10 Must-Visit Historic Restaurants in Bursa!
Merhaba and Welcome To! I lived in Bursa for almost 20 years before I decided to explore the world. Having spent so many years here, I can confidently say that Bursa is incredible when it comes to food. Being a historical city, there are many traditional restaurants that offer an authentic experience
Today we’re going to explore the amazing restaurants of Bursa and along the way we’ll discover some really great things. The most important piece of advice I can give you is to start your tour early in the morning. There’s so much to see and do here, and starting early will help you make the most of it.
What This Bursa Travel Guide Offers You :
✔ You will discover amazing restaurants that will make your visit to Bursa even more meaningful.
✔ While exploring these restaurants, you will also learn interesting facts about Bursa.
✔ You will easily find directions to each restaurant.
Most of Bursa’s historic restaurants are located in close proximity to each other, all in the central area of the city.
1 One of Turkey’s Most Famous Kebab Brands Was Born in Bursa - Iskender Kebab 1867
Iskender kebab is one of the most famous dishes in Turkey and it originated in Bursa. People from all over Turkey as well as international tourists travel to Bursa to taste this iconic dish.
The sheep and lambs raised on the herbs and fresh thyme grown on Uludag Mountain in Bursa are key elements that contribute to the historic taste of “ISKENDER®”. The unique taste is created by combining different cuts of meat, served with pita bread, butter, sauce, yogurt, tomatoes and green peppers.
This is the birthplace of the famous Iskender Kebab and it’s the most famous place for it. The shop is a small historic establishment that has preserved its original structure. There’s often a long line of people waiting outside.
➡️ How to Get There?
The historic Blue Shop Iskender 1867 is located in the city center. During your visit to Bursa, you’ll definitely pass by the city center and you can easily reach this shop. It’s only a 5 minute walk from the Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami).
📍 Kebabçı Iskender Efendi House (This is the shop of Iskender’s grandson and it also has a museum.)
📍 Melike Doner (It’s a bit far from the city center, but the food is delicious, you won’t have to wait in line, and it’s budget-friendly. If you take the train, get off at the Karaman stop, and it’s a 10-minute walk from there.)
Due to the high inflation in Turkey, prices are constantly changing. Therefore, I can’t give you an exact price, but as of 2025, the cost of a portion of İskender Doner ranges from $9 to $17.
2 People from All Over Turkey and the World Visit Bursa for ''TAHANLI ''
Turkish Bakery
If you’re in Bursa and want to experience what it’s like to be a local, you have to try tahinli pide (or “TAHANLI” as the locals call it). It’s a sweet and savory Turkish treat that can be found in many bakeries, but there are two iconic spots, and İnanç Bakery is one of them. A visit here will make your taste buds do a happy dance.
Two of the best places to taste “TAHANLI” in Bursa.
- Inanc Bakery ( Inanc Firin)
- Historical Stone Oven (Tarihi Tas Firin)
➡️ How to Get There?
- Inanc Bakery : From Bursa Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii) take one of the following buses: B41C, 1A, 96, B41B or 2E. Take the bus and get off at the Muradiye 4 stop.
- Historical Stone Oven : You can reach it by walking from the Bursa Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii) in about 10 minutes.
3 A Sweet Journey Born from Struggle: The 150-Year Legacy of Geye Ice Cream - 1927
When you think of Turkey and ice cream, you might think of vendors playing games with their cones, taunting you as you barely catch the ice cream. Of course, this is a fun show, but the story of Geye ice cream is just as fascinating.
Turkish ice cream
➡️ How to Get There?
📍Geye Ice Cream : During your visit to Bursa, you’ll want to check out Kozahan. Geye Ice Cream is just a 3 minute walk from there.
4 A Delicious Secret Known Only to the Locals of Bursa! CANTIK
If you asked a Bursa native to name their top 5 favorite dishes, CANTIK would definitely make the list. But here’s the kicker: this delicious treat is known only to the people of Bursa. It’s a hidden gem, unknown in any other city in Turkey.
Turkish Pita
In this Cantık shop, these guys have been bringing the taste of CANTIK to the people of Bursa for years. Generation after generation, they’ve kept the same delicious recipe alive and continue to serve it with the same passion.
➡️ How to Get There?
📍Aci Dayi Cantik : Earlier we mentioned Geye Ice Cream. Well, it’s only a 5 minute walk from there to Acı Dayı Cantık. Just keep walking straight ahead and if you can’t find it, ask any local – they’ll definitely know as these are two of the most famous spots in the city.
5 A 200-Year-Old Flavor and a Family Legacy - Kucuksaray Pideli Kofte 1974
Bursa Pita
Kucuksaray Pideli Kofte was founded by the Kosova family in Bursa in 1974. The restaurant took the 200 year old tradition of Pideli Kofte beyond the Kayhan Bazaar. Starting with just 2 tables and 8 chairs, it has grown into a well-known brand with 3 locations. Today, the 3rd generation of the Kosova family continues the legacy.
