Best Restaurants in Trabzon 2026: Black Sea Fish, Mıhlama and Local Eating
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Trabzon’s restaurant scene is oriented toward the local population — business lunches, family dinners, and the Black Sea food tradition — rather than tourist infrastructure. This makes it more honest and better value than the southern resort cities. The lokantas in the market area serve the city’s working population; the fish restaurants on the seafront serve the evening crowd; the Akçaabat köfte houses are a specific destination.
For what to order, see food to try in Trabzon.
Black Sea fish restaurants
The restaurants on or near Trabzon’s seafront and harbour area serve fresh Black Sea fish — hamsi in season (October–February), plus the standard range of Black Sea species (istavrit, uskumru, barbunya).
What to order in season: Ask what came in today. In October–February, the fresh hamsi should dominate — hamsi pilavı, tava hamsi, hamsi in various preparations.
Price: ₺250–450/person for a full fish dinner.
Lokantas — mıhlama and Black Sea daily dishes
The lokantas in the market area and the backstreets serve the complete Black Sea menu — mıhlama, hamsi preparations, corn-based dishes, soups, stews. Pre-cooked daily menus at fixed prices.
Price: ₺120–200 for a full meal. The most authentic and cheapest eating in Trabzon.
Best time: Lunch (noon–2pm) for the freshest food and full selection.
Uzungöl trout restaurants
The restaurants lining the Uzungöl lakeside serve fresh trout (alabalık) from the cold mountain streams — a simple preparation (grilled or baked whole, with lemon) that shows the quality of the mountain water. ₺120–180 per fish.
Setting: Tables at the lake edge; mountain views. More atmospheric than the standard Trabzon restaurant.
Note: The Uzungöl restaurant market has expanded significantly for Arab tourism; quality varies. Look for smaller establishments used by Turkish visitors rather than the large hotels with buffets.
Akçaabat köfte (district speciality)
The Akçaabat district (15km west) has several restaurants specifically known for Akçaabat köftesi — the local meatball preparation (beef only, grilled over charcoal, no egg or breadcrumb).
Transport: Dolmuş from Trabzon (₺15–20, 20 minutes).
Price: ₺150–250/person.
Price comparison
| Type | Location | Price/person |
|---|---|---|
| Lokanta | Market area | ₺120–200 |
| Fish restaurant | Seafront | ₺250–450 |
| Uzungöl trout | Uzungöl village | ₺150–280 |
| Akçaabat köfte | Akçaabat | ₺150–250 |
For food context and specific dishes to order, see food to try in Trabzon. For accommodation in Uzungöl or Akçaabat area, see where to stay in Trabzon.
Make the most of the food scene: Book a food tour of Trabzon to sample the standout local spots with a guide who knows where residents actually eat. An eSIM for Turkey keeps you connected for navigating neighbourhoods and checking restaurant hours on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the essential dishes to eat in Trabzon?
- Three dishes define the Trabzon food experience: mıhlama (corn and cheese fondue, eaten from the pan), hamsi pilavı (baked rice with anchovy layers, in season October–February), and the Black Sea breakfast (kuymak, kolot cheese, cornbread, honey with clotted cream). Beyond these, grilled fresh hamsi during the season is the simplest and most satisfying preparation — buy it from a street stall near the harbour and eat it standing up. Everything else in Trabzon is background.
- Where do locals eat in Trabzon?
- The working lokantas around the bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı) and the bus terminal serve the daily lunch menu at ₺80–180/person. The Black Sea breakfast culture is strongest at traditional çay bahçesi above the city with plantation and sea views. For hamsi in season, the harbour-area fish restaurants and street stalls are the most reliable. The tourist-facing seafront restaurants have the view but not the best food; the side-street lokantas have the food.
- Are there good restaurants near Sumela Monastery?
- The Maçka district (at the valley entrance) has several restaurants serving Black Sea food — mıhlama, trout, cornbread — at prices below the Trabzon city centre. These are the best option for a meal before or after visiting Sumela. The park entrance area has a few food stalls and a simple café, but the quality is significantly lower than the Maçka restaurants 12km down the valley.
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