Istanbul is a food paradise for those who love food and travel. Its famous food shows its rich history and culture. The city is full of different dishes that mix Eastern and Western flavors. You can enjoy a Turkish breakfast with fresh bread, olives, cheese, and honey, or have dinner with tasty kebabs and small dishes called mezes. The busy streets have vendors with street food like simit and döner, and the markets have lots of spices and sweets. Desserts like baklava and Turkish delight are a sweet end to the food journey. In Istanbul, every meal is a mix of flavors and traditions.
Breakfast
Traditional Breakfast Spread
A traditional breakfast in Istanbul is a feast for the eyes and taste buds, with fresh bread, various cheeses, olives, and jams. Freshly baked bread pairs wonderfully with cheeses like feta, cheddar, and others, along with green and black olives. Jams made from fruits like strawberries and cherries, along with honey and cream, add sweetness to the breakfast. Hot items like pastries, menemen, and eggs are served with freshly brewed tea. To enjoy these flavors, visit places like Van Kahvaltı Evi or Hadika Kahvaltı Evi, both offering rich breakfast spreads.
Simit and Tea
Simit and tea are an important part of Turkish culture. Simit is round bread covered in sesame seeds, and you can find it on streets and in bakeries. Tea is served in small glasses and goes well with simit. Enjoying simit and tea while looking at the Bosphorus is a tradition in Istanbul. Try simit from Tarihi Beşçeşmeler Simit Fırını or Yeldeğirmeni Simit Fırını for a true taste.
Pastries
Pastries with thin dough filled with things like spinach, cheese, or meat are popular in Turkish food. Tarihi Sarıyer Börekçisi and Tarihi Kadıköy Börekçisi are well-known spots for tasty pastries and worth visiting.
Dinner
Kebap
Kebap is a famous Turkish dish known all over the world. It's a great way to enjoy meat. In Istanbul, you find kebap everywhere, showing a great mix of meat and spices. Types include Adana kebap, Urfa kebap, döner, and lamb shish, each for different tastes. This dish, influenced by southeastern food, is loved for its tasty cooked meat. Kebap usually comes with grilled tomatoes, peppers, and onions for color. It's often served with flatbread or pita, adding extra taste. Top kebap places in Istanbul include Şehzade Cağ Kebap and Bitlisli, known for their well-prepared menus. Kebap is more than a dish; it stands for hospitality and sharing, making it perfect for gatherings with friends and family.
Fish
Eating fish by the Bosphorus is a special experience in Istanbul. You get not just fresh fish but also the sea breeze, Bosphorus views, and a warm atmosphere. Popular fish in Istanbul are bluefish, sea bass, and sea bream, served fresh with tasty side dishes. Fish restaurants are known for both their fish and appetizers like yogurt, samphire, and fava beans, which go great with fish. Grilled or fried fish often comes with salads full of lemons and greens, making the meal tastier. Well-known fish restaurants in Istanbul are Balıkçı Sabahattin and Mavi Balık, offering a treat for fish lovers. They give you delicious meals and a memorable Istanbul experience. Balıkçı Sabahattin is famous for its historic and cozy vibe, while Mavi Balık is liked for its modern and stylish look. Both places have everything for a perfect fish meal.
Manti
Turkish manti is a well-loved dish for its look and taste. It features thin dough filled with a mix often made of beef or lamb, with added onions and spices for flavor. After cooking, manti is topped with garlic yogurt and a butter and red pepper sauce for a special taste and smell. Manti is made in different ways across Turkey, with Kayseri and Sinop known for their versions. In Istanbul, Sinop Mantı is famous for its crispy, thin dough and lots of sauce, offering a memorable taste. Whether traditional or modern, manti appeals to everyone, showing the richness of Turkish food.
Street Foods
Kokoreç
Kokoreç is a popular street food in Turkey, made from lamb intestines and seasoned with spices. It is especially popular in Istanbul, where people enjoy it in busy nightlife areas. Both locals and tourists love it. Kokoreç is usually cooked over a wood fire or charcoal grill, which gives it a smoky taste. The spices create a memorable flavor. Kokoreççi Tekin Usta is known as one of the best places in Istanbul for kokoreç, famous for its special recipe. Many people visit late at night after going out to enjoy this tasty dish. It is served in bread or on a plate, usually with pickles and ayran, a yogurt drink, completing the meal.
