Yalı Restaurant

Yalı Restaurant sits at the edge of the Yalıboyu promenade in Hatuniye Mahallesi, with a terrace looking directly across the Yeşilırmak to the row of Ottoman half-timbered houses and the cliff face bearing the Pontic rock tombs — arguably the most photogenic dining view in Amasya. The restaurant's name ("yalı" meaning a waterfront residence) aligns it with the distinctive architectural heritage of the riverbank. The kitchen is a reliable mid-range operation, producing the kebab and meze combinations that form the core of Turkish casual dining: mixed kebab plates with lamb şiş and köfte, cold starters including cacık and aubergine salad, and red lentil soup. Ayran and fresh fruit juice are the standard drinks. The food quality is consistent without being exceptional — Yalı is chosen primarily for the setting rather than gastronomic distinction. Tables closest to the water are the most sought after and fill quickly on summer evenings; guests arriving after 19:30 during July and August should expect to wait or accept a less favourable position. The dining room inside is plain and functional, with views through large windows that partially replicate the terrace experience. Prices are fair at ₺250–550 per head. Walk-ins are always welcome and the restaurant accommodates groups without advance notice. The illuminated cliff-face and Ottoman house facades across the river make dinner after dark particularly striking, and many guests linger over çay well past their meal's end.