker, the owner/chef, is justifiably proud of his hybrid restaurant, hotel, and cookery school overlooking the Bay of Edremit, and he enjoys introducing people from all over the world to the delights of local Aegean products. You can dine on regional specialties in an attractive indoor dining room or on the panoramic garden terrace, and stay in simple but charming guest rooms (single/double/family 350/450/550).

The Zeytin Ba organic breakfast spread (included in hotel fee, $50 otherwise) is famed throughout the country for its freshness, diversity, and deliciousness, thus staying overnight is highly advised. You might even be able to replicate it at home if you sign up for the full-day cooking lesson in the spring and autumn (US$50 including supper).

Google Rating: 4.2/5.0

Location: Çamlıbel
Phone0266-387 3761
Website: www.zeytinbagi.com
Hours: 8am-midnight
Price: starters ₺20, mains ₺45-60

This much-anticipated new addition to Kzkalesi's seafront is housed in a charming ancient structure under the shadow of a massive 50-year-old rubber tree. At Rain Garden Restaurant, the cheerful menu of great, good-value worldwide favorites, as well as what may be the best skma börek (pastry packed with cheese or meat) in the eastern Mediterranean, is complemented by the rainbow-colored fan lights.

A lovely wood-burning stove bakes delectable bread, and the continental/full Turkish breakfast is 28/35. The upstairs terrace with views of Kzkalesi Castle is a real treat. There's also a fantastic patio bar.

On the 1st floor, there are four retro-style rooms (single/double/triple €40/70/85) with full-frontal views of the sea and picturesque Kzkalesi Castle (single/double/triple €40/70/85).

Google Rating: 4.7/5.0

Address: Avcılar Sokak 14
Phone: 0535 321 5416
Website: www.rainhotel.com
Hours; 8am-midnight
Price: mains ₺20-50

This 'Hidden Garden,' located about two-thirds of the way between Trabzon and Sumela, Kayadibi Saklıbahçe features some of the region's best Black Sea delicacies. Polenta-like cheesy kuymak, karalahana sarmas (mince-stuffed collard leaves), and paz kavurma (slightly spicy sautéed chard, potato, and onion mix) are also good options to share (about two per head).

The main dining hall is bright and glass-sided, but the atmosphere is unpretentious and there is lots of outside seating. It's a steep 100m up a lane that branches off the ancient D885 road near the ehit Ferhat Gedik Tunnel's southern end. It's about a 10-minute walk north from center Maçka, with a fork left just after the river bridge.

Google Rating: 4.2/5.0

Address: Şehit Ferhat Gedik Tüneli Çıkısı, Maçka
Phone; 0462-512 2318
Hours: 8am-8.30pm
Price: dishes ₺10-24