When it comes to Turkey, food is undeniably a highlight. Istanbul, in particular, stands as the cradle of the Eurasian food scene, with rich flavours, spices, and fresh ingredients with plenty of fusion cuisines. During our trip to Turkey this year, tasting the diverse range of delicacies was at the top of my agenda, and I'm thrilled to say we did it! Here are the top must-try foods in Turkey in 2024, along with a few dishes we found overrated.
You can read more about our transport tips for 2024 and all the scams to be aware of in Modern-day Turkey.
Firstly, let's look at;
Food and drink prices in Turkey 2024
The prices of food in Turkey have almost doubled since January 2024. But the cost of quick food like a Durum on Istanbul's European side shouldn't cost you more than 200TL ($6), and about 100TL ($3) on the Asian Side. Most influencer restaurants and cafes have bigger margins with average-tasting dishes. Take our advice: try one chic place for the experience, but enjoy your main meals from street-side shops and lokantasi where they serve the good food locals eat.
We visited this Lokantasi for breakfast which is located close to Sultanahmet Square, run by 2 elderly men who were very sweet and welcoming. The food was delicious and when we were gobbling up the bread, he happily brought us another basket and didn't charge a cent for it. There were no tourists here, just some local men, and it cost us about 400TL for 2 people for 2 meat-filled Menemens and Chai.
Food delivery apps in Turkey
How to order food in Turkey? It's not that hard. If you're staying in your hotel but want to eat out, you can always order from delivery apps. Here are the top food apps you can use as a visitor in Istanbul:
Getir: Offers both food and groceries. Until recently, Getir was operating in the UK. You can easily download and start using it even without a local mobile number.
Yemeksepeti: This app operates in 70 cities in Turkey and in Northern Cyprus. You'll find most of the neighbourhood eateries listed here and their menus. You need a local mobile number to register.
Zomato: Mostly operates in the major cities. Similar to Yemeksepeti, you can find most restaurants in Istanbul here.
Direct Ordering (Call/WhatsApp): Additionally, you can contact restaurants and place an order either by calling or through WhatsApp and let them know where to deliver.
We advise that if you're not familiar with the language, avoid ordering food online as it can be a hassle communicating with the drivers
What is Turkey's national dish?
This surprised us too, but Turkey does not have one national dish. Many vote for Kuru Fasulye, a bean stew, but there are equally strong groups saying it’s Köfte or Döner Kebab.
Having visited Istanbul's European and Asian sides, as well as Cappadocia in the mid-Anatolian region, I can say there's no singular dish that's commonly eaten across Turkey except for the famous Turkish breakfast, which I think is the best candidate for their national dish.
What is unique about Turkish food?
Turkish food has such a versatile range of options across its regions. As we know, Turkey is a huge country by land mass. If you travel to Istanbul, you'll find the best döner kebabs, meat dishes, baklava, Turkish delights, and posh cafes. Move over to the Asian Side for the best köfte, balık, Adana kebabs, and Western-influenced desserts. Head to the Cappadocia region for more Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
Top Must-Try Food in Turkey
Turkish Breakfast
The highlight of any Turkish food adventure is a Turkish Breakfast. They really take 'Eat Breakfast like a King' to a whole new level. We were able to skip our lunch after eating this widely famous shared breakfast platter. Most restaurants in the European Side of Istanbul have Turkish Breakfast on their menus and it would typically cost about 500TL-700TL (about $20). A platter can be shared between 2-3 people. However, If you're going for a high-end restaurant with a view, the cost would be much higher.
A typical Turkish breakfast would include Beyaz penir (white cheese), which is similar to Greek feta, and Kasar, a firm light yellow cheese, are often served alongside olives pickled in various juices, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, jam, honey, fruit, sausage, cured meat, pastries, hazelnut spread, and Turkish tea. The Turkish word for breakfast, kahvaltı, means “the food you eat before coffee".
Turkish Bread
The bread that's commonly served in a basket wherever you go, at no charge, is one of the best breads I've eaten in my whole life. It's crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and compliments any dish it's eaten with. You can eat it with molasses, cheese, meats, lentil soup or even with fried eggs. It's generally served for free, so don't forget to try it when you visit a restaurant.
