istanbul street food tour

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• Istanbul Street Food Tour
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Enjoy a day full of historic art and incredible food! On this tour you will visit some of the key historical sights of Istanbul, as well as have the chance to taste delicious street food.

You'll explore the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum, the Rustem Pasha Mosque, and the colorful and exciting Spice Market. With a leisurely ferry ride you'll find yourself on the Asian side of Istanbul where you'll roam the Fish Bazaar and sample a variety of street foods such as doner, midye dolma, kokarec, lahmacun and much more.

Come with your hungry and ready to dive into all things food here in Istanbul!

Turkish and Islamic Art Museum :

• This museum contains some of the finest carpets from the Islamic and Turkish world and is one of the largest museums in the world. The museum houses over 40,000 works of art that range from carpet art, wooden works, and stone art collections.

Rustem Pasha Mosque : 

• The Rustem Pasha Islamic cultural center was designed by Ottoman imperial architect Mimar Sinan for the Grand Vizier Rustem Pasha, the husband of one of the daughters of Suleyman the Magnificent. The Rustem Pasha Mosque is famous for its large quantities of İznik tiles.

Spice Market :

• Spice Bazaar is one of the most famous covered shopping complexes and has a total of 85 shops selling spices, Turkish delight and other sweets, jewelry, souvenirs, and dried fruits and nuts.
• You will begin your tour by meeting with your guide at your hotel to visit the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum, one of the largest museums in Turkey.
• Later you will continue to Eminonu and visit the Spice Market, famous for its unique spices from across the globe. You'll also enjoy some Turkish delight, and other authentic sweets.
• After visiting Rustem Pasha Mosque, you will cross to the Asian side of Istanbul by ferry.
• In Kadikoy you will enjoy a walking tour at the Fish Bazaar and explore other street foods like doner, kokarec, midye dolma, lahmacun, cig kofta and much more!

What is included in the tour

• Private Tours with licensed professional English speaking guides

• Admission tickets to sites and museums

• Private VIP transportation per tour itinerary

• Parking, portage, toll roads

• Coordination and attentive customer service throughout the tour by Sojourn staff

• Required Association ofTurkish Travel Agencies Foreign Visitors Insurance (a basic mandatory policy and not an adequate replacement for purchasing your own travel insurance.)

What is not included in the tour

• Drinks at lunch
Sodas or alcohol
• Lunch and dinner
• Optional gratuities to guides, drivers, etc.
• Entry Visa to Turkey
• Travel insurance
• Laundry, and personal items
• International flight tickets

• Optional programs listed in the itinerary 

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Istanbul.tips

The Best of Istanbul in One Place

Best Turkish Street Food in Istanbul: Doner, Simit,

Street flavors are also of great importance in the colorful gastronomy world of Istanbul. Have you noticed how intertwined these tastes, which are a part of urban culture, are with our daily life? The bagel we buy from the corner counter on the way to work, the stuffed mussels we snack on while walking on the beach… Let’s go on a tour of street food in Istanbul together and taste the street delicacies of this vibrant city with a dizzying pace.

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Simit as a Diamond of Turkish Street Food in Istanbul

The bagel, which Evliya Çelebi describes as ‘the size of a car wheel’, has a story stretching from the Balkans to Istanbul. Although this special food, whose written history goes back 1000 years, is prepared in a different dimension today, it is still the most indispensable of street tastes. Everyone living in Istanbul has a bagel counter in their neighborhood that they never pass by without buying a bagel.

Also, you can find delicious simits in bakeries all over the city, for example, Beyaz Firin, Cagri Firin, or Simit Factory in Kadikoy.

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Chestnuts: Original and Delicious Turkish Streetfood

When the summer sun leaves its place to cool days, it means that it is time for chestnut kebab in Istanbul. Chestnut makers, who cook the chestnuts they have scratched on the barbecue on their counters, are the ornaments of the streets of Istanbul. The smoke of this street flavor cooked on embers draws you to the counter like a magnet. Warm chestnuts filled in a small paper bag will warm both your inside and your hands. Moda, Eminönü, Bakırköy, Taksim… You will come across chestnut stalls in almost every district of Istanbul. Listen to the sound of your stomach and take a paper bag of happiness and see how your walk is more enjoyable on the streets of Istanbul.

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Wet hamburger.

The place of the wet hamburger in the hearts of those living in Istanbul is always special. The trademark of this small, delicious hamburger is hidden in its soft bread soaked in garlic tomato sauce and its spicy meatballs. Although many buffets in Taksim prepare the wet hamburger that cheers your stomach with an ice-cold ayran, our recommendation is Kristal Büfe .

They have made a well-deserved reputation for its wet hamburgers for years. Kristal Büfe, which opened its first branch in Taksim in 1962, now welcomes its regulars in Bağdat Caddesi Göztepe. No, if you say you want an address from the European side, the wet hamburgers of Avrupa Marmaris Buffet in Büyükdere are also delicious.

Balik Ekmek or Fish Sandwich

Grilled fish served with plenty of onions and greens in half a loaf of bread… Especially if it is in a place with a sea view… Fish bread, which is a food that is hard to resist, is one of the first tastes that comes to mind when Istanbul is mentioned. Whether you’re hungry or not, when you go to Eminönü, it will definitely tempt you. In this district, the smell of grilled fish can be heard from meters away. By following the smell, you can easily reach the fish bread stalls. You will feel that you are in Istanbul, while you eat your fish bread, which adds to its taste with pickle juice, in one of the fishermen lined up along the Galata Bridge.

You can also prefer the Historical Eminönü Fish Bread Barbaros Boat , which prepares fish and bread on the boat near the Galata Bridge.

Chickpea Rice or Pilav

It is impossible not to mention it while describing the street delicacies of Istanbul. Although it is a food that can be cooked at home, you can never taste the chickpea pilaf you eat at a street counter at home. It will be a mastery of preparing the same dish every day for years. The rice in that pilaf is cooked to its full consistency, and the chickpeas are soft. Those who wish can also add chicken meat to it. This flavor is completed with a foamy ayran and pickles.

Although there are hundreds of chickpea rice trolleys that roam the streets of Istanbul, you should definitely taste this delicacy from Unkapanı Rice . Their reputation exceeds the city limits. If you see a crowd towards the IMÇ 1st Block sign in Unkapanı, you have found the rice cooker’s counter. If you think you can’t go all the way there, you will also like the rice of Meşhur Sokak Pilavcılar in Beşiktaş bazaar.

