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Istanbul is a food lover’s paradise. The variety of fresh meals here was unlike any place I had ever seen before. Every couple of steps I was faced with the tough decision of ‘should I eat that or not?’ It all looked and smelled so delicious. A far cry from what is perceived as Turkish food back home, every walk through Istanbul was a pleasant surprise, knowing that just around the corner amazing food was waiting. The food scene here matches the city, top quality food in a top quality city. It is a match made in foodie heaven. Here is my list on what to eat and drink in Istanbul, follow this guide and the biggest problem you will have is trying to fit it all in.

Currency Converter – 20TL = €3.10/£2.70/$3.50

Simit @ Galata Simitcisi

Any walk through Istanbul consists of seeing more street carts selling Simit than anything else. This hugely popular snack is sold all over the city. Known by some as a ‘Turkish Bagel’, Simit is a circular bread encrusted with sesame seeds and baked until crispy. They are then eaten as they are sold, usually on the go. Although sold everywhere, visiting Galata Simitcisi ensures freshness, all whilst using traditional baking techniques and methods not commonly found in the city. These cheap eats are perfectly washed down with a cup of Turkish tea.

Opening Hours – 05:00 – 21:00

Price – 2TL

Address – Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa Mahallesi, Mumhane Caddesi, No. 47, Beyoglu

Doner Kebab @ Donerci Sahin Usta

Kebabs are found all over Istanbul so when you see a long line down the street, it must be good. I am not ashamed to say that before arriving in Istanbul I had never eaten a kebab. At home, they are sold mostly to drunk people and are over packed with greasy ingredients that fall all over the place leading to an unappetising mess. I had to try one here though, ‘when in Rome’ and all that. The fresh bread was lightly filled with the meat, in this case, lamb, a handful of fresh vegetables and some perfect seasoning which added a little heat. It was delicious. For one of the best kebabs in the city, come here when you are visiting the Grand Bazaar. I still won’t be eating a “Doner Kebab” when I am at home, but this was one of my favourite meals in Istanbul.

Opening Hours – 11:00 – 17:00, Closed on Sunday’s

Price – 26TL

Address – Kapilacarsi, Molla Fernari Mahallesi, Kilicillar Sokak, No.9, Fatih

Sade Menemen @ Lades Menemen

Menemen is a traditional Turkish breakfast of scrambled eggs cooked with tomatoes and peppers. They are then served in the same pot they were cooked in. Lades Menemen is one of the most popular places amongst locals to grab this dish. The food comes out fresh and piping hot, the eggs cooked so they are still slightly runny mixing with the tomato juice. Grab the complimentary bread from the side and start soaking all that deliciousness up. You can also add some extra ingredients, such as Turkish sausage. It is a filling and tasty way to start any day in Istanbul.

Opening Hours – 07:00 – 23:00

Price – 10TL

Address – Katip Mustafa Celebi Mahallesi, Istiklal Caddesi, Sadri Alisik Sokak, No. 11, Beyoğlu

Sosisli Yumurta @ Cakmak Kahvalti Salonu

This restaurant is very similar to Lades Menemen. Both serve traditional Turkish breakfast to a very high quality. It all looked delicious but I decided to get the fried eggs and sausage from here. Served similar to Menemen, it arrived at my table in the dish it was cooked in. Still bubbling away from the hot oil and butter, I grabbed my bread and dug in. It was delicious! The egg yolk was perfectly cooked and the sausage added a nice flavour. My girlfriend got fried eggs and potatoes, which was also amazing. I think I prefer Menemen as a dish but this was a nice change. If you find yourself in the Beşiktaş area of the city, visiting here for breakfast is a must.

Opening Hours – 07:00 – 19:00

Price – 13TL

Address – Sinanpasa Mahallesi, Celebioglu Sokak, No.8, Beşiktaş

Everything @ Balkan Lokantasi

There is not one particular dish that this restaurant is known for. Instead, everything is served cafeteria style and you only pay for the dishes that you eat. The selection here is huge and I found it very hard to limit myself to a normal sized meal. From soups to vegetables to meat dishes, you certainly won’t be stuck for choice. I chose to get some eggs with spinach and meat served with potatoes, chillies and tomatoes. Of course, this was all eaten with some bread. It was an amazing, wholesome breakfast. You can visit here at any time of the day, the food will cater to your breakfast, lunch or dinner needs. There are a few locations around the city so make sure to visit one during your time in Istanbul.

Opening Hours – 06::00 – 22:00

Price – Prices vary depending on what you order. I paid 14TL for my plate of food.

