Istanbul is an ancient city that has challenged millennia and has hosted many cultures throughout history. The city, which served as the capital of the renowned Ottoman Empire known for its rich cuisine, has also contributed to world cuisine thanks to its cosmopolitan structure. In other words, in the mega city of Istanbul, it is possible to encounter flavors from almost every country's cuisine. In every corner of the city, from small buffets to cafes, from kebab shops to fishmongers, and various mobile stalls for street food, there are many points of taste on a wide range. We have compiled these flavors and the best places that prepare and serve them for you. If you want to taste these flavors, Istanbul tours await you.
Sultanahmet meatballs, among the traditional flavors of Turkish cuisine, are served with piyaz and are irresistible to those who taste them. This flavor, which is consumed with pleasure by people of all ages, takes its name from Sultanahmet, one of the regions of the Historic Peninsula. The place famous for this taste is the Historic Sultanahmet Meatball, which has managed to survive for four generations.
When talking about Istanbul, it's impossible not to mention Eminönü, one of the most preferred places for both local and foreign tourists for shopping and sightseeing. Speaking of Eminönü, one cannot pass by without encountering the mobile vendors selling fish sandwiches or without docking to the boats. As soon as you step here, you are greeted with the smell of fresh fish. Fish sandwiches generously served with onions and greens should not be missed with a view of the Bosphorus. Of course, it is not possible to limit fish sandwiches only to Eminönü. You have the chance to eat fish sandwiches in all four corners of Istanbul. However, if you like casual places, you must see Takabik Fish in Sarıyer. While we're talking about Eminönü, we'd like to add that Eminönü hotels are one of the best options to stay in Istanbul.
When the words white beans and Istanbul come together, the white bean sellers located around the Suleymaniye Mosque in the Historic Peninsula instantly come to mind. This place has been bringing local and foreign tourists together with the delicious taste of white beans for over half a century. Among the most popular dishes of Turkish cuisine, white beans take their place on tables with rice pilaf and raw onions. Suleymaniye hosts the most delicious white bean dishes. One of the places that prepare and serve this flavor most successfully is Erzincanlı Ali Baba.
Hamburgers have their own place, and wet burgers have a completely different place. Smaller than regular hamburger buns and filled with plenty of onions and garlic in the meatball, this food is a taste that emerged and became synonymous with Istanbul. Wet burgers, one of the most popular on-the-go snacks in Istanbul, are considered among the delicious flavors that people often consume more than once. Although it has started to be made in many buffets over time, when it comes to wet burgers, the first place that comes to mind is Kızılkayalar in Taksim.
Baked potato is obtained by combining boiled potatoes, butter, and cheddar cheese. Baked potato, which has found its place among Istanbul's street flavors, satisfies both the eyes and stomachs with a variety of ingredients such as American salad, pickles, boiled garnish, purple cabbage, and many more that can be customized according to personal taste. Don't pass through Beşiktaş without tasting this delicious street flavor. You can prefer the Ortaköy baked potato sellers lined up side by side in Beşiktaş to satisfy your baked potato cravings. Those who want to both eat my baked potato and take a short walk in Moda can visit Allpato Baked Potato in Kadıköy.
Together with baked potatoes, waffles, which are associated with Ortaköy, are legendary flavors adorned with delicious sauces and fruits and candies selected according to one's taste. However, it is not correct to limit waffles to Ortaköy; there are businesses in almost every part of Istanbul that make waffles. One of the important establishments that have become famous with waffles is Kemal Usta Waffles, which has been in Moda for years.
The meeting of fertile rice grains with butter and vermicelli in the pot, enriched with salt and various spices, is one of the first flavors that comes to mind when it comes to street flavors... When served with chickpeas or chicken, it becomes a complete meal... Those who want to experience a delicious rice dish in the streets of Istanbul can choose Tarihi Kalkanoğlu Pilavcısı in Beyoğlu or Pilavcıoğlu in Kadıköy.
