Tokat is a historic city in northern central Turkey, set along the Yeşilırmak River and flanked by dramatic hillside cliffs. Known for its Seljuk and Ottoman architecture, traditional copperwork, and fertile valley landscapes, Tokat rewards travellers who venture beyond the usual tourist trail.
Tokat's cuisine is rooted in Anatolian agricultural tradition shaped by the fertile Yeşilırmak valley. The city's defining dish is Tokat kebabı — lamb skewered with potato slices and roasted in a stone (taş) oven over wood fire. The potato absorbs the lamb fat and caramelises alongside the meat, creating a unique flavour impossible to replicate elsewhere. Beyond the kebab, the city is known for tarhana çorbası (fermented grain soup), nohut helvası (chickpea semolina sweet), Tokat pekmezi (grape molasses), handmade mantı dumplings, keşkek (wheat and meat ceremony dish), and fresh Yeşilırmak trout. Prices are among the lowest in Turkey: a full restaurant meal rarely exceeds 300 TRY/person (~$9 USD).
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Tokat.
Tokat kebabı
Stone-oven roasted lamb with potato slices — the city's defining dish; only authentic at kebabçı with a visible taş fırın
Tarhana çorbası
Fermented grain soup with a deep umami flavour; an Anatolian winter staple found at all lokanta
Nohut helvası
Tokat's most distinctive dessert: dense chickpea-semolina sweet; buy at Pastane Tokat on Cumhuriyet Caddesi
Tokat pekmezi
Grape molasses from the Yeşilırmak valley; best eaten spread on bread with tahini for breakfast
Keşkek
Slow-cooked wheat and chicken or lamb; a ceremonial Anatolian dish served at village feasts
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Tokat Kebap Salonu
Popular Tokat Regional restaurant in Tokat.
Known for: Traditional Tokat kebabı slow-cooked in a stone oven with local potatoes and peppers
Cumhuriyet Cad. No:22, Tokat Merkez
Çorumlu Lokantası
Popular Anatolian Home Cooking restaurant in Tokat.
Known for: Daily set lunch with soup, main course, and ayran at fixed price
Ali Paşa Mah., Cumhuriyet Meydanı yakını, Tokat Merkez
Yeşilırmak Balık Evi
Popular Anatolian / Fresh Water Fish restaurant in Tokat.
Known for: Fresh trout from the Yeşilırmak River, grilled to order
Yeşilırmak Nehri kıyısı, Tokat Merkez
Köy Sofrası
Popular Anatolian Village Cooking restaurant in Tokat.
Known for: Traditional Anatolian village feast dishes; ideal for groups
Tokat Çevresi, Tokat Province
Şehzade Restaurant
Popular Ottoman Turkish restaurant in Tokat.
Known for: Ottoman-inspired menu in a traditional interior with local artwork
Cumhuriyet Cad., Tokat Merkez
Tokat Pide Salonu
Popular Turkish Pide restaurant in Tokat.
Known for: Wood-fired pide (Turkish flatbread pizza) in a casual family setting
Ali Paşa Mah., Tokat Merkez
Kahvaltı Evi Tokat (Breakfast House)
Popular Turkish Breakfast restaurant in Tokat.
Known for: Traditional Turkish breakfast spread with local Tokat pekmezi and village cheeses
Ali Paşa Mah., Tokat Merkez
Ocakbaşı Nar Restaurant
Popular Turkish Grill restaurant in Tokat.
Known for: Open charcoal grill (ocakbaşı) cooking at tableside; suitable for groups
Gaziosmanpaşa Bulvarı, Tokat Merkez
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Turkish
Şehzade Restaurant
Tokat Pide Salonu
Kahvaltı Evi Tokat (Breakfast House)
Ocakbaşı Nar Restaurant
Lüks Tokat Kebap ve Izgara
Anatolian
Yeşilırmak Balık Evi
Tokat Mantı Evi
Anatolian Home Cooking
Çorumlu Lokantası
Anatolian Village Cooking
Köy Sofrası
Tokat Regional
Tokat Kebap Salonu
Traditional Anatolian
Tandır Evi
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Simit
Sesame-encrusted bread ring sold from street carts throughout the city centre, especially near Cumhuriyet Meydanı. The defining Turkish street snack.