Address – Hoca Pasa Mahallesi, Hoca Pasa Sk, No.12, Fatih

Kokorec @ Kral Kokorec

This dish was one that I was keen yet apprehensive to try. To truly enjoy it, it may be best to not know what you are eating. For educational purposes, kokorec is lamb intestines wrapped around offal, such as hearts and kidneys, and then grilled. It was then sliced and chopped into portions, seasoned and sold inside a baguette. This might not sound appetising to some but I can assure you, it is delicious. The meat tastes like lamb, nothing more. The spicy seasoning complements it incredibly and the baguette was wonderfully fresh and crispy. It might be a bit fatty but if you are a lamb fan then you must try this in Istanbul. Kokorec is best found being served out of large carts on the side of the street. Kral Kokorec is just that, with plenty of tables nearby to sit down and enjoy.

Opening Hours – Information on opening hours can be hard to find, come by anytime from mid-afternoon to guarantee this eatery is open.

Price – 12TL

Address – Hobyar Mahallesi Sirkeci, Harim 26/1

Balik Ekmek @ Eminönü

Just after the Galata Bridge, you will see a square that is most certainly swamped with people. Most of the people here will be eating and drinking. They are only eating one thing, Balik ekmek. Served from one of the many establishments here that offer this sandwich, Balik ekmek is freshly grilled fish, placed on a fresh baguette with some vegetables. It is a light, healthy and fresh lunch that is loved by locals and tourists alike. This meal goes back a long time in Istanbul, with this being a favourite fishing spot for many locals, something which is very much evident today. Join the crowd, place your order and your sandwich will be thrown to shore from the boat they are cooked on, ready for you to eat.

Opening Hours – 09:00 – 22:00

Price – 12TL

Address – Eminönü Pier, Just after the Galata Bridge

Falafel @ Falafel House

This fast food restaurant was once the only place to find falafel in Istanbul. Falafel, originally from the Middle East, is a deep-fried ball commonly made from chickpeas. In a city where meat dishes reign supreme, falafel is a good opportunity to eat vegetarian. A popular choice at Falafel House is their set of falafel, hummus and salad. An alternative to that is the even more popular falafel wrap, which is slightly less of each item all packed inside a wrap. This is a great place to grab a quick and filling bite when you are exploring the Taksim Square area. Falafel House is still regarded as the best falafel in Istanbul with everything being freshly made, so don’t miss the chance to eat here.

Opening Hours – 09:00 – 02:00

Price – For a set, expect to pay upwards from 26TL. A Falafel Wrap will set you back just 10TL.

Address – Kocatepe Mahallesi, Sehit Muhtar Bey Caddesi, 19/A, Beyoglu

Lahmacun & Pide @ Halil Lahmacun

Nestled amongst some fancier eateries in the Kadikoy area is a local restaurant that is packed with people enjoying one of two delicious meals. It is thought that you won’t get a better Lahmacun anywhere in Istanbul. Lahmacun is known as the ‘Turkish Pizza.’ It is a thin, crispy base topped with minced meat, some very finely chopped tomatoes and onions sprinkled with spices. You can then add a dash of lemon and parsley if you desire before rolling it up and eating it. One may not be enough to satisfy your hunger as they are quite light. Instead of eating more than one, I recommend getting their other dish, Pide.

Pide can be found all over Istanbul but for me the one served at Halil Lahmacun is incredible. Pide is a flatbread baked with toppings, usually cheese, in a stone oven. Some are topped with minced meat and vegetables but Halil Lahmacun served it with just cheese and fresh herbs, giving it a green colour. It is light, fresh and full of flavour. You will be hard pressed to find a better one in the city. This restaurant serves only two dishes but does so at an expert level.

Opening Hours – 11:30 – 21:00

Price – 7TL for Pide, 7TL for Lahmacun

Address – Caferaga Mahallesi, Guneslibahce, No.26, Kadikoy

Cag Kebab & Salad @  Sehzade Cag Kebap

For an alternative to doner kebabs, you must try the cag kebab. This is a horizontally stacked lamb that has been sliced off a rotating kebab and served on a metal skewer. You then get a side of durum wraps along with a salad of cucumber and tomatoes and onions topped with a spice mixture. How you dress the wrap and eat it is entirely up to you. No matter what you do, it will be delicious. The meat is marinated and cooked perfectly, the spice mixture on the onions adds so much flavour and the grilled chilli adds some sweetness to the wrap. How hectic and busy this restaurant is a testament to how good the food is.

Opening Hours – 11:00 – 22:00 (Closed on Sunday)

Price – 24TL for the Kebab, 7TL for the salad

Address – Hocapasa Sokak, No.6, Sirkeci

Kofte Sandwich @ Kofte Sandwich Stall

These can be found all over the city but it is reported that the best comes from a small stall near the Dolmabache Palace. Kofte is small patties made up of beef and spices which are then grilled. They are served stuffed inside a baguette, which had been toasted on the same grill and given a light layer of some spicy sauce. Fresh vegetables are then added on top for some extra flavour. This is a great, quick lunch that can be found all over Istanbul, though I would recommend visiting this stall if you are in the area.