Tea and simit mean a lot to those living in Istanbul. Sometimes they become an inseparable duo for breakfast, while other times they are preferred to satisfy hunger throughout the day. Tea and simit often accompany passengers during ferry trips between two sides of the city. Even seagulls benefit from simits. However, enjoying crispy simit with tea against the backdrop of the Bosphorus leaves a special taste in the mouth. Çengelköy Tarihi Çınaraltı, which has hosted various TV series, is among the first places that come to mind when it comes to tea and simit. Here, hundreds of people are welcomed throughout the day with warm tea and fresh simit.
Mussel stuffed, one of Istanbul's most beloved street flavors, is sold by street vendors in many parts of the city. It's possible to see mussel stuffed vendors at any time of the day. Although it is known as a street food, some places have also become famous for their delicious mussel stuffed. Places like Çiçek Pasajı and Mercan Kokoreç are among the favorite spots for mussel stuffed lovers. Istanbul is one of the most suitable places for those who want to experience the exquisite harmony of mussel stuffed with lemon.
Kokoreç, one of the unique street flavors of Turkish cuisine, is not only found in the stalls of street vendors but also appears on the menus of many buffets and restaurants today. Kokoreç, which finds buyers both day and night, is made from lamb and veal. This delicacy, prepared by wrapping thin intestines and sweetbread around a skewer and then roasting it, is enhanced with plenty of spices. It may not be suitable for every palate, but it's important to remember that choosing a place that adheres to hygiene rules is crucial for those who want to experience kokoreç. Kokoreç, which can be easily found in almost every neighborhood of Istanbul, can be enjoyed with peace of mind at Şampiyon Kokoreç, which has many branches and has gained fame with its kokoreç.
Those who come to Istanbul's Kanlıca district must taste the famous Kanlıca yogurt, which has gained fame beyond Turkey's borders and become the subject of poems and songs. What distinguishes Kanlıca yogurt from others is its completely natural ingredients and the absence of any additives. Served with powdered sugar, this yogurt has many health benefits, from improving brain function to strengthening teeth. Where to eat? Of course, at İsmailağa Asırlık Kanlıca Yoğurdu.
In winter evenings, a voice echoes in the alleys, "Bozaa." Boza, which varies in preparation in different countries, is made from cornmeal and wheat in our country. You can try boza without hesitation at Vefa Bozacısı, dating back to the 1870s, located in Fatih, Istanbul, which will sweeten your winter nights.
Although new generation coffees and coffee shops have surrounded us and become part of modern life, Turkish coffee has always been special in our society and continues to be so. Turkish coffee, which has become a ritual even in marriage proposals among our traditional drinks, can be consumed throughout Turkey. But it is especially delicious to drink it at Pierre Loti Hill with its unique view.
Baklava, among the famous syrup desserts of Gaziantep, is also among the first flavors that come to mind in Turkish cuisine. Prepared with various nuts such as pistachios, walnuts, almonds, and Antep pistachios, baklava is an exquisite taste dating back to the Ottoman period. This dessert, which continues to be popular today, is sold by many pastry shops all over Istanbul. Karaköy Gülloğlu, one of the most famous places for baklava in Istanbul, is also among the most preferred pastry shops in the city.
With its dozens of varieties ranging from chocolate to almond, lemon to raspberry, strawberry to caramel, ice cream ranks among the favorite desserts of summer months. Ice cream, which ranks first among everyone's dessert preferences due to its refreshing effect and lightness, becomes even more delicious when prepared by skilled masters. When the words Moda and ice cream are used together, Ali Usta, one of the masters in the field, comes to mind.
Ottoman sherbet, a taste that will cool you down in hot weather, is undoubtedly one of the most preferred beverages in summer. Made by mixing ingredients such as cloves, cardamom, anise, and ginger root, and using apple juice, cherry juice, rosehip juice, lemon, and mint in its aroma, Ottoman sherbet is also a source of healing... Ottoman sherbet, which is also described as syrup in the Ottoman palace kitchen, is good for stomach and intestinal diseases as well as rheumatism and muscle aches. You can enjoy this healing depot Ottoman sherbet at Ağa Kapısı in Fatih or at Şerbethane Cafe in Sultanahmet Square.
