An Introduction to Turkish Food
I’m fairly confident that when it comes to Turkish food, the majority of us tend to agree that it is a popular cuisine, particularly with British people. Beautifully seasoned grilled meats, fantastic hearty breads, and exquisite sweet treats are just some of the dishes that have increased the popularity of Turkish food in the country. And, while the döner kebab still may be what immediately springs to mind when Turkish food is mentioned in the UK, the reality of the gastronomical variety and complexity of traditional Turkish food goes far beyond that.
Istanbul’s food scene is vibrant, shaped by its rich cultural heritage, with influences from the Balkans, Central Asia, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. The city’s emphasis on fresh, local ingredients, combined with an abundance of spices, forms the foundation of a diverse and flavour-packed cuisine.
Eating My Way Around Istanbul
Having spent a week eating my way around Istanbul, I have witnessed firsthand the respect and unbridled passion its people have for what they eat on a daily basis. The beautiful thing about Istanbul is that many of its best eateries aren’t in fine dining establishments! Small, independent holes in the wall and unassuming eateries are where I have eaten my best meals (I have, as always, purposely omitted spots I didn’t enjoy as much, and these were primarily the more expensive eateries rated highly by Western visitors!).
I’m fully aware I have just scratched the surface when it comes to painting an in-depth picture of what the food scene is like in Türkiye. Most of my time was spent on the European side of the city, which means that I definitely need to go back to explore the Asian side in greater depth. These are just some of my favourite restaurant highlights, tried and tested like all my other recommendations, which I believe to be worthwhile additions to your next visit to The City With Seven Hills.
Arafat Köfte
For: A local spot for authentic and affordable Turkish meatballs
An unassuming hidden gem where soft and tasty köfte is cooked to order. Their limited menu means they know they are great at what they do and don’t feel the need to deviate, delivering affordable meatballs in a variety of ways.
My personal favourite köfte serving option is inside a soft Turkish bread baguette.
Tomtom Kebap
For: Meat lovers looking for juicy and well-seasoned grilled meat kebabs
Tomtom Kebap seamlessly blends a modern dining experience with traditional Turkish cooking techniques and dishes. Their kebabs are impeccably well-seasoned, and whether you are having beef or chicken, they are cooked to perfection over charcoal and served alongside grilled veggies, salad, and bread.
Gülüm Pide Lahmacun Salonu
For: Trying traditional pide and lahmacun
A no-frills casual dining spot open until late for when you get the munchies and need some carbs!
Pide and lahmacun are both traditional Turkish flatbreads. Pide is typically boat-shaped and topped with various fillings like cheese, egg, or ground meats, whereas lahmacun is very thin and crispy and is typically topped with a scattering of minced meat, tomato, and onion.
Don’t be fooled by its unassuming appearance—this spot expertly prepares pide and lahmacun, baking them fresh in a large earthenware oven. Be careful—it’s very easy to burn your mouth if you take a bite too quickly!
Kayataş 3 Kebap Pide & Lahmacun Salonu
For: An affordable all-rounder ideal for trying local bites and snacking
If you’re looking for a great and budget-friendly all-rounder restaurant that allows you to try some traditional Turkish dishes at a great price point in an al fresco setting, this is the spot.
Super casual and the perfect way to introduce yourself to local dishes.
Serpmece Kahvaltı & Sandviç & Tatlı
For: The best San Sebastian cheesecake ever!
For some reason, Spain’s cheesecake creation made its way over to Türkiye and has made a mark on the nation in a big way. After searching high and low for the best spot (carefully avoiding tourist traps), we stumbled across this little gem down an alleyway.
We loved it here so much that we came back multiple times. Not only was the owner and their staff super friendly, but they were also wildly passionate about their cheesecake, showcasing their pistachio San Sebastian creation, penning it as the first in Türkiye!
Absolutely delicious and the best spot in the city for mouthwatering San Sebastian cheesecake (served alongside tea, of course!) made with love!
Kumbaracı Börek Salonu
For: Freshly baked Turkish breads and pastries
Whether it’s börek (a filled filo pastry pie) or pide you’re looking for, you can’t go wrong with Kumbaracı Börek Salonu. They specialise in all things bread!
Eat in or take to go, everything is made to order, hot, and super fresh. Perfect for a little snack break while exploring Beyoğlu.
Galata Fish Mekan
For: Seafood lovers in search of fresh fish
Something I must confess—I had never associated fish with Turkish cuisine! But considering Istanbul’s riverside location, it makes perfect sense that seafood plays a key role in the local diet. One street food I highly recommend if you’re a seafood lover like me is balık dürüm—a fish wrap—here at Galata Fish Mekan.
