A Food Lover Guide to Istanbul

Istanbul is where East meets West - and nowhere is this more delicious than in its food. From dawn-to-dusk street snacks to elaborate Ottoman-era dishes, the city offers a culinary journey that spans centuries and continents.

Breakfast: The Turkish Morning Ritual

Turkish breakfast (kahvalti) is a grand affair. Tables are covered with small plates of olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, several cheeses, honey with kaymak (clotted cream), eggs, sucuk (spiced sausage), and warm bread. Namli Gurme in Karakoy and Van Kahvalti Evi in Beyoglu serve the most celebrated spreads in the city.

Street Food Essentials

Start with a simit - the sesame-crusted bread ring sold from red carts on every corner. Follow it with balik ekmek (grilled fish sandwich) at the Galata Bridge, where fishermen bob on boats while grilling mackerel fresh from the Bosphorus. In the afternoon, try midye dolma (stuffed mussels) from the stalls near Taksim Square.

The Grand Bazaar and Spice Market

Beyond shopping, these historic markets are food destinations. Sample Turkish delight (lokum) in dozens of flavors, sip freshly ground Turkish coffee, and buy sumac, pul biber, and baharat spice blends to recreate Turkish flavors at home. The rooftop Hamdi Restaurant at the Spice Market offers incredible kebabs with Golden Horn views.

Dinner: Where to Eat

For traditional meyhane (tavern) dining with meze and raki, head to Asmali Mescit in Beyoglu. Ciya Sofrasi in Kadikoy serves regional Anatolian dishes you will not find anywhere else. For a splurge, Mikla offers modern Turkish cuisine with panoramic Bosphorus views from the 18th floor of the Marmara Pera hotel.

Do Not Miss

• Kunefe - hot cheese pastry soaked in syrup
• Lahmacun - thin, crispy flatbread with spiced meat
• Iskender kebab - doner on bread with tomato sauce and butter
• Ayran - salted yogurt drink, the perfect kebab companion
• Baklava - Karakoy Gulluoglu is the undisputed king