Kestane Kebab
Roasted chestnuts are commonly found in Sultanahmet Square and Taksim Square. When we visited Turkey towards the end of winter, the evenings were pretty cold, and we were constantly hungry. The first time I bit into a Kestane Kebab, I knew then and there it was my favourite Turkish snack. It was so flavorful with a faint hint of sweetness. My husband didn't like it much, but I'm a HUGE fan!
Durum
I love wraps, shawarmas and burritos, so naturally, Durum sat well with my palette. They come with chicken, beef or lamb, but the only downside for me is that the stuffing is somewhat dry. Given that, adding a pickled green chilli (Biberiye) really gives it a kick though. The juiciest Durum I had was in Kadikoy on the Asian Side. Prices usually range from 110TL to 170TL.
Islak Burger
It's a tiny snack which is essentially a mini wet meat burger that has a patty between two buns and a generous amount of spice sauce which oozes out when you bite into it. You can find the best Islak burgers in the Taksim area. We found some of the best ones in Kadikoy Asian Side which were about 50 TL ($1) per burger.
Doner Kebab
Doner Kebabs are one of the most popular foods in Turkey. You can find all types of Doner Kebabs in restaurants and street food joints. It's a bread sandwich with a spiced meat filling in the middle. The meat is the highlight. I prefer Durums over Doner Kebabs, but Doner Kebabs on the Asian Side are a whole other level of goodness. Prices are similar to Durums and it's pretty filling for a person.
Ayran
If you're familiar with Buttermilk or Indian Lassi, Ayran is a Turkish take on this, which essentially comes salty. I first saw Ayran on the Turkish Airlines domestic flight when we flew to Cappadocia from Istanbul. They had Ayran along with other beverages and juices. I assumed it was sweet but it wasn't! I found out that it was very healthy and opted for Ayran whenever we went to a restaurant. As we ate a lot of meat, this yoghurt-based drink helped keep my gut settled.
Mercimek Corbasi (Lentil Soup)
If you're travelling on a budget, Mercimek Lentil Soup is a great choice for breakfast. It's delicious and thick enough to eat like a dip with Turkish bread. Mercimek Corbasi is made from brown, red, yellow, green, or black lentils, sometimes with the husk. It's usually vegetarian, but some restaurants add chicken broth for extra flavour. If you have any concerns, make sure to ask the vendor if there's broth being used.
Turkish Delight (Lokum)
If you go to Turkey, especially Istanbul's European Side, you'll stumble upon more than 100 Turkish delight shops. They're all bright and flashy, with those colourful blocks of Lokum stacked up on display. Definitely try out the different varieties—they're so unique in flavour. My personal favourite? The Pistachio-pomegranate combo. It's seriously the bomb!
Baklava
Baklava is the unannounced national dish and one of the must-try foods in Turkey. Just like Lokum, you'd find so many shops on Istanbul's European Side. Everybody knows it and loves it. While I did not really like the extreme tooth-piercing sweetness, it certainly is delicious, especially the nut variety. You can taste some of the best ones at Hafiz Mustafa.
Menemen
Menemen is a rich omelette made with a lot of tomatoes, green peppers, sometimes sausages, and cooked in olive oil. It's usually served straight from the stove in the same pan, which makes the dish even more appetizing. You can enjoy it on its own or with Turkish bread. Menemen on the European Side typically cost between 90 TL and 120 TL.
Fresh Orange and Pomegranate Juice
I keep saying it and I'll continue to say it until I return to Turkey: the oranges and pomegranates there are simply out of this world! They're incredibly plump, sweet, and juicy. The freshly squeezed juices are so generously made without added sugar—taking a sip after hours of walking leaves you feeling incredibly refreshed. A glass of fresh orange juice typically costs between 15 TL and 60 TL, while pomegranate juice goes from 20 TL to about 80 TL.
San Sebastian Cheesecake
San Sebastian Cheesecake, a burnt Basque or a smooth baked cheesecake with a rich chocolate ganache topping, originally from Spain, has taken Istanbul by storm, especially in the Beyoglu district. The renowned Viyana Kahvesi is the go-to spot in European Istanbul to indulge in this treat. The price here would be about 350 TL ($10) along with a stunning close-up view of the Galata Tower.
