TR RU

Dishes you should try in Gebze: Pişmaniye, Marmara Fish and Islama Köfte (meatballs on tomato-soaked bread). This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Gebze is famous for.

Share with friends

Last updated:

Famous Dishes of Gebze

  • Pişmaniye

    Pişmaniye, a sweet shared by Gebze and İzmit, is made by pulling sugar and flour into fine threads. Traditional producers in Gebze have been making this sweet for centuries.

  • Marmara Fish

    Fresh fish from the Eskihisar and Tavşancıl shores, served grilled in seaside restaurants.

  • Islama Köfte (meatballs on tomato-soaked bread)

    Islama köfte, prepared by serving meatballs on bread soaked in tomato sauce, is one of Gebze's popular street foods.

Dishes from Kocaeli Cuisine

What to eat in Kocaeli →

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

  • İzmit Pişmaniyesi (İzmit thread halva)

    A halva drawn out into fine threads, with a registered geographical indication.

  • İzmit Simidi (İzmit simit)

    A simit with a registered geographical indication.

  • Gebze Bayram Çöreği (Gebze festival bun)

    A bun with a registered geographical indication.

  • Karamürsel Simit Dolması (stuffed simit)

    A pastry with a registered geographical indication.

  • Kandıra Manda Yoğurdu (Kandıra buffalo yoghurt)

    Yoghurt with a registered geographical indication.

What to Buy in Gebze: Local Products

  • Gebze Bayram Çöreği (Gebze festival bread) Gebze Bayram Çöreği was registered as a protected geographical indication on 28 May 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 777). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, sweets. Registered by: Gebze Chamber of Commerce.
  • Pişmaniye Gebze's traditional sweet pişmaniye is still produced using handmade methods.
  • Industrial Products With 1,384 companies operating in 10 organised industrial zones, Gebze is one of Türkiye's largest industrial centres.

What Gebze Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions

  • Legacy of Ancient Libyssa

    Gebze's ancient name was Libyssa, and it is known as the place where the Carthaginian commander Hannibal spent his final days. This historical connection is an important part of Gebze's cultural identity.

  • Legacy of Osman Hamdi Bey

    Osman Hamdi Bey, a pioneer of Turkish painting and founder of the Istanbul Archaeology Museums, painted many of his famous works at his summer house in Eskihisar, Gebze. The painting 'The Tortoise Trainer' was depicted here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I eat in Gebze?

Gebze is known for 3 local dishes, above all Pişmaniye, Marmara Fish and Islama Köfte (meatballs on tomato-soaked bread). Pişmaniye, a sweet shared by Gebze and İzmit, is made by pulling sugar and flour into fine threads. Traditional producers in Gebze have been making this sweet for centuries.

What is Gebze famous for?

Gebze is known for Pişmaniye, Gebze Bayram Çöreği (Gebze festival bread) and Legacy of Ancient Libyssa. Its best-known sights include Çoban Mustafa Paşa Complex and Tomb of Hannibal.

What to buy in Gebze?

Local products and souvenirs to buy in Gebze include Gebze Bayram Çöreği (Gebze festival bread), Pişmaniye and Industrial Products.

Gebze Travel Guide

What to Eat in Other Districts of Kocaeli

Search 81 province guides and 968 district guides.