Especially in evening walks in winter, grilled corn, which appears in the streets, parks, cannot be passed without buying, evokes old evenings with its roasted smell. Sprinkled with salt as soon as it is taken from the charcoal fire, it enhances the unique taste it leaves in the mouth, while its scorching heat burns the hands. If you say, "I have my grilled corn, I want to conquer the streets of Kadıköy," then the mobile corn carts on Bahariye Avenue are waiting for you.
For some, it's a soup, for others, it's considered a main course; beyran, one of the regional flavors of Gaziantep, which is famous for its delicious soups, kebabs, and desserts, is consumed with pleasure throughout the day, including breakfast. Beyran, made with lamb, is accompanied by a variety of ingredients such as rice, butter, black pepper, and Aleppo pepper. When eaten in the right place, it is unforgettable. For those who visit Kadıköy, Dürümcü Emmi is the right address for beyran. Moreover, this place also offers a feast of soups and kebab varieties to its guests.
Lamb's head and feet soup, which offers countless benefits to human health with its collagen protein, magnesium, and calcium, is especially important for children's bone development. Made from the heads and feet of small and large ruminants, this delicious soup is effective not only in improving bone fractures but also in relieving joint pain. On the other hand, lamb's head and feet soup is among the most preferred soups after alcohol consumption. For those on the Anatolian side, Kanaat Lokantası in Üsküdar and Paşa Kokoreç & İşkembe in Fatih are the right places for lamb's head and feet soup.
Protein-rich tripe soup, one of the flavors with its history dating back to the Ottoman period, stands out among the traditional tastes of Turkish cuisine. Made from the stomach of herbivorous animals such as cattle and sheep, tripe soup takes its place on the tables after a very laborious preparation process. Served with garlic and vinegar, this soup adds taste and benefit to its flavor with the duo in question. It is possible to experience this unforgettable soup at Çanak Kebap&Katmer in Kadıköy and Paçacı Mahmut Usta in Fatih.
Kadıköy's unique flavor, kup griye, the characteristic dessert whose recipe has remained unchanged since 1954. This delicious dessert among Baylan Patisserie classics is prepared with vanilla and caramel ice cream, along with the magnificent combination of honey-almond and vanilla. The internationally renowned kup griye is best enjoyed in Istanbul.
The renowned flavor of Trabzon, especially the pride of Akçaabat, Akçaabat köfte... This delicacy, which has been among the indispensable flavors of Turkish cuisine for about 90 years, is produced from the minced meat of cattle raised in the Black Sea plateaus meticulously selected by Trabzon's skilled masters. In Istanbul, Temel Reis Akçaabat Köftecisi and Cemil Usta Akçaabat Köftecisi are among the places where you can taste the famous Akçaabat köfte.
Patlıcan kebap, commonly found in the southeastern region of Turkey, showcases itself as one of the important flavors of Şanlıurfa. This kebab, prepared by skewering thinly sliced beef or lamb between eggplants and grilling, is served with lavash bread. Sometimes accompanied by raw onions, cooked tomatoes, and peppers, this delicious dish is also known as Balcan kebab. Hacıbaşar and Altın Sini are among the places famous for patlıcan kebabı.
Avcılar is a distant part of the city. If you want to taste one of the best interpretations of eggplant kebab and are far from Avcılar, you can benefit from Istanbul car rental service.
Adana kebab, one of the most famous flavors of Adana, ranks first among the well-known flavors of Turkish cuisine. Made only with male sheep meat, this kebab is prepared with hand-minced meat mixed with various spices and tail fat. Red pepper flakes and tail fat are always used during preparation. Adana kebab is usually served with sumac-flavored onion salad. In Istanbul, Hasan Usta Kebap and Kebapçı Çetin Usta serve some of the best Adana kebabs.
Ciğer şiş, which comes in various types such as beef, lamb, chicken, pan, and leaf, is especially sought-after among the specialties of barbecue restaurants. When made by skilled hands, it leaves a soft, easily melting texture in the mouth, leaving a delicious taste. Served with ayran and pickled turnips, it becomes even more flavorful. When it comes to ciğer, Canım Ciğerim is one of the city's favorite restaurants.
