Samsun is Turkey's largest Black Sea port city and the capital of Samsun Province, with a metropolitan population of approximately 1.36 million. The city holds a special place in Turkish history as the landing point of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on May 19, 1919 — the moment that launched the Turkish War of Independence. Today Samsun is a vibrant modern city combining deep patriotic heritage, a long sandy Black Sea coastline, fertile hazelnut and tobacco countryside, and an increasingly lively dining and nightlife scene. The Kıyı Park seafront promenade stretches 7 km along the coast, the replica Bandırma Vapuru museum ship recalls Atatürk's historic arrival, and a modern tramway connects the city's main districts with ease.
Samsun's cuisine is dominated by the Black Sea tradition — fresh fish (especially hamsi/anchovy), corn bread (mısır ekmeği), hazelnut products, dairy, and slow-cooked stews. The anchovy is the symbol of the Black Sea kitchen: fried, steamed, baked with rice, or pickled. Muhlama (melted cheese with cornmeal and butter) is a rich local speciality. Black Sea tea, consumed in tulip glasses throughout the day, is central to social life. Laz böreği (cream-filled pastry) is the region's iconic sweet.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Şaman Restaurant
Popular Black Sea Seafood restaurant in Samsun.
Known for: Fresh Black Sea fish caught daily; anchovy season November–February is peak time
Kıyı Parkı Yolu No:12, İlkadım, Samsun
Köfteci Ramiz
Popular Turkish Grill restaurant in Samsun.
Known for: Legendary köfte — a Samsun institution for 30+ years
Cumhuriyet Meydanı Yakını, İlkadım, Samsun
Cumhuriyet Meyhane
Popular Meyhane / Meze restaurant in Samsun.
Known for: Traditional meyhane dining with live fasıl music on weekends
Cumhuriyet Cad. No:7, İlkadım, Samsun
Çarşamba Balık Evi
Popular Black Sea Fish restaurant in Samsun.
Known for: Locals drive from Samsun specifically for the turbot here — very fresh, straight from the Black Sea
Çarşamba Merkez, Çarşamba, Samsun
Pide Evi Samsun
Popular Turkish Pide (Flatbread) restaurant in Samsun.
Known for: Black Sea-style pide baked in wood-fired stone oven; very thin crispy crust
19 Mayıs Cad. No:18, İlkadım, Samsun
Bafra Lokantası
Popular Turkish Home Cooking restaurant in Samsun.
Known for: Authentic everyday Turkish cooking; workers' lunch spot since 1972
Şeyh Mah., İlkadım, Samsun
Kıyı Balık Restaurant
Popular Black Sea Seafood restaurant in Samsun.
Known for: Waterfront tables overlooking the Black Sea; sunset views spectacular
Atakum Sahil Yolu No:22, Atakum, Samsun
Samsun Lahmacun Salonu
Popular Turkish Street Food restaurant in Samsun.
Known for: Local workers' fast lunch — eat lahmacun rolled with parsley and lemon
Bedesten Cd. No:4, İlkadım, Samsun
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Turkish
Tarihi Samsun Börekçisi
Known for: Operating since 1960; best börek in Samsun according to locals
Çarşı Mah., İlkadım, Samsun
Fındık Restoran (Hazelnut Restaurant)
Known for: Modern Turkish cuisine showcasing Karadeniz (Black Sea) ingredients — hazelnut-focused menu
Kıyı Park Civarı, İlkadım, Samsun
Döner Ustası Samsun
Known for: Classic street döner — fast, filling, and authentic
Cumhuriyet Meydan Civarı, İlkadım, Samsun
Samsun Kebap Evi
Known for: Wood-charcoal grill — kebabs cooked over open flame in the classic Anatolian style
Kale Mah. No:9, İlkadım, Samsun
Samsun Çorba Evi
Known for: Open from breakfast until midnight — popular after-night-out stop
Kazımpaşa Cd., İlkadım, Samsun
Malkara Et & Mangal
Known for: Outdoor charcoal mangal (barbecue) — popular with Atakum beach visitors
Atakum Cad. No:33, Atakum, Samsun
Samsun Tatlıcısı (Sweets Shop)
Known for: Laz böreği — a Black Sea specialty cream pastry unique to this region
Cumhuriyet Cad. No:15, İlkadım, Samsun
Samsun Grill House
Known for: Premium grill with Black Sea views — best upscale dining option in Samsun
Kıyı Parkı Yolu No:1, İlkadım, Samsun
Çay Evi Bostan
Known for: Open-air tea garden inside Kıyı Park — perfect for evening tea with sea breeze
Kıyı Parkı İçi, İlkadım, Samsun
Samsun Steak Evi
Known for: Quality beef sourced from local Karadeniz cattle — reliable mid-range option
Atatürk Bulvarı No:48, İlkadım, Samsun
Amisos Mantı Evi
Known for: Handmade mantı with walnut-yogurt sauce — house specialty
İlkadım, Samsun
Anatolian Regional
Havza Yöresel Restoran
Known for: Traditional village cooking using local dairy, herbs, and legumes — an authentic off-the-beaten-path meal
Havza Merkez, Havza, Samsun
Black Sea Bakery
Trabzon Ekmeği Fırını
Known for: Classic Black Sea corn bread — dense, golden, and baked fresh every morning
Bedesten Cd. No:11, İlkadım, Samsun
Black Sea Pide & Tea House
Rize Çay Evi & Pide Salonu
Known for: Black Sea-style pide with local Trabzon cheese — served from a stone hearth oven all day
İstiklal Cad. No:55, İlkadım, Samsun
Black Sea Regional
Karadeniz Mutfağı
Known for: The most comprehensive Black Sea cuisine menu in the city — excellent muhlama
Cumhuriyet Bulvarı No:42, İlkadım, Samsun
International Café
Sahil Café & Bistro
Known for: Seafront terrace overlooking Black Sea — best for morning coffee and sunset
Kıyı Parkı Promenad No:8, İlkadım, Samsun
Seafood
Atakum Balıkçı Evi
Known for: Simple outdoor tables right on the beach — very popular with locals
Atakum Plaj Yolu No:5, Atakum, Samsun
Food tours & tastings in Samsun
Eat your way through Samsun with a guide.
Browse food experiences in SamsunWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Mısır koçanı (corn on the cob)
Find it at: Kıyı Park stalls
Price: 15–25 TRY (~$0.45–0.75 USD)
Simit
Find it at: Street vendors near Cumhuriyet Meydanı
Price: 10–15 TRY (~$0.30–0.45 USD)
Midye tava (fried mussels)
Find it at: Kıyı Park
Price: 20–40 TRY (~$0.60–1.20 USD)
Kumpir (loaded baked potato)
Find it at: Atakum beachfront
Price: 60–100 TRY (~$1.80–3 USD)
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Samsun Kapalı Çarşı (Old Bazaar)
Bafra Market
Cumartesi Pazarı (Saturday 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. |