(ENGLISH) For those who say "A meal isn't complete without meze": Here are 5 places we've compiled in Ankara for meze lovers!
- berrabasaksude
- Mar 27
- 8 min read
Hello Meze Lovers!
Are you ready to discover mezes, the best companions of large gatherings, and the places that host them?
As the GezelimMEZElim team, we kept our promise and compiled five different places in Ankara famous for their diverse mezes! From Miss Meyhane, reflecting traditional meze culture, to Kuytu Meze&Balık, serving delicious fish mezes, from Lavinia, bringing the Aegean atmosphere to Ankara with its olive oil dishes, to Baba Yorgun, with its long history, we've brought together places hosting different flavors in one place. Additionally, we haven't forgotten Mualla Meyhane, which serves mezes from unknown brands in a way we've never seen before! Of course, it would be unfair not to include the Cretan spread at Miss, the Cypriot meze at Lavinia, the marinated sea bass at Kuytu, and the fellah meatballs at Baba Yorgun!
We've thought of everything you need to know about appetizers, and we're ready to answer all your questions!
So, welcome to our table!
For Traditional Mezes: Miss Meyhane
Hello Meze Lovers!
Established in the Bahçelievler neighborhood of Ankara in the 1990s and run by Cem Doruk Şenol for about fifteen years, Miss Meyhane now hosts classic meze platters and live fasıl (traditional Turkish music) entertainment. The fasıl entertainment, which starts at 8 PM and continues until 1 AM, creates a very lively atmosphere. The moment you step into Miss Meyhane, you are greeted by a warm atmosphere with dim lighting and colorful decor. Colorful paintings and violins hanging on the walls complement this atmosphere.
Blending traditional and modern meze culture, Miss is also quite confident in offering delicious flavors. As one of Ankara's classic meyhanes, Miss stands out with its yogurt and cheese mezes, which are indispensable in Turkish culture. For example, there's the Cretan dip made by blending basil and Ezine cheese, the "atom" dip for those who like spicy food and yogurt together, the fresh purslane with yogurt, carrot tarator garnished with walnut pieces, and many more… However, the variety of mezes at Miss Meyhane isn't limited to yogurt and cheese-based options! From sea beans to hummus, you can find many different mezes that are traditional in our culture at Miss Meyhane. Although we had difficulty choosing among so many varieties, our favorite was the haydari, which combines the intense aroma of garlic and dried mint!
These traditional mezes, indispensable accompaniments to main courses, offer a great alternative for a pleasant evening. These mezes, which go well with almost any dish, await guests at Miss Meyhane with their meticulous presentation.
If you too would like to taste traditional mezes accompanied by live fasıl entertainment, you can give Miss Meyhane a try!
So, bon appétit in advance! Looking forward to meeting you at different tables…
Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taste: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Safe Environment: ✨✨✨✨
Address: Mahallesi, Yukarı Bahçelievler, Aşkabat Cd. 46/3, 06490 Çankaya/Ankara
For an Aegean Atmosphere in Ankara: Lavinia
Hello Meze Lovers!
In this article, we invite you to Lavinia Meyhane, a place that will take you away from the grey atmosphere of Ankara and into the serene, azure atmosphere of the Aegean with just one fork. If you are one of those who say, "Whatever is on the table, it's not complete without the noble touch of olive oil," then Lavinia is just for you! Located in the heart of Ankara, Çankaya, on the unique texture of Bestekar Street, Lavinia and Lavina welcome you with a warm, friendly Aegean town atmosphere dominated by the familiar white and blue colors from the moment you enter. Calling itself a gastro meyhane (tavern), Lavinia actually aims to replace traditional meyhane culture with gourmet, or gastronomic, dishes. It wasn't hard to imagine that this place, where creativity and gourmet flavors fly around, would reach far and wide. For those who want to escape the noise of the city and get lost in the Aegean atmosphere, Lavinia offers a modern tavern experience that appeals to both the eyes and the palate. With calming background music and mezes you'll never want to end, a unique experience awaits you. Lavinia's meze menu is truly a celebration of the Aegean and Mediterranean.
We, the GezelimMEZElim team, loved the Cypriot Meze, the perfect combination of cheese and sun-dried tomatoes; the Fava, a delicious blend of fava beans and real olive oil; the Irish Spread with crispy onions and pickles, featuring shredded beef tenderloin; Köpoğlu, the most beautiful eggplant dish covered in crispy potatoes; and finally, the Ata Meze, a favorite for those who love sour flavors! The perfect combination of nuts, pomegranate seeds, cheese, and pomegranate molasses will leave you utterly delighted. Each of these mezes, carefully prepared using the freshest methods, promises a paradise for olive oil lovers. If you too want to enjoy the sea air in Ankara and experience the most delicious herbs and olive oil dishes of the Aegean in a friendly atmosphere, you should definitely visit Lavinia Meyhane.
So, bon appétit in advance! Looking forward to meeting you at different tables…
Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taste: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Safe Environment: ✨✨✨✨✨
Address: Remzi Oğuz Arık, Bestekar Cd No: 74/1, 06540 Çankaya/Ankara
For Those Who Say "It's Not a Meze Without Fish": Kuytu Meze & Balık
Hello Meze Lovers!
Are you one of those who say, "A meze without fish and seafood isn't a meze at all!"? Then we're turning our attention to Kuytu Meze Balık, a place that truly lives up to its name and tantalizes the taste buds with its flavors.
