Simit Sarayi

Fresh simit and tea set the tone at Simit Sarayi

This Simit Sarayi sits airside at ADB, after security in both the Domestic and International terminals, and runs from early morning through late evening to catch most departures. It’s the predictable stop for a quick Turkish pastry and çay before a 06:30 Pegasus hop or a late-night SunExpress flight. Expect a steady line at peak bank times, especially around the 07:00–09:00 wave.

Prices sit in typical airport territory: a plain simit is usually just a few euros’ worth in lira, with filled sandwiches and gözleme coming in higher but still under what you’d pay at many sit-down spots in Izmir city. You order at the counter, pay, then wait for your tray; card is accepted, and staff are used to quick turnarounds for tight connections. Grab-and-go pastries work well if your boarding time is under 25 minutes away.

Food is standard Simit Sarayi fare: sesame simit, su böreği, poğaça, plus reheated savory pastries and some sweets like baklava in pre-portioned trays. Tea and Turkish coffee are the best bets on the drinks side, with bottled water and canned sodas in the fridge. Skip anything that looks like it’s been under the heat lamp for more than 30–40 minutes; the fresher trays usually come out right after a bank of flights lands.

Seating is limited and often spills into the general gate seating area, especially near busy gates in the Domestic terminal around mid-afternoon THY and SunExpress departures. If you need to charge a phone or laptop, hunt for a table near the wall outlets first, then send someone from your group to queue. Expect to carry your tray a bit; you rarely snag a table directly by the counter at peak times.

Tip: if you see a new batch of simit come out as you arrive, wait the extra 2–3 minutes and ask for one from that tray; it holds up better for a 1–2 hour flight.