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Top 5 Bursa Foods

Last updated on June 24, 2026

Lamb Dish

İskender kebap

Bursa, Turkiye

4.4 ·

A specialty of the city of Bursa, İskender kebap is named after a butcher called İskender Efendi, who first prepared this flavorful dish. It consists of thinly sliced lamb that is grilled and combined with a spicy tomato sauce and pita bread, while melted sheep butter and yogurt are traditionally drizzled over the dish at the table. It is recommended to pair this kebap with şıra, a Turkish beverage that is known to aid digestion.

İnegöl köfte

İnegöl, Turkiye

4.1 ·

The most famous Turkish meatball dish was invented by Mustafa Efendi, a Turkish immigrant from Bulgaria who came to İnegöl in the late 19th century. İnegöl köfte are made with breadcrumbs and a mixture of ground beef or lamb, seasoned with only onions. They are grilled, and usually served as a main course. Although these delicious meatballs are nowadays found all over the country, it is said that the best ones are prepared in İnegöl.

Best restaurants

Besler İnegöl Köftecisi (Turkiye), Zeynel Inegol Koftecisi (Turkiye)

Cheese

Mihaliç peyniri

Bursa Province, Turkiye

4.1 ·

Mihaliç peyniri is a Turkish cheese produced in Bursa and Balıkesir. It is named Mihaliç because it originated in the town of Karacebey, which was originally named Mihaliç. In the past, it used to be made from raw sheep's milk, but nowadays it's made from cow's milk or a combination of goat, sheep, and cow's milk because sheep's milk is no longer produced in sufficient quantities. The cheese is stored in brine to harden and develop a firm, yet slightly elastic texture. Afterwards, it is salted and dried before being sold in slices or balls. When aged, its texture is crumbly, grainy, and open, while the flavors are intense and salty. Mihaliç can be used in place of parmesan cheese, and it is recommended to use it grated in baked dishes and various salads.

Flatbread

Cantık pidesi

Bursa, Turkiye

3.8 ·

Cantık pidesi is a traditional flatbread from Bursa. The dough for cantık pidesi is similar to other pide doughs, made from flour, water, yeast, and salt, but what sets it apart is the filling and the method of preparation. The traditional filling for Bursa cantık pidesi includes minced meat (often beef or lamb), onions, tomatoes, green peppers, and spices such as paprika and black pepper. This mixture is spread onto the rolled-out dough, which is then folded over to encase the filling, sometimes in a half-moon shape or other times leaving a portion of the filling exposed. Before baking, the cantık is often brushed with butter or olive oil to enhance its flavor and ensure a golden, crispy crust. It's then baked in a hot oven until the dough is cooked through and the filling is hot and aromatic. The result is a delicious, savory pastry that's enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or meal, often accompanied by ayran (a yogurt-based beverage) or tea.

Dessert

Kemalpaşa

Mustafakemalpaşa, Turkiye

3.4 ·

Kemalpaşa is a delicious, melt-in-the-mouth Turkish dessert named after the place of its origin in the city of Bursa. It is made with a special, unsalted cow’s milk cheese produced in the town, along with flour, semolina, eggs, and baking powder. The dough is traditionally shaped into small balls that are first baked in the oven, then boiled in sherbet. Besides the standard version, there is also a packaged version of dry kemalpaşa. In winter, the dessert is usually served with cream, and in summer, it is served with a scoop of ice cream. This sweet treat is so popular in the city that it even has its own festival, celebrated annually on September 14th.

Best restaurants

Uzan Et Mangal (Turkiye)

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About this ranking

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 5 Bursa Foods” list until June 24, 2026, 2,443 ratings were recorded, of which 1,521 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.