🍽️ Istanbul Food Guide: Traditional Eats, Street Treats & Hidden Gems

A trip to Istanbul isn’t complete without diving fork-first into its rich and diverse food scene. From fire-roasted kebabs to sweet milk desserts, here’s your essential 3-part guide to eating your way through the city. --- 1️⃣ Traditional Turkish Food & Drinks — Must-Tries & Where to Eat Them These dishes form the heart of Turkish cuisine. Here's what to try and where we loved eating them: 🍢 Kebab & BBQ: Dürümce Ortaköy – Our favorite. Tender meat, smoky flavors, non-touristy, well priced. Gönen Rooftop Ocakbaşı – Mezze + kebab with rooftop views over Taksim. 🍲 Testi Kebab (Clay Pot Dish): Garden 1897 Restaurant – A dreamy garden setting and 5-star service. They flambé the clay pot tableside! 🥙 Dürüm & Döner: HeyDöner – Quick, tasty, satisfying döner wraps on the go. 🍕 Pide (Turkish Pizza): Pide Yiyelim – Crispy crusts, cheesy toppings, great variety. 🍮 Dessert Musts: Kazandibi – My favorite: silky, caramelized milk pudding. Sütlaç – Try the baked version at local lokantas or Daroute Coffee. Bom Baci – Turkish ice cream done right. Baklava – Best found fresh at Karaköy Güllüoğlu. Künefe – Gooey warm cheese dessert with syrup. ☕ Turkish Coffee & Tea: Daroute Coffee – Beautiful presentation, light bites, and cakes. Moda Kayıkhane Sahil – Cold Efes beer + sea breeze views. > More to try: Manti (Turkish dumplings), Lahmacun (minced meat flatbread), Menemen (scrambled eggs + veg), Mercimek çorbası (lentil soup). --- 2️⃣ Street Food of Istanbul — Cheap, Fun & Flavourful Istanbul’s streets are packed with tasty snacks and sweets. Here’s what to grab on the go: 🍗 Street Savories: Balık Ekmek – Grilled fish sandwich near Eminönü. Islak Burger – “Wet” burger drenched in garlicky tomato sauce. Midye Dolma – Mussels stuffed with spiced rice. Kumpir – Loaded baked potato with endless toppings (Ortaköy classic). Tantuni – Spiced meat wrap. Çiğ Köfte Wraps – Vegetarian bulgur wraps. Corn on the cob & Roasted Chestnuts – Sold fresh from red carts. 🍬 Sweet Street Treats: Lokum (Turkish Delight) – Widely available in many flavors. Helva – Try the tahini or pistachio versions. Ice Cream Shows – Entertaining dondurma vendors + stretchy texture. Kadayif, Sütlaç, Tavuk Göğsü – Milk-based desserts found in traditional shops. 🍵 Turkish Tea Culture: Tea is served everywhere — in parks, at street corners, from shiny tea carts. It’s not just a drink, it’s a tradition. --- 3️⃣ Modern Bites & Chill Cafés Café culture and creative twists on global eats are thriving in Istanbul. 🍔 Betro Burger – A fun twist: the burger is sealed in a bun, almost like a pastry. Great comfort food. 🧁 Epressolab – Our go-to café to work from. Spacious, chill, with coffee, cakes, kombucha, and sandwiches. 🍩 Other Great Spots: MOC Nişantaşı – Top flat white in town. Viyana Kahvesi, Balat – Beautiful space with Turkish cakes + tea. Journey, Cihangir – Ideal for brunch, all-day breakfast, and a boho vibe. --- ✨ Istanbul is a city where meals turn into memories. Whether you're sipping tea in a quiet café or watching a kebab get lit on fire, the city serves flavor with a side of culture. #travel #foodie #istanbul #staycation #turkiye #turkish #turkishfood Follow your appetite—and don’t forget dessert.