Pickle Juice and Turkish Pickles

Pickle juice has a special place in our hearts as a drink that not only serves as a source of healing but also keeps you warm, appetizing, and pleasing. Before it got into jars and took its place on the market shelves, pickles were sold on mobile stalls and small shops in the middle of the district. There are still pickles who have been doing this business with their unchanging quality for years. You can taste the most delicious pickle juice at Asri Turşucu in Beyoğlu, Soydan Turşucu in Beşiktaş, or Meşhur Özcan Pickles in Kadıköy.

Kumpir: Turkish Streetfood Potatoes

It would not be wrong if we say that Kumpir is the most delicious form of potato. The bakers cut a well-baked potato in the middle and blend it with butter and cheddar cheese. After that, they prepare this delicious street delicacy with your choice of side dishes. You can find kumpir in many cafes and kiosks, but we have recommendations!

The ones at the kumpir restaurants lined up at the entrance of Ortaköy have a completely different taste for some reason. It is not known whether it is due to the weather or the view of Ortaköy, but since there are a lot of sales, its preparation with fresh ingredients undoubtedly contributes to its taste. Get your kumpir from one of your favorites, set up on a bank by the sea, and enjoy the view of the Bosphorus. 1980 Ortaköy Kumpir Cafe in Balat is one of the best performers of this business. Be sure to try the roasted eggplant baked potato at the cafe located just behind Kadir Has University.

Kokorec is the Most Exotic Street Food in Istanbul

Kokoreç is a street flavor that even those who approach from afar at first cannot give up after tasting it once. It is very important to find a place that makes this delicious bread clean and good, which is frequently seen in wheelbarrows or kiosks. Famous Selahattin Usta Kokorec in Çengelköy is one of the best. You can also safely eat kokoreç from Bostancı Meydan Kokoreç and Sirkeci’s King Kokoreç .

Stuffed Mussels or Midiyesi

Stuffed mussels, an appetizer sold in Greek taverns during the Ottoman Empire. It is very precious to us, like many flavors that have survived from those times. Nowadays, it is a street flavor that its lovers cannot stop without starting with 1-2 pieces and finishing almost all the stuffing on the tray. Those who like it a lot, and those who don’t like it a lot. If you are fond of stuffing mussels, you are very lucky because this flavor is often found on the streets of Istanbul. It’s a good idea to choose a reliable place to eat it. Midyeci Ahmet in Beşiktaş and Yediren Adam in Çengelköy are the most known addresses for stuffed mussels.

Boza, which tastes like nothing else, is a thick drink made from millet. It tastes slightly sweet and has a bit of sourness due to the fermentation process. To drink it properly, you should sprinkle plenty of cinnamon on it and add a little roasted chickpeas. There are no sellers who roam the streets of Istanbul shouting ‘Booozaaaa’ on long winter nights, but it is possible to find boza in many places. However, the best one is Vefa Bozacisi , which has been refreshing the hearts of Istanbulites with its bozas since 1876. You should definitely experience the pleasure of going to this historical place in Vefa and drinking boza.

Ring Dessert

If you like Tulumba dessert, which is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, you will also like the ring dessert. Because the only difference between the ring dessert and the tulumba dessert is their shape. This dessert, which you come across at the stalls of street vendors in districts of Istanbul such as Karaköy, Beşiktaş, Eminönü, and Kadıköy, is eaten with pleasure if it has the consistency of sugar. When you feel that your energy is low, after eating the ring dessert, which will bring you to yourself, a black coffee is good.

Boiled, roasted, or now in a glass with all kinds of spices and sauces… How do you like milk corn, one of Istanbul’s most popular and most eaten street delicacies? Who of us can resist the corn that we encounter on the beach, in touristic places, or in a shopping mall? If you do not have a problem with salt, you can continue on your way by sprinkling plenty of salt and eating the corn you can enjoy. Even if you don’t have corn in your mind, we are sure that you will crave when you see it.

Cotton Candy, Wafer, and Apple Candy

Nostalgic street delicacies with lots of sugar… We can even add rooster sugar, food coloring, and a paste prepared with sugar. Even if you don’t eat them, wouldn’t these flavors that we still encounter on the streets of Istanbul take you back to your childhood when you encounter them on a corner? Maybe you want to count money to Affan Dede and buy your childhood as in Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı’s Childhood poem.

Iced Almond

The inner shell of raw almonds, whose thick outer shell is peeled, is softened with hot water and rubbed between two fingers. Especially in summer, almonds separated from their shells with this method are sold on the streets in baskets with ice molds. The vendors of iced almonds, which you will often come across by the seaside, also stop by the outdoor dining venues. If you like almonds, you must try it. If you are around Bostancı Adalar Ferry Port or Beyoğlu Fish Market, take a look around, and you will definitely come across a seller of iced almonds.

We hope you enjoyed this tour of Istanbul’s street foods! From simit to chestnuts, wet hamburgers to stuffed mussels, there is something for every taste bud. Don’t forget to try some of the classic street drinks like pickle juice and boza, and indulge in some sweet treats like cotton candy and apple candy! But maybe street food in Istanbul is not enough for you? Interested in other Turkish cuisines? Check out our digest on the 5 most underrated Turkish dishes !

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15 Best Street Food in Istanbul & Where to Find It

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If you’re looking for some of the best street food in Istanbul, you’ve come to the right place. Street food is one of the most affordable ways to eat, as well as a way to eat the most authentic dishes.

Contrary to what people might think, Turkish food is more than just kebabs – and in Istanbul, there’s its own unique cuisine that cannot be found anywhere else in the country, let alone in the world.

But what is the best street food in Istanbul? What dishes can you try and where can I find it? These are all good questions my friend, and in this guide, we’ll be telling you all you need to know about Turkish street food in Istanbul and where to find it.

Looking for a professional to show you the depth of Turkish cuisine in Istanbul? Check out our favorite Taste of Two Continent Food Tour here!

Planning a trip to Istanbul last-minute?

Make sure you book your tours, places to stay, and airport transfers ahead of time to ensure availability!

Here is our recommended airport transfer in Istanbul:

• Airport Shuttle From Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gocken International Airport (SAW) (Super affordable!)

