What to Eat in Istanbul: 20 Turkish Dishes Every First-Time Visitor Should Try

If you are visiting Istanbul for the first time, deciding what to eat can sometimes be just as difficult as deciding where to go.

Turkish cuisine is incredibly diverse. From kebabs and home-style dishes to street food and traditional desserts, there is a lot to try. You may also notice that the same dish can be prepared or served slightly differently depending on the neighborhood.

So, what should you eat in Istanbul?

We have put together 20 Turkish foods worth trying during your Istanbul trip. Some will probably be familiar, while others may be completely new to you.

1. Kebab

Kebab is one of the first foods that comes to mind when people think about Turkish cuisine.

In Istanbul, you will come across many different varieties, including Adana kebab, Urfa kebab, şiş kebab and eggplant kebab. Kebab is often served with rice, grilled vegetables, salad and flatbread.

If it is your first time trying it, Adana is usually the spicier option, while Urfa tends to be milder.

2. Döner

Döner is one of the easiest Turkish foods to find in Istanbul.

It can be made with chicken or beef and served in bread, as a dürüm wrap or with rice.

It is a simple, filling option when you want something quick without spending too much time at a restaurant.

3. Lahmacun

Lahmacun is often described as a Turkish-style thin flatbread topped with a mixture of minced meat, vegetables and spices.

It is usually served with lemon, parsley and sometimes salad. Squeezing some lemon over it, adding parsley and rolling it up is a very common way to eat it.

4. Pide

Turkish pide is made with a long, thin piece of dough topped with different ingredients.

You can find versions with minced meat, diced beef, cheese or egg.

Freshly baked and served hot, pide is a comforting and surprisingly filling meal.

5. Mantı

Mantı consists of small pieces of dough filled with minced meat and usually served with yogurt and a buttery sauce.

It is one of the most loved traditional dishes in Turkish cuisine.

In Istanbul, you can find mantı at both restaurants and places serving traditional home-style food.

6. İskender Kebab

İskender is made with döner meat served over pieces of pide with tomato sauce, yogurt and plenty of melted butter.

It is a great choice if you are a fan of rich, satisfying meat dishes.

The combination of the warm bread, meat, tomato sauce and yogurt makes it quite different from a regular döner.

7. Köfte

Köfte is one of the classics of Turkish cuisine.

Grilled köfte is often served with rice, potatoes or salad, and different restaurants have their own versions.

Some are heavily seasoned, while others are much simpler.

8. Menemen

Looking for something traditional for breakfast?

Menemen is made with eggs, tomatoes and green peppers, with optional ingredients such as cheese or sucuk.

It is one of the most popular hot dishes served as part of a Turkish breakfast.

9. Turkish Breakfast

Turkish breakfast is much more than just one dish. It is an experience in itself.

A traditional breakfast table may include several types of cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs, jam, honey, kaymak, simit, börek and different types of bread.

Long, relaxed breakfasts are especially popular in Istanbul on weekends.

10. Meze

Meze are small dishes usually served before a main course or shared around the table.

Popular varieties include haydari, hummus, eggplant salad, şakşuka and acılı ezme.

Ordering several different meze and sharing them is a great way to experience Turkish food culture.

11. Balık Ekmek

Balık ekmek, literally “fish in bread,” is one of Istanbul’s classic street foods.

It has long been associated with the Eminönü waterfront and remains a simple but memorable option for visitors.

It may not look complicated, but eating it while taking in the atmosphere around the Golden Horn is part of the experience.

12. Simit

Simit is one of the easiest foods to grab while exploring Istanbul.

This sesame-covered ring of bread is commonly enjoyed with tea or cheese and makes a simple breakfast or snack.

You can pick one up from a street vendor and keep exploring without having to stop for a full meal.

13. Kumpir

Kumpir is especially associated with Ortaköy.

A large baked potato is mixed with butter and cheese, then topped with ingredients such as olives, sweetcorn, Russian salad, pickles and many other options.

One of the fun things about kumpir is that you can choose your own toppings.

14. Midye Dolma

Midye dolma is one of Istanbul’s most popular street snacks.

Mussels are filled with seasoned rice and usually served with plenty of lemon.

As with any street food, it is worth choosing a clean and reputable place when trying them.

15. Kokoreç

Kokoreç is one of the more unusual Turkish foods and is particularly popular with people who enjoy offal.

It is usually served in bread and seasoned with herbs and spices.

Trying a small portion first can be a good idea if you have never had it before.

16. Börek

Börek is a popular choice for breakfast or as a snack during the day.

It comes in many varieties, including cheese, minced meat and potato fillings.

Freshly baked börek with a glass of hot Turkish tea is a very classic combination.

17. Baklava

Baklava is probably the best-known Turkish dessert.

It is made from layers of thin pastry filled with pistachios or walnuts and soaked in sweet syrup.

When visiting Istanbul, it is worth trying a few different varieties rather than stopping at the first one you see.

18. Turkish Delight

Turkish delight, or lokum, is another traditional favorite and one of the easiest edible souvenirs to take home from Istanbul.

You can find varieties flavored with rose, pomegranate, pistachios and different nuts.

If you are buying it as a gift, try a few samples first. You may also want to look beyond heavily sugar-based versions and explore options made with more natural ingredients.

19. Künefe

Künefe is a warm dessert made with cheese, shredded pastry and syrup.

It is usually served hot and topped with pistachios.

If you enjoy rich, sweet desserts, künefe is definitely worth trying.

20. Turkish Tea

Technically, tea is not a food, but it is an important part of the Istanbul dining experience.

Tea is often served after breakfast, with dessert or simply while having a conversation with friends.

Ordering a small glass of Turkish tea after a meal is a simple way to experience a very ordinary part of everyday Turkish life.

Where Should You Try Turkish Food in Istanbul?

Instead of staying in one area, exploring different neighborhoods can make your food experience much more interesting.

Sultanahmet has plenty of restaurants popular with visitors, while nearby areas such as Süleymaniye and Fatih are also worth exploring.

Karaköy and Galata offer a mix of traditional food, modern restaurants and stylish cafés.

Kadıköy and Moda are great places to experience a more local atmosphere and a wide range of food options.

Beşiktaş is particularly popular for breakfast and casual everyday dining.

Around Eminönü and the Spice Bazaar, you can find street food, traditional products and plenty of local flavors.

What Should You Know When Eating in Istanbul?

Prices for the same type of food can vary significantly, especially in tourist-heavy areas.

A simple habit that can save you money is checking the menu before sitting down or ordering.

Make sure prices are clearly displayed, and check whether there are additional charges for items such as meze, drinks or service.

Most importantly, do not limit yourself to a single restaurant or neighborhood.

Food culture in Istanbul is not just about what is on your plate. It is also about the neighborhood, the atmosphere and the experience around it.

What to Eat in Istanbul: A Quick Summary

You obviously cannot try everything during a short Istanbul trip.

But starting with kebab, döner, lahmacun, Turkish breakfast, meze, balık ekmek, simit, kumpir, baklava and Turkish tea will give you a great introduction to Turkish food culture.

And who knows? Your favorite meal in Istanbul might end up being something you never planned to try in a small neighborhood restaurant.

Discover More of Istanbul with F&S Pass

Exploring Istanbul’s restaurants, cafés and local businesses can make your trip even more memorable.

F&S Pass helps visitors discover selected restaurants, cafés, shopping spots and local businesses while enjoying special offers and benefits available to pass holders.

So instead of simply sightseeing, take some time to taste your way through Istanbul and discover the local businesses in different neighborhoods.

Explore Istanbul, taste the local flavors and create your own food story.