Last updated on December 21, 2023.

Bursa is the birthplace of İskender kebab, where it was invented by İskender Efendi in 1867. It’s a popular dish found at restaurants all over Turkey

İskender kebab consists of strips of döner kebab slathered in tomato sauce and piled onto pieces of pide bread. Yogurt is served on the side to mix in, and tomatoes with spicy green peppers are used to garnish. Melted butter is usually poured over the plate right at the table. You can get a full order (tek), or an order and a half (bir buçuk) if you have a bigger appetite.

 

Kebapçı İskender

The most famous place to eat İskender kebab is at Kebapçı İskender, owned by the family of the dish’s inventor. It’s a large wooden Ottoman building with a friendly and formal staff.

Kebapçı İskender in Bursa, Turkey
Kebapçı İskender

The interior walls of the restaurant are all covered in wooden panels decorated with artwork and old photos. Some large columns are scattered in the dining room and covered with colorful tiles. The elegant atmosphere adds to the experience of trying the dish.

Kebapçı İskender

İskender kebab is the only dish on the menu, and it’s done extremely well. The meat is succulent and served with a huge dollop of yogurt. It gets even better when the waiter brings the freshly melted butter to pour on top. Kebapçı İskender is open daily from 11am to 9pm.

İskender kebab at Kebapçı İskender in Bursa, Turkey
İskender kebab at Kebapçı İskender

 

İskender

Another good place to try İskender kebab is at İskender, which also claims to have created the delicious dish. I ate at the original location, a tiny little place in the historic city center with seating for 40. Like Kebapçı İskender, İskender kebab is the only thing on the menu. The venue isn’t nearly as elegant a place to eat, but that’s ok because their İskender is also delicious. It’s open daily from noon to 8pm.

İskender kebab at İskender in Bursa, Turkey
İskender kebab at İskender

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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