Here are our recommended tours in Istanbul:

• Luxury Bosphorus Cruise At Sunset (A must-do In Istanbul)
• Whirling Dervishes Show (Unique experience!)
• Historical Turkish Bath Experience
• Istanbul Food And Culture Tour

Here are our recommended places to stay in Istanbul:

• Magnuara Palace Hotel (Gorgeous hotel in the historic centre!)
• Pera Palace Hotel
• Cheers Hostel (Budget hostel near the Blue Mosque!)

What is the most popular street food in Istanbul?

Before you go running out into the streets with your stomach rumbling, hold on for just a second! It would be wise to get familiar with the types of Istanbul street food available, to know what to look for and what you might enjoy.

Let’s begin with a list of the most popular street food dishes in Istanbul. From light snacks to succulent desserts, these are the dishes to keep an eye out for…

1. Roasted Chesnuts (Kestane Kebab)

You find roasted chestnuts in many major cities around the world and they are a popular sweet street snack for tourists. They are quite nutritious and hearty, and since they grow in the nearby Mediterranean region, they are quite the delicacy in Istanbul.

They come with a delightful nutty taste (no surprises there) and a crunch that can satisfy even the most finicky eater. You will find chestnut carts in the main touristy areas such as around the Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet and along the promenade next to the Bosphorous in Eminönü.

2. Balık Ekmek (Fish Sandwich)

You might be thinking that a fish sandwich is just a fish sandwich, but we can honestly tell you that the fish sandwiches in Istanbul are so good we practically ate them daily.

A Balik Ekmet, or fish sandwich in English, is usually a fillet of mackerel that has been smoked or fried and then dosed in lemon juice before being nestled into a delicious soft bread roll.

This is a delightful snack that you’ll find in street food stalls along the Bosphorous in Eminönü. It’s also a really cheap snack, perfect for those traveling on a budget and looking for something affordable to fill their stomachs.

3. Stuffed Mussels (Midye Dolma)

Stuffed mussels, or Midye Dolma in Turkish, are perhaps our second favorite street food in Istanbul. It’s only the second because of the price – you usually pay per mussel and we’re greedy pigs who need a whole bunch to be full.

However, if you’re looking for a light snack then a handful of stuffed mussels should not go amiss.

Stuffed mussels tend to be a little bit sour because they are doused in lemon juice, but that’s all part of the fun! The mussels are filled with fragrant jasmine rice, pine nuts, tomatoes, and some herbs and spices, and then they’re boiled before they’re served with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon.

You’ll find simit carts all over the city, from outside the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet to İstiklal Avenue. This circular bread, often called the Turkish bagel, is a popular snack that’s often served with honey or Nutella.

It looks like it would be sweet like a donut, but it has a very savory flavor. It’s often topped with roasted sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or left plain. The texture is crispy on the outside but soft in the middle.

Simit is a popular street food in Turkey, not just Istanbul, but it sometimes has other names in other cities.

5. Boiled and Grilled Corn

Just as it says on the tin, boiled or grilled corn is boiled or grilled corn, often topped with salt and spices. It can sometimes be boiled and sometimes barbequed, but either is delicious.

You’ll find people selling corn all over Istanbul but it’s primarily found in touristy areas such as where the ferries leave on the Bosphorous. It’s a healthy and light snack that is loved by locals and tourists.

6. Islak Burger (Wet Burger)

For those thinking a wet burger sounds unappetizing, don’t let the name fool you. They are more like sliders than sloppy burgers. It gets its name from the garlic tomato sauce that is drenched over a hamburger making them super soggy but also delicious.

Islak burgers are not only tasty but affordable too, since they are cheaper than your traditional fast food burgers. 

7. Turkish ice cream

In all seriousness, Turkish ice cream is mostly famous for the show that comes with it. You’ll never be able to buy ice cream without being tricked and tousled with by the seller, but that’s all part of the fun!

Hilarities aside, Turkish ice cream has a hard texture which makes it resistant to melting (ideal for those hot Turkish summers).

It’s also very thick and creamy because they use salep, a flour made from a purple orchid root, and mastic, which gives it a kind of chewiness. It comes in many flavors, from fruit flavors to standard vanilla and chocolate. Some of the most popular flavors are vanilla, pistachio, and chocolate.

8. İçli Köfte

If you’re looking for something meaty then kebabs are definitely the way to go in Istanbul. There are a ton of different types of kebabs that you can choose from at a local street food stall, but our favorite is the Icli Kofte.

This dish is made up of minced lamb that has been seasoned with salt, pepper, and lots of garlic. It’s then grilled on a skewer over an open flame until it’s perfectly cooked.

9. Börek 

Borek can be found all over the Balkans and any country with Ottoman influences. They are a layered pastry dish often filled with spinach or cheese and sometimes meat.

Despite being made with pastry, they often have a more chewy texture. It’s a common breakfast meal for the locals and is served in most bakeries. If you want to try this hearty street food in Istanbul make sure to head out early to get it while it’s fresh.

If you’re looking for something for a light lunch, then you should definitely try a dürüm. These are Turkish wraps that are often filled with donor meat and shredded lettuce.

They’re usually served hot from many street food stalls across the city, so they’re perfect for a quick snack.

11. Tantuni

Tantuni is delicious and incredibly popular street food. It’s made with julienned beef or lamb and then stir-fried on a sac, (a thin metal pan used for cooking at high temperatures) It’s then wrapped with chopped onions, tomatoes, and parsley.

Tantuni was first introduced in Mersin, but became popular in Istanbul in the 80s. It’s a very oily dish that was created to feed the poor, so you’ll find it’s pretty filling! You can find it pretty much everywhere in Istanbul as it’s loved by the locals as well as tourists.

12. Pilav

You’ll very often find street vendors selling bowls of rice, chicken and chickpeas from their carts in Istanbul.

This flavorful and aromatic dish is called Pilav, which is a type of rice that is usually steamed or boiled in a fragrant broth that creates a mouth-watering and buttery taste.

It’s the perfect hearty street food for those looking for something delectable and affordable.

13. Lahmacun

Lahmacun is a type of flatbread that originates from the Ottoman Empire. It’s often referred to as a Turkish pizza since it’s on a thin dough base, but it is often not topped with cheese.

Traditionally it’s made with ground beef, onions, parsley, and spices and then wrapped in a thin dough sheet. It’s then baked until it’s crispy and golden brown. It’s a delicious street food that’s also hearty and filling, perfect for a lunchtime meal.

