We are in Ayvalık, which impresses us every time we travel with its historical texture, fertile soils, various herbs growing on those soils, and fresh seafood from the Agean sea. With our guide in Ayvalık & Cunda, we discover the region’s best food stops in our opinion.
Ottoman & Greek influences are felt at every step. Directly opposite the island of Lesvos (Lesbos), this is a multicultural region in every sense of the word. Culinary culture also draws its strength from this diversity.
The Ayvalık region is best known for its olive cultivation. The surrounding hills are full of olive trees, and the smell of olives, which is very pungent as you approach the area, comes from the facilities where they are processed. The region is full of olive and oil producers trying to keep this cultural heritage alive by doing it justice.
There are also many workshops & design shops in the region that make different productions with the love of nature. Places that inspire us every time we visit: Kiaya, Santimetre Studio, Evin Bookstore, Atölye Patika & Moyy Atölye.
You can find the freshest products of the region in local markets, as in the whole Aegean region. Ayvalık Bazaar on Thursdays is one of the markets where you can find a variety of Aegean herbs.
There are many good restaurants & businesses in the area that use natural and local produce. In this guide, we list the places we think are worth a try and the places we are regulars.
In this list, you can find the good food stops we love and the places we identify with Ayvalık:
Restaurants:
Coffee & Breakfast & Bakery:
Cocktail:
Places we plan to try on future trips
In recent years, Küçükköy has become more touristic with its transformation.
Ayvalık is not a sea vacation destination for us, but if you want to swim while you are here, we love the sea of Sarımsaklı beach, the rocks of Badavut and the calmness of Pateriça bay. If you go to Pateriça, our suggestion is to take your chair and set up under the olive groves.
Behind an unexpected door in the center of Ayvalık, there is an extremely pleasant botanical garden & cafe between stone walls. The café of Ayvalık Art Culture Education Foundation has exactly what you’d look for in a seaside neighborhood: Good coffee, delicious & seasonal snacks, lemonade with sumac!
An important note before we start: In this type of content, we briefly talk about the 9 places we have chosen in the region we visited, in no particular order. Not to be considered as the 9 best places, but all of them are places we left satisfied.
1- Melin Kahve-Kafe: This is one of the newest, with an incredible garden. But we think the kitchen is as impressive as the garden. The breakfast and lunch menu is separate for breakfast before 13.00 and go by reservation.
2- Crow Bakery & Roastery: We have tried their coffee shop before, now they have a more bakery-oriented place that also serves breakfast. One of the best addresses for coffee in Ayvalık.
3- Deniz Yıldızı: We heard a lot about this place last year, we think it is very popular among the locals. Right in the center by the sea, it has a very good view. Definitely try the octopus casserole with roasted eggplant and creamed cuttlefish. While everywhere else in Ayvalık was empty, this place was completely full in the evening.
4- Sofia Ayvalık: One of our favorite places in Ayvalık. Very minimal menu, details available in the stories we pinned. Leaf liver, lamb with fennel and hummus with shrimp should be tried.
5- Ayna Cunda: This is one of the most important gastronomic stops in and around Ayvalık. The ambience is very impressive in its simplicity. Make a reservation, closed Monday. The menu is available on their website.
6- L’arancia Cunda: Serving Italian cuisine with a pleasant courtyard, this restaurant is also one of our favorites. In addition to fish/meat dishes, you can try handmade pasta or risotto, or just go with starters.
7- Adab Mutfak: This place stands out mostly for its Turkish food and olive oil dishes, and especially for its nutritious soups.
8- Orman Cunda: It has become one of our classic places for cocktails in Cunda, but come at quiet hours rather than late hours, before the music gets louder in other places.
9- Dejong Cocktails: A coffee / cocktail place we discovered this year with a follower suggestion. A Dutch business, the owner is incredibly sweet. It was one of the most satisfying cocktails of this year, and the accompanying snack & olive treat was sweet.