Istanbul Food and Drinks Guide

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The world famous Turkish cuisine is so much more than kebap and döner. Having been the host to three different empires, and with Istanbul still being a melting pot of cultures, Turkish food reflects these many influences. Whether you love meat, fish, or just vegetables, you’ll never be short of choices. This Istanbul food and drinks guide will introduce you to the variety of delicious Turkish dishes and beverages.

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General

Yummy Istanbul Logo

10 Reasons to Love the Taste of Two Continents Food Tour – Review

Why would someone take an Istanbul food tour? To find out, I signed up for a food tour organized by Yummy Istanbul. They have a…
Spice market or Egyptian bazaar in Istanbul

The Egyptian or Spice Bazaar, the Hottest Spot in Town

The Egyptian Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı), otherwise known as the Spice Bazaar, is the place to be to lay in a fresh supply of spices, nuts,…
Table with different typical Turkish food dishes.

Top 10 Things to Eat in Istanbul

Turkish cuisine is very diverse and world renowned. Istanbul is a melting pot of cultures, and all these influences pleasantly affect the food scene. So,…
Picture of a Turkish Flavours cooking class I took in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkish Flavours Cooking Classes and Much More

The Turkish cuisine is world famous, and rightly so as you will experience during your stay. Turkish food is diverse and savory, spicy without being…
Fish served at restaurant in Istanbul.

Top 10 Fish Restaurants in Istanbul

Time has come to recommend the ten best fish restaurants in Istanbul. Previously I already let you in on some secrets to pick a fresh…
Typical market in Istanbul, Turkey.

Top 5 Markets in Istanbul

Every week in Istanbul more than 200 markets (pazar) are set. This is an old tradition that comes from the Ottoman times. Markets in Turkey…
Turkish food on display at a restaurant in Istanbul.

Our Top Turkish Dishes, the Best of the Turkish Cuisine

You can find a great variety of mouth watering dishes in Turkish cuisine, which is mostly the heritage of Ottoman cuisine. It is the mixture…
Picture of street seller in Istanbul selling corn.

Istanbul’s Street Food – What’s Hot And What’s Not!

Eating street food is very much part of the Istanbul way of life. You can’t walk for over a kilometer without coming across one or…

Breakfast

Starters

Main Courses

Fishermen fishing at Galata bridge in Istanbul.

Fresh Fish in Istanbul – How to Pick and Order a Nice One

If you love to eat fresh fish, Istanbul is paradise on Earth. The various seas surrounding Istanbul offer over 20 different kinds of fish.While nobody…
Plate of manti or Turkish ravioli in Istanbul.

Handmade Mantı – So Much More Than Just Turkish Ravioli With Yoghurt

Mantı is one of the traditional Turkish dishes you must try at least once during your stay in Istanbul. It is often called Turkish ravioli…
Kebab on a scewer on the grill.

What Kebap To Eat While Visiting Istanbul?

Not coming across a kebap dish while visiting Istanbul is close to impossible. In this article I want to give you some information about the…
Plate of döner kebap in Istanbul, Turkey.

Know Your Döner Kebap — History Overview and Selected Dishes

Döner kebap, or in short döner, is known almost all around the world. Sure, ingredients and sauces vary, and often it even comes under a…

Desserts

Drinks

Glasses filled with boza.

Salep and Boza – History and Recipe of Special Turkish Winter Drinks

When the winter comes two traditional and historic drinks, salep and boza, color up the cold grey days. Salep with its ancient medical history warms…
Turkish tea by the Golden Horn in Istanbul.

Turkish Tea, an Offer You Can’t Refuse

Tea is big in Turkey. A great deal of the population admires this drink. When asked to describe a hot summer day, a cold winter…
People drinking Yeni raki in restaurant.

What to Drink in Istanbul?

In Istanbul you have a wide variety of local drinks to try out — hot or cold, with or without alcohol. Some of them will…
Inside Kurukahveci Efendi in Istanbul.

Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi, Turkey’s Oldest Turkish Ground Coffee Seller

Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi understood already centuries ago that coffee is the best excuse and means to enjoy each other’s company in Turkish society. Needless to…
Turkish coffee cooking in copper pots in open coal fire.

How To Make Perfect Turkish Coffee, and Its Social Importance

Turkish coffee (Türk kahvesi) plays an important role in Turkish society. It was like that in the past, when coffeehouses were the place to meet fellow…
Picture of Boğazkere grapes.

Indigenous Wine Grapes of Turkey

Wine-making in Anatolia dates back 6000 years. Today, Turkey is a world leader in grape production. But the bad news (for wine lovers) is that…

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