Gaziantep's garlic kebab, also known as samsak kebabı, which hosts a variety of delicious flavors and has gained international fame, is also preferred in Istanbul. This legendary kebab, made by the meeting of garlic with mutton, is positioned among the most preferred dishes at Kaşıbeyaz Florya and Sahan, two renowned eateries.
Prepared with minced meat from Şanlı Urfa, Urfa kebab becomes even more delicious with ayran or pickled turnip. Grilled peppers, onions, and lavash bread add flavor to this kebab. Although it has similarities with Adana kebab, the main difference lies in the absence of hot spices and peppers in Urfa kebab. Abooov Kebap in Ataşehir is renowned for its Urfa kebab.
Döner, also known as döner kebab, is one of the dishes unique to Turkish cuisine... Döner, cooked opposite a wood fire, is made from pieces of meat mixed with internal fat and spices. There are two types: meat or chicken. Although it cannot be found on diet lists, it becomes a reward for those on a diet, and the demand for döner never ends. Bayramoğlu Döner in Kavacık and Tatar Salim Döner Lokantası in Ataşehir are among the places where you can find the best döner.
İçli köfte, dating back to the 1700s, is among the flavors you cannot get enough of with its appearance and the sensation it leaves on the palate. Made with a mixture of bulgur, minced meat, and various spices, köfte becomes even more delicious when filled with the internal mixture. Some prefer it fried, while others like it boiled. As the saying goes, "it is easy to make içli köfte, but it is difficult to make delicious içli köfte." Zübeyir Usta İçli Köfte in Bakırköy and İçli Köfteci in Fatih are two well-known places to taste delicious içli köfte.
Erzurum's gem, cağ kebab... Cağ kebab ranks among the most preferred dishes by those who enjoy consuming red meat. A staple delicacy of Turkish cuisine and the Erzurum region, cağ kebab is prepared by mixing lamb and sheep meat with spices. To taste this delicacy cooked over wood fire, you can visit Palandöken Erzurum Cağ Kebapçısı in Gaziosmanpaşa, Istanbul, or Şehzade Cağ Kebapçısı in Fatih.
One of the favorite flavors of kebab enthusiasts is pistachio kebab. When lamb and beef minced meat is garnished with spices and Antep pistachios and cooked over wood fire, an irresistible taste is achieved. Pistachio kebab, which chefs enjoy making in kebab salons and diners never seem to get enough of, keeps alive the culture of Eastern Anatolia. Among the places in Istanbul where you can enjoy this exquisite flavor are Ali Haydar İkinci Bahar in Fatih and Kutluhan Et Lokantası in Kurtköy.
Undoubtedly, one of the national tastes of Turkish cuisine, Lahmacun is enjoyed by the majority. When accompanied by ayran, it becomes a great feast of flavors. Lahmacun, which delights the palate with plenty of minced meat, various spices, salad, and lemon sauce, is mostly cooked over wood fire in kebab shops. Those who say "never without lahmacun" can opt for Borsam Taşfırın in Kadıköy, Öz Kilis Lahmacun and Kebap Salonu in Fatih, or Satırdan Lahmacun in Ümraniye.
Especially abundant in the Black Sea cuisine, pide transforms into another taste with the combination of its filling and spices. With its presentation and taste, pide captivates both the eyes and stomachs, and recently, with the increasing trend of healthy eating, vegetable and vegan varieties are also being made. If you are a fan of pide, you should definitely try Ekmek Teknesi in Kuzguncuk. Ekmek Teknesi is popular not only for its minced meat and cheese options but also for its roasted eggplant and kavurma (braised meat) pide.
Hamburger, loved by people of all ages, also wins hearts with its fast service. With various special sauces like ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard, hamburger's taste becomes even more delightful, especially when accompanied by fries. Although it may not find a place in diet lists, it becomes a reward for those on a diet, and the demand for hamburgers never seems to cease. You can find the best hamburger at Zula İstanbul on the European side and Zapata Burger on the Anatolian side of Istanbul.
The most beloved dish of Italian cuisine; pizza. Those who do not have time to cook, or those looking for a pleasant chat with friends, opt for pizza. With its carefully kneaded pizza dough, special tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese, this taste turns into a visual feast with various toppings added. Among the places in Istanbul where you can taste this Italian delicacy are Ozi Pizza and Pasta in Fatih and Pizzeria Pera in Beyoğlu.