14. Kokoreç

Kokorec is a grilled sheep’s intestine and is a popular street food amongst locals. It’s often chopped into bite-sized pieces and served with oregano, tomatoes, and red pepper. Sometimes it comes in sandwich form, but often it is also served on its own.

15. Döner Kebab

We’ve all heard of doner kebabs, and in Istanbul, they are some of the most popular street food.

The doner kebab is made from shredded pieces of rotisserie lamb or chicken and served in pita bread with a variety of toppings, the most common is yogurt. They’re all over the city but a popular place to get one is by Taksim Square.

Is eating street food in Istanbul safe?

When it comes to food safety in Turkey, street food is just as safe as eating in a restaurant. Street food sellers in Istanbul must have a permit and adhere to certain food hygiene requirements, which you can see displayed on their carts. 

In very few cases, street food can be unsafe due to unclean facilities and unsanitary conditions. However, with a little common sense and by following some simple safety tips, like making sure the food is piping hot and washing your hands before you eat, you can rest assured that you’re consuming safe and clean street food in Istanbul.

A good tip for eating street food that is safe in Istanbul is to eat where the locals eat. If a place is busy, then it’s a good sign that the food is good to eat…and tasty!

You should also be wary of eating vegetables or salads, as you need to make sure that it’s been washed with bottled water. Although tap water is safe in Istanbul , when eating out it’s a good idea to make sure the water your chef uses is clean.

Likewise with getting ice cubes in drinks – if there’s a hole all the way through, it has been tested and it’s safe. If it’s one block and it has a cloudy surface, stay away!

Related Reading: The Best Beverages in Turkey

Where can I go for street food in Istanbul?

Now that you know what to look for when eating Turkish street food in Istanbul, it’s time to give some recommendations for places to find it. Here are the best spots for sampling the unique cuisine of Istanbul…

1. Balik Ekmet – Arpacilar Cd.

This is hands down the best place to get a fish sandwich in Istanbul. You know you’re at the right place when you see the huge line that forms outside a red shop with ‘Balik Ekmet’ written on the front.

Don’t worry about the line though, it goes fast since there is only one thing you can order from there – fish sandwich. 

To order, you simply tell the chef how many you want. It’s that simple.

You can eat outside on little chairs or you can take your food away and sit by the Bosphorous and enjoy your sandwich there. Sitting on the promenade whilst eating a fish sandwich is one of our favorite things to do in Istanbul at night . Just be careful of seagulls!

2. Bambi Cafe (Wet Burger)

This is where you want to go for Islak Burger (wet burger). It’s a fast food restaurant that serves other types of fast food, but you’ll see a cart outside full of wet burgers.

This is where we tried the wet burger for the first time and it was fantastic, so we highly recommend this street vendor as a place to try the Islak Burger.

3. Midyeci Memet (Stuffed Mussels)

Stuffed Mussels can be found all over Istanbul and is very popular in Kadikoy, on the Asian side of Istanbul. You can find plain or spicy flavor at most places.

We had stuffed mussels at a few places when we visited, but our favorite were the ones prepared by Midyeci Memet in Beyoglu because the mussels were HUGE and were fully stuffed!

On the Asian side, we really liked the ones at Midyeci Yasin in Kadikoy. There was another street vendor across the road selling them which was also great (we went there first because Midyeci Yasin was closed, so we went back later).

Make sure you get given plenty of lemons!

Related Reading: Best Restaurants in Kadikoy, Istanbul

3. Üsküdar Ferry Terminal (Simit and Grilled Corn)

Outside the ferry terminals you will find many simit carts and vendors selling grilled and boiled corn. This is true for most ferry terminals, whether you’re on the Asian or European side. We got some corn outside Üsküdar Ferry Terminal and it was delicious.

4. Simit Street Carts

The best place to find Simit is outside the main tourist attractions in Istanbul such as the Galata Tower, or the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia on Divan Yulu Cd. We got ours from the cart on Divan Yulu Cd and had it with Nutella. You’ll find several places selling simit on this road and you can also find it in the bakeries here too.

5. Taksim Square (Kebabs)

If you want to try kebabs in Istanbul then you’ll want to head to the top of Siraselviler Cd. where Taksim Square is and you’ll find several kebab stands, from Doner Kebabs to Kokorec to dürüm, there’s a street vendor selling it all here.

You won’t miss it, just look for the smokey BBQs and the smell of fatty meat dripping.

6. Mevlana Kebap Lahmacun Salonu (Lahmacun)

Just behind the Blue Mosque you’ll find several winding streets lined with delicious restaurants. If you’re staying around Sultanhamet, the historic center of Istanbul , this is where to go looking for places to eat.

One restaurant that serves delicious Lahmacun is Mevlana Kebap Lahmacun Salonu. The food is delicious but what brings people back here again and again is the price, as it’s one of the more affordable street food spots in Istanbul.

7. Istiklal Cd. (Roasted Chestnuts and Turkish Ice Cream)

If you’re looking for roasted chestnuts, you’ll find a cart outside the Vans Store on Istiklal Cd. This is Istanbul’s longest and most busiest street, so you’ll likely find several carts selling all kinds of street food as you wander down this street.

There are several street carts selling Turkish ice cream along this street too! Just listen out for the bells and whistles from the sellers!

9. Sariyer Borekcisi Eminonu (Borek)

Borek can be found in most bakeries, to be honest, so you don’t really need to go out of your way to find it. That being said, Sariyer Borekcisi in Eminonu has some really nice borek in a variety of flavors, and the prices are affordable for the area.

10. Tarihi Kalkanoğlu Pilavcısı (Pilav)

If you’re looking for Pilav then a top-rated place to go is Tarihi Kalkanoğlu Pilavcısı in Beyoğlu. Although deemed a street food, Pilav is something that you’ll find in dine-in restaurants a lot too. This is a really popular restaurant, but don’t worry, there are several restaurants nearby that serve Pilav too.

Street Food Tours in Istanbul: Are they worth it?

This is the million-dollar question; are street food tours in Istanbul worth it ? The short answer is, yes. If you are only in Istanbul for a few days , then it’s unlikely you’ll be able to make it around to see all the places we recommended to get street food because they are just too far away from each other.

A street food tour is a way for you to experience all the best dishes with a local guide to explain the history and how it’s made etc. You can also be sure that the vendors the tour guide takes you to are good, as they have been tried and tested beforehand.

