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The Marmara destinations within reach of İstanbul — Bursa, Yalova, Sapanca and Maşukiye —
are popular side trips for Arab and Gulf visitors:
– A day or two in Bursa.
– A day in Yalova or Termal.
– A day in Sapanca and Maşukiye.
This guide covers:
What to eat in each area.
Where to look for restaurants and cafés.
Breakfast, lunch and coffee stops.
Practical points for families and visitors seeking a conservative setting.
Bursa 
Bursa is a large historic city, with Uludağ, old bazaars and parks.
Its cooking is particularly associated with kebabs and meat dishes.
What to eat in Bursa
İskender kebab — İskender kebap
Bursa's best-known dish combines:- Thinly sliced meat over pieces of bread.
- Hot tomato sauce and melted butter poured over the dish.
- Yoghurt served alongside; ayran, a yoghurt drink, can be ordered separately where offered.
Other kebabs
Alongside İskender, look for:- Skewered kebabs.
- Grilled köfte.
- Kebabs wrapped in bread.
Soups and home-style dishes — ev yemekleri
Home-style restaurants may serve:- Meat and vegetable stews.
- Rice.
- Vegetables prepared with olive oil.
- Lentil and tomato soups.
Sweets in Bursa
Baklava, künefe and local sweets, along with ice cream or a small sweet snack after sightseeing.
Where to look for restaurants in Bursa
The centre, Heykel and the bazaars
Look near:- Historic bazaars and inns such as Koza Han.
- Ulu Cami, the Great Mosque.
- Kebab and İskender restaurants.
- Traditional Turkish restaurants.
- Sweet shops and cafés.
Modern malls
Some shopping centres have food courts with:- Turkish and international food.
- Cafés serving tea, coffee and sweets.
The road to Uludağ
Along the road and on the mountain, look for:- Restaurants serving kebabs, grilled food, soups and Turkish breakfast.
- Places to eat after skiing or a mountain outing in winter or summer; opening and access depend on the season and conditions.
Yalova 
Yalova is associated with the hot springs at Termal and its seaside setting, and can offer a quieter break from İstanbul, depending on the area and season.
What to eat in Yalova
- General Turkish restaurants
Kebabs, grilled dishes, soups, pide and simple home-style cooking. 
Fish by the sea
Some waterfront restaurants serve:- Grilled fish.
- Simple seafood starters.
- Turkish breakfast
In Yalova and around Termal, look for:- Restaurants and cafés serving a traditional Turkish breakfast.
- Garden settings and small farm-style venues.
Where to look for restaurants and cafés in Yalova
- Yalova waterfront
Fish restaurants, cafés and places for tea or coffee by the sea
can make a pleasant end to a sightseeing day or a visit to Termal's baths. 
Termal
Around the baths and hotels, look for:- Small family restaurants.
- Breakfast and straightforward Turkish meals.
- Places for tea after bathing.
Sapanca and Maşukiye 
Sapanca and Maşukiye are classic day-trip destinations from İstanbul,
combining a lake, waterfalls, rural scenery and restaurants beside streams or in the hills.
What to eat in Sapanca and Maşukiye
- A generous Turkish breakfast
A familiar part of a visit includes:- Serpme kahvaltı, a breakfast spread of many dishes brought to the table.
- Kuymak or mıhlama at some venues.
- Cheeses, olives, honey, jam and fresh bread.
Grilled meat
Many restaurants offer:- Skewered kebabs.
- Köfte.
- Charcoal-grilled chicken.
- Fish
Some restaurants serve freshwater fish, notably trout, or sea fish; check the type, freshness and preparation at the individual venue. - Sweets and snacks
Künefe, baklava, Turkish desserts and other simple sweet dishes after a meal.
Where to look for restaurants and cafés
- Maşukiye's streams
Restaurants have seating beside or above the water, offering:- Breakfast in the morning.
- Grilled food for lunch or an afternoon meal.
- Around Lake Sapanca
Cafés and restaurants with lake views offer:- Tea and coffee stops.
- General Turkish dishes.
- Nearby uplands, including Kartepe in winter
Some areas have simple restaurants serving:- Hot soups.
- Breakfast.
- Light meals for visitors; check seasonal operation.
making breakfast part of the outing
Bursa:
Look for Turkish breakfast at:- City-centre restaurants.
- Restaurants along the Uludağ road or on the mountain.
Yalova and Termal:
Breakfast options include:- Termal hotels, according to guest and restaurant access arrangements.
- Small restaurants near the springs or waterfront.
- Sapanca and Maşukiye:
Breakfast is a major attraction for day-trippers from İstanbul:- A streamside serpme kahvaltı in Maşukiye.
- Breakfast overlooking Lake Sapanca.
cafés, tea and coffee 
- In Bursa:
Find cafés in the centre, old bazaars and malls,
along with garden tea stops and everyday neighbourhood cafés. 
In Yalova:
Have tea by the sea or around Termal after visiting the baths;
these settings can feel calmer than the busiest parts of larger cities.- In Sapanca and Maşukiye:
Enjoy coffee or tea beside the lake or Maşukiye's streams,
before or after a meal or towards the end of the day.
street food and quick options 
- Meat or chicken döner offers a quick, potentially economical meal across these destinations; compare current prices.
- Look for börek and bakery pastries at a fırın, with cheese, spinach or meat fillings.
Have simit and tea for a quick breakfast or snack.
Find ice cream and light sweets along waterfronts and in visitor areas.
choosing a restaurant 
Look for:- A restaurant used by local diners and families as well as visitors; a busy room is only one clue.
- A clear menu with written prices.
- Clean dining areas and acceptable toilet facilities.
- Ask before ordering:
- The price of any daily special that is unclear.
- The price per kilogram and expected total if fish is sold by weight.
- Be cautious about choosing solely on the basis of street-side sales pitches:
- Persistent pressure need not determine your choice.
- An empty restaurant in a busy area is a reason to look more closely, rather than proof of poor food.
families and visitors seeking a conservative setting
- These destinations are popular with families, although individual restaurants have different facilities and atmospheres.
- Many everyday and breakfast restaurants do not serve alcohol; confirm at the particular venue if this matters to you.
- Useful questions include:
- “Alkollü mü?” — “Do you serve alcohol?”
- “Aile yeri var mı?” — “Is there a family seating area?”
- Many streamside or lakeside venues cater for families; choose less busy times if you prefer quiet and check the seating arrangements.
Enjoying the food along the way:
Bursa, Yalova, Sapanca and Maşukiye offer traditional Turkish meals,
generous breakfasts and pleasant cafés beside the sea, a stream or a mountain.
Knowing what to eat and where to pause in each area
can make your side trip from İstanbul easier, more enjoyable and more memorable.
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