Taymek

Established in 1979 at the foot of Bolu Mountain (Bolu Dağı), Taymek began its culinary journey around a traditional wood-fired stone oven. The bakery initially gained widespread acclaim through its master baker's naturally leavened Trabzon Vakfıkebir bread, kneaded exclusively with flour, water, and sourdough starter without artificial additives. This artisan bread quickly turned the original Bolu oven into a renowned stopover along the Ankara-Istanbul transit corridor, drawing intercity commuters, traveling artists, and political figures alike. In the early 2000s, the entry of the family's second generation propelled the brand's expansion beyond Bolu into neighboring regions, establishing its foremost branch presence in Ankara.

Today, Taymek's Yapracık outpost along Eskişehir Yolu in Etimesgut represents the brand's comprehensive roadside hospitality format. Evolving far past the traditional neighborhood black oven (kara fırın), this 24/7 complex integrates an artisan bakery, a full-service Anatolian and Black Sea restaurant, a patisserie, a regional charcuterie counter, a fresh produce section, and an extensive grocery market under one roof. Whether catering to long-distance road trippers on the Dumlupınar highway or local Ankara residents seeking regional pantry staples, the location preserves its foundational sourdough baking techniques while offering round-the-clock dining and provisioning.

Cuisine and Menu

The culinary offerings at Taymek center on traditional stone-oven baking and comforting regional recipes from the Black Sea and Anatolia. At the core of the bakery department is the signature Trabzon Vakfıkebir bread, baked in wood-heated stone ovens using only flour, water, and natural sourdough fermentation. Alongside this iconic loaf, the bakery produces an array of specialty breads, including pure corn flour bread (saf mısır unundan mısır ekmeği), whole wheat and whole grain loaves, hearty rye bread (çavdar ekmeği), bran bread (kepek ekmeği), and milk-potato bread (sütlü patatesli ekmek). Daily bakery goods also feature warm Turkish bagels (simit), soft savory pastries (poğaça), flaky börek assortments, griddle-baked flatbreads such as bazlama and gözleme, as well as cookies and cakes.

In the restaurant dining room, the kitchen emphasizes traditional homestyle hot dishes served from simmering cooking pots (tencere usulü sulu yemek). The flagship specialty is the famous Çayeli dried bean stew (Meşhur Çayeli kuru fasulyesi), celebrated for its rich, slow-cooked texture. Meat selections include tender lean beef roast (yağsız dana eti kavurma), boiled lamb shank (kuzu incik haşlama), assorted Turkish kebabs, and freshly baked pide varieties hot from the oven.

Breakfast is an all-day anchor at the establishment, headlined by a generous spread village breakfast (serpme köy kahvaltısı) composed of regional Anatolian specialties. A standout dish on the morning and restaurant menu is traditional kuymak (also known as muhlama), prepared with stone-ground natural cornmeal, butter, and regional melting cheese. The on-site charcuterie and deli counter extends these authentic breakfast flavors for dining or retail purchase, stocking regional specialties such as string cheese (tel peyniri), aged Kars kaşar cheese, aromatic Van herbed cheese (otlu peynir), churned Trabzon butter, and spiced Afyon beef sucuk. For dessert, the pastry department provides daily baklava sweetened with natural sugar and layered with pistachios, complemented by fresh layer cakes (yaş pastalar), dry tea cookies (kuru pastalar), and traditional milk puddings (sütlü tatlılar).

Atmosphere and Who It Suits

Taymek offers a traditional roadside hospitality environment tailored for weary travelers and local diners seeking an unpretentious, comforting atmosphere. Stepping inside, guests are met with the distinct sensory profile of a working heritage bakery: the warm aroma of wood-burning stone ovens, freshly sliced sourdough loaves, and bubbling copper pans of melted cheese and butter. The interior layout blends a spacious seated dining room with active retail aisles, creating a bustling, functional ambiance where travelers can enjoy a relaxed meal or quickly browse regional provisions before continuing their trip.