A street food tour is ideal for anyone who is on a short visit to Istanbul or is worried about getting sick from street food.

We love the Taste of Two Continent Food Tour in Istanbul. It’s quite a long tour (~5 hours) but it takes tourists to both the European Side and Asian Side of Istanbul to try different types of cuisines that make up modern-day Turkish food !

Map of Street Food in Istanbul

To help you find all these incredible street food spots, here’s a map of where you can find each place.

Price of Street Food in Istanbul

If you’re traveling to Istanbul on a budget, you’ll be surprised at how inexpensive it can be to dine on street food. As well as there being so much to choose from, you nearly always pay less than you would in a restaurant (no table cover, right?).

The Turkish Lira is always fluctuating, so you’ll need to check the exchange rate before ordering. At the time we visited Istanbul (August 2021), the average cost of street food was around 20-30 Turkish Lira, which at the time was less than $3 USD. 

You can see why street food was practically all we ate!

FAQs about Street Food in Istanbul

Here’s what people usually ask us about street food in Istanbul!

Is street food in Istanbul expensive?

No, it’s actually more affordable than some fast food chains.

Is street food in Istanbul safe?

Yes, it’s completely safe as long as you make sure your food is piping hot before you eat it.

Is the street food in Istanbul worth it?

Yes, definitely. Roasted chestnuts and grilled corn you can get anywhere, but the kebabs, borek, simit and fish sandwiches are unique to this region.

Is there a street food  market in Istanbul?

No, there are plenty of markets but not specifically for street food.

Before You Go

So now that you know everything there is to know about the best Turkish street food in Istanbul – including where to find it and how safe it is – go grab your coat and your wallet and prepare to enjoy some of the most popular dishes on the planet!

Co-Founder of The Turkey Traveler

Sean Lau is a professional travel blogger and writer with adoration for Turkey. Originally from the USA, Sean frequently travels to Turkey to explore every nook and cranny. From bustling bazaars of Istanbul to the tranquil beaches of Antalya, Sean has seen it all. He hopes to share his first-hand knowledge, insider insights, and personal anecdotes to inspire fellow travelers to visit Turkey, especially to his favorite destinations – Istanbul and Cappadocia.

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Though we’ve witnessed changes, many things remain intact. The city is still a simmering synthesis of delicacies and delights from all over, many of which are within a convenient arm’s length. If we have an inkling for Erzurum’s çağ kebabı , Trabzon’s kuymak, Adana’s bicibici , Mersin’s tantuni , or Hatay’s humus, we know where to go, and we can be certain beyond a reasonable doubt that the person making the object of our desire in that particular moment isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Read the Istanbul State of the Stomach →

By publishing the stories of our local heroes, visiting them on culinary tours, or directly fundraising for them when they are in need, we attempt to honor their work and their essential role in maintaining the fabric of the city. Our purpose is twofold. Yes, we want to get travelers to some good places to eat. But we also want to make sure that some of these spots and the artisans making food there find a new audience and get the recognition and support they deserve. They are holding back the tide of globalized sameness, which is not easy work – even if it’s done unknowingly. But we believe that every meal counts and, with the help of our audience, they will add up. We are committed to their perseverance and hope that our modest efforts encourage them to keep at it. Our work is also guided by a belief in: Honest Tourism: The places where we eat and craftsmen that we feature on our culinary tours are all selected with this purpose in mind. We’d never accept a free lunch or consider a discount for our tour groups, because that would contradict our central goal, to support them. Nor do our guides receive any commissions from shopkeepers. Honest Journalism: The same principal is applied to the publishing of stories. There are no sponsored posts or even advertising on CB. The writers and photographers are paid fairly for their work on stories that we all believe in.

The cities we are drawn to all have a culinary tradition of untold richness as well as a certain tension, be it political instability, the tug between East and West, the clash between modern and ancient identities, migration, rapid gentrification, bankruptcy, or a post-colonial hangover. Our decision to get started in a city is always the result of a trip filled with many meals where we are given in intimate view of that tension, right there on the table. By getting lost in this warren of independent food purveyors struggling to preserve or adapt tradition in fast-paced urban life, we start to discover the deep complexity and true flavor of the city. At present, you’ll find our regular dispatches from Athens, Barcelona, Istanbul, Lisbon, Los Angeles, Marseille, Mexico City, Naples, Porto, Queens (NY), Shanghai, Tbilisi and Tokyo.

• Reducing group size: Our small group tours just got smaller. During the initial reopening period, tours will be private at no additional charge. That means that the tour will only be you, your travel companions and your Culinary Backstreets guide.
• Disinfection: Our guides carry hand sanitizer and provide it to guests frequently while also encouraging them to wash hands whenever a sink is available. Our guides also carry disinfecting wipes to clean surfaces during the tour or trip.
• Maintaining social distancing requirements: Our guides maintain social distancing during tours and trips, according to regulations issued by local health authorities.
• Wearing masks: Our guides and guests wear masks wherever required by local regulations. We request that guests come to the tour with their own mask, although our guides will provide masks to those who do not have one.
• Visiting restaurants safely: Our tours and trips only visit restaurants and shops that are adhering to official safety standards and regulations and, where applicable, have been certified as such. We also avoid visiting restaurants during peak times so that they are less crowded and in order to not displace hungry locals. In restaurants and shops, our guides make sure that guests adhere to the establishments’ social distancing rules and ascertain whether the rules are being followed by other diners.
• Tasting food safely: Our guides make sure that food is sampled and distributed safely and according to local health regulations.
• Vaccinated guides: Most Culinary Backstreets guides have been vaccinated, and the few remaining are testing themselves regularly while they wait for the jab.

Sustainability

• Going local: Our food tours and culinary trips continue to feature independent, family-run businesses and spotlight local products and small producers.
• Respecting local needs: Since new regulations require restaurants to limit their seating, we will make sure that our tours and trips don’t displace local patrons.
• Honoring tradition: We continue to honor the traditions of the communities we work with by promoting their cultural and culinary heritage.
• Preserving community memory: By telling the stories of the unsung culinary heroes of these communities, we continue to help preserve community memory and keep the unique spirit of neighborhoods and their local businesses alive.
• Expressing appreciation: Human contact with the local community is one of the joys of our tours and trips and the reason many of us travel. Despite the requirements of social distancing, we continue to safely express our appreciation of all the culinary masters we meet along the way.
• Supporting independent businesses: Small, independent businesses are what make our cities and their culinary landscape so spectacular. These businesses — from neighborhood bodega in Barcelona to grill joints in Tokyo — are highly vulnerable these days and it is particularly challenging for them to adapt to the new conditions. Our support, now more than ever, is particularly important.
• Reducing ground transportation: Conscious of the carbon footprint of our tours and trips, we are redoubling our effort to keep our tours and trips, as much as possible, on foot.
• Reducing single-use plastic: We are working to reduce single-use plastics on all of our tours and trips, most significantly water bottles. We encourage guests to bring their own water bottle which we can refill throughout the day. We’re also persuading restaurants to offer filtered water as an alternative to plastic bottles.

