Travel video guide
Where to Eat in Akdeniz, Mersin: Persimmon
This guide turns UNIQUE Street Food in Turkey 🇹🇷 | NEXT LEVEL Tantuni Master + Street Food Tour in Mersin, Turkey from Abroad and Hungry into a practical restaurant map with 5 saved spots around Akdeniz, Mersin, and Mersin (İçel). The mapped places include a restaurant stop, a dessert shop, and a kebab shop. Use it to understand the places, dishes, and trip context before saving the map in Varedelo.
What the creator captured
Abroad and Hungry was deeply moved by the incredible hospitality in Mersin, particularly when a local restaurant owner and writer named Hasan invited him to share a personal dinner. He was especially impressed by the unique TarMer soup and ranked the Mersin Tantuni among his top ten favorite Turkish foods. The journey highlighted the city's rich culinary traditions, from 40-year-old soup recipes to specialized carrot-based sweets.
What this map is good for
- Planning a restaurant stop or short itinerary in Akdeniz.
- Comparing food stops from a creator or saved local map before you commit time in the city.
- Saving 5 mapped spots into Varedelo so the list stays usable on the ground.
- Using the original video as context, then turning it into a clean place-by-place map.
Featured spots on this map
- Balikci Yusuf
Restaurant in Limonluk, İnönü Bulv. Atakan Apt. No:194, 33120 İçel Merkez/Mersin (İçel), Türkiye, Mersin (İçel), İçel Merkez, Türkiye - Tarsuslu Murat Usta
Restaurant in Kiremithane mah Eraslan apt, Kiremithane, 4406. Sk. 16/B, 33010 Akdeniz/Mersin, Türkiye, Kiremithane, Akdeniz, Mersin, Türkiye
Price level: Cheap
Hours: Hours available - Dondurmacı Halil merkez cezerye
Dessert Shop in Kiremithane, Silifke Cd., 33010 Akdeniz/Mersin, Türkiye, Kiremithane, Akdeniz, Mersin, Türkiye
Price level: Medium
Hours: Hours available - Abidin Tantuni
Turkish Restaurant in Cumhuriyet, İsmet İnönü Blv. No:240 D:B, 33110 Yenişehir/Mersin, Türkiye, Cumhuriyet, Yenişehir, Mersin, Türkiye
Price level: Moderate
Hours: Hours available - Arkadaşlar Kebap
Kebab Shop in Hamidiye, Silifke Cd., 33010 Akdeniz/Mersin, Türkiye, Mersin, Akdeniz, Türkiye
Price level: High
Food notes from the video
- TarMer soup (chicken, lentils, tahini, and spices)
- Kerebiç (semolina cookies with walnuts and pistachios)
- Cezerye (carrot and nut confection)
- Freshly baked bread from a stone oven
- Liver kebab with ayran
- Fried calamari
- Grilled fish with chili and pepper
- Persimmon
- 1 more included in the app.
Experiences captured
- Visited a 40-year-old local soup shop
- Watched traditional Kerebiç preparation with kaymak
- Toured a Cezerye production area
- Observed bread being baked on oven walls
- Ate liver kebab at a historic shop
- Went behind the scenes in a seafood kitchen
- Shared a private dinner with restaurant owner Hasan
- Watched the traditional preparation of Mersin Tantuni
Planning notes for Mersin
Mersin is a port city on the southern coast of Turkey with a settlement history extending back to the Neolithic period. Archaeological evidence from the Yumuktepe Mound indicates human habitation dating to approximately 7,000 BCE. Throughout the classical era, the region functioned as a strategic maritime hub for the Hittite, Roman.
Must-try foods nearby
- Tantuni
The undisputed king of Mersin street food, consisting of julienned beef or lamb flash-cooked in a traditional 'sac' pan with cotton oil and water. - Cezerye
Mersin's signature confectionery made from caramelized carrots, sugar, and nuts (typically walnuts, hazelnuts, or pistachios), all coated in shredded coconut. - Kerebiç
An iconic dessert particularly popular during Ramadan, these shortbread-like cookies are filled with pistachios or walnuts. - Tarsus Kebabı
While similar to the Adana kebab, the Tarsus variety is distinguished by the addition of finely minced onions and parsley directly into the meat mixture before grilling. - Batırık
Often called 'Mersin's liquid çiğ köfte,' this unique dish is made from fine bulgur, roasted peanuts or tahini, tomatoes, and various herbs.
When to go: The best time to visit Mersin is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) when temperatures are comfortably between 20°C and 30°C.
Local tips
- Use the local dolmuş minibuses for affordable and frequent transport between the city center and coastal districts like Erdemli or Silifke.
- Always accept the first offer of tea (çay) from shopkeepers or hosts as a sign of respect for their hospitality.
- Order the city's signature dish, Tantuni, at small local stalls for the most authentic and budget-friendly dining experience.
- Dress modestly by covering your shoulders and knees when visiting smaller inland neighborhoods or historical sites outside the modern marina area.
What travelers are noticing
- Mersin Metro M1 Launch: The city's first rapid transit line, connecting Mezitli to the city center, is slated for its initial phase opening in mid-2026.
- Mediterranean International Textile Fair: A major 2026 trade event leveraging the newly opened Çukurova International Airport to establish Mersin as a global fashion and design hub.
- Mersin Port Expansion (EMH2): Completion of the $455 million terminal expansion, introducing high-tech ARMG cranes and a dedicated berth for cruise vessels to boost maritime tourism.
Extra place context
- Dondurmacı Halil
The most famous dessert shop in Mersin, essential for trying 'cezerye' (a carrot-based confection) and their legendary ice cream, often served alongside 'kerebiç' cookies.
food - Abidin Tantuni
Known for its unique spice blend and friendly, neighborhood atmosphere, Abidin is often recommended by locals as an alternative to the larger chains.
food
Official tourism resource
The official tourism and culture portal for the Mersin province, including the central Akdeniz district, managed by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Planning questions
Where did Abroad and Hungry eat in Akdeniz, Mersin?
This guide maps all 5 spots featured in the video, with names, addresses, and neighborhoods, so you can plan where to eat in Akdeniz, Mersin.
What are the must-try foods in Akdeniz, Mersin?
Creator picks from the video include TarMer soup (chicken, lentils, tahini, and spices), Kerebiç (semolina cookies with walnuts and pistachios), Cezerye (carrot and nut confection), Freshly baked bread from a stone oven. Open the map in Varedelo to see which spot each one is at.
Can I save these spots to use on my trip?
Yes. Open the map in Varedelo to save every spot, get directions, and revisit the guide from your phone while you travel.
Use it on your trip
Save this restaurant map before you go
Keep the mapped spots, creator context, food notes, and planning details together. Varedelo turns the page into a phone-friendly map you can revisit when you are choosing where to go.