Feel the Mexican heat at its peak with the crispy flavor of Taco... One of the most well-known flavors of Mexican cuisine, Taco, allows you to deeply feel the Mexican heat with tortilla bread made from a mixture of corn and wheat flour, various ingredients for filling, different spices, hot peppers, and various sauces. If you don't have time to go to Mexico to taste Tacos prepared by skilled chefs, in Istanbul, you can choose Los Altos in Beyoğlu or Taco Fit restaurant with its interior decoration creating a Mexican atmosphere.
One of the favorite dishes of those following Italian cuisine is undoubtedly pasta. With many different varieties, pasta becomes even more delicious with various sauces. If you want to eat pasta that doesn't weigh heavy on your stomach, be sure to try Akveren Makarna in Kadıköy or Aida Vino e Cucina, an Italian restaurant in Moda, where you can feel Italian vibes in a mansion.
One of the flavors you won't get tired of even if you eat plate after plate is mantı, famous with Kayseri city; a favorite dish of Turkish cuisine with its garlic or garlic-free yogurt, tomato or spicy sauce. If you want to experience a fantastic mantı in Istanbul, you can choose Yeni Lokanta in Beyoğlu or Aşkana Mantı in Ulus.
Prepared by filling small round dough with special cream and covering it with chocolate sauce, profiterole delights the palate, being among the flavors loved by people of all ages. It is known that the first place to bring profiterole to Turkey is İnci Pastanesi. Therefore, if you want to try this delicious treat at its origin, you should try it at İnci Pastanesi in Beyoğlu, Istanbul. İnci Profiterol is so famous for its profiterole that there are travelers from nearby cities who come to Istanbul for a day just to try this taste and explore Beyoğlu. If you also want to taste this unique flavor on the spot and are close to the city, you can check out the Istanbul tour options.
Muhlama, one of the unique flavors of the Black Sea region, and famous all around Turkey, varies depending on the region where it is made. When you eat muhlama, you feel a sense of fullness and energy, and when butter typical to Rize is added, it becomes even more delicious. The meeting of cornmeal, butter, and colt or string cheese; with its steam rising up and its stretching cheese after it is cooked, among the most special places in Istanbul where you can taste muhlama are Muhlama Karadeniz Mutfağı in Beykoz and Nur Abla Karadeniz Sofrası which you can come across in many districts.
When it comes to fish, grilling, barbecue, and steaming cooking methods come to mind. Each fish has a cooking method that suits its taste; however, steamed sea bass, sea bream, and grey mullet are also very delicious. Steamed sea bass, which appeals to both the stomach and the palate with its lightness and taste, is particularly delightful at Lacivert Restaurant.
Hünkarbeğendi, one of the leading tastes of Ottoman cuisine, is prepared by turning smoked eggplant into a puree. It is served by mixing the eggplant puree with milk, butter, roasted flour, and adding lamb meat on top. Depending on preference, rice pilaf or bulgur pilaf is also served alongside Hünkarbeğendi. In Istanbul, among the masters of this flavor is Hünkar Lokantası.
Fish Soup, a source of healing where you can feel the blues of the Black Sea, becomes the first choice of Black Sea cuisine enthusiasts with its taste left in the mouth and its countless benefits. Generally, fish such as bonito, horse mackerel, and scorpionfish are used in its preparation. Thanks to its Omega3 and Omega6 vitamins, fish soup, which is good for heart health and Alzheimer's disease, balances blood pressure and sugar, contributes to strengthening bones, reduces mental fatigue, and most importantly strengthens the immune system against diseases. If you find yourself in Kadıköy, you can taste the fish soup at Dicle Balık. If you dream of a table immersed in neighborhood culture, then you should choose Kuzguncuk Balıkçısı located in Kuzguncuk, famous for its colorful houses.
