Places to eat in Kusadasi are concentrated in five areas. Setur Marina and Atatürk Boulevard (Atatürk Bulvarı) stand out for sea view fish restaurants, the bazaar in the town centre for home cooking and kebab houses, Pigeon Island (Güvercinada) and the harbour for fish restaurants on the waterfront, the cruise port for the cafés at Scala Nuova, and Ladies Beach (Kadınlar Denizi) for restaurants overlooking the beach.
Where to eat in Kusadasi? The areas at a glance
Kusadasi is a small town, but its places to eat are concentrated in particular areas. Knowing what you will find in each area makes it easier to head in the right direction when you are hungry. The table below summarises the five areas, with example places in each; you will find the details further down.
| Area | Good for | Example places |
|---|---|---|
| Setur Marina and Atatürk Boulevard | Fish with a sea view, sunset, dinner | Şef Restaurant, Mezgit Restaurant, Bottarga Restaurant |
| Town centre and bazaar | Home cooking, kebabs, an affordable lunch | Avlu Restaurant, Meraklı Ev Yemekleri, 01 Adana Ocakbaşı |
| Pigeon Island and the harbour | Fish by the water, a meal after a walk | Kazım Usta Restaurant, Kule Seafood Restaurant |
| Cruise port (Ege Port) | A short break after leaving the ship, cafés | Cafés and restaurants at Scala Nuova |
| Ladies Beach (Kadınlar Denizi) | A beach day, lunch and dinner by the sea | Kiwi Restaurant, Ladies Beach Restaurant Cafe & Bar |
Where to eat at Setur Marina and on Atatürk Boulevard?
Atatürk Boulevard (Atatürk Bulvarı) is Kusadasi's seafront road. The stretch of the boulevard near Setur Marina is where sea view fish restaurants are most concentrated. In the early evening, as the sun goes down over the harbour into the sea, you can watch the sunset from the terraces here.
Şef Restaurant (Türkmen Mah., Atatürk Bulvarı No:186) is in this area, with its high terrace above the marina. You choose your fish from the counter and build your meal around meze, and there are meat and chicken dishes too. It is about 250 metres from Setur Marina and offers valet parking. On the same boulevard, opposite the marina, Mezgit Restaurant (No:104) serves fish and meze, while Bottarga Restaurant, on the Türkmen neighbourhood side, sets a modern Aegean table that changes with the day's produce.
This area is particularly suited to dinner. On summer evenings the tables facing the sea fill up early, so it is a good idea to book ahead.
Where to eat in Kusadasi town centre?
The bazaar and the streets around it in the town centre are the most practical area for a break while you are sightseeing during the day. In the narrow streets you will find home-cooking restaurants (lokanta), kebab houses and cafés, and finding an affordable option for lunch is not difficult.
In the Camikebir neighbourhood, Avlu Restaurant (Cephane Sokak No:15) is known for its home cooking and kebabs, and Meraklı Ev Yemekleri (Mithat Baysal Sokak No:4) for its breakfast and home-cooked dishes of the day. If you would like a meat-focused meal, 01 Adana Ocakbaşı (50. Yıl Caddesi No:39) in the Türkmen neighbourhood serves kebabs and pide.
From the town centre you can walk to the marina along the seafront road; for anyone who wants to have dinner facing the sea, this short walk makes a pleasant end to the day.
Where to eat around Pigeon Island and the harbour?
Pigeon Island (Güvercinada), the symbol of the town, is a small island connected to the shore by a causeway. The causeway to the island and the harbourfront make up the second main area for anyone who wants to eat fish by the sea.
Kazım Usta Restaurant, at Liman Caddesi No:4, serves fish and seafood on the harbourfront. Kule Seafood Restaurant, at Güvercinada Yolu No:21/4, pairs grilled octopus, prawns and the fish of the day with meze and wine, and it also has vegetarian options.
This area is handy if you want to watch the sunset from Pigeon Island and then sit down to eat. The island gets crowded on summer evenings, so if you want a quiet spot, go early.
Where to eat near Kusadasi cruise port?
Kusadasi's cruise port, Ege Port, is a few minutes' walk from the town centre. The Scala Nuova shopping area opposite the terminal has cafés and restaurants; it is the nearest option if you want a short break after leaving the ship.
For a longer meal you do not need to go far from the port. Kazım Usta and Kule Seafood are close to the port, while Şef Restaurant is about 5 minutes from the cruise port by taxi, above Setur Marina. If you arrived by ship, plan your evening backwards from your all-aboard time and write that time in the booking notes. For more details, see our guide for cruise passengers.
Where to eat at Ladies Beach (Kadınlar Denizi)?
Kadınlar Denizi, known in English as Ladies Beach, lies south of the town centre and is one of Kusadasi's best-known beaches. It means the beach by day and the sunset in the evening, and the cafés and restaurants along the shore fill up early on summer evenings.
Kiwi Restaurant, at Kadınlar Denizi Caddesi No:73, serves steak, pasta and vegetarian dishes alongside Turkish classics such as kebabs and seafood. On the same street, at No:47/B, Ladies Beach Restaurant Cafe & Bar sits right next to the beach and serves a menu focused on seafood.
You can also reach Ladies Beach from the town centre by dolmuş (shared minibus). If you want to end your beach day with a dinner overlooking the marina, a taxi will get you back to the seafront road quickly.
What should you know before eating out in Kusadasi?
Whichever area you choose, a few small details make the evening easier:
- Ask the price of fish in advance. In restaurants fish is usually sold at the day's price or by the kilo; agree the price and cooking method of the fish you choose from the counter before you order.
- Check the sunset time. At the end of June the sun sets just after 8:30 pm, and in December at around 6 pm. For a table with a view, be in your seat half an hour before sunset.
- Book on summer evenings. Tables facing the sea fill up early at weekends and on cruise ship days.
- Choose the currency when paying by card. If you are paying with a foreign card and the card machine asks you to choose a currency, choosing Turkish lira is often the better deal.
- Give allergy information in writing. If you have an important note, the safest way is to write it in your booking message.
- Check the ship's time. Some ships keep their own time, which may differ from Turkish time; before you go ashore, find out which clock your all-aboard time refers to.
How do you get around between areas in Kusadasi?
The port, the town centre and the marina are close to one another, and the seafront road, Atatürk Boulevard, links all three. As long as the sea is beside you, you will not get lost. Ladies Beach lies south of the centre; the easiest way to get there is by dolmuş or taxi.
Timing matters too when you choose where to have dinner: if you want to see the sunset, pick a west-facing terrace and be at your table half an hour before the sun goes down. If you are wondering what to eat in Kusadasi, our article What to eat in Kusadasi will help, and for choosing a restaurant, see our list of the best restaurants in Kusadasi. You can find our menu here and answers to common questions on our FAQ page.
