Dishes you should try in Samsun: Bafra Pidesi, Samsun Simidi, Bafra Nokulu and Çarşamba Keşkeği (wheat and meat porridge). This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Samsun is famous for.
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Famous Dishes of Samsun
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Bafra Pidesi
A pide with a registered geographical indication.
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Samsun Simidi
A simit with a registered geographical indication.
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Bafra Nokulu
Nokul with a registered geographical indication.
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Çarşamba Keşkeği (wheat and meat porridge)
Keşkek with a registered geographical indication.
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Çarşamba Pidesi
A pide with a registered geographical indication.
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Terme Pidesi
A pide with a registered geographical indication.
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Yakakent Mantısı (Yakakent dumplings)
Mantı with a registered geographical indication.
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Samsun Kaz Tiridi (goose dish)
A goose dish with a registered geographical indication.
Local Specialities from the Districts of Samsun
What to eat in Alaçam
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Samsun Pidesi (closed Samsun pide)
Known as closed pide, Samsun pide is also served in Alaçam using the traditional recipe.
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Fresh Fish
Fresh fish caught in the Black Sea are served grilled or fried in Alaçam's seaside restaurants.
What to eat in Asarcık
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Samsun Pidesi (boat-shaped Samsun pide)
Samsun's boat-shaped pide.
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Nokul (walnut or raisin rolled pastry)
A rolled pastry with walnut or raisin filling.
What to eat in Atakum
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Samsun Pidesi (closed pide)
Known as closed pide, Samsun pide is served in Atakum's pide shops using the traditional recipe.
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Fresh Fish
Fresh fish caught in the Black Sea are served grilled or fried in Atakum's seaside restaurants.
What to eat in Ayvacık
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Samsun Pidesi
Known as kapalı pide (closed pide), Samsun pide is also served in Ayvacık using the traditional recipe.
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Keşkek
Keşkek, prepared by slowly cooking and pounding wheat and meat, is an essential part of wedding feasts. Pounding the wheat and boiling it with meat for hours is a patient process.
What to eat in Bafra
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Bafra Kaymaklı Lokum
Bafra Kaymaklı Lokum was registered as a protected geographical indication on 28 January 2020 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 482). Product group: chocolate, confectionery and derived products. Registered by: Bafra Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
What to eat in Canik
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Samsun Pidesi
Known as kapalı pide (closed pide), Samsun pide is served in Canik's pide shops using the traditional recipe.
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Karadeniz Hamsisi
In the winter months, fresh anchovy (hamsi) is served in Canik fried, steamed or with rice. Prepared using recipes passed down through generations, this dish is an important part of the local food culture.
What to eat in Çarşamba
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Çarşamba Tavuğu
A famous local chicken breed from Çarşamba, known for dishes made from the meat of free-range chickens. Chicken soup and oven-roasted chicken are the most popular varieties.
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Pirinç Pilavı
Rice cooked with butter, using rice grown in the Çarşamba Plain, forms the basis of the district's table culture.
What to eat in Havza
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Havza Mantısı (Havza dumplings)
Havza mantısı, made with hand-rolled dough, is served with yoghurt and a butter sauce. It is one of the district's traditional flavours.
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Keşkek (wheat and meat dish)
Prepared by cooking wheat and meat for a long time and then pounding them, keşkek is essential at wedding tables in Havza.
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Samsun Pidesi (closed pide)
Known as closed pide, Samsun pidesi is also served in Havza using the traditional recipe.
What to eat in İlkadım
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Samsun Pidesi
Known as kapalı pide (closed pide), Samsun pide is famous for its thin dough and generous fillings. Minced meat, cheese and egg varieties are baked in a stone oven.
What to eat in Kavak
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Samsun Pidesi
Known as kapalı pide (closed pide), Samsun pide is also served in Kavak using the traditional recipe.
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Keşkek
Keşkek, prepared by slowly cooking and pounding wheat and meat, is an essential part of wedding feasts. It is traditionally served with melted butter poured over it.
What to eat in Ladik
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Ladik Köftesi
Ladik köftesi, prepared with minced meat and spices, is baked and served. It is one of the district's traditional flavours.
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Lake Fish
Carp and bream caught in Lake Ladik, served grilled or fried.
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Keşkek
Keşkek, prepared by slow-cooking and pounding wheat and meat, is indispensable at wedding tables. Listed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List, keşkek is a source of pride for Turkish cuisine.
