The diverse structure of Mardin, which has been the meeting point of different cultures and beliefs for centuries, is evident in many topics from its architecture to its cuisine.. Besides cities such as Gaziantep, Adana and Hatay, although the name of Mardin cuisine is not mentioned much, it actually has a very rich cultural character.. Mardin cuisine, which is a combination of Turkish, Arabian and Syriac flavors, brings together meat and pastry-based recipes.. We are very close to some of them; however, Mardin is indeed an ideal spot to taste local recipes and meet Syriac cuisine.. In this article, we have listed the flavors you need to taste in Mardin and the places we have tried and enjoyed.. Bon appetit in advance!
Note Before We Begin: We recommend that people who are not accustomed to the waters of eastern cities stay away from foods and drinks prepared with unboiled water, such as cacık, sherbet, greens, salads, during their trip to Mardin.. The probability of upsetting your stomach is very high; Carry a stomach protector with you and drink closed water.
WHAT TO EAT IN MARDIN
<
The majority of Mardin’s cultural heritage was created by the Assyrians, whose numbers have decreased significantly today.. Going to Mardin means tasting Syriac dishes at some point.. Let’s list and briefly summarize what you should try first so that there is no confusion due to the name difference.
Syriac Dishes You Should Try in Mardin
Irok: We can say Mardin style stuffed meatballs. Prepared with spicy meatballs, fried in oil. Its meat is used to the fullest.
Ikbebet: The boiled version of kibbeh. In our opinion, it is more delicious than fried; It is served with yoghurt and chili pepper oil.
Kitel Raha: Kitel Raha is another kind of stuffed meatballs.. This meatball, which is flat, thin and prepared like a disc, is made by boiling in water like ikbebet.. It is made with minced meat or small pieces of meat, and coriander and bulgur on the outside.
Sembusek: Sembusek, which we can define as closed lahmacun, is made from dough that is closed in the shape of a moon after the filling is prepared.. It’s actually a kind of covered pita; You can taste it in bakeries and kebab shops.
Hashu Rice with Almond: This stuffed pilaf made with lamb and almonds is among our favorites.. You can try the menu anywhere that includes local recipes.
Meat Bread: We know it’s meat bread, but it doesn’t look like lahmacun because its mortar is made in the oven by mixing all the ingredients from the start.
Dobo: We can summarize Dobo, one of the most popular Syriac dishes, as almond lamb leg. Lamb meat lovers should not miss it, for those who do not prefer it, its smell may be heavy.
Stuffed Ribs: A famous Mardin dish prepared by stuffing the whole rib with lamb and almond pilaf.
<
Assyrian Donut: Also known as Mardin pastry, this sweet is prepared with almonds and dates.. It goes very well with tea, especially if it is hot.
Harire: A dessert prepared with molasses, flour, sugar and cinnamon.. Kind of looks like jelly, served with walnuts. It’s good for digestion after Mardin’s meaty meals.
Coffee You Should Try in Mardin
Mırra: Served in a handleless coffee cup, Mırra is a strong coffee that is often preferred by Eastern provinces.. It is served less like espresso because it is both too strong and bitter.. The opposite of Turkish coffee, it is a grain-free, clear and foamless type of coffee.
Dibek Coffee: It is prepared by beating the coffee in a mortar; Therefore, it is actually a method of grinding coffee rather than a type of coffee.. Dibek coffee, which takes the form of powder by beating different types of coffee together, usually contains menengiç and cardamom.
Syriac Coffee: It is made by boiling Dibek coffee with double roasted cardamom more than Turkish coffee.. Served without foam, like filter coffee. The taste is quite strong.
Menengiç Coffee: An aromatic coffee prepared by drying and grinding the fruits of the Menengic plant.. It has a different taste than the coffees we know, definitely a lighter option.
WHAT TO EAT IN MARDIN: EATING MARDIN DRINKING RECOMMENDATIONS
Now that we have a general idea about Mardin delicacies, we can start the list of places we will recommend in Old Mardin and throughout Mardin.
#1 Leyli Muse Kitchen Gastronomy Workshop:
Leyli Muse Kitchen Gastronomy Workshop, which was opened with the aim of keeping Mardin food and music culture alive, offers the opportunity to taste traditional Mardin dishes in a pleasant environment.. You can try the Syriac dishes we shared above and much more in this restaurant, which was newly opened during the time we went to Mardin.. We loved its decoration and delicately playing music so much that we went twice to taste the dishes that we remembered on the menu.. Syriac stuffed meatballs kitel raha, almond hashu pilaf, roasted keskek and irok are our favorites here.
#2 Cercis Murat Mansion:
The first place that comes to mind when Mardin is mentioned it is now Cercis Murat Mansion; because it is undoubtedly one of the best places where you can taste the local dishes of Mardin.. Named after the mansion in which it was opened after it was restored, this restaurant was operated by tourism professional Ebru Baybara Demir in 2001.. In our opinion, Cercis Murat Mansion is a great tourism value for the city, both nationally and internationally, as well as presenting very good examples of Mardin cuisine. Regardless of the evening time, you must make a reservation.. Otherwise, there is no place to be found, especially if it is summer.. 150 TL per person excluding beverages.