However, we discovered an even better San Sebastian Cheesecake in Kadikoy on the Asian Side of Istanbul, priced at about 170 TL ($5). Regardless of where you try it, this dessert is an absolute must-try food in Turkey.
Iskender Kebap
The famous Iskender Kebap has a really unique taste. It's made with slices of doner kebab meat, generally lamb, topped with tomato sauce and accompanied with sheep's milk butter and yoghurt. It's usually served over pieces of Pita bread. While I may not be the biggest fan of lamb, it certainly is a delicious dish that I thoroughly enjoyed. It surely is a must-try food in Turkey, on the European Side of Istanbul.
Testi Kebap
The Cappadocian pottery kebab is an iconic Anatolian dish to try while in Turkey. It's made using chunks of beef or lamb mixed with vegetables in a sealed clay pot which cooks over direct fire. Rather than the taste, the whole experience of the pot cracking and taking that first bite of the mouthwatering spice meat vegetable stew is just out of this world. You can only find the authentic version in Cappadocia, so remember to try it.
Adana Kebab
Yet another Anatolian speciality, Adana Kebab is what most of us find in our local restaurants as 'Kebab'. It's a long, thick, hand-minced lamb roll, mounted on an iron skewer and grilled over open charcoal. What makes each Adana Kebab different from the other is the spice mix. It's usually served with Pita bread with a side of greens.
I personally found it a bit dry for my palette, but it's a must-try food while in Turkey. I recommend trying it on the Asian Side, they make it better.
Şalgam
I was introduced to Şalgam in Kadikoy on the Asian Side, and I was instantly hooked. This fermented pickle juice is made from turnips and purple carrots, and despite its pungent smell, I liked it. It's typically enjoyed after a meat-heavy meal like Adana Kebab and is known for its probiotic benefits that aid digestion.
Salep
The famous winter drink Salep is a must-try in Turkey. Made from Orchid root powder, it's known for helping with sleep and digestion issues. While it's commonly found in Istanbul, Salep can be quite pricey elsewhere. In Istanbul, you can enjoy a cup for less than 70 TL ($2). It's prepared by mixing warm milk and sugar, often served with cinnamon since it doesn't have much flavour on its own. I brought home a tub of Salep from Hafiz Mustafa, and I'm absolutely loving it!
Künefe
Künefe is a Turkish sweet cheese pastry which is also widely found in the Middle East. While it's frequently mistaken for Kunafa in Arab countries, Künefe is very much a Turkish delicacy made of kadayıf, a flour pastry soaked in syrup with Cheese in the middle. It's extremely sweet, but it's just so divine. I actually loved it better than Baklava. In Istanbul, it'll range anywhere between 100 TL to 300 TL (3$ - 9$), and one portion can be shared among two as it's too sweet to finish on your own.
Acili Ezme
Acili Ezme is a tomato dip made either with or without spice, along with finely chopped peppers and parsley. It goes well with any mezze and has a very flavourful punch to it. We first came across this tomato dip in Goreme and were instantly in love. We had trouble recalling its name, but during our time in Istanbul, we discovered more about it. Our experience was that Acili Ezme on the Anatolian Side tastes even better.
Pismaniye - Turkish Cotton Candy
This melt-in-the-mouth delicacy was such a surprise find for us cause we were too caught up with Baklava and Turkish delights on our Istanbul trip and almost missed out on the good desserts. Pismaniye is a candy made by blending flour roasted in butter into pulled sugar and then forming it into fine strands.
It tastes a lot like Dragon's Beard candy but it's a whole different dish. It often comes with ground pistachio on top, but my favourite is the Chocolate coating. You can find Pismaniye in any dessert store like Makbul or a supermarket. It'll cost about 15 TL - 20 TL (1$).
Raki (Turkish Alchohol) - Lion's Milk
You'd be surprised to hear that Turkey has its own unique alcohol despite being a Muslim country. Well, Raki is the national drink of Turkey. While Istanbul and the European side are somewhat conservative, as you move towards the inner Anatolian region, you'll find a sizable Catholic and Orthodox community, many of whom trace their ancestry back to Greece and Cyprus.