Imagine freshly grilled and expertly de-boned mackerel, wrapped in a soft, chewy flatbread with crisp salad and tangy condiments. Unreal. It’s smoky, fishy, and tangy—a perfect lunchtime treat. Watching them prepare it right before your eyes is part of the experience too!
Balıkçı Murat Abi – Fish Sandwich
For: An iconic fish sandwich experience
If food tells a story, then Balıkçı Murat Abi is the perfect example. Murat Abi, the stall’s sole chef and operator, has deep roots in the fishing industry and has turned his expertise into a beloved street food destination.
Always bustling, this is as casual as it gets—small plastic chairs, hungry seagulls circling for scraps, and a line of locals waiting for a taste. Murat Abi painstakingly debones the fish and fills a fluffy baguette—warmed on the grill—with perfectly seasoned fish. It’s pure comfort food at its best.
Falafel Köy
For: All things chickpea and falafel – possibly the best I’ve ever had!
Falafel Köy is a must for vegetarians and Middle Eastern flavour lovers. Their falafel, hummus, and babaganoush are on another level.
We tried nearly everything on the menu across a couple of visits, and it was consistently fresh and delicious. Go for their beautifully arranged sharing platter or their falafel burger. I cannot recommend this spot enough!
Kampir at Simit Cafe, Sultanahmet
For: Fellow jacket potato fans!
A surprising find—who knew that giant, fully loaded jacket potatoes (kumpir) were a street food favourite in Türkiye?
At this stall, your enormous baked potato (check my photo for scale!) is split open, its insides whipped with butter and cheese, and then piled high with toppings of your choice. You can go all out with sausage, salads, and veggies—get as creative as you like!
Just a heads-up: the kumpir stall is tucked inside the Simit Cafe area near the Tourism Office in Sultanahmet, so it can be tricky to spot.
Corn on the Cob Street Food Stalls In Sultanahmet Square
For: A wholesome, tasty snack
Sometimes, you just fancy a bit of corn while strolling through the city, right? Mısır (corn) stalls are everywhere in Istanbul, but I grabbed mine in Sultanahmet Square, where vendors are plentiful and open all day.
You can have it two ways—grilled or boiled—with a simple sprinkle of salt. Because honestly, why mess with nature’s perfect snack?
Hafız Mustafa
For: Legendary baklava and desserts
If you’re craving something sweet, this is the place to go. Established in the 1860s, Hafız Mustafa is a legendary dessert shop that has expanded internationally to Dubai and London!
With multiple locations around Istanbul, many open until 2 a.m. or even 24/7, it’s never a bad time to try a new and unique baklava flavour or indulge in one of their many decadent desserts.
Pair it with Turkish tea for the ultimate sweet treat.
A Moment For The Drinks
Just like its food, Türkiye’s drink culture is diverse and fascinating. Here are some of the beverages I discovered in Istanbul:
Ayran
Similar to kefir (which I grew up drinking in Russia), Ayran is a slightly salty, savoury yoghurt drink served cold. It’s light, refreshing, and packed with gut-health benefits.
Şalgam
Şalgam is definitely a Marmite kind of drink—you’ll either love it or hate it. This deep purple, savoury beverage is made from fermented black carrots, turnips, and bulgur, giving it a sour and salty punch.
I must admit, it wasn’t my favourite. I’d liken it to drinking pickle juice straight from the jar—but it’s still worth trying for the experience!
Sahlep
A hot, thick, and creamy drink made from orchid root tubers, finished with a dusting of cinnamon. Think of it as Türkiye’s answer to hot chocolate—sweet, warming, and perfect for chilly evenings.
Turkish Coffee
Finely ground, unfiltered, and served in tiny espresso-sized cups, Turkish coffee is known for its intense, bold flavour. Don’t expect a smooth latte—it’s strong, unrelenting, and absolutely worth trying.
Turkish Tea (Çay)
Delicate, sweet, and served in elegant glassware, Turkish tea is more than just a drink—it’s a symbol of Turkish hospitality and culture. And it’s everywhere.
Often steeped for hours in a double-boiler kettle, it’s never bitter, as it’s diluted to the perfect strength upon serving. Plus, it’s ridiculously cheap. You’ll spot people sipping tiny glasses of tea at all hours—whether it’s sweltering hot or freezing cold outside.
Do as the locals do—take little tea breaks throughout your day and see how much better everything becomes!
A Taste Of Türkiye in Istanbul!
I can’t convey enough just how easy and pleasurable it was to eat in Istanbul. From its street food stalls to its casual eateries and local hotspots, the city is overflowing with cultural cuisine that is vibrant, varied, and often surprising!
You will never go hungry in Istanbul—the only challenge you may have is fitting in a little sightseeing around the endless opportunities to eat!
Until next time,
Lica xoxo
