2 Best Restaurants in The Black Sea Coast and Lake Van, Turkey

With excellent food and stylish ambience, this restaurant has won itself a place at the top of Mardin's dining scene. There is a mix of Western dishes such as steak and pasta, with Turkish standards and local specialities like kaburga (stuffed lamb) and kuz tandir (slow oven-cooked lamb). The meze dishes are also unusual regional specialities and very tasty. Local wine is available. Meals are served on a pleasant outdoor terrace in the evening and the vaulted stone rooms of an old house during the day.

One of Kars's better restaurants is set in an old Russian building, where old tiles blend with modern decor, and an open kitchen fills one end. The menu features a decent mix of Western, Turkish, and local dishes. It's a good option for travelers who fancy a change from Turkish cuisine, since you can opt for Italian or Russian instead. Their dumplings in garlic yogurt and roast goose dishes are particularly recommended. It can get pretty busy, so it's best to reserve ahead of time, especially on weekends.