Döner
Döner is one of the most loved dishes in Turkish cuisine, known for its great taste and long history. The meat is marinated, stacked on a spit, and cooked slowly, keeping it juicy and tender. Döner is often served in flatbread or pita with fresh veggies, pickles, and sauces, making each bite flavorful. Places like Tatar Salim and Metet Közde Döner are experts at serving this dish, leaving a strong impression. Döner is not just food; it is a part of Turkish culture and is enjoyed by all ages.
Kumpir
Kumpir is a popular street food in Ortaköy. Big potatoes are baked until soft, then cut open and filled with toppings. Butter and cheese melt inside the hot potato, and toppings like olives, corn, sausage, pickles, Russian salad, and American salad add taste. This filling dish is a favorite for people walking in Ortaköy's historic area. Ortaköy Kumpir is a great place to try this unique dish because of its fresh ingredients and many toppings.
Desserts
Künefe
Künefe is a well-known dessert in Turkey, especially in cities like Hatay, Mersin, and Antep. It uses thin shredded pastry with a special cheese that melts easily. The cheese melts inside the pastry when cooked, making it soft. Special pans help cook it evenly. After cooking, a cold syrup is poured on künefe to make it sweet and moist. Served hot, it often has pistachios or clotted cream on top for more flavor. Hatay Medeniyetler Sofrası is famous for making good künefe. This dessert attracts both locals and tourists who want to try this special flavor.
Rice Pudding
Rice pudding is made with rice and milk, sweetened with sugar. It is served cold with cinnamon on top. Karaköy Muhallebicisi in Beşiktaş is a good place to try rice pudding.
Lokma
Lokma is a traditional Turkish dessert made of fried dough balls in syrup. The dough is made with flour, water, salt, and yeast, then left to rest. The dough is shaped into small balls and fried in hot oil. The outside gets crispy and golden, while the inside stays soft. The fried dough balls are dipped in sugary syrup with lemon juice. The syrup soaks in, adding flavor. Usually served hot, lokma is popular on the streets and at special events. Lokmata in Kadıköy is a great spot to try this dessert in Istanbul.
Kazandibi
Kazandibi is a special kind of dessert with a caramelized bottom, popular in Turkish cuisine. It starts with a thick pudding made from milk, sugar, rice flour, and starch. This pudding is poured into a tray and caramelized on low heat or in the oven, giving it a burnt look and taste. Kazandibi is loved for its caramelized surface and thick texture. You can enjoy it with cinnamon on top or with ice cream for a different taste. A great place to try it is Saray Muhallebicisi.
Vegetarian Options
Olive Oil Dishes
Olive oil dishes are healthy and light options in Turkish food, made by cooking vegetables with olive oil and lemon. These dishes change with the seasons and use vegetables like artichokes, green beans, zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers. They are served cold and flavored with herbs like mint, dill, parsley, and garlic, with lemon juice and olive oil enhancing the natural taste. These dishes taste even better when made ahead and rested. Annem Zeytinyağlı Meze is known for these dishes, offering a light yet filling choice.
Falafel
Falafel is a Middle Eastern food made from chickpeas, parsley, garlic, onion, cumin, and spices, shaped into small patties and fried. Falafel House in Taksim is a good place to try it.
Meze Plate
Mezes are small dishes made with vegetables and legumes, key parts of Turkish cuisine. They include roasted eggplant salad, hummus, lentil balls, and vine leaves stuffed with rice. Roasted eggplant salad is made by roasting and chopping eggplants, then adding olive oil, lemon juice, and spices. Hummus is a creamy dish made from chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. Lentil balls mix red lentils and bulgur with greens and spices. Stuffed vine leaves include rice, currants, pine nuts, and spices wrapped in grape leaves. These mezes add color and taste to the table. Mayko Meze Evi offers these tasty mezes, known for its meze plate.
Istanbul's food is rich and varied, giving visitors a great experience. From breakfast to dinner, and street food to desserts, Istanbul offers a different taste at every meal. Start exploring Istanbul's street food and try these unique flavors!