In Cappadocia, you'll discover Cappadocian Wine and Raki, a potent double-distilled grape spirit infused with anise. Raki has a high alcohol content of 40% to 50% and is traditionally diluted with equal parts water. Its colour and flavour are similar to Armenian and Lebanese Arak.
Most Overrated Food in Turkey (We didn't like how these tasted)
While we had such a positive food experience in Turkey during our trip, there were a few dishes that, despite high expectations from reviews and blogs, left us disappointed with their taste. These are some of the most popular foods in Turkey which we felt were overrated.
Simit
You find these Turkish bagels at every corner of Istanbul, most notable being the ones in Sultanahmet Square. It comes with Cheese, Nutella or Original. We tried all of them and what a waste of calories. It was cold, hard and almost flavourless.
Pide
Pide is a Turkish flatbread pizza topped with tomatoes, meat, and mozzarella, typically enjoyed as an appetizer. While I'm sure there are delicious versions out there, the ones we tried tasted rather bland.
The next on the list, though I might get slammed for saying this;
Turkish Kahvesi (Coffee)
I was really looking forward to Turkish coffee after watching so many vlogs about it. I've had Turkish coffee in Middle Eastern restaurants before and always enjoyed it. However, when I tried it for the first time in Istanbul, I couldn't drink more than two sips. We gave it a few more tries in Balat and on the Asian Side, but it tasted too thick with an unusual roasted flavour.
Turkish Çhai (Tea)
I didn't have high expectations for Turkish tea based on the reviews I read, but I hoped it would be somewhat similar to Chinese or South Asian tea. Unfortunately, as a lover of Ceylon tea, I found Turkish çay to be too mild. However, I did appreciate the adorable glasses it was served in and the sugar cubes. And I did enjoy Pomegranate Tea, although it's more of an infusion than a traditional leaf tea.
Kumpir
If you've seen Spudman trending on TikTok, you might be surprised to know that Turkish started eating Spuds in the 1800s. They're called Kumpir and if you visit Ortakoy mosque in Beyouglu district, you'll find an entire section of the waterfront dedicated to Kumpir vendors. As colourful and tempting as they may seem, the taste of Kumpir was just all over the place for us. Maybe we prefer the simple British spud combo. But definitely give it a try though!
Yaprak Dolma
Rice and meat wrapped in grape leaves, known as Yaprak Dolma, turned out to be a surprising discovery for us. It's a Turkish take on the Dragon Boat Zongzi. We stumbled upon it in a Turkish deli store, tried it without knowing what it was, and later resorted to Google for answers. Unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the mark for me—it had a bitter aftertaste and lacked flavour. My husband, on the other hand, found it to his liking.
Midye Dolmas (Turkish Stuffed Mussels)
You'll come across this on the streets of Istanbul: stuffed mussels. We gave them a try in Balat City and Taksim, but unfortunately, they didn't quite meet our expectations. While I appreciated the novelty of serving them in their shells, they lacked the mussel flavour and overall tasted like a rice blob with minimal seasoning.
Boregi
Boregi or Börek is a type of pastry found in the Balkans and Central Asia. It comes in different shapes and cooking methods. The cheese-stuffed Boregi we tried in Goreme City in Cappadocia was somewhat of a crispy roll and the Boregi we tried in Kadikoy on the Asian Side was a soft cheesy parotta-type bread. While both versions tasted delicious and are must-try foods in Turkey, I still think it's a bit less authentic compared to all the other wonderful dishes in Turkey.
Is there Pork in Turkey?
Yes. Despite Turkey being 90% Muslim, Pork and bacon are still available in certain supermarkets and stores. You won't find Pork in Istanbul but you may find it in the inland Anatolian region where there's a high density of non-muslims. However, due to the decreasing production of pigs in Turkey, pork products tend to be quite expensive.
Is there Beer in Turkey?
Yes, you can find beer in Turkey. Similar to Raki, beer is also brewed and consumed here. Turkey produces its own brand called Efes, which is lighter compared to traditional European beers but still quite popular. You can easily find beer in the Beyoglu district on the European Side, as well as throughout the Asian Side. A can typically costs between 65 TL and 100 TL (approximately $3).
Well, we hope we made your food tour plan better. If you have any questions, let us know in the comments and we'll be happy to help!