Bursa is one of the cities with one of the richest culinary cultures in Turkey and is especially known for its local dishes. Bursa cuisine offers a diversity and sophisticated palette of flavors that comes from being the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Bursa is also a popular destination for gastronomy tourists, where you can find traditional flavors, modern cuisines and international cuisines together.
The city's most famous dish is undoubtedly İskender kebab. Invented in the late 19th century by Iskender Efendi in Bursa, this dish is prepared with doner kebab cut into thin slices, meat placed on pita bread, topped with melted butter and tomato sauce. Served with yogurt on the side, İskender is a must-try for visitors to Bursa.
Meatballs with pita is another indispensable dish of Bursa. The meatballs are small and round, the pita bread is cut into cubes and baked in the oven with the meatballs and topped with a special tomato sauce. Turnip juice or ayran is a good choice of drink to accompany this dish.
Other local delicacies of Bursa include chestnut candy. Especially during the cold winter months, chestnut candy is a popular dessert in Bursa and is also preferred as a souvenir. Bursa, which is also rich in fig and olive production, is also known for various jams, marmalades and olive oil dishes made using these fruits.
Bursa's street food is also quite diverse; flavors such as cantık, kemalpaşa dessert and tahini pita have an important place in the daily life of the locals. Cantık is a kind of pita prepared with minced meat or cheese, especially preferred for breakfast.
Bursa's cafes and restaurants blend modern and traditional cuisines, offering visitors a wide range of flavors. In the city center and in tourist areas such as Uludağ, there are many restaurants serving both local cuisine and international cuisine. In addition, various festivals and local markets in the city further enliven Bursa's rich culinary culture.
In conclusion, Bursa's food and beverage culture offers a diversity and depth stemming from its rich history and geographical location. Offering local flavors as well as modern cuisines, Bursa has flavors suitable for every palate and promises an unforgettable gastronomic experience to its visitors.