Travel video guide
Where to Eat in Bornova, İzmir: Acılı Güveç
This guide turns 15 ÇEŞİT DAHA VAR BUNLAR YARISI | İZMİR ZAİM USTA from Ayhan Mortepe into a practical restaurant map with 1 saved spot around Bornova. The mapped places include a restaurant stop. Use it to understand the places, dishes, and trip context before saving the map in Varedelo.
What the creator captured
Ayhan Mortepe visited Saim Usta in Izmir, a legendary artisan restaurant where he was particularly impressed by the spicy meat stew and the unique liver wrap. He highlighted the high quality of the meat and the traditional cooking methods that avoid spices to preserve the natural flavors. His most memorable takeaway was the exceptional texture of the slow-cooked meats and the high-quality pumpkin dessert.
What this map is good for
- Planning a turkish restaurant stop or short itinerary in Bornova.
- Comparing food stops from a creator or saved local map before you commit time in the city.
- Saving 1 mapped spot 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
- Zaim Usta
Turkish Restaurant in Tuna mah, Çamdibi, Fatih Cd. No:91, 35030 Bornova/İzmir, Türkiye, Çamdibi, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
Price level: Medium
Hours: Hours available
Food notes from the video
- Acılı güveç
- Ciğer sarma
- Tereyağlı kavurma
- Döner
- Izgara köfte
- Kabak tatlısı
Experiences captured
- Visited Saim Usta in Izmir Sanayi
- Interviewed the owner about family history
- Observed the early morning food preparation
- Toured the traditional artisan restaurant counter
- Discussed the no-spice cooking philosophy
- Ate a meal near the Atatürk Stadium
- Experienced the melt-in-the-mouth texture of the meat
Planning notes for Bornova
Kızılay is a neighborhood located within the Bornova district of İzmir, Turkey. The area is situated on the Bornova Plain at the foot of Mount Yamanlar, approximately 8 kilometers northeast of İzmir's traditional city center. Historical Heritage The history of the Kızılay area is linked to the broader timeline of Bornova, where archaeological evidence from the Yeşilova Höyük indicates human settlement dating back to the Neolithic period, approximately 8.
Must-try foods nearby
- İzmir-Style Kokoreç
A legendary street food staple in Bornova, particularly at the famous Kokoreççi Asım Usta. - Bornova Kumrusu
An iconic İzmir sandwich served in a special chickpea-yeast bread. While the classic cold version features tulum cheese and tomatoes. - Boyoz
The quintessential İzmir breakfast pastry. This flaky, unleavened bread, originally from the Sephardic Jewish tradition, is best enjoyed warm in Bornova's local bakeries. - İzmir Köfte
A comforting traditional dish of oval-shaped meatballs baked with potatoes, green peppers, and tomatoes in a light, savory broth. - Döner (Odun Ateşi)
A local obsession, especially at spots like Dönerci Vedat Usta. This is traditional 'yaprak' döner (thinly sliced steak) cooked slowly over a wood fire.
When to go: The best time to visit Kızılay, Bornova, is during the spring (April to June) or autumn (September to October) when temperatures are mild and pleasant for walking. Summers can be intensely hot with temperatures often exceeding 35°C (95°F).
Local tips
- Use an İzmirim Kart for seamless travel on the metro and ESHOT buses, as cash is not accepted on most public transit.
- Expect a vibrant, student-heavy atmosphere due to the proximity of Ege University, making it a safe and lively area even late at night.
- When dining at local lokantas, it is common to view the daily dishes at the counter and point to what you want rather than ordering from a printed menu.
- Say 'Elinize sağlık' to the cook or server after a meal to show appreciation for their work, a gesture highly valued in Turkish hospitality.
What travelers are noticing
- Romeo and Juliet at Bornova Aşık Veysel Open Air Theater (June 2026)
- Rise of independent art spaces like Bayetav Sanat in the Bornova district
- Expansion of the Izmir Culture and Arts Factory (İCAF) as a regional creative hub
Extra place context
- Zaim Usta
A legendary esnaf lokantası (tradesman restaurant) located in the Çamdibi area of Bornova. It is a local favorite for its traditional slow-cooked dishes like 'acılı güveç' (spicy stew) and 'kuzu gerdan' (lamb neck).
food
Official tourism resource
The official digital tourism portal for İzmir and its districts, including Bornova, providing information on historical sites, culture, and local attractions.
Planning questions
Where did Ayhan Mortepe eat in Bornova, İzmir?
This guide maps all 1 spot featured in the video, with names, addresses, and neighborhoods, so you can plan where to eat in Bornova, İzmir.
What are the must-try foods in Bornova, İzmir?
Creator picks from the video include Acılı güveç, Ciğer sarma, Tereyağlı kavurma, Döner. 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.