*Forgive me for not taking many photos of the food we ate. The food was so delicious and was more prepared to consume it than to take a photo of it. – Cover photo by my friend and travel partner for this trip – Amanda
I am always down to try local cuisine wherever I go. For Turkey in particular, I did a bit of research myself but also had some amazing people give me recommendations whether it be the type of food I should try or places I should eat and what to order. I have compiled all the suggestions below in this post because Turkish food is amazing and we didn’t get the chance to try it all. (Thanks Kat, Regine – and her friend Serdar & Amanda’s friend)
Food
Iskender kebab – this is thinly sliced beef with yogurt and tomato sauce over bread.
Kumpir – the ULTIMATE stuffed baked potato, it’s massive and they put everything on it, SO GOOD.
Börek – made of thin sheets of dough, filled with cheese, minced meat and/or vegetables, wrapped and baked or cooked. Su boreğı is the best (filled w/ cheese)
Manti – this is basically like mini meat raviolis in a yogurt sauce, go to a place that just makes this, they’ll do it right.
Lahmacun – like a flatbread w/ minced meat, you put some salad and balsamic & lemon on there and holy shit it’s the best.
Patlican salatasi – if you like eggplant, the best salad w/garlic & olive oil
Dolmas, especially the biber ones. – stuffed grape leaves, or biber is stuffed peppers, so good.
If you see a hosta piknik, you must get a tavuk döner – most tender chicken shawarma thing you’ll EVER have.
İmam bayıldı – again if you’re on the eggplant train, this is the best stuffed eggplant you’ll ever have.
Kofte – meatballs
Turkish Delight – Lokum – Usually a mixture of chopped dates, pistachios, walnuts or hazelnuts mixed with an abundance of flavours that add to it such as pomegranate for example.
Drinks
Ayran – Salted yogurt drink
Atom – Yogurt & Orange – available at Kizilkayalar
Camlica – Lemon flavoured drink – Their version of 7UP.
Raki – Anise flavoured strong beverage
By Locations:
Istanbul:
Location: Kadikoy – Ciya Restaurant
Menu:
Yuvalama
Perde pilavi
Hunkar begendi with taskebabi
Serbet
Location: Eminonu – Hamdi Restaurant
Menu:
1 Findik lahmacun
Fistikli kebap
Ayran
Location: Sultanahmet – Tarihi Sultanahmet Koftecisi
Menu:1.5 portion sultanahmet koftesi
Piyaz
Kofte
Location: Karakoy – Gulluoglu baklavacisi
Karisik baklava (desert) – BEST PLACE FOR BAKLAVA
Location: Taksim – Kizilkayalar (Cheap)
Islak hamburger
Atom
Location: Istikal Rd – Koska Shop
Best Turkish Delight in Istanbul – Coconut covered nutty white ones & the red pomegranate ones are the best
Location: Beyoglu – Antiochia Concept Restaurant
A hidden gem serving really good Turkish / Mediterranean food with a great atmosphere
Location: Beyoglu – Durumzade
It is an Anthony Bourdain pick from his show “No Reservations”. Highly recommended amongst people living in Turkey. Great spot for breakfast or Fish!
Location: Kadikoy – Iskenderogullari
1.5 portion Iskender Kebap
Location Takisim – Sampiyon Kokorec (Cheap)
Yarim ekmek arasi kokorec (check what it is first maybe you may not have stomach for this)
When you are crossing the Bosporus, get one simit (Turkish bagel) before the ferry go back of the ships when you are crossing the Bosporus and feed seagulls.