The appetizer plate that comes at the beginning in the set menu is the number one of Cercis Murat Mansion.. The appetizer plate consists of fava, dried tzatziki, dried tomatoes, yoghurt with zahter, zucchini paste, vegetable zahter, muhammara, roasted eggplant tebbel, firik green wheat and leather olives.. After it was accompanied by a green salad with sumac, stuffed meatballs were served as a hot starter and dobo prepared from lamb legs as the main course.. One of our favorite flavors throughout the evening was definitely semolina halvah with ice cream and almonds.
Before we came to Cercis Murat Mansion, we had read that we made the choice among the alternatives in the fixed menu, but in our experience, there was no choice.. If there is no group reservation in the indoor hall, there is no alcohol service; You can choose soft drinks such as ayran or basil sherbet.
#3 Kebapçı Yusuf Usta:
Your last day in Mardin, Yusuf Usta’s restaurant to taste Mardin kebab. we made our way; The location was very practical for us as it was right across from our hotel.. Frankly, there is not much to grow in Mardin kebab, but if you get bored of lamb dishes, you can include it in your list.. Kebabs are served with lavash and salad, prices are very reasonable. Kebapçı Yusuf Usta, together with Kebapçı Rıdo, is one of the two most famous kebab restaurants in the city.
#4 Seyr-i Merdin:
One of the most popular places in Mardin Seyr-i Merdin, with its view overlooking the Mesopotamian plain, is a cafe frequently preferred by both Mardinites and tourists in the city.. It is possible to try the coffee varieties I mentioned above here.. You can also come for a snack at noon, the menu is quite extensive.. However, in our opinion, the main event is to grab a place on the terrace at sunset and have a good coffee break! If you act early, you can find a place at the far end.
#5 Cihan Et Lokantası:
Cihan Et Lokantası, which we went to when hungry on Midyat tour, is a big artisan restaurant famous for its local dishes.. Lamb ribs are the most popular. While we were there, we ordered curtain pilaf, lamb ribs and buttered roast beef, which is the specialty of the restaurant.. Their meat was delicious, we liked everything we tasted and we ordered another curtain pilaf before the closing.. If you eat semolina halva with your meal, it’s okay, do they make it with honey, it’s a legend!
#6 Historical Midyat Gelüşke Han:
Midyat’ Historical Midyat Gelüşke Han is one of the most beautiful places you can stop by for a coffee break.. A small version of the inns we are used to seeing in Anatolia; but its courtyard is very pleasant.
#7 Kültür Cafe:
We liked Kültür Cafe, which we tried in old Mardin, with its street and ambiance.. The name of the cafe comes from Kültür Street where it is located.. The cafe opened in a historic stone house that has been restored and redecorated.. The most famous subject is basil sherbet, one of the local drinks of Mardin.. It goes so well in the summer heat!
#8 İzla Art Cafe:
Izla Art, very close to Kültür Sokak; became our favorite place in Mardin with its concept, decoration and music.. The reason we went to Izla Art was to drink very famous Syriac wines; If we had known that such a beautiful place was waiting for us, we would have made our way here in all three of our three days in Mardin.. In our opinion, it would be appropriate to define Izla Art as an intellectual and friendly cafe where young people hang out.. In an old stone house like Kultur Cafe, it’s a place to have a long chat with its wines and snacks! Space is easily available at noon and afternoon, since it is a small house, you need to make a reservation if you want to go in the evening.
#9 Mesopotamia Family Tea Garden:
Right across our hotel This is our tea break place.. Sure, we may have made a small point of pride to catch the sunset on the terrace.. As we got tired during the trip, we stopped by, sat briefly and drank a lot of tea.
#10 Atilla Tea Garden:
The last day in old Mardin, Atilla We stopped by the Tea Garden. Since the weather is very hot, we like its shaded area, keep it in mind for a tea break.
#11 Artukbey Kahve:
Artukbey Kahve, which you can see branches in different cities, is actually a coffee shop. Mardin brand. You can try all the coffees we mentioned above in the center of Old Mardin.. We went to Artukbey for a while because it was very close to our house, but the menu and presentation in Mardin was much better.. They are especially successful in dibek coffee, it is thanks to them that dibek coffee is so famous.
#12 Carpenters’ Coffee:
Carpenters’ Bazaar, which you can easily reach from Revaklı Bazaar’ This is another authentic place with Mesopotamian view.. You can stop by for tea and coffee while walking around, and you can try different types of coffee, such as mirra, here.
#13 Kana Cafe Shop:
To taste Syriac pastries and even to your home. This is exactly where you need to come to get it as a package.. You will see Syriac pastries in many places in Old Mardin anyway; but the important thing is to find what is made with the original Syriac recipe. Since it contains two expensive products such as almonds and dates, it is completely different to eat the best.. The ingredients have not been stolen , the destination for fresh Assyrian pastries is Kana Cafe Shop! Moreover, saffron teas are also delicious! place 1. At Cadde.
We have come to the end of our Mardin food and beverage recommendations! You can reach our photos and travel notes about Mardin from the account on Instagram with the hashtag #journavelmardin. Follow us, let’s travel together!
For a detailed article on Places to Visit in Mardin:
MARDIN TRAVEL GUIDE AND PLACES TO SEE IN MARDIN