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• Culinary Tours: 100% refund if cancelled up to 7 days prior to the tour date.
• Multi-Day Trips: 100% refund if cancelled up to 90 days prior to the trip date.
• In addition to the policies above, late cancellations will be given a 100% credit for future Culinary Backstreets activities.

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The Best of Istanbul Eats ® , In Brief

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The Istanbul Eats ® Envoys, Always Searching for the Next Hidden Gem

Anna Maria, Istanbul Walk Leader Born and raised in Istanbul’s funky Beyoğlu district, Anna Maria has been exploring Istanbul’s culinary backstreets all of her life. As a professional tour guide she’s trained on the classic attractions but she’d rather wax about the charms of grilled liver kebab. When she is not leading culinary walks, Anna Maria unearths and translates forgotten manuscripts from old Istanbul from Greek to Turkish for a local publishing house.

After graduating from the Faculty of Management, Aysin realized that working in an office was not for her. She was trained as a professional guide and started leading tours all over Turkey. On the side, Aysin worked as a chef in her own restaurant, honing her meze skills. She has trained cooks and chef’s apprentices who are currently working in the most distinguished restaurants of Istanbul and now brings this experience to leading cooking classes in her own home.

Benoit, Istanbul Walk Leader Originally from Belgium, Benoit (a.k.a. Selim) has been living in the heart of Istanbul for more than twenty years. Though he was in the textile business for many years, he now focuses on guiding in Istanbul’s backstreets and on long distance hikes throughout Turkey. His favorite dish is ‘patlıcan dolması’ (eggplant stuffed with rice and spices served as a cold starter), a typical dish of southwestern Turkey.

Esin, Istanbul Walk Leader Esin was on her way up the corporate ladder, seven years into a marketing career for Toyota, when she realized that this was not the life for her. She longed for a slow glass of tea streets of Istanbul, family wedding feasts in her father’s hometown of Kayseri, markets filled with fresh fish and produce in Alanya, where she grew up. She had to get out of that office job and that is just what she did to become a professional guide. Extensive world travel and a passion for her home country gives Esin a special point of view when leading tours on her favorite subject, Turkish cuisine. She’s not so much a guide as your friend in town. In addition to Turkish and English, she speaks Japanese.

Geoffrey, Istanbul Correspondent Geoffrey is a writer, translator and eater based in Istanbul. Originally from the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, he discovered a love for food, language and culture through travel and has been hooked ever since. When not writing dispatches for Culinary Backstreets he spends his time improving his Turkish and scouring neighborhood eateries and food history books for the secret to the perfect yaprak sarma.

Gonca, Istanbul Walk Leader Born in Hamburg, Gonca studied translation and interpretation in Turkey and Florence, Italy. A long career in as a professional guide has led her into every corner of Turkey, but now she sticks to the Backstreets of Istanbul. She lives on the Bosphorus, tends to her garden, cooks for her friends and takes care of her cats, a life she always dreamed of leading.

Jennifer, Istanbul Correspondent Jennifer, one of CB’s Turkey correspondents, is a freelance journalist originally from San Francisco and based since 2008 in Istanbul, where she writes about arts and culture, the environment, food and drink, politics and society, travel, and urban issues while exploring the many corners of the city. Her work has also appeared in The Atlantic’s CityLab, The Christian Science Monitor, Cornucopia, Discover, GOOD, The National, Sierra, Wired, Women’s Running, Yale Environment 360, and Zester Daily, among many other publications. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her hiking, running, cooking, gallery-hopping, or taking the night bus on a new adventure in Turkey.

Katerina, Istanbul Walk Leader Katerina was born in Istanbul to a family of Greek and Russian roots. Though she studied French language teaching and worked as a teacher for four years, she now focuses on another passion – guiding visitors through her home city, Istanbul. Her favorite dish is karnıyarık, fried eggplant, split in half lengthwise and filled with ground beef and vegetables.

Lorenza, Istanbul Correspondent Lorenza is an Istanbul-based news producer for Italian national television. After leaving her home in Italy, she lived in Austria and Thailand before coming to Turkey, where she has been located since 2015. In Istanbul she has worked as an Italian teacher, translator, and food writer, as well as a delivery (wo)man for a pizzeria and a chef’s assistant in an Italian restaurant.

Paul, Istanbul Correspondent Paul Benjamin Osterlund is a freelance journalist and writer based in Istanbul.

Remziye, Istanbul Walk Leader In the Turkish diaspora community in Germany where Remziye lived for decades, traditions were kept alive in the kitchen. The smell of melted butter and garlicky yogurt poured over fresh bread crusts summons strong memories of her childhood home in Eastern Turkey where they call this simple dish by its Kurdish name, parğaç. Remziye’s passion for her culture and home country led her away from a career in textiles to a new life, in Istanbul as a professional guide and avid home cook.

Senem, Istanbul Walk Leader Senem was born in Istanbul and raised in the nearby city of Bursa. After graduating from university, she spent almost a decade abroad, experiencing food and culture in many corners of the globe. She first had a scholarship in Florence, where she met her husband Giovanni, an engineer and a cook. She has also studied in Brazil, Mexico, and France. She traveled from Mexico to Patagonia by bus (which took one year!) and some of her other favorite trips include India, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Syria, and Jordan. With a mother of Greek and Bulgarian origin, a father of nomadic Turkic heritage, and an Italian husband, Senem is kind of like Turkish lentil soup – you think it’s just made of lentils but discover there are many more ingredients inside!

