Turkey may be known for its kebabs and döner, but there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan friendly options too. From great meze dishes composed of fresh vegetables, to inventive Turkish specialties that contain no meat or animal products, here are some of Ankara’s best vegetarian and vegan restaurants.
As Ankara’s first vegan restaurant, Veganka is a bit of a pioneer when it comes to its strictly no animal product menu. You’ll find delicious vegan dishes, salads, desserts, and ice cream varieties that you won’t feel guilty enjoying. The restaurant also serves herbal teas and coffee, and holds frequent workshops and talks about vegetarianism. In the summer Veganka’s terrace is a lovely place to enjoy a vegan lahmacun (topped flatbread) while the live music from the venue downstairs really sets the mood.
When Vegisso’s owner returned to his native Ankara after growing restless in Istanbul, he decided to turn his own home into a café and restaurant. That explains the very laid back atmosphere in a place that’s more of a home than a restaurant. Claiming to have the best seitan (wheat gluten) in town, Vessigo’s charm is also due in part to its lovely back garden with plenty of flowers, and the cats that roam around freely.
Saf translates as ‘pure,’ and is one of Turkey’s most popular raw food suppliers and restaurant chains. At the Saf Restaurant in Ankara you’ll find healthy, animal product-free salads, wraps, and specially prepared meals that are always composed of the best raw ingredients. Saf also has a line of delicious cold pressed juices.
With is beautiful garden that’s simply heavenly in the summer, Vegihi is another favorite in Ankara among the vegetarian and vegan crowd. Daily menus, specially prepared breakfasts, and desserts are non-carnivorous highlights. Vegihi is also popular because of frequent film screenings and open mic nights that really bring everyone together.
This is one of the best places in Ankara for a real healthy boost with a hipster twist. Kaktüs was the first, and remains one of the only, places in the city to focus solely on making excellent smoothies. A real vitamin boost that’s inherently vegetarian friendly, you’ll find great smoothies such as the Number Four — with pineapple, dill, parsley, and mint — or the Number Three — with strawberry, banana, peanut butter, and milk. Kaktüs also offers raw snacks and salads, sandwiches, desserts, and smoothie bowls, in case you have a bit of an appetite going.