One of the most beautiful activities that can be done as a family is to liven up the breakfast table. Sunday breakfast becomes even more meaningful for those who have to skip breakfast during the week due to work. For those who want to spend their Sunday outside by the sea, Maiden's Tower with its cheese, olives, eggs, various breakfast mezes, warm crispy simit, and fresh tea can be a good option. At Maiden's Tower, which you can reach by small boats from the shore, you have the opportunity to have a great breakfast with a view. If you say "I get seasick", "I want to have breakfast surrounded by nature", then you can go to the Natural Shop located in Beykoz and feel the touches of the Black Sea cuisine.
Menemen or Melemen, a legendary flavor created by the combination of tomatoes, peppers, and eggs, is a subject of debate whether it should contain onions or not. Menemen is considered by some as a student meal and by others as a dish that can be quickly prepared for those who do not know how to cook. So, for those who never want to miss menemen from their breakfast table, or for those who say "I can eat menemen at any time of the day", if you don't want to miss the smell of fresh tomatoes, you should definitely visit Gazebo Restaurant in Sarıyer or Golden Menemen in Beşiktaş.
The famous San Sebastian Cheesecake, which spread from the city of San Sebastian in Spain to the world, has rapidly increased in popularity in recent years. San Sebastian cheesecake, which can be found in many cafes and restaurants in many neighborhoods of Istanbul, is among the fashionable desserts of today with its pudding-like texture, its cheese inside, and its combination of sweet and sour flavors. Kukis and Eywa Sebastian are among the best places where you can experience this flavor.
Kadayıf, one of the most consumed desserts since the Ottoman era and preferred by the Balkans and Middle Eastern countries, delights the palate with its varieties from pistachio to walnut, from shredded kadayıf to bread kadayıf. When it comes to kadayıf, Hafız Mustafa 1864, established towards the end of the 1800s and standing until today, comes to mind. You cannot leave Hafız Mustafa 1864 in Fatih without tasting their delicious kadayıfs.
Rice pudding, which is one of the most preferred milky desserts in Turkish cuisine and found as a milk dish in the Melceut-Tabbahin cookbook printed in the Ottoman era, is undoubtedly one of the lightest milky desserts that everyone from seven to seventy loves. Rice pudding, which is made by combining rice, milk, and sugar and whose consistency is determined entirely according to the person's taste, is said by some experts to have an effect against stress when consumed with cinnamon. Saray Muhallebicisi, famous for its milky desserts, is also famous for its rice pudding.
One of the nostalgic drinks of winter days like boza is Salep... Salep, which is made with milk, creates a different atmosphere with its aromatic scent on winter evenings and enchants with its taste. Its beautiful smell comes from the powder obtained from the orchid bulb used in its production. If you want to enchant your winter evenings with its scent and warm yourself up, you can experience salep at Yeniköy Kahvesi located in Sarıyer, Istanbul.
Künefe, which can be called the most delicious dessert of Hatay, is a magnificent taste where warm cheese meets crispy kadayıf. Künefe, which is served with kaymak or ice cream according to preference and sprinkled with Antep pistachios, can be a beautiful gift for yourself to eat at Künefis in Beşiktaş.
Muhallebi, one of the lightest milky desserts loved by everyone from seven to seventy, is made by combining milk, starch, and sugar. With its dozens of varieties from lemon to sour cherry, from cocoa to mastic, this flavor leaves delicious tastes on the palate. One of the right places to eat this flavor is definitely Tarihi Sarıyer Muhallebisi.
Katmer is just one of the local products of Gaziantep and is consumed quite frequently for breakfast. When the crispy dough that comes to the mouth when bitten, the exquisite taste of Antep pistachios, and the clotted cream come together over a wood fire, it makes those who taste it say "I wish it never ends". Çanak Kebap & Katmer in Istanbul serves katmer with Antep pistachios and does not disappoint the masters from Gaziantep.
Şekerleme, one of the local flavors of Isparta, gains an extra taste with the powdered sugar sprinkled on it. Although it is specific to Isparta, there are also confectioners in Istanbul who make şekerleme successfully. For those who visit Kadıköy, they should visit Şekerci Cafer Erol, which is legendary and will be enchanted with the smell of sugar as soon as they enter, and for those in Eminönü, they should visit Şekerci Hafız Mustafa's shop.
