Food in Trabzon: halal, markets and local dishes

Food and markets in Trabzon: halal, weekly markets and Black Sea dishes

In short

Food in Trabzon is mostly halal, as in most of Turkey, so you do not need to search for halal meat. Families shop at the weekly markets for fruit and vegetables, at the fish market, and at the supermarket chains found in every neighbourhood. The local cuisine is rich: hamsi (anchovies) in winter, kuymak with cornmeal and cheese, Akçaabat köfte and Trabzon bread, with tea at any hour.

Written by Abdulhadi Bukhari, Real estate consultant

Last reviewed October 7, 2026

One of the first things Arab families discover in Trabzon is how familiar daily life feels: food is mostly halal, mosques are close by, and tea is offered everywhere. What is new to them is Black Sea cuisine, which in time becomes one of the reasons they love the city.

Halal

Slaughter in Turkey is usually carried out according to Islamic practice.
Meat at butchers and shops is mostly halal.
Products with halal certificates are available for anyone who wants extra reassurance.

Where to shop

Weekly markets (Semt Pazarı)

Each neighbourhood has a market on a set day of the week: vegetables, fruit, cheeses, olives and eggs at good prices. Ask your neighbours which day your neighbourhood market is held.

The fish market

Fresh fish from the Black Sea; what is best depends on the season.

Supermarket chains

Turkey’s major supermarket chains are in every neighbourhood, from small stores to large ones, as well as shopping centres.

Butchers and bakeries

The neighbourhood butcher and bakery are part of daily life, and fresh bread is bought every day.

Black Sea dishes

Hamsi: anchovies, the star of winter, fried or cooked with rice.
Kuymak or mıhlama (Kuymak / Mıhlama): cornmeal with butter and melted cheese, a famous breakfast dish.
Akçaabat köfte (Akçaabat Köfte): known throughout Turkey. See the guide to living in Akçaabat.
Trabzon bread: a famous large loaf.
Black Sea pide: a boat-shaped flatbread.
Laz pastry (Laz Böreği): pastry filled with custard.
Hamsiköy rice pudding (Hamsiköy Sütlacı): a famous dessert on the road to Sümela.

Tea and hazelnuts

Tea is grown in the region, especially in neighbouring Rize, and drunk at any hour.
Hazelnuts are one of the Black Sea’s famous crops; you will find them in sweets and at the markets.

Tips for families

Ask which day the weekly market is held in your neighbourhood.
Try what is in season: hamsi in winter, fruit in summer.
During Ramadan iftar tables are set up and restaurants fill after sunset.
Living close to markets is a real everyday advantage. See the guide to the best Trabzon neighbourhoods for families.

In short

In Trabzon you eat halal without effort, shop at weekly markets and nearby supermarket chains, and discover a cuisine of sea and mountains you will not forget. For the full cost of living, read the guide to the cost of living for a family in Trabzon.

Start with properties in Trabzon, or contact us.

Food and markets in Trabzon: halal, weekly markets and Black Sea dishes

Halal