This warm and inviting spot, which has been welcoming its regulars for many years, beautifully reflects its mastery of fish cuisine in its mezes. As the evening progresses, nostalgic songs accompany the tables, making those deep conversations with friends even more indispensable. The restaurant's intimate decor and the "homey" feeling it offers make Kuytu more than just a restaurant; it's a getaway that turns your travels towards the sea. Kuytu Balık boasts a rich variety of mezes. In preparing these mezes, it prioritizes 'freshness' and 'the sea' in its kitchen. Especially if you're looking for melt-in-your-mouth, tender fish, the sea bass marinated in mustard sauce is a true feast. The harmony of sour sauce and mustard makes the sea bass marinated one of the standout mezes on the menu. They haven't forgotten spice lovers either, adding spicy marinated sea bass and anchovies marinated in olive oil to their menu. These dishes, which let you feel the salt and freshness of the sea with every bite, appeal to both the palate and the soul.
If you're one of those who say "it's not a meal without fish" and want to experience the sea in Ankara, you can add Kuytu Meze Balık to your list of places to visit. While we were there, we inhaled the scent of the sea with every bite, and we're sure you'll love it too!
So, bon appétit in advance! Looking forward to meeting you at different tables…
Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taste: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Safe Environment: ✨✨✨✨
Address: Kavaklıdere, Bestekar Cd 6/D, 06680 Çankaya/Ankara
With a Story That Touches Our Hearts: Baba Yorgun Meyhanesi
Hello Meze Lovers!
First of all, you'll find it hard to decide whether you're more impressed by the atmosphere of this place, which catches your attention with its name, or by its story that will leave a mark on you. To briefly summarize its story, it tells of a small, dilapidated shop that opened in Eskişehir in 2019, growing with hard work and love, and eventually extending its reach all the way to Ankara. If you're wondering where the name "Baba Yorgun" (meaning "Tired Father") comes from, that opens the door to a whole other story. The owner, Ahmet Çilingir, chose this name to keep alive the memory of his father, a retired worker who always came home tired, after he passed away in 1996. He states that he dedicates all the beautiful memories shared here not only to his father but also to all working people, and that he has endless respect for them all. Furthermore, Ahmet Bey, who brings grandmother's recipes and forgotten appetizer flavors from his customers to our tables with his longing for warm family homes, offers us a truly safe and friendly environment.
As the GezelimMEZElim team, we recommend that you prioritize choosing flavors you haven't tasted before, because there will be many options you're truly unfamiliar with. While we can't list them all, we've compiled a few for you. When you try the honey halloumi pastry, the harmony created by the contrast between the salty halloumi cheese and honey might truly surprise you. Although you might initially think it will be heavy due to the honey and pastry, you'll find yourself unable to get enough of it as you eat it. However, if you prefer not to mix sweet and salty flavors, it's best to skip this pastry. The fellah meatballs, a taste you're probably already familiar with, will take you back to the tables our elders used to set with its aroma and the flavor of its sauce. But here's some bad news for those who don't like spicy food: fellah meatballs are a bit spicy, so you might have difficulty consuming them. Gazal Aşı Böreği, another regional and lesser-known delicacy, is a recipe consisting of potatoes and minced meat. Please don't let its simplicity deter you, because the combination of the thinness of the pastry with the sauce and spices will definitely open the doors to an experience you've never had before. The thinness and aroma of the pastry truly prove that it's handmade.
If you want to feel the warmth of the plates, the table, and the atmosphere, our recommendation in the appetizers category is definitely Baba Yorgun Meyhanesi! Considering the politeness and courtesy of the staff, we are sure that both your stomach and your soul will be satisfied.
So, bon appétit in advance! Looking forward to meeting you at different tables…
Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taste: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Safe Environment: ✨✨✨✨✨
Address: Ümit, 2479. Cd. No:2, 06810 Çankaya/Ankara
With Its Special Recipes and Signature Flavors: Mualla Meyhane
Hello Meze Lovers!
Mualla Meyhane, which stands out with its unique mezes and can be considered very new, opened its doors to guests on February 14th, 2026. I think the choice of February 14th is no coincidence, as it's immediately clear they do their work with great passion. Operated by Tolgay Yıldız, this place offers rare flavors from different cultures. In addition to their diverse meze menu, they also offer live music that you can enjoy. Starting around 8:30 PM, the music, played by different groups, is planned so as not to disrupt conversation at the table. So, if you want to both taste mezes and chat with your friends accompanied by pleasant music, Mualla is perfect for you!
Meze names like Patros, tabbouleh, milisi, and mermaid were quite rare and unusual for us, the GezelimMEZElim team. Therefore, we have compiled these mezes that aroused curiosity with their names and appearances. Patros meze, as its name suggests, is a meze with plenty of greens and yogurt that will transport you to Greek tavernas and the Aegean coast. However, it seems that Mr. Tolgay doesn't see meze culture as limited to Aegean flavors. Therefore, to bring the aromas of Arabic culture and Eastern cuisine to our tables, they carefully prepare tabbouleh meze. Made with bulgur and plenty of lemon, tabbouleh is a great option for those who can't do without sourness. However, its bulgur content might make you feel full quickly or be too heavy. In addition, milisi and mermaid mezes are among Mualla's signature recipes. Since they don't share the exact ingredients, the flavors of these mezes are a surprise, but with their perfectly balanced amounts of spices and wonderful aromas, we can say they will truly leave a lasting impression!
If you, like us, want your gatherings to be lively and vibrant, then the mezes at Mualla Meyhane are for you. However, due to the inadequate lighting in its location, you might prefer not to walk alone. While you're there, remember us as you experience the soul-stirring music and signature mezes you won't find anywhere else!
So, bon appétit in advance! Looking forward to meeting you at different tables…
Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taste: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Safe Environment: ✨✨✨
Address: Mutlukent, 1946. Sk. No:14, 06810 Çankaya/Ankara
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