What to Eat in Izmir? | 17 Dishes that You Must Taste!

The question of what to eat in Izmir is frequently asked, especially by local and foreign tourists who have come to the city for the first time. Izmir is a very rich city in terms of food places. You can find a place for every cuisine in the region. However, in this article, we will include flavors that are unique to Izmir.

Many of the foods listed below are among the famous dishes of Izmir. There are many options on the list, from boyoz to pastiches. We recommend you not return without tasting the following flavors on your trip to Izmir.

If you are wondering where and what to eat in Izmir, we have listed the most important dishes of the districts in the next title. If you visit the districts of the city, you can also experience these flavors. Without further ado, let's move on to the list of famous dishes of Izmir 😊

What are the Famous Dishes of İzmir?

If you are wondering what to eat in Izmir, the first thing you should look for is Izmir's famous dishes. There are many flavors unique to the city. At the same time, there are also very rich places in terms of Turkish and world cuisines. If you are wondering what to eat in Izmir rather than where to eat, the list below can help you!

1- Boyoz

Boyoz is perhaps the most famous flavor of Izmir. So much so that when it comes to what to eat in Izmir, boyoz immediately comes to mind. Boyoz, which is usually consumed for breakfast, should definitely accompany you if you are going to have breakfast in Izmir. We strongly recommend you to try the trio of boiled eggs, boyoz, and tea.

Let's talk a little bit about the story of boyoz. Boyoz is a pastry food brought to Turkey by families of Jewish origin who came to the city after the 1600s. Its origin is thought to be Spain. Today, it is included in Izmir cuisine by preserving its original form.

You shoul read: Places to visit in İzmir

2- Kumru

Kumru is a food that is basically identified with the Çeşme district of Izmir. However, it is possible to find this flavor almost everywhere in the city. Therefore, one answer to the question of what to eat in Izmir is kumru. This flavor, which was initially offered by peddlers, is now offered in restaurants also.

Kumru is generally served with cheddar cheese, sausage, sausage, pickles, tomatoes, etc. In addition, when you support it with ketchup-mayonnaise, you will notice that a magnificent flavor is formed.

3- Söğüş

If you are asking what to eat in Izmir, one of the best answers we can give you is söğüş! Söğüş, the most famous street food of Izmir, is a flavor that you should definitely try when you come to the city. In the search for places to eat in Izmir, there are many places that prepare this special food.

Prepared with onion, parsley, and sumac in addition to offal derivatives such as tongue and brain, söğüş can be eaten before or after meals or as a main course. When its excellent flavor is added to its filling and nutritious structure, it turns out to be a wonderful food.

4- İzmir Bombası (İzmir Bomb 😊)

Next up is bomba, one of the most famous desserts of Izmir, which has recently become popular through social media. Chocolate and dough meet in perfect harmony and combination and the result is the Izmir bomb. 😊 Of course, it is not limited to this.

Although you can find this flavor in many parts of Turkey, the original is only eaten in İzmir. Especially the fact that it looks like a cookie on the outside and is filled with chocolate on the inside makes it worthy of being a favorite of dessert lovers. Be sure to try it!

5- İzmir Kokoreç

Kokorec is not a food that belongs to Izmir, but it has a special way of making it. We know that kokorec is consumed and loved especially in big cities like Istanbul and Izmir. So, how is kokoreç made in Izmir?

In Izmir style, kokoreç is taken directly from the embers. After slicing, it is not minced and is distributed with only 4 - 5 knife strokes. Spices can only be added upon request.

This mixture is placed between the bread and served. The most important difference from other kokoreç is that it is tomato-free. We highly recommend adding this flavor to your list of what to eat in Izmir.

6- Şambali

Şambali dessert is a dessert that can often be encountered when visiting Izmir food places. In other words, the city, the pearl of the Aegean, is famous not only for its food but also for its desserts. Basically a street delicacy, you can find şambali dessert best at the places in Kemeraltı Bazaar.

In your search for places to eat in Izmir, be sure to include a place that serves shambali dessert. Although its preparation, taste and appearance are similar to revani, the taste of shambali is more intense. In its production, semolina, milk, and sugar are generally used as basic ingredients.