➡️ How to Get There?
📍 Kucuksaray Pideli Kofte is just a 4 minute walk from the Grand Mosque of Bursa. You can click on this location to find your way there.
Pideli Kofte is so famous in Bursa that there’s even a street dedicated to it. Along this street, you’ll find several restaurants serving this delicious dish, all lined up one after the other. You can visit this street!
5 Şenöz Kuruyemiş (Senoz Nuts and Coffee) Bursa's Historic Nut Shop Since 1936
Turkish nuts
Founded in 1936, this historic shop has become a favorite among the people of Bursa who come here to buy their nuts. It is a tradition for locals to buy Turkish coffee, nuts and other healthy foods from this shop when they have guests. Şenöz Kuruyemiş (Senoz Nuts and Coffee) is one of the most famous brands in Bursa. Be sure to stop by during your visit and pick up some traditional Turkish coffee and other necessities.
➡️ How to Get There?
📍 During your trip to Bursa, you must visit the Green Tomb as it is one of the most famous and touristic landmarks of the city. And just a 2-minute walk from there, you’ll Şenöz Kuruyemiş (Senoz Nuts and Coffee) shop.
6 4 Generations of Historical Cigborek Shop - Akay 1962
In the heart of Bursa’s Old Bakircilar Bazaar, a family-run shop has been serving delicious cigborek since 1962. This savoury pastry filled with minced meat and onions is fried to crisp perfection and is reminiscent of Balkan pastry traditions. They also serve mantı, soft dumplings with yoghurt and melted butter. Now in its fourth generation, İsmail Temizkan continues this delicious tradition every day from 10am to 6pm.
➡️ How to Get There?
📍 It’s just a 4-minute walk from the Great Mosque of Bursa. Here’s the location for you.
7 Bursa's First Dessert Shop and Its Amazing Flavors - Ender Baklava 1947
Turkish Baklava
Founded in 1947, Ender Baklava was the first dessert shop in Bursa. Known for its high quality ingredients and commitment to hygiene standards, it has become one of the most trusted brands in the industry. With years of consistent success, the shop offers a wide range of products that provide an exceptional dessert experience. Its popularity for over 70 years has been built on continuous improvement and dedication to quality.
Best baklava in Bursa, Turkey
➡️ How to Get There?
📍 Ender Baklava has several locations in Bursa. You can find detailed information about their locations on the Ender Baklava website.
8 A Journey to the Soup Culture of Bursa - Tavukcuoglu Tripe Soup Shop 1932
Soup culture is widespread in Turkey. It’s not just a starter served at dinner; Turkish people often start their day with a bowl of soup at a local eatery early in the morning. This tradition is particularly strong in Bursa, where soup is an essential part of daily life.
Founded in 1932, Tavukcuoglu has become a beloved culinary landmark in Bursa. The family’s signature tripe soup, passed down from grandfather to grandson, is still prepared with the same care and tradition. Now run by the third generation, Remzi Tavukcuoglu, this one-of-a-kind gem offers a taste of history in every spoonful. It’s more than a restaurant, it’s a heritage!
Staying healthy while travelling is important. By starting your day with a bowl of soup at one of Bursa’s top restaurants, you are not only exploring the local cuisine, but also investing in your physical well-being.
➡️ How to Get There?
📍Tavukcuoglu soup is just a 5-minute walk from the Grand Mosque in the center of Bursa.
9 The Perfect Spot for Turkish Tea and Sweets – Ülkü Pastanesi (Ulku Patisserie) Established in 1967
➡️ How to Get There?
Ulku Patisserie has three different locations in Bursa.
📍 Nalbantoglu: The Nalbantoglu branch of Ulku Patisserie is just a 5-minute walk from the Grand Mosque in the center of Bursa.
📍 Ihsaniye: The Ihsaniye branch of Ulku Patisserie is located in the Nilufer district of Bursa. To get there from the city center, take bus no. 9PA, B41B, or B41C, which leaves opposite the Grand Mosque.
📍 Ozluce: The third branch of Ulku Patisserie is located in the Ozluce neighborhood of the Nilufer district. To get there, take bus number 6A or 6E from opposite the Grand Mosque.
10 Experience Amazing Flavors at Bursa's Famous Helva Shop!
Hasan Tahsin Helvaci moved with his family from Skopje to Turkey in 1890 and established his Helva business in Yenişehir in 1933. His son Mehmet continued the tradition by moving the business to Bursa in 1961, where it remains today. After Mehmet’s death in 2021, his grandson, also named Hasan Tahsin Helvaci, continued the family legacy in the original shop.
➡️ How to Get There?
📍It’s about a 13-minute walk from the Grand Mosque in Bursa. You can get there from there.
Bursa has a rich culinary culture and you’ll discover many great restaurants during your visit. If you’re planning a day trip to the city, make sure you plan your time well as there’s so much to see. If you are looking for budget flights to other cities or countries, check out my guide for some great travel deals.
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