Ankara, Turkey’s capital and administrative centre, as well as a famous tourist attraction, is the second-largest city in Turkey (after Istanbul). Aside from the fascinating Ulus Old Town, which is centred on a hilltop citadel and home to many landmarks, mosques, and historic buildings, the rest of the city is comprised of purpose-built, relatively recent developments and a few shanty towns thrown together by rural Turks migrating to the city in the last half-century. Kizilay Square is in the heart of the commercial sector, with Ulus and Sihhiye Squares not far away serving as secondary nodes. Hotels in the heart of Ankara are easily accessible by taxis, as well as the metro, buses, and local suburban rail.
Food And Shopping In Ankara
Doner kebabs are the sole representative of Turkish food in the minds of many Westerners. While the city may be littered with kebab shops, there is so much more to the cuisine of this country. Due to the significant number of economic migrants from the countryside, most of the unique meals are accessible here from restaurants catering to indigenous tastes, and each area and nearly every city in Turkey has its own distinct cuisine. Fish restaurants in Ankara make the most of their supply chains to offer year-round access to tasty, fresh fish. It’s not cheap, but the restaurants on Cancaya and the streets of Tunali and Olgunlar serve up some of the city’s tastiest food.
The ‘iskendar kebab’ is a specialty of Ankara; it is made of fresh lamb that has been sliced and rotary-cooked with tomatoes, yoghurt, and lots of butter. There are several options for those who enjoy doner, but it’s preferable to go where the locals recommend. To reiterate, real doner rounds should be rectangular, and the meat should be sliced thinly and flat. Turkish cuisine often consists of a variety of appetisers known as mezes, which may include grilled vegetables and other foods, a main course of fish or meat, and a dessert of Turkish delight or lokma (fried sweet dough served with syrup). Little cups of the gritty, sweet, and powerful Turkish coffee are provided. Ulus Old Town has some of the best restaurants in all of Turkey, and the fact that many of them are housed in restored Ottoman-era buildings adds to the town’s already-vibrant atmosphere.
Conclusion
Visiting Ankara on vacation is like going on a culinary excursion, with options ranging from inexpensive street food to five-star fine dining. Choose to dine where the locals eat, and you’ll be safe eating street food. Don’t take the chance if you’re in a hurry and notice that one street vendor’s stand is empty while the others all have lines. High-end restaurants can be found in the Cankaya, Kavaklidere, and Gaziosmnpassa neighbourhoods, whereas Sakaraya Street is famous for its fast food joints, as well as its fresh seafood restaurants, and its affordable prices. The local drink of preference, Raki, comes in a wide range of quality and should be approached with caution by the uninitiated.