When visiting a new city, I know I prefer to look up reviews and see if others recommend the atmosphere, food, and service. Unfortunately, Erzurum does not have many of those reviews in English!
No fear. We've taken the guesswork out for you, eaten at all the delicious (and not so delicious) restaurants, and compiled a list of our favorite places.
1. Babunec
You can find plates of meats, enormous salads, and the best hummus in Erzurum all under one roof. You will not be disappointed with a meal at Babunec. Babunec has meat, fish, kofte, Turkish pizza (pide), and a fantastic breakfast buffet. Make sure you ask for tombul: translated as chubby. Tombul is a fat, fresh, and hot bread and so delicious. Finish off your meal with a delicious cup of piping hot tea and one of their traditional desserts.
Babunec is a little more pricey than most Erzurum restaurants, but oh so delicious.
Find them: Click to link to Google Map.
2. Muammer Usta
In Turkey, each region has a special dish for which it is known. Erzurum will not disappoint your taste buds. Erzurum is known for cağ kebab, lamp served on a skewer with thin flatbread, a Turkish salsa, and yogurt. One of our favorite places to enjoy cağ kebab is xx....
Find them: Click to link to Google Map.
3. Üçler Kebap Salonu
Erzurum is known for this particular restaurant. You can find this restaurant on Instagram with the head chef and founder pouring delicious amounts of butter over dishes.
At Üçler, you can expect to find döner and iskender. Döner is a meat wrap and iskender is a giantplate of meat with a delicious tomato and yogurt sauce. According to our guide when we landed in Turkey almost ten years ago, iskender was named after Alexander the Great.
Find them: Click to link to Google Map.
4. Arzen
You can eat dinner in a giant gazebo that lets in a lot of light. There are a variety of menu options from pastas to wraps to burgers to Turkish-style quesadillas to Turkish food.
Find them: Click to link to Google Map.
5. Divan
If you want to head a little out of town, go a little slower pace, and see more of Erzurum, Divan is one of those hole in the wall locations with delicious traditional dishes, excellent and kind service, and a family atmosphere.
Find them: Click to link to Google Map.
6. Küre
Treat yourself to a view of all of Erzurum, horse rides right outside the restaurant, and delicious food. You can find this Erzurum restaurant at the very top of Palandoken Mountain. Whether you pick Küre for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you will not regret your choice. Make an event of the meal and ride the gondolas up the mountain and exit just meters from the restaurant's doors.
Find them: Click to link to Google Map.
7. Coffee Time
This Erzurum restaurant located on one of the main streets in town serves several American style dishes.
Find them: Click to link to Google Map.
8. Chocolade Boutique
We couldn't help but include a delicious dessert option. Get gourmet desserts with Belgium chocolates in an adorable street side boutique. Their giant artwork that fills their walls will give you a reason to look up from your plate in between delicious spoonfuls.
Find them: Click to link to Google Map.
9. Hasan Kolcuoğlu
When you sit down at Hasan Kolcuoğlu, be prepared to get overwhelmed, in a colorfully, savory, and tempting way. Before your meal, your server will present esme, a Turkish style salsa, salads, and giant balloon-style bread (you have to see it to believe it). You can find lamb plates, beyti, pide, and more. Beyti is a flat-bread that surrounds lamb or beef and is topped with a tomato sauce and Turkish yogurt on the side.
Find them: Click to link to Google Map.
10. Musqa Burger
Are you in the mood for a delicious hamburger? Look no further than Musqa Burger in Erzurum. Though it is technically a kofte burger, you might not even be able to tell the difference. The menu features all types of gourmet toppings and delightful pairings. With a location downtown and in the MNG mall, you'll be able to find a location convenient to you. Musqa Burger also offers free delivery in case you cannot make it to their locations.
Find them: Click to link to Google Map.