Must-Try Foods In Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque) (Bursa) For Tourists 2026 - 2027

Food History of Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque), Bursa, Turkey

Bursa, as one of the former capitals of the Ottoman Empire, has a rich culinary tradition that reflects its history. Near the Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque), built between 1396 and 1399 under the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I, a vibrant food scene has flourished. This historic area has been a center for social gatherings and religious life, which often revolves around the sharing of meals. Traditional Turkish foods and Bursa's specialties, like İskender kebab, have been served for centuries, with recipes passed down through generations.

Must-Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque), Bursa, Turkey

1. İskender Kebab – A rich and savory dish made with thinly sliced grilled lamb, served over pieces of pita bread, coated in a tomato sauce, and accompanied by a dollop of yogurt. (Non-Veg)
2. Pide – Often referred to as Turkish pizza, pide is a boat-shaped flatbread topped with an array of ingredients, including cheese and vegetables. (Veg option available)
3. Manti – Turkish dumplings that are typically filled with a spiced mixture of lamb or other meats, topped with garlic yogurt and melted butter with ground sumac or red pepper. (Non-Veg)
4. Gözleme – A traditional savory Turkish flatbread and pastry dish, made of hand-rolled dough that is lightly brushed with butter and eggs, filled with various toppings, then sealed and cooked over a griddle. (Veg option available)
5. Dolma – Vegetables like peppers, eggplants, or zucchini are stuffed with a mixture of rice, pine nuts, and spices, and sometimes include currents or other meats. (Veg and Non-Veg options)
6. Çibörek – A deep-fried turnover with a filling of minced meat and onions. (Non-Veg)
7. Kumpir – A popular Turkish fast food, kumpir is a baked potato with a crispy skin and soft inside, mixed with butter and cheese, and filled with a variety of optional toppings like olives, corn, and sausages. (Veg option available)
8. Ezogelin Soup – A hearty and traditional Turkish soup made from red lentils, rice, bulgur, and various spices including mint and paprika. (Veg)
9. Bursa Peach Dessert – Bursa is famous for its peaches, and this dessert includes fresh peaches stuffed with sweetened nuts and baked to perfection. (Veg)
10. Zeytinyağlı Biber Dolması – Bell peppers stuffed with rice, pine nuts, and raisins, cooked with olive oil, a staple vegetarian dish in Turkish cuisine. (Veg)

Top Famous Restaurants in Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque), Bursa, Turkey

1. Kebapçı İskender –
   Atatürk Caddesi No:194 Osmangazi, Bursa
   – Famous for its invention, the İskender Kebab. (Non-Veg)
2. Karagözler –
   Kayhan Mahallesi, Zambak Sokak No:1, Osmangazi, Bursa
   – Best known for serving traditional Manti. (Non-Veg)
3. Gözleme Sarayı –
   Uluyol Kıbrıs Şehitleri Caddesi No:75, Osmangazi, Bursa
   – Renowned for its Gözleme with various fillings. (Veg option available)
4. Uludağ Kebapçısı Cemal ve Cemil Usta –
   Yeşilyayla Mah. 1. Fırın Sok. No:1, Osmangazi, Bursa
   – Offers a great dining experience with their mouth-watering Çibörek. (Non-Veg)
5. Tatlıcı Ali Usta –
   Izmir Road 4.Km Osmangazi, Bursa
   – Renowned for its wide selection of Turkish desserts, including the famed Bursa Peach Dessert. (Veg)
6. Arap Şükrü Sokağı Restoranları – This street near the Ulu Cami is line with restaurants offering the best of Bursa's local cuisine, including Zeytinyağlı Biber Dolması. (Veg)
7. Pidecim Kardeşler –
   Şehreküstü Mahallesi, Bursa
   – A favorite choice for different kinds of Pide. (Veg option available)
8. Kebapçı Hüseyin Usta –
   Kent Meydanı, Osmangazi, Bursa
   – Known for its traditional Turkish Kebabs and Dolma with meat. (Non-Veg)
9. Sofra Bursa –
   Reyhan Mahallesi, Bursa
   – Offers a delicious array of Turkish dishes with a great variety for vegetarians, like the Ezogelin Soup. (Veg)
10. Uludağ Kebapçısı Yeni Kaplıca –
    Cekirge Street No:79, Osmangazi, Bursa
    – Famous for its kebabs and classic Turkish cuisine. (Non-Veg)