Ugur, Istanbul Walk Leader For Uğur, having guests over for dinner meant içli köfte, a friend visiting for an afternoon tea was mercimek köfte. Winter meant boza, summer was sour cherry compote. Bosphorus offered the most delicious fish, aunts in the east sent the spices, and olives came from the uncle living on the Mediterranean. A native of Istanbul, Ugur (a.k.a. Adam) shares his enthusiasm for this city with his guests. Despite receiving a B.A. in Business and working in the business world for many years, he found his passion to be for history, people, different cultures, and most of all for food, and decided to become a full time professional tour guide where he could utilize his interests and knowledge by sharing with others. He’s one of the few lucky in this world who makes a living by not working a single day. He has the incurable and contagious disease of always smiling, and enjoys spreading it to others.

Born in Istanbul, but living in Izmir for more than 20 years, Nuket’s world of food is heavily informed by the distinct Sephardic Jewish cuisine that thrived in these two cities. She co-authored a recipe booked entitled “Izmir’s Sephardic Cuisine” and is constantly collecting recipes from aging members of the community who still speak the Spanish-based language, Ladino. In the mornings, she can often be found treating herself to dezayuno, boyos and a glass of subya like a true Izmirli.

Kadir was born and raised in the melting pot of Istanbul, with a unique blend of cultural experiences from the United States and Germany. As a passionate tour guide, he brings his expertise through years of professional guiding and a teaching position at a local university. Aside from being a food enthusiast, he also holds university degrees in Business, Political Science and History, providing a rich context for the delicious flavors sampled on our tours. As a resident of Istanbul, Kadir has witnessed the city’s culinary evolution and is excited to introduce visitors to the diverse and delectable dishes that represent the many regions of Turkey.

Dilek’s background is in art history and archaeology, which she studied first in Turkey and then as a graduate student in the United States. After participating in several archaeological excavations, Dilek worked for a number of years as a TV journalist and as a part-time university professor, before finally discovering her true passion: tour guiding! Besides being a devout worshipper of Turkish culinary arts, she is also an eternal student of the historical and mystical heritage of her home country. Dilek believes that meeting people is akin to discovering a new land, but that through sharing a meal together, one uncovers that land’s true soul.

Although born in Ankara, Ilke grew up throughout Turkey, as a result of both of her parents being teachers. After finishing a degree in psychology, she decided to change gears and became a tour guide. Since then, Ilke’s explorations of Turkey have made her more and more fascinated by the diversity and richness of the culinary habits in the country’s different regions. As a passionate cook, it’s Ilke’s pleasure to guide food enthusiasts through Istanbul.

CB’s work was started in 2009 by Ansel Mullins and Yigal Schleifer as a humble food blog called Istanbul Eats. The following year we published a book of our reviews, now in its fifth edition. That year we also launched our first culinary walk in Istanbul, a route we are still using today. In 2012, we realized that what we built in Istanbul was needed in other cities we knew and loved. We started CB that year with Athens, Barcelona, Mexico City and Shanghai as pioneering members of our network. In 2013, we added Rio and also launched our iPhone application in Istanbul. In 2015, Tokyo and Tbilisi came into the fold. That year we published mini-guides to Barcelona and Athens and also launched an iPhone application in those cities. Our Eatinerary service, which provides travelers with tailor-made culinary travel itineraries, was also launched in 2015. In 2016, Lisbon – the latest city to kindle our curiosity – joined the CB network. In 2017 we added Naples and Queens, NY – two places with very compelling stories to tell – to our roster and also published full-size eating guides to Athens and Barcelona. In 2018, Porto joined the list of cities we cover.

Visual Dispatches from the Frontlines of Local Eating

Istanbul Eats ® : Exploring the Culinary Backstreets ®

Now in its ninth edition, Istanbul Eats ® presents “Istanbul Eats: Exploring the Culinary Backstreets,” the definitive guidebook to eating locally and authentically in Istanbul, written by the co-founders of Istanbul Eats ® and Culinary Backstreets ® .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Where is Istanbul?

Istanbul is located in northwestern Turkey and straddles the Bosphorus Strait, which provides the only passage from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, via the Sea of Marmara. It is Turkey’s most-populated city, with around 15 million people. Istanbul, formerly Constantinople, is known for its ideal geographic position between Europe and Asia, which has become a common metaphor for describing both its history and culture.

What are the best things to do in Istanbul?

A historic capital of great empires and civilizations, Istanbul is rich in arts, history, culture and cuisine. The best things to do in Istanbul can be as glamorous as chartering a Bosphorus boat cruise to visiting the city’s most iconic sites – such as the Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace and Galata Tower. We suggest starting each morning with a long Turkish breakfast before setting off to sightsee. Stroll through the Spice Bazaar and its surrounding chaotic streets, cross Galata Bridge into Karaköy for baklava and a fish wrap, scour shops for Turkish towels and ceramics as you climb Galip Dede St to arrive at Istikal Ave and Taksim Square. The city’s dining scene has much to offer, and we’ve chronicled much of it here. Istanbul makes a great base for trips to the Princes’ Islands as well as a launch point for other wonders like Cappadocia and Ephesus.

When is the best time of year to visit Istanbul?

The best times to visit Istanbul are from March-May and between September-November. That’s when crowds at the city’s attractions are manageable, room rates are average and daytime temperatures generally sit in the high 60s and 70s F.

What is the weather like in Istanbul?

In Istanbul, the summers are hot and humid with clear skies and generally no higher than 90 F. Winters are mild, though often rainy, with temperatures rarely below 30 F. Snow may fall one or two days in a year. Spring and Fall are beyond pleasant, with temperatures in the high 60s and 70s.

Is Istanbul expensive?

When compared to many major cities in the world, especially in Europe, Istanbul is quite cheap. You can have a full Turkish breakfast for one person from €5 to €10, and many of our favorite eateries serve meals at less than €8 a person. The average price for a three-course meal for one person at a mid-range restaurant for lunch & dinner would be around €10. A cup of coffee is €1.5 and a draft beer about €2.5.

Is Istanbul safe?

Compared to other cities of its size, Istanbul is very safe. Turkish people are known for their hospitality and are extremely welcoming of foreigners, though we encourage reading up on accounts from travelers of different minority groups. Violent crime in the city is rare, though petty crime such as pickpocketing can be a nuisance in high-tourist areas.

What is the best food in Istanbul?

From street food stalls to sit-down restaurants with a view, there is no shortage of options for every palate and budget. While many may already know about Istanbul’s famous kebabs (like döner and Iskender), other classic dishes include lahmacun, simit, meze and an array of phyllo-based desserts like baklava. Turkish breakfast is an institution in its own right, and should never be passed over.

