Bro, Turkish cuisine is very diverse and world famous! If you are going to Istanbul, then these dishes must be tried. This is the ultimate food guide!
Istanbul is considered to be the most interesting and mysterious city in Turkey, as it is a melting pot of cultures, and these influences have amazingly shaped the culinary scene. You will find everything here for your Istanbul trip!
Turkish cuisine is very similar to Greek cuisine – dishes like dolma are almost the same or in a slightly spicier version. And look, millions of tourists visit Istanbul daily, but the traditional cuisine is still strong. You will enjoy it wherever you eat!
So forget the international fast food chains and enjoy real Turkish food. It is difficult to decide what to try out of so many dishes. But don’t take tension, take our recommendations and enjoy! 🍽️🇹🇷
Magic of Turkish Breakfast
Breakfast in Turkey is totally different from Europe! First tea takes the place of coffee. Tomatoes, cucumber slices, black and green olives, bread and pies are available on the table.
Cheese plates are also there – white cheese that tastes like feta, aged cheese, butter, jam. Omelette or boiled eggs are also compulsory!
But special mention is of kaymak – thick cream made from buffalo milk mixed with local honey. A creamy-sweet mixture that will not only help in weight loss but will also create memories of Istanbul!
Burek filled with sautéed cheese, kyma and vegetables is also the star attraction of the table. Trust me, this breakfast is not just food, it is an experience! 🍳🥐🧀
Menemen: The Rockstar of Turkish Breakfast
Menemen is a super delicious Turkish omelette! Roasted onions and peppers are sautéed with tomatoes, then eggs, herbs, parsley, and freshly ground black and red pepper are mixed in.
The name of the dish comes from the Menemen region of Izmir. Tomatoes, the main ingredient of this dish, were first cultivated in Izmir in the 1920s. This also tells the age of the dish!
Because it is a common food, there are so many variations to it – cheese, minced meat, mushrooms, soutzouki, sausages, chicken, and eggplant are added to make it even more delicious! 🍳🌶️🍅
Mezes: Turkish Food Starter Pack
Like Greece, mezes are cold appetizers, not a full course. Mezes are specialized restaurants – these are traditional spots where traditional dishes are served alongside alcoholic drinks.
Some must-try mezes are:
- Dolma
- Fava beans
- Muhamara (walnut and roasted pepper paste)
- Baingan salad (in different variations)
- Artichokes
- Couscous with tomatoes and herbs
- Rich-flavored Turkish olives (available roasted in outdoor markets)
These appetizers are not just the start, they are the first taste of the pure Turkish food experience! 🫒🥗🍲
Kebab: Meat Lovers Dream
Kebap means “well-cooked” in Turkish and covers a wide range of grilled meat dishes!
Shish kebap – simple but world famous! Pieces of meat grilled on a skewer. Bilice kebap is a huge platter with multiple kebabs and appetizers.
Adana kebap – like our kebab! Lamb and beef are marinated with spices and grilled over charcoal. Specialty of the Adana region. Served on a platter with tomato slices, hot green pepper, grilled onions. Street food version is also awesome!
Iskender kebap – thin dinner meat slices, with pita bread, butter and tomato sauce. Extra butter is added to intensify the flavors even more. Comes from Bursa region, but you can get it pure in Istanbul! 🍖🔥🥙
Istanbul’s Seafood Magic
If you ask a local “what should I try in the city”, fish will definitely be in the top 5 suggestions! The experience of eating fish with Turkish raki or some other drink in a restaurant on the Bosphorus side is unbelievable.
Lüfer – best fish choice! From the Gopher family, very big and delicious. Sarıkanat (younger fish) is even more tasty, definitely try it if you get it.
Midye Dolma (stuffed mussels) – Istanbul’s famous street food. But be careful! Buy it fresh and hot from shops, not from street carts. You can find stuffed, fried, and garlic sauce varieties in them. 🐟🍲
Manti: A Desi Twist On Turkish Ravioli
Manti is Turkey’s version of ravioli! A hot dish served with cold yogurt and garlic. Imagine like stuffed donuts – made with water, flour, salt. Some people even add eggs to intensify the flavor.
The thinner the dough, the smaller the pieces and the more masterful the cooking! Filling usually includes minced beef or lamb, onion, salt and pepper. Modern cuisine also includes variations of salmon, spinach, chicken.
Simmer in water and serve with butter and tomato sauce. Top with yogurt, tomatoes, garlic sauce. Top with ground black and red pepper, mint and sumac! 🥟🌶️
Köfte: Meat Lovers’ Delight
Köfte – like Greek meatballs, is made by mixing minced lamb or beef with onions, spices, and herbs. Baked in the oven or over charcoal.
Variations in shape – sometimes thin and long, sometimes round and flat. Serve with tomato slices, white onions and roasted green hot peppers.
A must-try dish for those visiting Istanbul! A blast of flavors and aromas in one bite! 🥩🌶️
Street Food King: Döner Kebab and More
Döner Kebab – Turkey’s most famous street food! Served in Dürüm – lamb, beef or chicken inside a thin pita. Amazing twist: This serving style was created in 1971 by Turkish immigrants in Berlin for German customers!
Kokoretsi – Like in Greece, the intestines are wrapped and made crispy on a horizontal grill. Common food on the streets of Istanbul.
Other famous dishes are:
- Lakhmandoun
- Yuvetsi (with meat or shrimp)
- Hamsi (fried anchovy)
- Yourtlou kebab (grilled meat with yogurt sauce)
Bonus tip: Don’t miss out on Turkish sweets too! The intense flavors of butter, pistachio, nuts are guaranteed to be a delight!
Sweet Tooth Paradise: Künefe and Baklava
Künefe – a syrupy dessert of Arabic origin! Thin crispy kataifi layer, on top of cheese, dooba in syrup, and garnished with Aegina pistachios. The tastiest one can get from the Dürümcü Emmi in Istanbul!
Baklava – different from the Greek version! Light sugar syrup, very thin phyllo layers, and sheep’s butter which makes the taste intoxicating. Must try! 🍰🥮
Sweet Treats: Turkish Delights and Soutzouki
Turkish Delights – not colorful jelly candies! Made with fine nuts and honey, available in long rows in local markets.
Soutzouki – a sausage-like sweet, made of mustard and usually filled with walnuts. Also available in Cyprus and Georgia (under the name of Churchella). 🍬🥜
The Enjoyment of Turkish Ice Cream
Listen, friend, if you travel then you must try the ice cream from Turkey! It is made from pure milk, which is so creamy and tasty that you will simply enjoy it. Whether on street carts or in fancy pastry shops, this ice cream has its own unique swag. It is served in slices right out of the freezer, instead of the ball. The flavors are also very tasty – simple but will touch your heart! Do visit the Mado cafe chain.
Just do one thing – get lost in the depths of Istanbul. Surrender to its atmosphere, beauty, vibrant tradition, and spicy flavors, and let your senses travel. You will enjoy it, guaranteed!