4 Best Restaurants in The Black Sea Coast and Lake Van, Turkey

Katmerci Zekeriya Usta

$ Fodor's choice
Something of a local institution, Zekeriya Usta is not to be missed. Try the katmer, which is a sort of large folded pancake, and here it comes filled with crushed pistachio and kaymak (a type of clotted cream). Witnessing the team of master chefs at work is all part of the fun here, and they do it with a flourish for all to see, before cooking in a stone oven. Try skipping breakfast one day and head here instead for a filling brunch, or save it as a spot to savor a decadent dessert treat.

Ayder Sofrası

$$

In good weather, the place to sit is the stone-lined terrace with wooden picnic tables that look over the mountains and the waterfall. The kitchen turns out trout and local dishes such as stuffed cabbage and turşu kavurması (roasted pickled vegetables), as well as meat options, and serves an open buffet breakfast every day.

Mustafa’nın Kahvaltı ve yemek Dünyası

$$
Located inside the historic Hasan Paşa Han, this is regarded as one of Diyarbakır's best breakfast options, but it also makes a splendid choice for lunch or dinner. Along with regular kebabs are local specialties like kaburga, a sheep's rib cage cooked with rice inside, that the waiter dissects for you, and meftune, a lamb-and-eggplant stew. Both come in servings made for two people.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Yeşil Vadi Cafe and Restaurant

$

Perched on the corner of a bridge overlooking the thundering Fırtına River, this smart restaurant is a great lunch stop before heading farther into the mountains. It serves local specialties with delicious desserts including laz böreği (thin pastry layers filled with custard) and a type of helva, which is a semolina-based dessert.