Lokantam (literally "My Restaurant" in Turkish, a warmly possessive name common to small family-run establishments) serves the bus station district of Amasya, positioned to catch travellers in transit, minibus drivers, and local workers beginning early shifts. The restaurant opens at 07:00, making it one of the few full-cooked-meal options available before the city's mainstream dining scene comes to life. The format is the classic Turkish lokanta: a bain-marie counter loaded each morning with the day's preparations — güveç (clay-pot braised meat and vegetable), lentil soup, white-bean stew, rice pilav, and whatever stewed vegetable the kitchen has prepared — from which diners select their preferences and carry trays to plastic-chair tables. The rhythm is practical and functional. Ingredient quality is good for the price point: stews are slow-cooked and properly seasoned rather than quickly simmered to volume. Set meals are available offering a soup, main, and pilav combination at a fixed price that rarely exceeds ₺220. The room has bare walls, overhead lighting, and tables covered in disposable paper — none of it designed for atmosphere. Weekdays between 11:30 and 13:00 are the busiest period; the kitchen typically depletes certain popular dishes before 14:00, so early arrival maximises choice. Monday to Friday operation only; the restaurant does not open on weekends.
Signature dishes
- Daily stew (güveç)
- Lentil soup
- Pirinç pilavı
- Çay dessert
Good to know
- Known for
- Busy workers' lokanta open from early morning; great-value set meals eaten shoulder-to-shoulder with locals
- Hours
- Monday–Friday 07:00–16:00
- Reservations
- Not required; point-and-choose counter service
Location
Dere Mah., Otogar Yanı, 05100 Amasya, Turkey
40.6521, 35.8322 View on map
Highlights
- Opens at 07:00 — one of the earliest full-meal options available near Amasya's bus station
- Bain-marie counter service with fresh daily güveç, stews, and pilav
- Weekday-only lokanta with an early-departure crowd of drivers and shift workers
- Set meal (soup, main, and pilav) at a fixed price rarely exceeding ₺220
Tips for visiting
- Arrive before 13:00 for the widest selection — popular stews sell out before the afternoon
- The 07:00 opening serves travellers departing early by bus from the adjacent otogar
- Cash only; no card payment accepted; carry lira
- Weekends and public holidays the restaurant is closed — plan accordingly
Accessibility
The restaurant is at street level with a flat entrance and level counter access. Interior seating is on a single floor and is functional but compact. Wheelchair users can navigate to most tables, though the room is narrow between counter and tables during peak hours.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lokantam open on weekends?
No. The restaurant operates Monday to Friday only, in line with the worker-canteen format that defines most Turkish lokantalar.
How close is Lokantam to the Amasya otogar?
The restaurant is adjacent to the otogar building — within a one-to-two minute walk. It is one of the most convenient food stops for bus travellers.
Is vegetarian food available?
Yes. On most days the counter includes at least one meat-free stew, a lentil soup, and pilav. The selection varies daily.
Does the restaurant offer dinner?
The kitchen closes in the early to mid-afternoon once the service pans run empty — typically between 14:30 and 15:30. There is no evening service.