Amasya is a historic city and province in north-central Turkey, set in a dramatic gorge on the Yeşilırmak river beneath the rocky heights of Mount Harşena. Known as the Şehzadeler Şehri, or City of Princes, where Ottoman heirs trained as provincial governors, Amasya is famous for its Pontic royal rock tombs carved into the cliffs, its riverside Ottoman timber mansions, and its sweet apples. The birthplace of the ancient geographer Strabo, it blends Hellenistic, Roman, Seljuk, and Ottoman heritage in one of Turkey's most scenic provincial towns.
Amasya's cuisine blends Central Anatolian traditions with Black Sea influences, shaped by centuries of Ottoman palace culture. Wheat and bulgur underpin many dishes; the city's signature ingredient is the Amasya Misket apple — small, striped, and intensely sweet. Must-try dishes include çiçek bamyası (flower-okra stew), keşkek (pounded wheat and meat), toyga çorbası (yoghurt soup), and bakla dolması (stuffed broad-bean pods). Local pastry shops sell the Amasya çöreği, a distinctive anise-scented ring bread. Meals are generally conservative in alcohol; non-alcoholic ayran, şalgam, and freshly brewed Turkish tea are the drinks of choice.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Amasya.
Çiçek Bamyası
Tiny 'flower' okra — a geographically marked Amasya variety — cooked into a tart stew with tomato, lemon, and lamb. The city's most celebrated dish.
Price: ₺150–350 (approx $3–7.50)
Keşkek
Cracked wheat slow-cooked with lamb or chicken until silky, then beaten with butter. A traditional Anatolian wedding dish.
Price: ₺150–300 (approx $3–6.50)
Toyga Çorbası
Yoghurt soup with rice, chickpeas, and dried mint — tangy and soothing, a classic Amasya starter.
Price: ₺60–150 (approx $1.30–3.30)
Bakla Dolması
Broad-bean pods stuffed with spiced rice or bulgur, a refined Ottoman-era specialty served warm or at room temperature.
Price: ₺120–250 (approx $2.50–5.50)
Amasya Çöreği
A distinctive anise-scented ring bread, the city's emblematic pastry, sold in bakeries across the bazaar.
Price: ₺20–60 (approx $0.50–1.30)
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Turkish
Food tours & tastings in Amasya
Eat your way through Amasya with a guide.
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Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Çiğ Köfte
Spiced bulgur kneaded with pepper paste, sold in lavash wraps along the riverfront — the most popular street snack.
Price: ₺40–120 (approx $0.90–2.60)
Simit
Sesame-encrusted bread rings, sold from carts on Atatürk Caddesi from early morning.
Price: ₺10–20 (approx $0.25–0.45)
Su Böreği
Layered water-börek pastry, cut into squares and sold warm in the bazaar bakeries.
Price: ₺30–80 (approx $0.70–1.80)
Mısır (Grilled Corn)
Grilled or boiled corn cobs sold from carts near the riverfront in summer.
Price: ₺30–60 (approx $0.70–1.30)
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Amasya Kapalı Çarşı (Covered Bazaar)
The traditional covered market in the old town with stalls selling local produce, dried fruits, Amasya apple products, spices, and the city's çöreği bread. Located on Atatürk Caddesi near the Taşhan.
Hours: Monday–Saturday 08:00–19:00
Weekly Pazar (Market Day)
A large weekly open-air market held on Fridays in the central area, drawing produce, clothes, and household goods from across the province.
Hours: Friday 07:00–16:00
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lokantas (simple fixed-menu restaurants) serve the best-value lunches; point at the ready-made dishes displayed in trays
Turkish dining hours run late: lunch is 12:00–14:00, dinner from 19:00; most restaurants close by 22:30–23:00
Many river-view restaurants are busiest at sunset; arrive by 18:30 for a table without a wait
Tipping (bahşiş) of 5–10% is appreciated; rounding up the bill is common practice
Carry cash — many lokantas and market restaurants are cash-only; card machines are more common at konak hotels' restaurants
- Vegetarian
- Many traditional Amasya dishes are naturally vegetarian: toyga çorbası, bakla dolması, various bulgur pilafs, stuffed vegetables (dolma), and breakfast spreads. Dedicated vegetarian menus are rare but most lokantas will accommodate simple requests.
- Vegan
- Vegan options are limited but possible with some communication: plain bulgur, rice, stewed vegetables, bread, and fruit are widely available. Specifying 'et yok, süt yok, yumurta yok' (no meat, no milk, no egg) helps.
- Halal
- All mainstream restaurants in Amasya are halal; pork is not on menus. Alcohol is available at some licensed restaurants but most lokanta-style places are dry.
- Gluten free
- Traditional Anatolian cuisine is heavily wheat-based. Gluten-free options are extremely limited; rice-based dishes and grilled meats without bread are the safest choices.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |