Kugulu Park
Kugulu Park is a charming little park nestled between Ataturk Boulevard and Tunali Hilmi Street. There are not many options in this cozy little park, but there is one restaurant and cafe that calls Kugulu Park home. Fortunately Kugulu Park Restaurant and Cafe steals some of its charm from the park down below because the atmosphere inside is as calming as watching the swans gracefully swim around in the small pond below.
Massive windows adorn almost every wall that open when the weather is nice giving you the feeling of dining with the birds, or perhaps with countless children that you will find playing in the playground in the adjourning area to the pond. Whichever your choice, to grab a tea and a bite while watching your kids play down below or to dine with the swans and ducks , you will be able to find a seat at either end of this big restaurant. You can also watch a little television while you wait for your food or drink on one of the many flat screens mounted in between windows.
I’m personally a fan of their menu, it is modest and not overfilled to the point of being as big as your “Turkish Translation” book. You can find a great selection of sandwiches, salads, kebab, doner, pide and the like, but as mentioned at a comfortable amount of selection but also not too much. Their Kugulu Special Iskender is a must-try. It’s ground beef doner served with fresh grilled eggplants, yoghurt sauce and bulgur pilaf on the side. After your meal, you can have a glass or two of hot Turkish tea on the house.
They know what they make, and they make it well. The same goes for the specialty drinks that they make on site for you, they are superb, I’m a big fan of the lemon grass tea. No matter your time frame, this restaurant is more than likely open, not closing the day out until a modest 10pm. Make sure to feed the ducks and swans before you go, it’s great fun solo or as family time at the park.
Dikmen Vadisi
Everyone needs an escape from the city once in a while. If you want a quick “escape” without actually leaving the city, then Dikmen Vadisi is that perfect option. This enormous park is filled with flowers, trees, a children’s amusement park, a river filled with fountains that flows throughout the tremendous length of the park, playgrounds, workout equipment, there’s even a few restaurants and cafes. If you start from the beginning you will surely be ready to rest your legs when you come across a circular restaurant called Recep Usta, drinking in the scenery of this valley that rests between rows of apartment buildings in the Turkish capital city.
During the summer, Recep Usta is quite packed with people coming in for brunch, snacks, dinner and even for just some drinks and desserts to spend quality time with friends or family over warm summer nights at this elegant escape from the city, while still being in its borders. A good walk around the area can be a great way to work up your appetite.
You may start with a salad while waiting for the main course. Bostane Salad and Recep Usta Special are on the house for you to enjoy. If you love meat on skewers, there are plenty of choices for you- from liver cooked on skewers, riblets skewers and chicken skewers all served with grilled sweet green or red peppers, tomatoes, lemon and parsley . You might also want to give their lamb chops a go, as well as their meat dishes in eggplant sauce such as Ali Nazik, Abaganus, Begendili Kebab and Kusbasili Ali Nazik.
For kebab fans, indulge yourself in Recep Usta’s sumptuous choices of Lule Kebab, Sebzeli Lule Kebab and the one loaded with nuts called Fistikli Lule Kebab or you may go for something with a touch of Diyarbakir called Sac Tava which is diced lamb fried on iron plate or Mixed Sac Tava -diced lamb and lamb chops fried on iron plate as well.
Wrap up an excellent meal with their tea on the house, and if you still have some space spared for a mouthwatering dessert, a semolina dessert with cinnamon (Irmik Helvasi) and Gullac (a popular Ramadan dessert) can be your best bet yet.
Near Ankara Castle in Altindag
Altindag is a thickly populated district and is one of the busiest areas in metropolitan Ankara, frequented for its commercial establishments, huge mosques, Rahmi Koc Museum, bazaars, and historic ruins such as the Roman Bath and the majestic Ankara Castle on the top of the hill overlooking the modern city. When you’re here, complete your visit with an incredible meal at Sadik Ustanin Meshur Kebabi. Just a few meters to the east of the castle’s entrance, Sadik Ustanin Meshur Kebabi has got you covered after an energy-consuming climb to the historic attraction.
Back in the summer of 2017, we came across this place in search for a good meal and refreshing beverage after visiting Ankara Castle. Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted by the inviting smell of kebabs, onions and sweet/spicy peppers over burning coals. The restaurant has a second floor where you can have a better view of restored homes on both sides of the narrow street. From the second floor there are steps that lead to a tiny garden with a few tables for diners who would prefer a quieter atmosphere.
When you come to dine here with your children, either the second floor or the garden would be a better spot. In our case, we chose the latter as we didn’t want to risk bothering other diners with our kids who have a tendency to be real chatterboxes. Gladly at that time we were the only ones at the garden- it felt like we had the entire place all to ourselves to enjoy such an excellent meal and feel replenished after an exhausting walk.
Their lamb on skewers and Adana Kebab are truly prepared and cooked with love. Enjoy either or both with a healthy cold drink called Ayran or the healthier version of it called Jajik – with diced or shredded cucumbers. Come in hungry, leave happy, full and satisfied…without having to pay an arm and a leg. What adds to a better dining experience is the accommodating staff that’s all smiles to refill your glass of complimentary Turkish tea.
Kizilay
Kizilay is home to pretty much anything you are hungry for, you will find here. You can find food choices to just about any degree here, ranging from something quick like a pastry or simit to fast food or a sit down meal, of varying degrees of dining and foods. If you’d like to take your significant other to a romantic dinner, or maybe a peaceful and relaxing place to hide away for a few hours, it doesn’t matter what you are in the mood for on that specific evening because the choices here are endless.
My favorite place to go to while in Kizilay is Cadde Doner, hands down. This neat restaurant has a diner feel to it. Thanks to an open floor plan and the comfortable booths spread throughout it, it’s very easy to spot some polite and friendly staff incase if you need a drink refill or anything else for your meal. There is also an outdoor patio that sprawls the entire diner just slightly above inside guests. The meals offered here are pretty much the same tasty Turkish food you will find at most places, Adana kebab and the like, but the huge portions separate this place from the rest. Dining here and feeding a young family is reasonably affordable if you want a budget friendly restaurant that won’t leave your pocketbook empty, if only that could be said about your stomach though. Try and leave a little bit of room for a delectable after-meal dessert they have on hand, they will leave you craving for more despite already being too full to possibly eat any more.
Oran
(Newcastle Pub Oran)
Perhaps after a day of catching the best deals shopping at the malls in Panora and One Tower, you grab a bite to eat at one of the best restaurants the area has to offer, Newcastle Pub. No matter your appetite, this place has something for you, whether it be the chicken alfredo, or the kokorec pizza, or even just some popcorn to enjoy with a cold adult friendly drink. Speaking of adult drinks, Newcastle is the place to go. With a fully stocked bar that stretches the length of the building, it should never be hard to get another drink. Huge flat screen TVs line the walls, so it’s the perfect spot to grab some drinks with friends and watch the football game, or also perfect to keep your little mouths planted in one place as their little eyes can watch some cartoons while you and your spouse get some much needed peace. See, something for everyone! Outside you can find a equally as big dining area if you prefer to dine out while dining out which is open year round thanks to big overhead heaters that will make you temporarily forget about winter. Overall, the prices are comfortable. They are a little higher than most, but you get what you pay extra for in your delicious specialty meals.
Gaziosmanpasa
Just south of the city center, Gaziosmanpasa is a pretty spot if you are looking for a modern relaxing atmosphere that caters to different lifestyles. The area is popular for nightlife and is usually quite busy on weekends. It is where you can find a lot of foreign pubs, restaurants, cafes, art studios, hotels, schools and big supermarkets for all of your needs.
Security wise, this area is more peaceful as it is watched 24/7 due to the presence of several embassies here, especially on the Koza Street side. When you are in Gaziosmanpasa, walk uphill to the tiny street of Koza and you will find one of the best views of the sprawling city below.
When you are in the mood for a wonderful night of cocktails, nachos and live music, Amarillo Grill Restaurant and Bar is your best bet yet. If you come here hungry, they have have plenty of choices for you – from fajitas burger and salads to grilled food.
For starters, their chicken wings, chili con carne and mixed finger food platter of French fries, sausages, potato croquettes and grilled cheese are truly a perfect match for chilled beer. This bar has spacious outdoor seating where you can hang out too. It’s also a child-friendly pub that is very popular among diplomats and expats.
Carpe Diem Journals 