Pickled vegetable juice, which witnessed cheerful conversations with the movie Neşeli Günler (The Happy Days), and the debate of "With lemon or with vinegar" continues today, has countless benefits. Pickled vegetable juice, which contains a significant amount of probiotics and antioxidants, is perfect for those who want to strengthen their immune system... Pickled vegetable juice also helps to maintain heart health. If you want to take a break while walking in Istanbul and suppress the heat in hot weather, you can visit Asri Turşucusu, which also hosted the movie Neşeli Günler.
Sushi, the indispensable flavor of Japanese cuisine, is among the first choices of Far Eastern cuisine enthusiasts. Those who have eaten sushi once cannot give up this famous flavor of Japanese cuisine. Although the fish used in the making of sushi may vary according to preference, the main ingredient, rice, never changes. Sushi slices, carefully cut by master hands, add a wonderful color to the tables with Wasabi and Soy Sauce. Ioki Restaurant, which you can come across in İstinye, Ulus, and Kandilli, is among a few successful places where you can taste this exquisite flavor of Japanese cuisine and feel the breeze of Far Eastern cuisine during your trips in Istanbul.
One of the most striking dishes of Turkish cuisine, börek, comes in various types. Made from yufka dough, minced beef, and various types of cheese, börek brings taste and flavors to the palate. You can try börek at Istanbul restaurants such as Saray Muhallebicisi and Yaprak Saray in Fatih or at Karadeniz Pastanesi in Kadıköy.
Those who can't get enough of kebabs should definitely try chestnut kebab. A special taste of eastern cuisine prepared by adding chestnuts and spices, and offered in kebab salons, will captivate your heart with its aroma. You can enjoy the best chestnut kebab at İskender Kebap in Kadıköy, İskender Kebap in Bakırköy, and Kervan Kebap in Fatih.
Hamsi Tava, another important delicacy of the Black Sea region, is also considered a source of healing. Rich in Omega-3 vitamins and calcium, which are good for health, hamsi tava is preferred in spring and autumn when the season is at its peak. Hamsi Tava, which delights the palate with its lightness and taste, is rich in Omega-3 and calcium, beneficial for health, and is particularly sought after in spring and autumn when the season is at its peak. In Istanbul, you can enjoy hamsi tava at restaurants such as Akın Balık Restaurant in Sarıyer and the nostalgic Karadeniz Büfe in Moda.
One of the dishes that enrich Turkish cuisine is lavash, especially prepared in the Aegean region. Seasoned with minced meat, onions, and various spices, wrapped in lavash bread, the dish becomes even more delicious with the addition of yogurt. You can enjoy the delicious taste of lavash at restaurants such as Aegean Foods and Beverages or at Ali Baba Lavash in Kadıköy.
Kadınbudu Köfte, one of the dishes that remain in memory in Ottoman cuisine, is made by adding spices to minced meat and shaped like the front paws of women walking in the garden. If you want to experience the dining culture of the Ottoman Empire, you can enjoy the best Kadınbudu Köfte at Hacı Abdullah Lokantası in Fatih or at Zubeyir Ocakbaşı in Beyoğlu.
Dürüm, a popular Turkish street food, is a type of wrap consisting of flatbread rolled around various fillings. It's a convenient and tasty option for those on the go or looking for a quick bite to eat. The fillings typically include grilled meats such as chicken, beef, or lamb, along with fresh vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. The wrap is often seasoned with sauces such as yogurt, garlic, or spicy pepper paste, adding layers of flavor to the dish.
One of the great things about dürüm is its versatility. It can be found in various forms across different regions of Turkey, each with its own unique twist on the classic recipe. Some dürüm variations may include additional ingredients like cheese, pickles, or roasted peppers, giving it a distinct taste and texture.
In addition to being delicious, dürüm is also a popular choice because it's portable and easy to eat on the move. Whether you're exploring the bustling streets of Istanbul or enjoying a day at the beach, you can often find vendors selling dürüm, ready to satisfy your hunger cravings.
For an authentic dürüm experience, consider visiting one of the many street food stalls or kebab shops scattered throughout Turkish cities. These establishments often specialize in preparing dürüm using traditional recipes and high-quality ingredients, ensuring a delicious and satisfying meal every time.
