Marmaris is a seaside resort in southwest Turkey in the Mugla Province. Best of both a city break and beach holiday, the lively resort is located on the world's largest natural harbours and is popular with British budget holidaymakers as a cruise ship port.
The resort is surrounded by pine-clad mountains that retain heat during the day and shelter the bay, turning the city into a suntrap. It has a Mediterranean climate with long, hot, humid summers and mild, rainy winters.
There are plenty of eateries dotted throughout the city, especially along the seafront and around the Grand Bazaar. Whether you want to try the local cuisine, enjoy some pizza, tuck into a Sunday roast or grab a curry, there are restaurants to suit.
Turkish
You can find many different kinds of Turkish restaurants in Marmaris, from little Lokantas where the locals eat, to BBQ restaurants and kebab stands. Start your meal with some mezes plates of food such as meatballs, stuffed vine leads and cheeses with olives. Then go for a classic doner kebab, or 'sislik' (barbecued chicken on a skewer served inside bread).
If you want to try the local pizza there's 'pide' (cheese and tomatoes) or 'lahmacun' (meat and cheese). Wash it down with the national drink 'ayran' (a salty yoghurt drink) and finish with 'baklava' (a dough-based dessert with honey and pistachios).
Want somewhere serving authentic Turkish cuisine? Eat at Alabi and you'll get a free meze to start and enjoy traditional Turkish dishes such as 'keskek' (meat and barley stew) and 'maqluba' (meat, pilaf rice and vegatables). As it's a Muslim restaurant they don't serve alcohol, but they do serve tasty homemade lemonade.
Head to Ney for traditional Turkish home cooking. Tucked away from the street and up some steps you'll find this charming restaurant set in a 250-year-old Greek house decorated with seashells and wind chimes. Be sure to try the 'manti boregi' (Turkish ravioli). Go to Meryem Ana to try 'gozleme' (filled pastry, similar to a crepe) with cheese, spinage and herbs.
For authentic kebabs there's Kervan Ocakbasi in the north of the city in Armutalan. 'Ocakbasi' means a grill restaurant with an open fire pit in the middle. Order some meze dishes and flat bread to start, then try the mixed grill kebab or the lamb shish kebab. Or there's Kebabe Ocakbasi a bit further out, serving a great selection of mezes and succulent kebabs.
Seafood
There are a few places where you can sample the catch of the day and Turkish seafood dishes.
On bar street there's the Drunken Crab, a family-run restaurant with a small yet good quality menu. Have some meze to start such as the salted sardines or marinated anchovies, then try the mussels, king prawns or fish of the day for main, and finish with one of their complimentary desserts.
For seafood by the harbour, head to O Yes, another family-run restaurant. Start with the fried calamari or prawn casserole, for main try the sea bass fillet in white wine sauce, and then sit back and enjoy the fabulous sea view.
Or there's Liman Restaurant, discreetly set in the Grand Bazaar. It serves excellent mezes and fish dishes, such as grilled sea bass, fish soup and calamari.
Italian
If you've had enough of pide and just want a classic Italian pizza, look no further.
The film-themed Fellini specialises in Italian fare. This waterfront restaurant serves great thin-crust pizzas between 18 TL and 22 TL and pasta between 15 TL and 24 TL.
Also on the seafront there's Dost with a wide selection of salads, pasta dishes and pizza, as well as a great range of desserts and cocktails. They also own 50 luxury sun beds on their stretch of beach so why not relax on one and let your food go down as you take in the view.
British and American
If you've had enough of kebabs, there are no end of British and American places around.
In terms of American-style food there's Bono, a trendy beachfront restaurant and bar serving gourmet burgers and steaks. Why not go for the Philly cheese and steak baguette? Enjoy it with a strawberry daiquiri and then indulge in a delicious chocolate brownie for dessert. You can even buy lunch here and eat it on the beach on their free sun beds.
If you want a really succulent steak, head to Stella. The rib-eye, T-bone and fillet steak are all worth a try. They also have delicious homemade burgers. Or there's Cousins Steakhouse with a range of steaks paired with great entertainment. Enjoy two-for-one cocktails with your meal as you watch the game on the large screen TV.
For food closer to home, try British Corner. Come in the morning for a full English, and in the evening for Sunday roast. It's a family friendly place with a play area for children. If you're after fish and chips, go to Sail Café and Bar who offer good portions of fresh homemade food. After your chips, have the strawberries and fresh cream for dessert. Smiley's Restaurant do a great pie and mash with gravy, with cheesecake for pudding.
Asian
If you fancy more exotic foods, there are some decent Chinese and Indian restaurants.
You'll get great service and a very cheap eat at Mayfair Chinese. It's just 19 Turkish Lira for a three-course meal, (a mere £6!) and you are not constrained to a set menu. Why not have prawn crackers and soup to start, sweet and sour chicken for main and pancakes for dessert?
Or there's The Mandarin on the seafront boasting a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013. It serves up good value buffet-style Chinese food. You can get three courses and a bottle of wine to share for 48 TL each, which is less than £20. Be sure to try the duck pancakes, and the beef and aubergine in garlic sauce.
Directly below The Mandarin restaurant is Taj Mahal wth an extensive menu of authentic Indian cuisine. The set menu for two with a bottle of wine is just 48.50 TL and includes a starter, a main course including a range of curries and a choice of rice or nan bread.