Bursa City Museum
A 7,000-Year Journey Through History and Culture in Turkey’s First City Museum
HOME > CITY GUIDE > HISTORIC ABDAL BAKERY & STONE OVEN CULTURE
Situated at the intersection of Bursa’s historic Tuzpazarı and Reyhan districts, Historic Abdal Square is the heart of the city’s centuries-old baking culture and fresh, hot delicacies. Home to the famous Historic Abdal Simit Bakery—whose fire has been burning continuously since the 15th century—this historical square is an indispensable culinary stop for Bursa trips with its crispy Bursa simit, buttered tahini pastry (tahinli pide), and authentic square breakfasts served alongside hot tea.
The main characteristic setting Bursa simit apart from other cities is that its dough is poached in hot molasses water before being baked in wood-fired historical stone ovens. Baked on the scorching stone hearth of Abdal Bakery, the simits have become the symbol of the square with their crispy exterior, abundant sesame seeds, and rich wood-smoke aroma.
Locally referred to by Bursa residents as “Tahanlı”, this is a legendary sweet flatbread prepared with plenty of tahini and sugar, baked on stone hearths over a wood fire. The unique aroma of tahini rising from Abdal Bakery fills the entire square during the early morning hours.
Sitting down at the tea garden tables in the square to enjoy hot simit, tahini pastry, and savory pastries with thyme (poyrazlı) or olives straight out of the oven accompanied by freshly brewed tea is one of Bursa’s most established and delightful morning rituals.
Buy Fresh Tahini Pastry from the Stone Oven: Make sure to taste the fresh, steaming-hot tahini pastry (tahanlı) loaded with tahini straight from the oven.
Eat Hot Simit with Tea in the Square: Enjoy tea under the plane trees at the square tables accompanied by crackling hot simits straight out of the bakery.
Visit the Historic Abdal Mosque & Tomb: After your meal, visit the historic 15th-century Abdal Mermerli Mosque and Tomb located right adjacent to the square.
Be Prepared for Morning Queues: Abdal Simit Bakery is famous for its long simit and tahini lines, especially on weekend mornings. The line moves quickly, but early weekday hours can be chosen for a quieter experience.
Eat While Hot: The true flavor of tahini pastry and Bursa simit comes out the moment they emerge from the oven; consuming them hot in the square without letting them cool down is highly recommended.
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