Opening Hours – Hours are not available online but anytime between lunch and early evening will guarantee this stall to be open.

Price – 10TL

Address – Harbiye Mahallesi, 34367 Sisli

Wet Burgers @ Taksim Square

This popular grab and go item is a favourite amongst drunk revellers. The meat pattie (I think beef) is put inside a bun, covered in a tomato and onion sauce and left to steam in a glass case. This keeps the bun moist earning them the name, wet burgers. They are not the most nutritious but were, surprisingly, really tasty. They are one of the best value street foods in the entire city. Don’t miss the chance to try one when you visit Taksim Square.

Opening Hours – Establishment at Taksim Square open until very late, possibly 24 hours.

Price – 5TL

Address – Evliya Celebi Mahallesi, Beyoğlu

Fresh Corn @ All over the city

Street stalls sell this everywhere. Fresh corn either grilled or boiled, depending on your preference. You can also top it with salt if you like. With so much meat and bread eaten in Istanbul, I enjoyed grabbing these on the go, as it offers an entirely different flavour. You will see locals eating this all day throughout the city so it won’t be hard to find a street cart that sells them.

Price – 3TL

Baklava & Turkish Delight @ Grand Bazaar and Specialised Sweet Shops

It is not hard to find these two Turkish sweet treats. Any walk through the Grand Bazaar or down Independence Avenue will give you plenty of options to buy either. Baklava comes in many forms but is commonly made with fresh pastry, filled with chopped nuts, usually pistachios and held together by syrup or honey. It is very sweet but very tasty when fresh. Fewer things from Turkey are as commonly found in the western world as Turkish delight. Made from starch and sugar, then flavoured or mixed with chopped nuts and chocolate. Whilst I found the plain one to be quite monotonous and chewy, the flavoured sweets were very tasty.

Price – You will pay by weight wherever you go. Expect to pay anything from 24TL per Kilo for Turkish Delight and 68TL per Kilo for Baklava

And To Drink

Turkish Coffee @ Mandabatmaz

Turkish Coffee is on a whole other level to most. This rich, almost bitter beverage is served in a small cup and is the perfect way to start a day. You will find coffee on nearly every corner throughout the city, just look for some small tables and stools. There is no need to go into an upmarket café when the best is served elsewhere. For a traditionally made coffee from one of the oldest cafés in the city, visit Mandabatmaz. This long established café is located just off the busiest street in Istanbul, Independence Avenue, down a nice quiet alleyway. The coffee is as perfect as the setting, stopping here for a drink was one of my favourite things to do in Istanbul.

Opening Hours – 09:00 – 23:00

Price – 7TL

Address – Asmalı Mescit Mahallesi, Olivia Gecidi 1/A, Beyoğlu

Turkish Tea

Similar to coffee, tea is found everywhere!! In Istanbul, drinking tea is a major part of any local’s day. The tea here is perfectly made every time and served black with the option of adding sugar. There is no need to visit any certain establishment for tea, again just any street corner with stools and tables will suffice. Stopping at least once each day for a cup of tea is recommended. Locals also commonly drink it as a way of washing down their meals.

Average Price – 1.50TL for a small, 3TL for a large

Ayran

This yoghurt based beverage is mixed with salt and can be found all over the city. It was originally drunk as a quick-fire way to intake sodium during the hot summer months. Today, it is commonly drunk alongside the likes of Kebabs and kokorec. You will find it served one of two ways, from a carton or freshly poured. Although both are good, a fresh Ayran is a lot better than a pre-packaged one. To find this, look for locals drinking what looks like a glass of milk.

Price – 3TL

Lemonade @ Eminönü

Fresh lemonade can be found at stalls all over Istanbul. It is, however, most favoured as a way of washing down your Balik ekmek at Eminönü Pier. A fresh cup of this also is perfect on a hot day. Just another thing that the people of Istanbul do to a really high standard.

Price – 2.50TL

Istanbul was my idea of heaven. Eating incredible meals all day, every day. It is a city I will return to on a regular occasion, with just one plan, to eat!! I found most meals to be well balanced between meat, vegetables and bread. The food is filling and portion sizes are never too much nor too little. Of course, this is just my opinion on what to eat and drink in Istanbul, you may wish to forge your own path. I couldn’t recommend all these highly enough though, every meal was a delight during my time in Istanbul. It surpassed even my high expectations and I am very confident in rating it the best food destination that I have ever visited. Great city, great people and even better food. Grab any chance you get to go to Istanbul and eat until your heart is content or your belly is full, you won’t be disappointed.

Before you go, check out my Istanbul Travel Guide. You can do so by clicking here.

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The Roaming Irishman

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