Best Vegetarian and Vegan Places in Ankara Worth Visiting
Words by
Zeynep Yilmaz
Best Vegetarian and Vegan Places in Ankara Worth Visiting
I have spent the better part of six years eating my way through Ankara, and I can tell you with full confidence that the best vegetarian and vegan places in Ankara are not just afterthoughts or sad side dishes tucked into the margins of meat-heavy menus. They are destinations in their own right, run by people who care deeply about plant-based food Ankara has to offer. This city, often overshadowed by Istanbul in the global imagination, has quietly built one of the most interesting meat free eating Ankara scenes in the country. From the student-heavy streets of Kizilay to the quieter residential pockets of Cankaya, you will find places that treat vegetables, legumes, and grains with the respect they deserve. What follows is not a list I pulled from a search engine. It is a directory built from years of personal visits, conversations with owners, and more than a few late-night debates about the best lentil kofte in town.
1. Bi Dünya Cafe and Restaurant (Bahçelievler)
Bi Dünya has been a fixture in the Bahçelievler neighborhood for over a decade, and it remains one of the most committed fully vegan restaurants Ankara has. The space is modest, tucked into a side street near the main boulevard, and the interior feels more like someone's living room than a commercial establishment. The owner, a soft-spoken woman named Ayşe, opened the place after transitioning to a vegan lifestyle herself and finding almost nowhere in Ankara to eat out comfortably.
The Vibe? Warm, unhurried, and genuinely welcoming, like being invited to a friend's home for a long lunch.
The Bill? A full meal with a drink runs between 120 and 180 Turkish Lira per person as of early 2025.
The Standout? The vegan menemen, made with crumbled tofu instead of eggs, is unlike anything else in the city. It arrives sizzling in a small copper pan and is best eaten with the thick sourdough bread they bake in-house every morning.
The Catch? The place closes at 8 PM most evenings, so do not plan on a late dinner here. Also, the single unisex bathroom can get backed up during the Saturday lunch rush.
The Insider Detail? If you visit on a Wednesday, Ayşe often prepares a special stew that never appears on the printed menu. Just ask what is cooking.
Bi Dünya connects to Ankara's broader character in a way that most visitors miss. This is a city of civil servants, diplomats, and university students, and Bi Dünya sits at the intersection of all three worlds. You will see graduate students from Middle East Technical University sharing tables with retired embassy staff. It reflects Ankara's quieter, more intellectual side, the one that does not make it into travel brochures.
2. Çayyolu Vegan House (Çayyolu)
Çayyolu is one of Ankara's newer, more affluent suburbs, and Vegan House fits right into the neighborhood's polished, health-conscious energy. The restaurant opened in 2021 and quickly became a gathering spot for the area's young professionals and families. The menu is entirely plant based food Ankara residents did not have easy access to in this part of the city before its arrival.
The Vibe? Bright, modern, and Instagram-friendly without trying too hard. The outdoor terrace is the real draw when the weather cooperates.
The Bill? Expect to spend between 150 and 220 TL for a main course and a fresh juice or smoothie.
The Standout? The raw zucchini lasagna, layered with cashew cream and sun-dried tomatoes, is the dish that keeps people coming back. It is rich without being heavy, and the portion size is generous.
The Catch? Parking in Çayyolu on weekends is genuinely terrible. The neighborhood was designed for a car-to-resident ratio that no longer exists, and you may end up circling for fifteen minutes.
The Insider Detail? They offer a weekly meal prep service that is not advertised online. If you are staying in Ankara for an extended period, ask about it at the counter. You can pick up three days of prepared lunches for a very reasonable price.
Vegan House represents a shift in Ankara's dining culture. The city has long been associated with heavy, meat-centric Anatolian cuisine, and the fact that a fully vegan restaurant can thrive in a suburban neighborhood like Çayyolu says something about how the younger generation is redefining what Turkish food can look like.
3. Community Farm (Oran)
Community Farm in the Oran district operates as both a restaurant and a small urban garden, and it is one of the most unique meat free eating Ankara experiences you will find. The concept is simple: grow as much of the produce on-site as possible and serve it within hours of harvest. The menu changes weekly based on what the garden yields, which means you might encounter dishes here that you will not find anywhere else in Turkey.
The Vibe? Rustic and communal. Long wooden tables, mismatched chairs, and the faint smell of compost from the garden out back. It feels more like a countryside farm than a city restaurant.
The Bill? A set lunch menu runs around 100 to 140 TL, which is remarkably fair given the quality of the ingredients.
The Standout? Whatever the seasonal soup is. I have had a roasted beet and walnut soup here in winter and a cold cucumber and dill version in summer, and both were extraordinary. The soup alone is worth the trip to Oran.
The Catch? The place is only open Thursday through Sunday, and they do not take reservations. If you show up after 1 PM on a Saturday, expect a wait.
The Insider Detail? They host a small farmers' market on Sunday mornings starting at 9 AM. You can buy produce from the garden before the restaurant even opens. The heirloom tomatoes in late August are something else.
