Top 20 Must-Try Turkish Foods in Istanbul (With Local Spots You Shouldn’t Miss)
- Poyraz Ozkan
- May 19
- 3 min read
Istanbul is a dream destination for food lovers. From sizzling street bites to centuries-old Ottoman dishes, every corner of the city offers something flavorful and authentic. Whether you're strolling through Karaköy, Kadıköy, or Sultanahmet, you’ll find Turkish foods that are both comforting and unforgettable.
We’ve handpicked 20 essential dishes you should try in Istanbul — plus where locals actually go to enjoy them.
1. Traditional Home-Cooked Dishes (Zeytinyağlı Yemekler)
Olive oil-based stews and vegetables served in esnaf lokantası settings — simple, honest Turkish soul food.
Where to go:
Ata Lokantası, Karaköy – https://goo.gl/maps/Q2FkK6aFZsmM5GyC6
Yanyalı Fehmi Lokantası, Kadıköy – https://goo.gl/maps/JM4hmM5G5pHQtrdW6
İkinci Bahar, Kanlıca – https://goo.gl/maps/H9v4uF1YUmQfbtMw5
2. Menemen 🍳
Scrambled eggs with tomatoes and green peppers, sometimes with cheese or sucuk.
Where to go:
Çınar Büfe, Emirgan – https://goo.gl/maps/cinarbufeemirgan
3. Lahmacun (Turkish Flatbread Pizza)
Thin, crispy dough topped with minced meat, tomatoes, onions, and spices — baked to perfection in a wood-fired oven. Rolled up with parsley and lemon, it's the ultimate light-yet-satisfying bite.
Where to go:
Kuşgözü Lahmacun, Levent – https://goo.gl/maps/H4BEQSS7fjBBg2Lb6
Nişantaşı Başköşe – https://goo.gl/maps/Q57YMHtsFMmcYeWE8
Vedat Usta Döner & Kebap İstanbul – https://goo.gl/maps/wFJpNSUAZWvUXAoG8
4. Dürüm Kebab (Adana Kebab)
Spicy minced lamb or beef grilled over charcoal and wrapped in lavash.
Where to go:
Antiochia, Asmalımescit – https://goo.gl/maps/QbY5Eb3S9uwLZ4ye8
Venge Kebab, Levent – https://goo.gl/maps/HPnLoFKBCG62
Kevok, Cihangir – https://goo.gl/maps/FbQ4BGrbAn7Nm9Gs7
5. Döner Kebab
Layered, spiced meat grilled on a vertical spit, served with rice or in bread.
Where to go:
Karaköy Dönerci – https://goo.gl/maps/HdiNNBpgbdscqWzz6
Dönerci Celal Usta, Levent – https://goo.gl/maps/wLoXUJp75CA9jhvT9
Bayramoğlu Döner, Kavacık – https://goo.gl/maps/cpz3Zh3zK9vjGpE97
6. Midye Dolma (Stuffed Mussels)
Mussels filled with herbed rice and lemon juice — a beloved Turkish street snack.
Where to go:
Street vendors in Beşiktaş and Kadıköy
7. Simit 🥯
Sesame-crusted bread rings, Istanbul’s signature snack.
Where to go:
Simit Sarayı – https://goo.gl/maps/6qHRwULWJXbEyRgr5
Any local street vendor
8. Mantı (Turkish Dumplings)
Mini dumplings filled with spiced ground meat, topped with garlic yogurt and spiced butter.
Where to go:
Askana Mantı – https://goo.gl/maps/6BrnHEKxQnSE2Mru5
Yeniköy Emek Mantı – https://goo.gl/maps/yPhqATnWXxd7GVRe7
Ulubey Mantı, Etiler – https://goo.gl/maps/oUep9FoCvUokMmty8
9. Kokoreç 🌯
Grilled, spiced lamb intestines served on bread — crunchy, flavorful, and addictive.
Where to go:
Baba Söğüş – https://goo.gl/maps/2hQNNHvFhHPXUUtF6
Ozzie’s Kokoreç – https://goo.gl/maps/xg5yBiBopT2M59P97
10. Hamsi / İstavrit Tava (Fried Local Fish)
Small Black Sea anchovies or horse mackerel, fried whole and eaten by hand.
