Best Restaurants in Trabzon 2026: Black Sea Fish, Mıhlama and Local Eating

Trabzon’s restaurant scene is oriented toward the local population — business lunches, family dinners, and the Black Sea food tradition — rather than tourist infrastructure. This makes it more honest and better value than the southern resort cities. The lokantas in the market area serve the city’s working population; the fish restaurants on the seafront serve the evening crowd; the Akçaabat köfte houses are a specific destination.

For what to order, see food to try in Trabzon.

Black Sea fish restaurants

The restaurants on or near Trabzon’s seafront and harbour area serve fresh Black Sea fish — hamsi in season (October–February), plus the standard range of Black Sea species (istavrit, uskumru, barbunya).

What to order in season: Ask what came in today. In October–February, the fresh hamsi should dominate — hamsi pilavı, tava hamsi, hamsi in various preparations.

Price: ₺250–450/person for a full fish dinner.

Lokantas — mıhlama and Black Sea daily dishes

The lokantas in the market area and the backstreets serve the complete Black Sea menu — mıhlama, hamsi preparations, corn-based dishes, soups, stews. Pre-cooked daily menus at fixed prices.

Price: ₺120–200 for a full meal. The most authentic and cheapest eating in Trabzon.

Best time: Lunch (noon–2pm) for the freshest food and full selection.

Uzungöl trout restaurants

The restaurants lining the Uzungöl lakeside serve fresh trout (alabalık) from the cold mountain streams — a simple preparation (grilled or baked whole, with lemon) that shows the quality of the mountain water. ₺120–180 per fish.

Setting: Tables at the lake edge; mountain views. More atmospheric than the standard Trabzon restaurant.

Note: The Uzungöl restaurant market has expanded significantly for Arab tourism; quality varies. Look for smaller establishments used by Turkish visitors rather than the large hotels with buffets.

Akçaabat köfte (district speciality)

The Akçaabat district (15km west) has several restaurants specifically known for Akçaabat köftesi — the local meatball preparation (beef only, grilled over charcoal, no egg or breadcrumb).

Transport: Dolmuş from Trabzon (₺15–20, 20 minutes).

Price: ₺150–250/person.

Price comparison

Type	Location	Price/person
Lokanta	Market area	₺120–200
Fish restaurant	Seafront	₺250–450
Uzungöl trout	Uzungöl village	₺150–280
Akçaabat köfte	Akçaabat	₺150–250

For food context and specific dishes to order, see food to try in Trabzon. For accommodation in Uzungöl or Akçaabat area, see where to stay in Trabzon.