The facility is designed to suit families, interstate drivers, tour groups, and commuters navigating the busy transit routes out of Ankara. With wide seating areas, casual table arrangements, and broad menu variety ranging from child-friendly baked pastries to hearty slow-cooked meats, family groups can easily find meal options that accommodate both quick snacking and leisurely sit-down dining. The setup is equally practical for solo motorists and commercial drivers who require a dependable pause along the highway at unconventional hours.

Because the complex remains open 24 hours a day, the atmosphere shifts seamlessly throughout the day and night. Early morning hours bring the energy of commuters stopping for hot simit, fresh poğaça, and breakfast spreads, while midday and evening periods see steady dining room activity focused on Çayeli beans, stews, and grilled meats. Late-night hours cater to long-haul travelers needing a warm bowl of soup, hot tea, or a rapid stop to recharge both vehicle and passengers. Its straightforward, service-oriented design ensures visitors can tailor their visit to their exact schedule, whether staying for forty minutes or just making a five-minute pantry run.

Location and Practical Details

This branch of Taymek is located at Eskişehir Yolu 22. Km in the Yapracık locality of Etimesgut, Ankara. Situated directly along the Dumlupınar Bulvarı corridor—the primary arterial route linking the capital to Eskişehir and western provinces—the facility serves as an easily accessible waypoint for vehicles entering or leaving the metropolitan area. Travelers using public transit can reach the property via local public transportation, as the municipal EGO bus stop designated "50852 - Taymek" is situated directly in front of the venue.

To support modern road travel, the Yapracık property features an on-site electric vehicle (EV) charging station, allowing drivers to recharge their cars while dining or shopping. All core departments at this Yapracık location—including the hot-food restaurant, artisan stone-oven bakery, charcuterie counter, fresh produce market (manav), and grocery store—operate on a continuous 24/7 schedule, remaining open seven days a week year-round without seasonal shutdowns.

Beyond this Yapracık facility, the brand maintains other locations across Ankara's major transit routes. Official branch coordinates and directions include the İstanbul Yolu Yenimahalle branch situated at FSM Bulvarı No: 462-A in Ergazi Mahallesi next to Giyim Dünyası (phone: 0312 255 10 70), the Susuz Mahallesi branch at Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bulvarı 710/H-I-D in Etimesgut located inside the Shell gas station, and the Temelli branch at Eskişehir Yolu 42. Km in Alagöz Mahallesi, Paşadede Mevkii, Sincan (which operates between 08:00 and 21:00). For inquiries regarding the Yapracık branch, the venue can be reached by telephone at +90 312 299 82 20 or by email at [email protected].

The Mio Angle: As a Meeting Spot

From the perspective of the Mio community, Taymek represents a quintessential highway waypoint and multifunctional gathering spot on the western outskirts of Ankara. When members ask where to break up a road trip or coordinate a rendezvous before heading out of the city along Eskişehir Yolu, this venue stands out for its unmatched round-the-clock utility and extensive regional fare. Its 24/7 operating model eliminates the uncertainty of arrival times, making it an ideal meet-up location for carpools, family convoys, or late-night travelers returning to the capital.

The space offers notable visual appeal for social sharing and culinary reviews. High-engagement focal points include the pulling cheese texture of fresh Black Sea kuymak served steaming in traditional pans, the impressive scale and rustic scored crust of massive wood-fired Trabzon Vakfıkebir loaves, and the vibrant display cases filled with regional cheeses like aged Kars kaşar and Van otlu peynir. Sharing a photo of a loaded village breakfast table or a fresh slice of pistachio baklava serves as a reliable recommendation for road-trippers planning their transit stops.

Beyond seated dining, Taymek acts as a curated gourmet outpost where visitors can consolidate multiple errands in a single visit. Guests can combine a full hot meal of Çayeli beans or lamb shank with grocery shopping for stone-milled breads, Afyon sucuk, and farm-fresh produce from the greengrocer. With the added convenience of on-site EV charging and direct bus access, the venue caters effectively to diverse traveler budgets and schedules, standing as a practical, time-tested landmark on Ankara's transit map.