Community Farm ties into Ankara's relationship with the Anatolian plateau in a way that feels authentic. This is a city that has always been connected to the agricultural hinterland, and this restaurant makes that connection visible and edible.
4. Tandirbasi (Kavaklidere)
Tandirbasi in Kavaklidere is not a fully vegan restaurant, but it deserves a place on this list because its vegetarian and vegan options are handled with more care and creativity than most dedicated plant based food Ankara spots manage. The restaurant specializes in traditional Anatolian dishes, and the kitchen has a long history of preparing vegetable-forward meals that predate the modern vegan movement by centuries.
The Vibe? Elegant but not stuffy. The dining room has dark wood paneling and soft lighting, and the staff treats every table like a regular's table.
The Bill? Vegetarian mains range from 130 to 200 TL. The wine list, which pairs well with the vegetable dishes, starts around 150 TL per bottle.
The Standout? The stuffed eggplant with lentils and pomegranate molasses. It is a dish that has been on the menu for years, and the kitchen has refined it to the point where every element is in perfect balance.
The Catch? The restaurant is popular with Ankara's political and diplomatic crowd, so it can feel a bit formal if you are coming in off the street in hiking clothes. Also, the portions on the vegetarian side are smaller than the meat dishes, so you may want to order an extra side.
The Insider Detail? Ask for the off-menu vegetarian tasting menu. It is not listed anywhere, but the kitchen will prepare a four-course vegetable-focused meal if you request it a day in advance.
Tandirbasi reflects Ankara's identity as a capital city where old and new Turkey coexist. The recipes here draw from centuries of Anatolian cooking, but the presentation and the attention to dietary preferences feel thoroughly modern.
5. Green Bowl (Kizilay)
Kizilay is the beating heart of Ankara's student life, and Green Bowl sits right in the middle of it. This small, no-frills spot serves bowls, wraps, and smoothies that cater almost entirely to the university crowd. It is fast, affordable, and entirely vegetarian, with most items being fully vegan.
The Vibe? Functional and fast. You order at the counter, grab a number, and find a seat. The turnover is quick, which is exactly what the lunch crowd wants.
The Bill? A full bowl with a drink comes in around 80 to 120 TL, making it one of the most budget-friendly vegan restaurants Ankara has.
The Standout? The falafel bowl with tahini and pickled turnips. The falafel is made fresh throughout the day, and the crunch is real.
The Catch? The space is tiny, and during the noon rush on weekdays, you will be eating shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers. The noise level also spikes, so do not come here for a quiet conversation.
The Insider Detail? They offer a loyalty card that most customers do not notice. After ten purchases, your eleventh meal is free. The staff will not mention it unless you ask.
Green Bowl is a product of Ankara's student economy. Kizilay has been the center of university life since the mid-twentieth century, and places like this exist because students need affordable, filling food between classes. The fact that it happens to be entirely plant-based is almost secondary to its role as a community hub.
6. Zengin Cafe (Cankaya)
Zengin Cafe in Cankaya is one of those places that locals know about but rarely talk about publicly, which is a shame because it serves some of the most thoughtful meat free eating Ankara has to offer. The cafe is run by a small collective, and the menu leans heavily on seasonal vegetables, legumes, and grains sourced from small farms in the surrounding provinces.
The Vibe? Quiet and contemplative. The space is small, with maybe eight tables, and the music is always low. It feels like a place designed for reading or working on a laptop.
The Bill? A meal with a tea or coffee runs between 90 and 150 TL.
The Standout? The bulgur pilaf with roasted vegetables and a drizzle of sumac oil. It is a humble dish, but the quality of the bulgur and the precision of the roasting make it memorable.
The Catch? The Wi-Fi is unreliable near the back tables, which is frustrating if you are planning to work. Also, the cafe closes at 7 PM, so it is strictly a daytime destination.
The Insider Detail? The collective hosts a monthly dinner event where they invite a guest cook from a different region of Turkey to prepare a traditional vegetarian dish from their home province. These events fill up fast, so follow their social media for announcements.
Zengin Cafe embodies the intellectual, slightly reserved character of Cankaya. This is Ankara's most politically significant district, home to the presidential complex and countless government ministries, and the cafe's understated approach feels perfectly suited to the neighborhood.
7. Anadolu Lezzetleri (Ulus)
Ulus is Ankara's old city, the area that predates the modern capital, and Anadolu Lezzetleri sits in the shadow of the ancient Roman temple of Augustus. The restaurant is not exclusively vegetarian, but its vegetable dishes are rooted in recipes that have been passed down through generations of Anatolian home cooks. For anyone interested in plant based food Ankara's history can offer, this is essential.
The Vibe? Traditional and unpretentious. The walls are decorated with old photographs of Ankara, and the tables are covered in simple white cloths.
The Bill? Vegetarian dishes range from 100 to 160 TL.
The Standout? The tandir beans, slow-cooked in a clay pot with tomatoes and peppers. The dish is simple, but the slow cooking process gives it a depth of flavor that quick preparations cannot match.