Where to go:
Balıkçı Sabahattin – https://goo.gl/maps/SR8mN7qkKJ52
Balıkçı Abdullah – https://goo.gl/maps/zvNNbYxGgJG2
Adem Baba – https://goo.gl/maps/fchTgAwEDcHjEsyV8
11. Turkish Tapas / Mezeler
A spread of small hot and cold starters — perfect with raki.
Where to go:
Meze by Lemon Tree – https://goo.gl/maps/mRCPkHwS2fo4DvYk6
70’lik Meyhane, Arnavutköy – https://goo.gl/maps/sWv7eAKosqjEBR4W6
12. İşkembe Çorbası (Tripe Soup)
A garlicky tripe soup — popular post-night-out cure.
Where to go:
Şampiyon İşkembe – https://goo.gl/maps/3LaEjAvuDrWUz5Zz8
Baba Söğüş – https://goo.gl/maps/2hQNNHvFhHPXUUtF6
Saruhan Gusto, Etiler – https://goo.gl/maps/vEjRjqG9Y6BtKExF6
13. İçli Köfte / Çiğ Köfte
Fried bulgur meatballs (İçli) or spicy raw bulgur patties (Çiğ) — vegan versions available.
Where to go:
Komagene (various branches) – https://goo.gl/maps/RduQJHPLcbStpNBaA
14. Islak Hamburger (Wet Burger)
Garlic-heavy tomato-soaked beef burgers — iconic late-night street food.
Where to go:
Kızılkayalar, Taksim – https://goo.gl/maps/JqBiYaC3yL3ZxMxPA
15. İskender
Thin döner slices over bread, topped with tomato sauce, butter, and yogurt.
Where to go:
Bursa Kebapçısı – https://goo.gl/maps/x7A9NFE9rjKFxZvBA
Bursa Garaj Kebap – https://goo.gl/maps/h6qkTPzRQnuoC7Co7
Nişantaşı Başköşe – https://goo.gl/maps/Q57YMHtsFMmcYeWE8
16. Antakya Kebab & Çöp Şiş / Ciğer Şiş
Grilled Antakya-style kebabs and skewers of lamb liver or diced meat — rich, smoky flavors.
Where to go:
Papatya Dürüm – https://goo.gl/maps/HPnLoFKBCG62
Antiochia – https://goo.gl/maps/QbY5Eb3S9uwLZ4ye8
Asmalımescit Dürümcüsü – https://goo.gl/maps/zfPCJRL7LbC2
17. Katmer
Crispy, buttery pastry filled with pistachio and kaymak (clotted cream) — served warm.
Where to go:
Künefis, Beşiktaş – https://goo.gl/maps/bKZpRTcYzFnY1Afw6
18. Künefe
A warm dessert with melted cheese between layers of crispy shredded pastry, soaked in syrup.
Where to go:
Hatay Medeniyetler Sofrası – https://goo.gl/maps/q7F5XgfJecYdL7Zr7
Antiochia Concept – https://goo.gl/maps/9rSNLTh2drMpn1Ps8
Asmalımescit Dürümcüsü – https://goo.gl/maps/zfPCJRL7LbC2
19. Baklava 🍯
Flaky layers of filo filled with pistachio and drenched in syrup.
Where to go:
Karaköy Güllüoğlu – https://goo.gl/maps/NuLjdtmnJq52
20. Lokum (Turkish Delight)
Delicate cubes in flavors like rose, pomegranate, and pistachio — soft, sweet, and iconic.
Where to go:
Hacı Bekir – https://goo.gl/maps/AXE6mnGFTaZ2
Hafız Mustafa – https://goo.gl/maps/N3v6KbtFB5eU4aX28
Final Thoughts
From hearty soups to sizzling street food and world-famous desserts, Istanbul’s food scene is unmatched in variety and depth. This curated list blends traditional must-eats with local secrets — giving you the most delicious map through the city.
Save it, share it, and start exploring — afiyet olsun!
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