Are you looking for some İzmir Vacation Destinations? Then, check our blog!

7- İzmir Meatball

One of the most famous options for Izmir-specific dishes is İzmir meatballs. This indispensable dish can be defined as meatballs in tomato sauce accompanied by potato slices. From this point of view, we can also show Izmir meatballs among the famous dishes of Izmir. It can be a great dinner option when you step into the city.

8- Kopanisti Cheese

Another answer to the question of what to eat in Izmir is kopanisti cheese! This dessert can be made from cow, sheep or goat milk separately, but it can also be made from a mixture of these three cheeses. After the milk is strained, the resulting cream is combined with butter to make kopanisti cheese. It has a creamy structure.

This cheese is usually served peppery and spicy. It has a flavor reminiscent of Roquefort due to the fermentation process of bacteria. You can easily find this cheese in the traditional village markets in Karaburun, Çeşme and Urla.

9- Cookies with mastic gum

Basically, although it is not counted among the famous dishes of Izmir, we can also count gumdrop cookies, which is the most famous food of Çeşme district. It is especially popular in the Alaçatı neighborhood of Çeşme. You can come across this flavor in any cafe while walking on the street.

10- Şevketi Bostan

Şevketi bostan takes its name from the plant it is made from. Although it is not unique to Izmir, we can say that it belongs to Mediterranean cuisine. Since Izmir cuisine often includes Mediterranean herbs, we felt the need to add it to the list.

The dish can be prepared plain or with lamb. It is quite delicious and pleases many people. You can experience this dish in restaurants in Alsancak. It can be a favorite dish for those who wonder what to eat in Alsancak. :)

11- Pastiç

Among the famous dishes of Izmir, we can also count pastiç. Pastiç, a pastry food prepared with cocoa, hazelnuts, and raisins, is just one of the most beautiful flavors in the city. If you like donuts and their derivatives, you should definitely try pastiş! 😊

Where and What to Eat in İzmir?

In addition to these dishes above, we can also answer the question of what to eat in İzmir with some dishes that are unique to the districts. The districts of İzmir are very rich in terms of food culture and variety. Though we included the most important dishes in our article, we can say that there are lots of dishes in İzmir.

1- Çığırtma – Bergama

Bergama is an address not only for history and archeology lovers but also for flavor lovers. The çığırtma dish, which is famous here and made from thin and long eggplants, is among the flavors you should definitely try. If you are on your way to Bergama for the list of what to eat in Izmir, be sure to add çığırtma. You can eat this dish at all meals including breakfast.

2- Bergama Meatball – Bergama

It would be impossible not to count Bergama meatballs among the famous dishes of Izmir! Local meatball flavors are very popular in our country. Bergama meatballs are just one of them. Be sure to include this flavor in your Izmir trip.

You can read: The Best 10 Venues in İzmir

3- Gopez (Boops boops or bogue) with yogurt – Foça

Normally, there is a perception that yogurt and fish are inedible. However, this is an urban legend. Both product groups can be easily consumed when fresh. Gopez dish with yogurt is also made from kupez fish. Be sure to try it on your trip to Foça!

4- Samsades – Seferihisar

Samsades, a kind of sherbet dessert, is a food unique to Seferihisar district. It is among the desserts prepared in the form of a muska. Curd, cinnamon and sugar are added to the dough and fried. It is made ready by pouring sherbet over it. You can often come across this flavor for Izmir food places.

5- Zülbiye – Bergama

Zülbiye dessert is one of the Ramadan desserts unique to Bergama district. It is also known as Ramadan dessert in Bergama. Although it is a little difficult to find in normal times, zülbiye dessert is among the flavors you should definitely experience.

6- Töngül Pide (pita) – Ödemiş

Finally, we would like to mention a dish belonging to Ödemiş district. For the question of what to eat in Izmir, we should definitely add töngül pide to the list! You can enjoy the töngül pita prepared with parsley, sugar, milk, milk, egg, roasted minced meat mixture and special mortar. It is among the famous flavors of Ödemiş.

We looked for an answer to the question of what to eat in Izmir. As you can see, there are many flavors of the city. We recommend that you try each flavor and add the places where you can eat these dishes to your travel list.