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Tandır Kebabı
Ladik's tandır kebab is known as a speciality of the region.
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Kaz Pilavı and Seridi
Counted among the local dishes made in Ladik. In the list in the source, they are among dishes that are mostly pastry-based.
What to eat in Ondokuzmayıs
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Samsun Pidesi
Known as kapalı pide (closed pide), Samsun pide is also served in Ondokuzmayıs using the traditional recipe.
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Taze Balık
Fresh fish from the Black Sea is served in the district's seaside restaurants. Prepared using recipes passed down through generations, this dish is an important part of the local food culture.
What to eat in Salıpazarı
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Salıpazarı Kestane Balı
Salıpazarı Kestane Balı was registered as a protected designation of origin on 11 October 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1468). Product group: honey. Registered by: Samsun Metropolitan Municipality.
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Samsun Pidesi
Known as kapalı pide (closed pide), Samsun pide is also served in Salıpazarı using the traditional recipe.
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Karalahana Sarması
Cabbage leaves are stuffed with rice and minced meat and rolled. It is the staple dish of the winter months.
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Kestane balı
A well-known honey made from the chestnut trees of the region.
What to eat in Tekkeköy
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Samsun Pidesi
Known as kapalı pide (closed pide), Samsun pide is also served in Tekkeköy using the traditional recipe.
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Taze Balık
Fresh fish from the Black Sea is served grilled or fried in Tekkeköy's restaurants.
What to eat in Terme
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Fındıklı Baklava
Baklava made with Terme hazelnuts, an important part of the district's dessert culture.
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Karalahana Çorbası (kale soup)
A soup made from fresh kale, cornmeal and beans. It is a traditional winter dish.
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Keşkek
Regarded as the most famous dish of the region in Terme. Tirit, corn soup, lepsi and anchovy rice are also frequently made.
What to eat in Vezirköprü
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Vezirköprü Mantısı
Vezirköprü mantı, prepared with hand-rolled yufka dough, is served with yoghurt and a butter sauce.
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Keşkek
Keşkek, prepared by slowly cooking and pounding wheat and meat, is an essential part of wedding feasts. Small differences in each village's keşkek recipe add to the richness of the dish.
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Samsun Pidesi
Known as kapalı pide (closed pide), Samsun pide is also served in Vezirköprü using the traditional recipe.
What to eat in Yakakent
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Fresh Fish
Fresh fish from the Black Sea are served grilled or pan-fried in Yakakent's seafront restaurants.
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Samsun Pidesi
Known as closed pide, Samsun pidesi is also served in Yakakent using the traditional recipe.
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Fresh Anchovy
A fish of the whiting type caught around Yakakent. It is served as a main dish at the region's Anchovy Festival.
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İçli Mantı
Made with minced meat and walnuts, this mantı is eaten with garlicky yoghurt.
What to Buy in Samsun: Local Products
- Bafra Pirinci (Bafra rice) Rice with a registered geographical indication.
- Salıpazarı Kestane Balı (Salıpazarı chestnut honey) Honey with a registered geographical indication (protected designation of origin).
- Bafra Kaymaklı Lokumu (Bafra lokum with clotted cream) Lokum with a registered geographical indication.
- Vezirköprü Semaveri (Vezirköprü samovar) A handicraft product with a registered geographical indication.
- Çarşamba Sekiz Köşe Kasketi (Çarşamba eight-panel flat cap) A flat cap with a registered geographical indication.
What Samsun Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
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19 May ceremonies
Ceremonies held every year on the anniversary of Atatürk's landing at Samsun.
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Vezirköprü coppersmithing
The craft of samovars and copper work.
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Amazon legends
The female warriors whom ancient sources place at Themiscyra, around Terme.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Samsun?
Samsun is known for 8 local dishes, above all Bafra Pidesi, Samsun Simidi, Bafra Nokulu and Çarşamba Keşkeği (wheat and meat porridge). A pide with a registered geographical indication.
What is Samsun famous for?
Samsun is known for Bafra Pidesi, Bafra Pirinci (Bafra rice) and 19 May ceremonies. Its best-known sights include Bandırma Steamship Museum and Amisos Hill.
What to buy in Samsun?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Samsun include Bafra Pirinci (Bafra rice), Salıpazarı Kestane Balı (Salıpazarı chestnut honey), Bafra Kaymaklı Lokumu (Bafra lokum with clotted cream) and Vezirköprü Semaveri (Vezirköprü samovar).