Bodrum Restaurants and Dining

(Bodrum, Mugla, Turkey)



Elevated view of the Sea Garden resortEating out in Bodrum is generally a pleasure, with a very high standard of quality in both the local eateries and the international restaurants that cater solely to tourists. Although the latter type is relatively expensive in Bodrum, they generally fare favourably in comparison with dining establishments in other, more high-profile Mediterranean resorts.

There are literally hundreds of restaurants in Bodrum, from the humble local snack bar and stall to McDonalds and pizzerias, as well as high quality seafood dining on the seafront. There is, of course, also a huge amount of traditional Turkish restaurants in town.


Sea Garden resort picture

When to Eat / Opening Hours

You can breakfast on snacks from as early as 06:00 in Bodrum town centre, where 'böreks' (flaky pastry pies) and other popular snacks can be had at this time as well as throughout the day. Hotels generally serve breakfast from 06:00 or 07:00 to about 10:00; lunch from 13:00 and dinner from around 19:00. Eateries are usually open all day in Bodrum, even during Ramadan in the touristy areas, and close by 23:00.

What to Eat

Turkish cuisine employs fresh ingredients and is generally non-fattening, although you can easily stock up on fatty foods at the myriad of fast-food places, including Pizza Hut, McDonalds and the mountain of kebab joints. Kebabs are the most popular snack and main course in Bodrum and kebab stalls can be found all over. There are also a huge number of fish and seafood restaurants along the promenade.

Fresh vegetables, pure olive oil and garlic garnish most Turkish dishes. Noteworthy specialities to try while in Bodrum include eggplant salad (patlican salatasi), pastry stuffed with meat or cheese (börek), a type of crepe with tasty fillings (gözleme), and cabbage leaves, grape leaves, and green peppers with rice (dolma).

Photo of beachfront parasols

Where to Eat

Almost anywhere along Bodrum Bay has good dining and views to match, with the promenade having the backdrop of St. Peter's Castle. There are cafés and restaurants galore catering to tourists, as well as a glut of kebab joints and Turkish eateries. Some of the best eating in Bodrum can be had in the posh hotels that overlook the beach, with rooftop terraces at the likes of Manastir, Mavi, and Marina Vista hotels.

In downtown Bodrum, the restaurants along Gumbet, Bitez, and Ortakent feature all types of cuisine, and the prices aren't too savage to boot. For seafood dining in Bodrum, head for Gümüslük, Ortakent, Torba, Türkbükü, or Yalikavak. In addition, Bitez and Yaliçiftil also have great kebab eating, together with a huge variety of meat dishes. Good meat dishes can also be had opposite the Yapi Kredi Bank in Konacik, while Gölköy has perfect Turkish pastry dishes, including 'baklava'.

Bodrum beachfront imageGood priced meals can also be had in the streets near the PTT post office, particularly near Cevat Sakir Street. This busy thoroughfare has excellent fast-food restaurants and cheap dining options, where tourists can give dishes like 'lahmacun' and 'lokantas' (spicy meat in flatbread) a try. The collection of streets around Meyhane Sokak is where Bodrum's best börek is eaten at Tatlici. You can find this gem by heading along Meyhane Sok from the tourist information centre - the best time to come is at breakfast.

Another good place to go for snacks is Karadeniz Pastanesi, near the main square, which is loaded with cakes, biscuits and breads, and serves some of the most filling sandwiches in Bodrum.

If you have had your fill of Bodrum eateries and restaurants, and have tried all categories along the promenade, in among the narrow streets of the town centre, and within the hotels overlooking the bay, you could head for the nearby village of Gümüslük, which is especially known for its seafood.