The Catch? The restaurant does not have a printed English menu, and the staff's English is limited. You may need to point at dishes or use a translation app. Also, the area around Ulus can feel a bit rough in the evening, so plan to visit during daylight hours.
The Insider Detail? The owner's grandmother's recipe for stuffed vine leaves is available on request. It is not on the menu, but if you mention it, the kitchen will prepare a batch. The filling includes currants and pine nuts, which is a more refined version than what you typically find.
Anadolu Lezzetleri connects directly to Ankara's identity as a city layered with history. Eating here, surrounded by photographs of the old city and within walking distance of Roman ruins, you are reminded that plant-based eating in this region is not a trend. It is tradition.
8. Meydan Besni (Bahçelievler)
Meydan Besni is a small chain with a location in Bahçelievler that has built a loyal following for its vegan and vegetarian pide and lahmacun. The concept is straightforward: take the classic Turkish flatbread format and fill it with plant-based toppings that are just as satisfying as their meat-based counterparts.
The Vibe? Casual and efficient. The open kitchen lets you watch the dough being stretched and topped, which is oddly mesmerizing.
The Bill? A vegan pide with a side salad and ayran runs around 90 to 130 TL.
The Standout? The vegan lahmacun with spiced lentil and vegetable topping. It is crispy, flavorful, and comes out of the wood-fired oven in under five minutes.
The Catch? The Bahçelievler location gets extremely busy between 12 and 2 PM on weekdays, and the wait for a table can stretch to twenty minutes. Also, the ayran they serve is not always vegan (some batches contain dairy), so ask before ordering.
The Insider Detail? They offer a "build your own pide" option that is not on the main menu. You can choose from about eight different vegetable toppings and the kitchen will assemble it however you like.
Meydan Besni represents the democratization of vegan food in Turkey. By putting plant-based options into one of the country's most beloved and accessible food formats, they are making meat free eating Ankara residents' daily reality rather than a special occasion.
When to Go and What to Know
Ankara's dining culture operates on a slightly different rhythm than Istanbul's. Lunch is the main meal for most people, and many of the places on this list are busiest between noon and 2 PM. If you prefer a quieter experience, aim for late morning or mid-afternoon. Weekends are generally busier across the board, especially at places with outdoor seating.
The city's altitude, over 900 meters above sea level, means that evenings cool down quickly even in summer, so outdoor dining is comfortable for more of the year than you might expect. Winters are cold and dry, and many restaurants shift their menus toward heartier stews and roasted vegetables during the colder months, which works in favor of plant-based diners.
Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated. Rounding up the bill or leaving 10 percent is standard. Most places accept card payments, but smaller spots like Green Bowl and Zengin Cafe may prefer cash, so it is worth carrying some Turkish Lira.
Language can be a barrier at some of the older, more traditional spots. Learning a few basic Turkish food phrases goes a long way. "Et yok mu" means "Is there no meat?" and "Vegan mi?" is understood in most places, though not always answered with full confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the one must-try local specialty food or drink that Ankara is famous for?
Ankara is known for "Ankara tava," a rice dish typically made with lamb, but the vegetarian version uses butter, tomatoes, and chickpeas. For drinks, "sahlep," a hot orchid-root milk beverage widely available in winter, can be made plant-based if prepared with oat or almond milk at certain cafes. The city is also famous for its "çökelek," a fresh cheese, though this is not vegan.
Is Ankara expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.
A mid-tier traveler can expect to spend around 800 to 1,200 TL per day, covering two meals at casual restaurants, local transportation, and one attraction. A full vegetarian lunch at a place like Green Bowl costs 80 to 120 TL, while dinner at a sit-down spot like Tandirbasi runs 150 to 250 TL. Public transport fares are around 10 TL per ride on the metro and buses.
How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Ankara?
Ankara has at least 15 to 20 fully vegetarian or vegan restaurants as of 2025, with another 30 to 40 traditional restaurants offering dedicated vegetarian menus. The concentration is highest in Cankaya, Bahçelievler, and Kizilay. Outside these areas, options narrow significantly, and travelers may need to rely on vegetable side dishes and salads at standard kebab restaurants.
Are there any specific dress codes or cultural etiquettes to keep in mind when visiting local spots in Ankara?
There are no strict dress codes at casual or mid-range restaurants in Ankara. However, at more formal places like Tandirbasi, smart casual attire is expected. When visiting mosques or religious sites near dining areas, women should carry a headscarf and both men and women should cover shoulders and knees. Removing shoes is not required at restaurants but is customary at some traditional tea houses.
Is the tap water in Ankara safe to drink, or should travelers strictly rely on filtered water options?
Tap water in Ankara is technically treated and safe by municipal standards, but the high mineral content and chlorine taste make it unpleasant for most visitors. Most restaurants and cafes serve filtered or bottled water, and asking for "su" will typically bring a bottled option. Buying a 19-liter water dispenser for longer stays costs around 25 to 40 TL per refill and is the most economical approach.
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