Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Samsun, Turkey

1. Samsun Hamsi

Freshly caught and grilled Black Sea anchovies served with lemon and onions, a must-try for seafood lovers.

Freshness Factor: Caught daily from the Black Sea, ensuring freshness and quality.
Traditional Preparation: Prepared according to traditional Samsun recipes passed down through generations.
Seafront Restaurants: Best enjoyed at seafront restaurants overlooking the beautiful Black Sea.

A savory Turkish crepe filled with cheese, spinach, or ground meat, cooked on a large, round metal tray.

Versatile Fillings: Offers various fillings to cater to different tastes and dietary preferences.
Quick Service: Ideal for a quick, delicious meal on the go or as a snack.
Street Food Stalls: Commonly found at street food stalls and local markets in Samsun.

Mixed green salad topped with olives, feta cheese, capers, and pickled cucumbers, dressed in a tart vinegar and olive oil dressing.

Tangy Flavor: The unique combination of tangy flavors creates an unforgettable taste sensation.
Healthy Option: A refreshing, light, and healthy choice for lunch or dinner.
Seafood Restaurants: Typically served in seafood restaurants alongside fish dishes.

Grilled fish sandwich served on a round loaf of bread, popular street food in Samsun.

Simple Ingredients: Uses fresh, high-quality fish and simple, traditional ingredients.
Street Food Availability: Widely available from street food vendors throughout Samsun.
Affordable Price: Offers a satisfying meal at an affordable price, perfect for budget travelers.

Steamed dumplings filled with spiced minced meat and vegetables, served with a creamy yogurt sauce.

Flavorful Dumplings: The flavorful filling combined with the tangy yogurt sauce creates a delicious symphony of flavors.
Warm and Comforting: Ideal for cold winter evenings, as it is warm, comforting, and satisfying.
Turkish Restaurants: Best enjoyed in traditional Turkish restaurants throughout Samsun.

Grilled meat kebabs served on a hot stone tray with fresh salad and bread.

Flavorful Meat: The meat is marinated for hours, resulting in a flavorful and juicy kebab.
Hot Stone Tray: The hot stone tray keeps the meat warm and cooks any remaining raw meat as you eat.
Turkish Restaurants: Popular in Turkish restaurants, offering a taste of authentic Samsun cuisine.

Flaky pastry filled with cheese or meat, baked until golden and crispy.

Crispy Pastry: The flaky, crispy exterior contrasts beautifully with the gooey, flavorful filling.
Versatile Breakfast Option: Can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, making it a versatile dish.
Bakery Shops: Found in bakery shops throughout Samsun, perfect for grab-and-go meals.

Turkish delight and ice cream rolled together on a stick, a popular dessert in Samsun.

Sweet and Creamy: The sweetness of the Turkish delight complements the creaminess of the ice cream.
Cool Treat: Ideal for hot summer days, as it provides a refreshing treat.
Ice Cream Shops: Available at ice cream shops and markets throughout Samsun.

Thin, crispy pizza-like dish topped with cheese, tomatoes, and herbs.

Crispy Crust: The thin, crispy crust contrasts beautifully with the soft, gooey cheese and tomato toppings.
Quick Meal: Ideal for a quick, tasty meal on the go or as a snack.
Pizza Shops: Found in pizza shops and restaurants throughout Samsun.

Chestnuts boiled and served with sugar syrup, a popular winter treat in Samsun.

Warm and Comforting: Ideal for cold winter evenings, as it is warm, comforting, and satisfying.
Seasonal Delicacy: Available during the chestnut season, making it a special treat.
Markets and Street Vendors: Found at markets and street vendors throughout Samsun during the chestnut season.

Thin vermicelli-like noodles soaked in sweet syrup and served with a creamy walnut sauce.

Sweet and Nutty: The combination of the sweet syrup and nutty walnut sauce creates an unforgettable taste sensation.
Traditional Dessert: A traditional dessert with roots in Samsun, offering a taste of local culture.
Restaurants and Pastry Shops: Best enjoyed in restaurants and pastry shops throughout Samsun.

Stuffed gözleme with a variety of fillings such as cheese, spinach, and ground meat.

Versatile Fillings: Offers various fillings to cater to different tastes and dietary preferences.
Hearty Meal: Ideal for a hearty, filling meal, especially during cold winter days.
Street Food Stalls: Commonly found at street food stalls and local markets in Samsun.

Mixed salad with a variety of vegetables, olives, and feta cheese, dressed in a tangy dressing.

Fresh and Tasty: The freshness of the ingredients results in a delicious, flavorful salad.
Healthy Option: A refreshing, light, and healthy choice for lunch or dinner.
Restaurants and Street Food Stalls: Found in restaurants and at street food stalls throughout Samsun.

Long, thin skewers of ground meat mixed with fat and spices, grilled over an open flame.

Flavorful Meat: The combination of the lean and fatty parts results in a juicy, flavorful kebab.
Street Food Availability: Widely available from street food vendors throughout Samsun.
Affordable Price: Offers a satisfying meal at an affordable price, perfect for budget travelers.

Raw meatballs made from ground beef and bulgur, traditionally eaten with vegetables and a spicy tomato sauce.

Raw Meatballs: Uncooked meatballs offer a unique texture and flavor compared to cooked meat.
Traditional Preparation: Prepared according to traditional Samsun recipes passed down through generations.
Restaurants and Street Food Stalls: Found in restaurants and at street food stalls throughout Samsun.