Turkey's dynamic capital, Ankara, is a city that masterfully combines modernity and tradition, and this is also true of its food scene. From traditional Turkish fare to cosmopolitan specialties, Ankara's varied culinary scene provides mouthwatering textures and tastes to suit any palate. When it comes to luxury dining, some genuinely surprising jewels in Ankara won’t ever stop captivating you. Imagine chic rooftop bars, illuminated courtyards, and beautiful gardens, transforming each meal into a memorable culinary thrill ride! From Fige, where Turkish traditions meet world flair in both interior elegance and flowering outdoor settings, to Trilye, which is known for its sophisticated seafood in an elegant setting, you will be spoilt for choice.

So, all set to indulge in the lavish dining scene in the city? Here is a list of the 10 best restaurants in Ankara. Let’s get the ball rolling!

With its marble fireplace and expansive windows overlooking the city, Trilye offers a sumptuous dining experience to everyone. During summer, the restaurant's garden, which is filled with potted plants as well as olive trees, steals the major spotlight. The restaurant is well known for its Mediterranean gastronomy, which focuses on seafood dishes such as fish köfte, stuffed calamari, İskenderun giant shrimp cooked with spices and herbs, and fresh oysters on ice. They also have a dessert menu, which offers traditional Turkish sweets such as baklava and kunefe, as well as a selection of seasonal fruit, and a wide variety of wines with both local and foreign alternatives to match their cuisine offerings.

Address: Kazım Özalp Mah., Kuleli Sok. No: 32, Çankaya, 06700 Ankara, Turkey.

Fige is a stunning fine-dining establishment infused with lots of old-world charm. Its interior is well-adorned with dark red walls, floral arrangements, and an antique piano, creating a special ambiance. Those who prefer outdoor dining will be delighted by its vibrant, flowering garden and views of the Atakule Tower, which is particularly lovely at night. Set in Çankaya's administrative sector, Fige's menu features a diverse range of Turkish, Asian, and foreign foods, including manti and böregi, as well as salads, pasta, and meat meals. Additionally, Fige is also home to a jazz club that has live music most nights.

Address: 15 Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar Caddesi, Ankara 06690 Türkiye

The JW Steakhouse, located in the JW Marriott Hotel, is a traditional and luxurious American restaurant in the center of Turkey's capital. Get to the trendy bar or enjoy by the fireplace with elegant leather seats for a pre-dinner drink before moving on to the tastefully appointed dining room to begin your meal. The menu offers all the traditional dishes, such as porterhouse, rib-eye, New York strip, and the unique JW Tomahawk rib-eye steak. With sides including grilled asparagus, boiled broccoli, macaroni and cheese, sautéed mushrooms, and creamed spinach, you'll truly feel as though you're dining in an American eatery.

Address: Muhsin Yazicioglu Cad. No: 1 Kizilirmak Mahallesi, Ankara 06520 Türkiye

Uludağ Kebapçısı provides you with a relaxed setting and a gastronomic experience focused on traditional Turkish grill dishes. The restaurant offers classic cuisines with a variety of takes on the well-known Turkish kebab, ranging from the delicately seasoned ground beef of the Adana kebab to skewered delicacies like shish kebab. Additionally, the restaurant serves regional specialties including pide, commonly known as Turkish pizza, and lahmacun, a thin, crispy flatbread topped with minced meat and veggies. With a variety of veggie dishes and salads, vegetarians won’t feel left out, guaranteeing an inclusive dining experience.

Address: Denizciler Cad. No 54, Ankara 06030 Türkiye

A well-known eatery in Ankara, Günaydın Kebap & Steakhouse Çankaya, serves a delicious combo of traditional Turkish kebabs and steakhouse fare. The menu features a variety of classic kebabs that are properly seasoned and perfectly cooked, including lamb shish, Adana, and Urfa. The steakhouse offers a wide variety of quality cuts, such as T-bone, ribeye, and sirloin, that are prepared to the taste preferences of the visitors. To accommodate a range of dietary requirements, the menu also offers a selection of Turkish meze, salads, as well as other vegetarian meals.

Address: Attar Sk. No: 6 Filistin Cd., Ankara 06700 Türkiye

Located in the bustling Çankaya neighborhood, Naya Restaurant Lounge is a haven for people looking for the best Ankara luxury restaurants. The restaurant's modern design skillfully combines comfort and elegance, and its huge windows provide a lovely view of the botanical gardens. The menu includes delicious cuisine selections such as Steak Tartine, Sous Vide Filet Mignon, Goat Cheese Arugula Salad, and Mille-Feuille croissant with strawberry cream for dessert. Don’t pass up their specialty drinks, which add a fun twist to your meal. Moreover, Naya’s panoramic views of Ankara from the Atakule Tower are one of its most notable characteristics.

Address: Çankaya, Atakule, Ankara 06800 Türkiye

Looking for the best African restaurant in Ankara? Then, Blue Nile Ethiopia Restaurant is a perfect place to be. Located in Ankara's bustling Kızılay area, it offers visitors authentic Ethiopian food. With vibrant fabrics and artwork that bring you to the heart of East Africa, its interior design depicts Ethiopian culture. A variety of traditional dishes are offered on the menu, including savory soups called "wot," which are served on soft, spongy injera, a fermented flatbread that can be used as a dish, utensil, and more.

Address: Kızılay, Kumrular Cd. No: 28/B, Ankara 06420 Türkiy

The Divan Çukurhan Hotel is housed in a magnificently restored 16th-century caravanserai, offering a genuinely historic and nostalgic setting. Inside its inner courtyard, beneath a stunning glass roof, sits the Çengelhan Brasserie. Surrounded by arcades, the restaurant features tables set amid vintage automobiles on exhibit and biplanes suspended from the ceiling, creating an intriguing dining experience for all visitors. The cuisine beautifully combines Ottoman history with modern flavors, offering delicacies such as Ankara tavası, a local lamb casserole, and ballı Dana kaburga, veal ribs glazed with honey. Other options include Wiener schnitzel, shrimp, and mushroom casseroles.

Address: Ulus (Ankara Metro) – İngilizce Depo Sokak Ulus No: 3, Ankara, Turkey

Located in an ancient villa with a beautiful garden in the Gaziosmanpaşa district, Niki is a fine dining restaurant with a youthful vibe. The restaurant's modern design and traditional furnishings provide you with a cozy and tranquil atmosphere. You can enjoy cocktails at the bar before making your way to your tables. With modern fireplaces, beautiful flowers at every table, and lots of candlelight, this place is both stylish and romantic. The menu features a variety of international cuisine, including handmade fish carpaccio, Empanada, summer pasta, artichoke dolma, and duck confit, as well as an excellent wine selection.

Address: Hafta Sk. No: 16 Kazım Ozalpn Mahallesi, Ankara 06700 Türkiye

Yelken, one of Ankara's top destinations for Mediterranean and Aegean food, offers a classy dining experience with a hint of summertime by the sea. Ideal for people who want to experience the upscale side of Ankara food, Yelken features an amazing assortment of seafood, such as lobster, squid, and turbot, which are roasted over charcoal and taste great after being lightly seasoned. The meze variants are especially noteworthy: shrimp with avocado, grilled octopus, sardines covered in vine leaves, and fish bacon.

Address: Reşit Galip Cd. No: 58, Ankara 06700 Türkiye