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Dishes you should try in Çankaya: Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole), Çubuk Turşusu (Çubuk pickles) and Ankara Simidi (sesame bread ring). This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Çankaya is famous for.

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Famous Dishes of Çankaya

  • Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole)

    Ankara tava, lamb cooked with onions and peppers in a clay casserole, is the symbolic dish of the capital. Traditional restaurants in Çankaya serve this dish using their own authentic recipes.

  • Çubuk Turşusu (Çubuk pickles)

    Ankara's famous pickles, prepared by fermenting various vegetables in vinegar and salt water. They are served alongside kebabs and meat dishes.

  • Ankara Simidi (sesame bread ring)

    Ankara simit, which differs from the Istanbul simit with its thin and crispy texture, is baked in a stone oven, generously coated with sesame. It is eaten with tea.

Dishes from Ankara Cuisine

What to eat in Ankara →

These dishes are known throughout Ankara province; see the provincial food guide for details.

  • Ankara Tavası (Ankara oven-baked meat and rice)

    An old Ankara dish in which sautéed meat and vegetables are baked in the oven in meat stock with rice or vermicelli; at weddings, hıdrellez and mesire picnics it is eaten with cacık, pickles and hoşaf.

  • Beypazarı Kurusu (Beypazarı dry biscuit)

    A biscuit baked in stone ovens from flour, milk, butter and yeast, which stays fresh for a year; it received a geographical indication on 14 May 2013.

  • Beypazarı Cevizli Tatlı Sucuk (walnut sweet sausage)

    A sweet with a geographical indication, made by dipping strings of walnut kernels in molasses dough and drying them.

What to Buy in Çankaya: Local Products

  • Ankara Tiftik Keçisi Ürünleri (tiftik goat products) Products made from the wool of the tiftik goat, the symbol of Ankara, are world-famous for their softness and quality. Known as mohair, this wool is a valuable raw material in the textile sector.
  • Ankara Armudu (Ankara pears) This pear variety, native to Ankara, is known for its small size and intense aroma. It ripens in the autumn months and is eaten fresh.

What Çankaya Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions

  • Capital of the Republic

    Çankaya became the administrative centre of Türkiye when the Republic was proclaimed in 1923. The Presidential Mansion, the Grand National Assembly and ministries are located in this district. The story of modern Türkiye took shape in Çankaya.

  • Kavaklıdere and Tunalı Hilmi Culture

    Tunalı Hilmi Avenue and the Kavaklıdere quarter are the centre of Ankara's cultural, arts and entertainment life. Cafés, galleries, theatres and bookshops offer a lively city life.

  • University Quarter

    Hacettepe, Middle East Technical and Bilkent universities are within the boundaries of Çankaya. These universities make Ankara one of Türkiye's most important centres of education and research.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I eat in Çankaya?

Çankaya is known for 3 local dishes, above all Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole), Çubuk Turşusu (Çubuk pickles) and Ankara Simidi (sesame bread ring). Ankara tava, lamb cooked with onions and peppers in a clay casserole, is the symbolic dish of the capital. Traditional restaurants in Çankaya serve this dish using their own authentic recipes.

What is Çankaya famous for?

Çankaya is known for Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole), Ankara Tiftik Keçisi Ürünleri (tiftik goat products) and Capital of the Republic. Its best-known sights include Anıtkabir and Kocatepe Mosque.

What to buy in Çankaya?

Local products and souvenirs to buy in Çankaya include Ankara Tiftik Keçisi Ürünleri (tiftik goat products) and Ankara Armudu (Ankara pears).

Çankaya Travel Guide

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