Trabzon-Rize Gastronomy Guide

Hello, everyone! I shared my recommendations about places to visit in the Storm Valley previously. Before adding new routes and highlands, I wanted to talk about the flavors you can find in Rize, the heart of the Eastern Black Sea, and Trabzon. The title might sound a bit ambitious, but let me clarify from the start: I'm not claiming to have the knowledge to be a gourmet or even to write a gourmet guide. However, due to being from that region and constantly traveling, I do have some ideas about where you can find which flavors and which places can truly offer you quality and taste.

Let's start with Trabzon and then explore what you can eat and drink in Rize and the Storm Valley.

Historical Kalkanoğlu Pilavcısı

Pilaf is a dish commonly made and consumed in almost every household in Trabzon and Rize, along with specialties like muhlama and karalahana. When combined with butter from the high plateaus, rice creates an exquisite flavor. Kalkanoğlu Pilavcısı is a family business that has managed to maintain the same quality of taste for 150 years. The masters say that another ingredient that adds flavor to the pilaf is bone broth. Additionally, their dry beans and roasted meats are fantastic. Whenever I go to Trabzon, I always try to visit Kalkanoğlu, and I highly recommend it to anyone traveling to the Eastern Black Sea region. But don't be too late because when the pilaf is finished, it means the place is closing. Kalkanoğlu Pilavcısı is a beautiful and charming place.

Rüştü's Bakery

With its wonderful building made of stone that preserves its authenticity from years ago and the scent of fresh bread and pide, this lovely bakery invites you inside. Rüştü's Bakery is located in the same neighborhood as Kalkanoğlu Pilavcısı. Over the years, many masters have made bread and pide on that counter. While waiting for your pide, the wonderful smells coming from the stone oven might test your patience. Like many places in the Black Sea region, everything here is oily, but it's never unpleasant. Because of the quality and abundance of ingredients, along with the amazing taste of the masters, Rüştü's Bakery is among my favorite places. Definitely go, see, chat, and taste their flavors.

Rize Liman Restaurant

Since my childhood, whenever my family and I travel from Istanbul to my hometown Rize, we always visit Liman Restaurant. Everyone knows and recommends Liman Restaurant, and I've never encountered anyone with a negative opinion about any of their dishes. Everything is flawless, from the beauty of their dry beans to the taste of their döner and the roasted meats they start preparing in the early hours of the morning. They cook their dishes over a large hearth with wood fire. It's worth going just to see this stove. And of course, like many restaurants on this list, Liman has a fantastic rice pudding. Anyone passing through Rize should drive their car to Liman without considering any other alternatives; I'm sure you won't regret it.

Çayeli Lale Restaurant

The operation and concept of Lale Restaurant are almost the same as Liman Restaurant, but we can never choose between the two because both places offer delicious and quality products with the same care. The most remarkable thing about the restaurant is said to be its dry beans, which they claim are world-famous, but my favorite is the döner over rice and, afterward, the atom rice pudding. It's also very close to the coastal road in the town center. It's a place you can easily find in your travel itinerary and won't take up much of your time.

Mora Restaurant

Located right at the beginning of the Fırtına Valley, at the 3rd km of the Fırtına Stream, Mora is a place you must visit. Mora is nestled within a large tea garden and vegetable garden. Every ingredient used here is their own production, either from Mora or its highlands. Their breakfast is exquisite. You might get addicted to their kiwi, iron apple jams, muhlama, and clotted cream. The regional casserole dishes are also among the best in the valley. Mora is at the top of my favorite places in the Storm Valley. It's ideal for breakfast, lunch, or just to relax and have a coffee. While you're there, make sure to pet the dogs who think they're human, especially Moni.

Lazika

Like Mora, Lazika is located on the 3rd km of the Fırtına Stream. You can taste their excellent teas at Lazika. Our faces are always smiling, and our tea is always excellent. We're waiting for you.

Zua Coffee (Şenyuva Village)

Zua is a third-wave coffee shop located in the Çinçiva village, formerly known as Çinçiva. But calling them just a coffee shop wouldn't be accurate because their chewy pudding made with wild berries collected from the Kaçkar Mountains, Elderflower Soda (Pohpedi), and Chocolate Tart are excellent. Moreover, Zua has earned a good score and entered the list of our witness, Vedat Milor. The owners of the place, Elif and Apo, are also my dear friends and wonderful people. This year, Zua offers a wider variety of desserts made by Emel Bahçıvan and Yasemin Taşkın. We highly recommend it to anyone whose road leads to Çamlıhemşin.

Çat Valley Trout Farm

I wanted to take you a little towards the higher regions of the Kaçkar Mountains. You might not have the chance to eat at the trout farm in Çat Valley, but you can buy their excellent fish and cook a delicious meal yourself. In addition to the farm's trout, you can also find real "Mountain Trout" made from the eggs taken from the stream of Haçivanak Highland, one of the most beautiful highlands of the Kaçkar. Tezcan Biber, the owner of this beautiful facility, is also there, so you can join his nice conversation and get information about the valley from A to Z.

I shared my favorite restaurants, cafés, and eateries to give you an idea about the flavors in Trabzon and Rize, and maybe to make it easier for you if you're planning a program for them. I've had the chance to spend time in all of these places and I've provided my recommendations with confidence. I hope it proves helpful. May your travels be filled with joy and satisfaction.

Warm regards,