2 Best Restaurants in Iznik, The Sea of Marmara and the North Aegean

This popular spot just opposite the Aya Sofya serves soups, beans with sliced Turkish pastrami and rice, and typical home-style dishes. The işkembe (tripe soup) is probably best only for those who are into experimenting—you'll either hate it or love it. The atmosphere is a notch above most eateries of this type. The place opens early, at 5 am, but don't plan on a late dinner—it closes at 8 pm.

Turks love their köfte (meatballs), and almost every city in the country makes a claim to fame based on its own way of preparing them, including İznik. Locals fill the large, canteen-type tables of this casual bilevel eatery with both indoor and deck seating at almost all times of the day to enjoy İznik köfte, served with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and a mildly spicy red pepper sauce. Other grilled meats are also available, with yogurt and salads as optional sides. This is not a place for vegetarians.