Dishes you should try in Manisa: Akhisar Köfte (Akhisar meatballs), Salihli Odun Köfte (Salihli wood-fired meatballs), Alaşehir Kapaması and Manisa Taban Simidi. This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Manisa is famous for.
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Meatballs with a registered geographical indication.
Meatballs with a registered geographical indication.
A local dish with a registered geographical indication.
A simit with a registered geographical indication.
Halva with a registered geographical indication.
Prepared by marinating lamb in special spices before cooking. The dish holds an important place at local tables and is made using traditional recipes.
Prepared by threading small pieces of meat onto thin skewers and grilling them over charcoal.
Akhisar Domat Zeytinyağı was registered as a protected geographical indication on 28 March 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1055). Product group: solid and liquid fats and oils, including butter. Registered by: Akhisar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Akhisar Uslu Zeytinyağı was registered as a protected geographical indication on 28 March 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1056). Product group: solid and liquid fats and oils, including butter. Registered by: Akhisar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Alaşehir Tahinli Pidesi was registered as a protected geographical indication on 26 July 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1423). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, desserts. Registered by: Alaşehir Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Prepared by marinating lamb in special spices and then cooking it. This dish has an important place on local tables and is prepared using traditional recipes. It is a symbol of hospitality, prepared by local people on special occasions.
Prepared by threading small pieces of meat onto thin skewers and grilling them over charcoal. Its fresh, natural ingredients make it a healthy choice.
Prepared by marinating lamb in special spices and then cooking it. This dish has an important place on local tables and is prepared using traditional recipes. Its fresh, natural ingredients make it a healthy choice.
A traditional dish made by simmering cracked wheat and meat for a long time. Prepared from recipes passed down through generations, it is an important part of the local food culture. Serving it with melted butter drizzled on top is part of the tradition.
Freshwater fish from Lake Marmara, served grilled or pan-fried.
Prepared by marinating lamb in special spices before cooking. Made from recipes passed down through the generations, this dish is an important part of the local culinary culture.
Prepared by marinating lamb in special spices and then cooking it. This dish has an important place on local tables and is prepared using traditional recipes. The recipe, passed down through generations, varies slightly from family to family.
A traditional dish made by simmering cracked wheat and meat for a long time. Prepared from recipes passed down through generations, it is an important part of the local food culture. Listed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List, keşkek is a source of pride in Turkish cuisine.
Kırkağaç Pideli Paça was registered as a protected geographical indication on 20 April 2024 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1579). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Kırkağaç District Governorate.
Kırkağaç Topalak Yemeği was registered as a protected geographical indication on 25 October 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1488). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Kırkağaç District Governorate.
Köprübaşı Çileği was registered as a protected designation of origin on 2 November 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 943). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Köprübaşı Municipality.
Lamb marinated in special spices and then cooked. Widely enjoyed at local tables, this dish is prepared with traditional recipes. It can be tasted in its most authentic form at local markets and home restaurants.
A traditional dish of cracked wheat and meat, cooked slowly for a long time. Prepared from recipes passed down through generations, it is an important part of the region's culinary culture. Small differences between each village's keşkek recipe add to the richness of the dish.
Lamb marinated in special spices and then cooked. Enjoyed at local tables, this dish is prepared using traditional recipes. As it is made with seasonal ingredients, it offers a different flavour in each season.
A traditional pide made by placing minced meat or cheese on thin dough and baking it in a stone oven.
Salihli Sultani Üzüm Pekmezi was registered as a protected geographical indication on 23 July 2026 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1881). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Salihli Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
A regional dish associated with the district, with a registered geographical indication.
Prepared by marinating lamb in special spices and cooking it. This dish, which has an important place at the tables of local people, is prepared using traditional recipes. Prepared by local people on special occasions, it is a symbol of hospitality.
Prepared by threading small pieces of meat onto thin skewers and grilling them over charcoal. It can be tasted in its most authentic form at local markets and home restaurants.
The people of Ayan Neighbourhood in Sarıgöl hold an aşure and keşkek day every year in the month of Muharram.
Seedless table grapes grown on the Sarıgöl Plain.
Lamb marinated in special spices and cooked. This dish, which holds an important place on local tables, is prepared with traditional recipes. Made with fresh, natural ingredients, it is a healthy choice.
Small pieces of meat threaded onto thin skewers and cooked over charcoal. Prepared with seasonal ingredients, it offers a different flavour in every season.
Lamb marinated in special spices and then cooked. Enjoyed at local tables, this dish is prepared using traditional recipes. Passed down through generations, the recipe varies slightly in every family.
A traditional dish of cracked wheat and meat, cooked slowly for a long time. Prepared from recipes passed down through generations, it is an important part of the region's culinary culture. An essential part of wedding feasts, keşkek is prepared in a spirit of community.
Traditional dishes said to be famous in Selendi.
Soma Zeytinyağı was registered as a protected geographical indication on 4 August 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1436). Product group: solid and liquid fats including butter. Registered by: Soma District Governorate.
Known traditional sweets of Soma.
Lamb marinated in special spices and cooked, the best-known dish of the city.
Made from 41 kinds of spices and herbs, Mesir Macunu has been produced since 1539 and is a traditional product on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Lamb marinated with special spices and cooked. The dish has an important place at the tables of local people, and it is prepared with traditional recipes. Its seasonal ingredients give the dish a different flavour in each season.
Small pieces of meat threaded on thin skewers and cooked over charcoal. Prepared by local people on special occasions, this dish is a symbol of hospitality.
Turgutlu köftesi, cooked over firewood and charcoal in a copper pan with butter, is regarded as one of the favourite flavours of the people of Manisa and attracts visitors from other provinces too.
Round bread that has been left to go stale, filled with a minced-meat mixture and baked. It is served hot with garlic yoghurt and butter with chilli.
Lamb marinated in special spices and then cooked. Enjoyed at local tables, this dish is prepared using traditional recipes. An important part of the district's gastronomic identity, it is a favourite of visitors.
A traditional product made from 41 kinds of spices and herbs. Prepared from recipes passed down through generations, it is an important part of the region's culinary culture.
A festival on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, at which mesir paste is scattered to the crowd from the Sultan Mosque.
The city's tradition of training Ottoman princes as governors (sanjak-beys).
The memory of Ahmet Bedevi, who planted trees on Mount Spil.
The weaving traditions of Gördes, Kula and Yuntdağı.
Manisa is known for 5 local dishes, above all Akhisar Köfte (Akhisar meatballs), Salihli Odun Köfte (Salihli wood-fired meatballs), Alaşehir Kapaması and Manisa Taban Simidi. Meatballs with a registered geographical indication.
Manisa is known for Akhisar Köfte (Akhisar meatballs), Manisa Mesir Macunu (Manisa mesir paste) and Mesir Paste Festival. Its best-known sights include Sardis (Sart) Ancient City and Temple of Artemis at Sardis.
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Manisa include Manisa Mesir Macunu (Manisa mesir paste), Manisa Sultani Çekirdeksiz Üzümü (Manisa seedless sultana grapes), Kırkağaç Kavunu (Kırkağaç melons) and Akhisar Domat Zeytini (Akhisar Domat olives).