Remember a few weeks ago we met Selahattin Tümer, our Lokafyer in Bodrum, Türkiye? In our conversation, his love for the city and passion for sharing his knowledge with new people were palpable. As a Lokafyer, he always looks out to make visitors feel like they are at home and he has an incredible capability of pointing out all of Bodrum’s charms and its most beloved traits. Since we wanted to talk about the city again today, we thought that it would be a good idea to reach out to Selahattin again and ask for his help! We want to explore Bodrum’s gastronomy, but we have to do it correctly… and what better way to do it than by asking a local and an expert, someone who will know where visitors will feel like locals and eat the best traditional and most popular dishes.
You may be wondering why we’re dedicating a blog to Bodrum’s food scene, and our answer is as follows: the city’s gastronomy is a reflection of Turkish food, and just as Selahattin told us early, Turkish gastronomy is one of the richest in the world. Simply put, as a cuisine that originated from the perfect confluence of the Silk and Spice Roads, the Empire of Alexander the Great, as well as the Roman and Ottoman Empires, it is safe to say that there are countless preparations, ingredients, flavors and colors constantly feeding millions of Turkish citizens and eagerly awaiting to be discovered. With such a wonderful company as Selahattin, discovering Bodrum’s food scene can be a delightful experience. Let’s begin!
Bodrum reflects Türkiye's rich history, as a place where different cultures and empires have converged thorughout history.
Eating in Bodrum:
Selahattin was the first to tell us that something that is not noticed by lots of foreigners is that Bodrum is way more than its city center. Oftentimes, when you ask about the best places to eat, the restaurants mentioned will be reduced to that area, which is a shame, because then you will not be able to grasp the fact that Bodrum is not only a city, but a whole peninsula! Thus, there are small villages and little towns that make up the bigger Bodrum, but if you hear locals refer to “Bodrum merkez”, know that they’ll be talking about the central city. Given all of this, Selahattin’s recommendations aren’t limited to great restaurants in the city center, but he made sure to include several popular towns and villages worth a visit too.
Thanks to Selahattin’s knowledge, now we know that Bodrum is way more than the city center, and we can start exploring the whole peninsula.
Where the locals eat:
Now that everything’s clear, we’re ready to explore Bodrum’s gastronomy freely. First off, let’s talk about the city’s center. Bistro Marina Neyzar is a restaurant that serves local dishes, Turkish kebabs and mezes, which generally refer to small plates that can serve as entrées during dinner or that you can have throughout the night (they taste best with good company). The restaurant is a great choice for those eager to try Turkish dishes, from the simplest to the most complex, and the atmosphere will engulf you like you’re dreaming. During the evenings, you’ll be able to enjoy live music to accompany your meal and don’t forget to ask for a glass of wine or a beer as well, it’s part of the experience. The Bistro has an ocakbaşi concept, which means that it specializes in barbecue and only serves red meat. There’s clearly a reason why it has such a grand reputation in Bodrum!
On the other hand, we also think that it is important to enjoy the most delicious sweets and desserts that Türkiye has to offer. Evidently, to do so you’ll have to head over to Yunuslar Karadeniz Unlu Mamulleri, considered the best patisserie in Bodrum, and one of its oldest, because it was founded in 1876. You’ll probably have the urge to order baklava, thinking that it is the most traditional thing that you can eat. Actually, there are other sweet dishes that are closer to the local’s taste. For example, milk desserts (muhallebi), other baked pastries and fried sweets, known as lokma, are part of the daily life of locals, and are worth a try. People say that if you can, you should visit Yunuslar several times a day. Perhaps it is an interesting way to discover what sweets locals eat after breakfast, lunch and dinner.
These are just some of the desserts that you’re going to find in Yunuslar, one of Bodrum’s oldest patisseries. Here, life sure is sweet!
Exploring Bodrum peninsula:
Outside of Bodrum’s city center there’s a whole other world to explore. Luckily for us, Selahattin has guided us through some villages that you simply cannot miss. To begin with, we have Gündoğan, a small fishing town that remains peaceful among the hustle and bustle of other parts of the peninsula. There, you’ll see countless olive and citrus groves, and the pines of its hills will immediately help you relax. It is the perfect location for a short getaway, in which you’ll be able to sunbathe on its beaches, snorkel or dive, and of course, enjoy delicious food! Reana is a restaurant that will surely enrich your adventure in Gündoğan, with the most exquisite Mediterranean and Turkish dishes to keep the same breezy atmosphere of town.
Gündoğan may be a small fishing town, but it has a huge personality. It is one of the most peaceful spots of the peninsula, and a place you won't regret visiting.
Selahattin also recommended Gümüşlük, a lesser-known village that still is a hidden gem for locals. It has a laid-back spirit and it invites you to slow down and relax for a bit. Definitely, you’ll love Limon, a beloved restaurant popular among locals and visitors alike. In its menu, you’ll find Mediterranean, Turkish and vegetarian dishes made with local and fresh ingredients. As if that wasn’t enough, Limon has one of the best views in all of Gümüşlük, so we suggest that you go to the restaurant in the afternoon so you’ll be able to watch the most wonderful sunset. Great food and beautiful views sound like a great combination, don’t you think?
Gümüşlük is not very known among tourists, but locals love its laid-back spirit and beautiful views.
Well, we have come to the end of our journey through Bodrum and we think it is safe to say that you had a great start discovering some of the best places where you will be able to eat like a local and enjoy some of the most delicious Turkish and Mediterranean dishes. We would like to thank Selahattin for all of his help and to assist us in getting to know the real Bodrum (beyond the city center), across the peninsula, exploring small villages with lots of personality. What’s left for you to do is simply continue trying out different places and familiarizing yourself with one of the world’s richest gastronomies. You’ll need plenty of time since there are centuries worth of history in Turkish dishes. Good luck!
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