Price: 5–10 TRY (~$0.15–$0.30 USD)
Gözleme
Hand-rolled flatbread stuffed with cheese, potato, or spinach and cooked on a griddle. Women at bazaar stalls roll and cook gözleme to order.
Price: 40–80 TRY (~$1.20–$2.40 USD)
Döner dürüm
Rotisserie lamb or chicken carved and wrapped in thin lavash flatbread with salad. Fresh-carved at dedicated döner stands.
Price: 60–100 TRY (~$1.80–$3 USD)
Çiğ köfte dürüm
Spiced bulgur wheat wrap — entirely plant-based. Mildly to intensely spicy; served with lemon juice and pomegranate molasses.
Price: 30–80 TRY (~$0.90–$2.40 USD)
Mısır (roasted corn) and kestane (chestnuts)
Summer corn and autumn/winter chestnut vendors operate from small carts near the main square, particularly from September to February.
Price: 30–50 TRY per portion
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Tokat Kapalı Çarşı (Covered Bazaar)
The historic covered bazaar in the city centre is the main food market for dried goods, spices, nuts, Tokat pekmezi, and pickled vegetables. Also sells Tokat bezi fabric and copper goods.
Hours: Mon–Sat 08:00–19:00
Salı Pazarı (Tuesday Market, Pazar district)
Weekly outdoor farmers' market in Pazar district, 26 km from Tokat city centre. Producers from surrounding villages sell fresh vegetables, fruit, village cheese, eggs, and honey — significantly fresher and cheaper than bazaar shops.
Hours: Tuesdays 07:00–14:00
Cumhuriyet Caddesi Supermarkets (Migros)
Modern supermarket chain on the main boulevard offering all packaged foods, fresh produce, dairy, cold cuts, bottled water, and household goods. The most convenient stop for picnic supplies.
Hours: 08:00–22:00 daily
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
For the authentic Tokat kebabı, look for a kebabçı with a visible taş fırın (stone oven) at the front — without one, the kebab is not prepared in the traditional method and will not taste the same.
Lokanta restaurants serve set-menu lunches (12:00–14:30) for 80–150 TRY/person including soup, main course, and a drink — this is how most locals eat and offers the best value.
Alcohol is available at a small number of içkili (licensed) restaurants in Tokat. If you prefer a dry meal, all traditional lokanta and kebabçı restaurants are alcohol-free.
Tipping 10% is appreciated at sit-down restaurants but not strictly required. Cash tips are preferred. No tipping is expected at lokanta, street food stalls, or tea houses.
Many restaurants accept cash only. Carry Turkish lira (TRY) — card readers are available at mid-range restaurants but not reliable at traditional lokanta or bazaar eateries.
The busiest local lunch time is 12:30–13:30 at city-centre lokanta; arrive slightly before or after to get the freshest daily menu without waiting.
- Vegetarian
- Vegetarian options exist at most restaurants: gözleme with cheese, börek, lentil soup (mercimek çorbası), chickpea stew (nohut yemeği), çiğ köfte (entirely plant-based). Inform the restaurant — say 'etsiz' (without meat).
- Vegan
- Vegan options are limited in traditional Tokat restaurants. Çiğ köfte is entirely plant-based. Avoid bread with butter and soups cooked with meat broth. Say 'et ve süt ürünleri yok' (no meat and no dairy).
- Halal
- All meat in Tokat is halal (Islamic slaughter method). Pork is not available anywhere in the city.
- Gluten free
- No gluten-free restaurants. Traditional Turkish cuisine is heavily wheat-based. Grilled meats, rice dishes (pilav), and salads are naturally gluten-free options.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Per day 80–200 TRY (~$2.40–$6 USD), Breakfast Simit and çay: 20–30 TRY. Börek from Zile Börekçisi: 40–80 TRY., Lunch Lokanta set menu (soup + main + ayran): 80–150 TRY, Dinner Döner dürüm or gözleme: 60–120 TRY, Notes A budget traveller eating at lokanta for lunch and street food for dinner can eat well on under 200 TRY/day | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |