Food – Istanbul, Turkey – 2019

*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.