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Maybe it’s not known outside of Turkey as a culinary hotspot, but the city of Izmir has a few local delicacies you should try while in town.
Kumru
First, the kumru sandwich. You can find them all over Izmir. It’s sausage in strips, cheese, and tomato served in soft bread. The name kumru means “collared dove”, which is supposedly how the sandwich appears to diners. Mayo and/or ketchup might come with it. I had my kumru on one of the small side streets of Alsancak.
İzmir Köfte
Next is İzmir köfte, or Smyrna meatballs, which are nicely spiced meatballs in an oblong shape. The spices used are typically cumin, cinnamon, garlic, salt, and pepper. They’re usually served in a tomato sauce but I’ve seen them served dry. Potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers often accompany them. I ate my İzmir köfte at a 24 hour restaurant near Basmane train station.
Fincanda Pişen Türk Kahvesi
Finally, there’s fincanda pişen Türk kahvesi, literally “Turkish coffee cooked in the cup”. As someone who drinks Turkish coffee often, I can definitely say it has a nice taste to it. You can find all kinds of places that serve it in the Kemeraltı bazaar area, especially the alleys around Kızlarağası Han.
Peximet
As far as actual restaurants, stay away from Peximet in Alsancak. They have a decent menu with plenty of international specialties, but quality falls far short of expectations for literally everything. The only bright spot was the friendly and efficient service.
Galata Çaycısı
If you’re looking for a decent breakfast, Galata Çaycısı in Alsancak will hit the spot. It was located right around the corner from my hotel. They serve delicious menemen and gözleme but the service is horribly slow.
Shotzy
For nightlife, I enjoyed a few relaxing hours at Shotzy on the Kordon. This bar has a chill vibe and serves beer, drinks, and food along with reasonably priced nargile (hookah). They also have good live music. I’ll definitely go back next time I’m in Izmir.
