What to Eat in Bornova: Famous Dishes and Local Products

Famous Dishes of Bornova

• 🥐

  Boyoz

  Boyoz, an indispensable flavour of Izmir, is prepared fresh every morning in Bornova's traditional bakeries.

• 🍖

  Söğüş

  Boiled beef and offal, thinly sliced and served with onion, parsley and spices. It is one of Bornova's street foods.

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

• 🥐

  İzmir Boyozu (Sephardic oil pastry)

  A breakfast pastry with an oily dough, inherited from Sephardic cuisine, with a registered geographical indication.

• 🥪

  İzmir Kumrusu (sausage and cheese sandwich)

  A sandwich made with sucuk, cheese and tomato, with a registered geographical indication.

• 🥯

  İzmir Gevreği (Izmir sesame ring)

  Izmir's version of the simit; it has a registered geographical indication.

• 🍩

  İzmir Lokması (syrupy fried dough)

  A syrupy dessert with a registered geographical indication.

• 🍰

  İzmir Şambalisi (semolina syrup cake)

  A syrupy semolina dessert with a registered geographical indication.

• 🍖

  Ödemiş Köftesi (Ödemiş meatballs)

  Meatballs with a registered geographical indication.

What to Buy in Bornova: Local Products

• Bornova Kınalı Okra Bornova Kınalı Okra was registered as a protected designation of origin on 27 October 2020 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 581). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruit and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Bornova Municipality.
• Bornova Misket Grape Bornova Misket Grape was registered as a protected designation of origin on 7 April 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 713). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruit and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Bornova Municipality.

What Bornova Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions

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  Levantine Culture

  In the 18th and 19th centuries, Bornova was the centre of life for the Levantine communities of Izmir. Mansions, churches and social clubs reflect this multicultural heritage.

• 🎓

  University Culture

  With Ege University and Yaşar University, Bornova is Izmir's most lively student district. Cafés, bookshops and cultural events give the district a dynamic atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bornova Travel Guide

• 📍 Things to Do in Bornova 8 places to visit →
• 🗺️ What to Eat in Izmir All the famous dishes of the province →

What to Eat in Other Districts of Izmir

• Aliağa 8 dishes Aliağa Fish Soup, Stuffed Artichokes in Olive Oil (Zeytinyağlı Enginar) and Şevket-i Bostan (wild herb dish)
• Balçova 2 dishes Boyoz and İzmir Köfte
• Bayındır 2 dishes Bayındır Pidesi and Keşkek
• Bayraklı 2 dishes Boyoz and Lokma
• Bergama 2 dishes Bergama Köftesi and Bergama Tulum Cheese
• Beydağ 4 dishes Beydağ Simit Dürüm, Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge) and Gözleme (stuffed flatbread)
• Buca 2 dishes Boyoz and Şambali
• Çeşme 3 dishes Çeşme Kumrusu, Alaçatı Ot Yemekleri and Taze Deniz Ürünleri
• Çiğli 2 dishes Boyoz and Midye Dolma
• Dikili 2 dishes Dikili Balık Güveç (fish casserole) and Zeytinyağlı Ot Yemekleri (wild greens in olive oil)
• Foça 2 dishes Foça Fish and Ege Mezeleri (Aegean meze)
• Gaziemir 2 dishes İzmir Köfte and Boyoz
• Güzelbahçe 2 dishes Güzelbahçe Fish and Octopus Salad
• Karabağlar 2 dishes Boyoz and Kumru
• Karaburun 2 dishes Karaburun Sea Bass and Sakız Kabağı Dolması (stuffed mastic squash)
• Karşıyaka 2 dishes Boyoz and Söğüş (sliced boiled beef and offal)
• Kemalpaşa 3 dishes Kemalpaşa Tatlısı (cheese dough balls in syrup), Cherry Desserts and Kemalpaşa Cherries
• Kınık 2 dishes Keşkek (wheat and meat dish) and Höşmerim (fried cheese dessert)
• Kiraz 4 dishes Kiraz Pidesi (thin-crust flatbread), Keşkek (wheat and meat dish) and Kestane (chestnuts)
• Konak 3 dishes İzmir Kumrusu (grilled sandwich), Boyoz and İzmir Köfte
• Menderes 3 dishes Zeytinyağlı Enginar (artichokes in olive oil), Çöp Şiş (skewered meat) and Gümüldür mandarin
• Menemen 3 dishes Menemen (Egg and Vegetable Dish), Boyoz and Menemen
• Mordoğan 2 dishes Mordoğan Fish and Stuffed Wild Greens in Olive Oil (Zeytinyağlı Ot Yemekleri)
• Narlıdere 2 dishes Boyoz and Midye Tava (fried mussels)
• Ödemiş 4 dishes Ödemiş Çekişte Zeytinyağı (Ödemiş Çekişte olive oil), Ödemiş Köftesi (Ödemiş meatballs) and Ödemiş Kebabı
• Seferihisar 2 dishes Sığacık Market Delights and Mandarin Jam
• Selçuk 3 dishes Şirince Wine, Ege Ot Yemekleri (Aegean herb dishes) and Çöp Şiş (skewered lamb pieces)
• Tire 5 dishes Tire Şiş Köfte (Tire skewered meatballs), Tire Köfte (Tire meatballs) and Tire Pidesi
• Torbalı 4 dishes Torbalı Kuru Domatesi (Torbalı sun-dried tomatoes), Boyoz and Söğüş
• Urla 2 dishes Urla Enginar Dolması (stuffed artichokes) and Ege Mezeleri (Aegean mezes)