Rize is a verdant Black Sea city in northeastern Turkey, celebrated as the heartland of Turkish tea production. Terraced tea gardens cascade down steep hillsides to the sea, while the Kaçkar Mountains rise dramatically inland, offering world-class trekking, rafting in the Fırtına Valley, and highland plateaus dotted with traditional Hemşin architecture.
Rize's cuisine is defined by the Black Sea agricultural landscape: anchovies (hamsi), cornbread (mısır ekmeği), highland dairy (kaymak, butter, cheese), wild mountain vegetables, and river trout. The signature dish muhlama — a rich melted cheese and cornmeal fondue — is eaten for breakfast or lunch across the region. Hemşin culture adds laz böreği (a custard-filled pastry) and muhlama variants. Tea is inseparable from every meal.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Nimet Restaurant
Popular Black Sea / Turkish restaurant in Rize.
Cumhuriyet Cad. No:15, Rize 53000, Turkey
Kale Restaurant
Popular Traditional Black Sea restaurant in Rize.
Orta Mah. Kale Altı, Rize 53000, Turkey
Fırtına Restaurant
Popular Local / Black Sea restaurant in Rize.
Çamlıhemşin Mah., Rize 53750, Turkey
Ayder Sofra
Popular Hemşin / Black Sea restaurant in Rize.
Ayder Yaylası, Çamlıhemşin, Rize 53750, Turkey
Sahil Balık Evi
Popular Black Sea seafood restaurant in Rize.
Sahil Bulvarı No:8, Rize 53000
Hemşin Mutfağı
Popular Hemşin traditional restaurant in Rize.
Hemşin Köyü Merkez, Hemşin, Rize, Turkey
Lezzet Lokantası
Popular Home-style Turkish restaurant in Rize.
Çarşı Mah. No:22, Rize 53000, Turkey
Usta Muhlama
Popular Black Sea specialty dishes restaurant in Rize.
Muradiye Mah. No:9, Rize 53000, Turkey
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Turkish
Kordon Kahvaltıcı
Kordon Cad. No:5, Rize 53000, Turkey
Bazar Pastane
Çarşı Mah. No:8, Rize 53000, Turkey
Rize Çay Bahçesi Lounge
Ziraat Mah., Rize 53000, Turkey
Food tours & tastings in Rize
Eat your way through Rize with a guide.
Browse food experiences in RizeWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Rize Kapalı Çarşı (Covered Bazaar)
Pazar Tuesday Market
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
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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. |