Where is the best place to stay in Istanbul?

Istanbul is a big city and it has plenty of different areas to choose from, each of them with its own charm and advantages. The best area in Istanbul for first-timers and families can be the historic old town of Sultanahmet, with easy access to sites like the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. For those hoping to be in walking distance of restaurants, bars and nightlife, Beyoğlu or Karaköy are ideal.

What is the COVID-19 situation in Istanbul?

Turkey’s vaccination rate is at about 62%. Masks are no longer required and no specific mandates are in place, but be sure to check on vaccination requirements for international arrivals.

Can Americans travel to Istanbul?

Turkey does not require American passport-holders to have a negative PCR test if they can provide proof of vaccination and are not arriving from a high-risk country. American passport holders can obtain a 90-day visa to Turkey on arrival at the airport, or an e-visa online at: www.evisa.gov.tr/en/apply.

Can I fly directly to Istanbul?

You can fly directly to Istanbul from many locations worldwide, either into the new Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) on the Asian side. Turkish Airlines is among the top five airlines with the highest number of destinations in the world.

What is the best restaurant in Istanbul?

Istanbul has a very diverse dining scene from the traditional to the trendy, and it changes daily. You can check out our Top 10 essentials list for our tips. But the hearty dishes at Çiya Sofrası and the classic, consistent baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu can’t be beat.

Are there beaches in Istanbul?

Istanbul is surrounded by both the Marmara and Black Seas, which are linked by the Bosphorus. Even though Istanbul is not known as a beach city, there are a number of public beaches: Florya, on the European side of the city; the Caddebostan area, on the Asian side; Kilyos, on the Black Sea coast; and each of the four Princes’ Islands in the Marmara Sea. These beaches are free to use, though chaise lounges can be rented at private beach clubs.

Is Istanbul suitable for children?

Istanbul is a diverting city with much to do, and eat, for children of any age. Though the city’s cobblestone streets and crowds can make walking with a stroller difficult, there are a growing number of wide, paved pathways for meandering along the Bosphorus. People in Turkey love kids and babies, and you can easily find restaurants with a designated “aile salonu,” or family room, with a small area for children to play.

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Home » Middle East » Turkey » Most EPIC Food Tours in Istanbul | The Broke Backpacker 2024 Guide

Most EPIC Food Tours in Istanbul | The Broke Backpacker 2024 Guide

Istanbul is a magical city of many cultures. It’s where the East meets the West, and even spans over two continents, split by the Bosporus Strait. From the stunning mosques of the Sultanahmet district to the cozy cafes of the Jewish Quarter in Balat, contrasting cultures live together in harmony in Istanbul.

This makes for a great culinary scene. The food in Istanbul is a melting pot of spices, flavors, and cuisines from across two continents . The spice markets are a thrill for the senses, with every flavor hitting your nose all at once.

I’m thinking about those delicately constructed layers of filo pastry on a perfect baklava. Dinner is a hearty, meaty delight of of kebab varieties. Istanbul is a place FULL of flavor.

There is just too much amazing food to choose from, and some foods that are unique to the city such as stuffed mussels and sucluc, which is why doing a food tour in Istanbul is such a great idea.

If you want to explore the city and find the best food stops, then a foodie tour of Istanbul is how you’ll get acquainted. Indulge culinary delights with a side order of top-quality hospitality.

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Food in Istanbul – Why is it Special? 

Istanbul foodie neighbourhood breakdown , best food tours in istanbul, final thoughts on food tours in istanbul.

Formerly known as Byzantium, then Constantinople, Istanbul has always been a thriving city and a meeting point between cultures. In fact, the Grand Bazaar is the oldest shopping mall in the world and has always been a hub of trade for centuries.

Every wanderer looking to trade came traveling through Istanbul on the trade routes of the Silk Road, including some recipes…

Even today, the flavors from the East and West combine to make some of the best fusion food on the planet . There are lots of must-try foods in Istanbul.

Let’s start with Simit , a popular street food in Istanbul. This chewy, round bread is covered in sesame seeds and topped with honey or Nutella.

Another doughy favorite of mine is pide or “Turkish pizza”, just like the Italian equivalent but without the tomato sauce. There’s also lahmacun, made of a thin piece of dough, and topped with minced meat, spices, and vegetables.

Breakfast is a big event for locals, and no matter where you stay (particularly in Istanbul Airbnbs and homestays) more often than not given a complimentary Turkish breakfast of eggs, cheese, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and bread. Yum-o.

Menemen is eggs, tomatoes, green peppers, and spices, it’s a popular breakfast dish in Istanbul. The dish takes its name from the Menemen district of Izmir in the Aegean Region of Turkey.

One dish you’ve probably heard of is Köfte , usually made from lamb, beef, or both. You may know köfte from the takeaway. But in Istanbul, it’s obviously way better – it’s served with grilled peppers, spicy sauce, flatbread, and rice. 

Döner – you know her. Here it’s cooked on vertical rotisseries and is arguably Turkey’s most famous food. But wait a minute, what about baklava? 

Baklava was one of the most popular sweet pastries of Ottoman cuisine, made of flaky layers of pastry topped with honey and nuts. Borek is a savory version of baklava that can also be found in Istanbul. It’s usually filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables. 

And finally, you can’t come to Istanbul and not try the seafood. Grab a fresh Balik Ekmek (fish sandwich) from the fishing boats on the Bosphorus. The cafes along the river bank in Eminonu, near the famous Galata Bridge, serve up the freshest catches of the day and it’s one of the top attractions in Istanbul . 

A note on happy bellies – It’s generally safe to consume street food in Istanbul, but it’s best to avoid very cheap meat or seafood. If there’s a queue, it’s usually good to eat.

A Taste of Istanbul’s Street Food

• > Where: Kadikoy Market, Beyoglu district
• > Includes: Professional guide, Tastings, Public transportation (Bus, ferry, subway etc.)
• > Duration: 4.5 Hours
• > Price: €63.02

Turkish and Ottoman Cuisine Workshop

• > Where: Istiklal Street, Beyoglu
• > Includes: All food, drinks, food history and cooking demonstration
• > Duration: 3 Hours
• > Price: €57

Dervish Experience & Traditional Dinner

• > Where: Fatih
• > Includes: Food, drinks, transport & tickets to the show
• > Duration: 3.5 Hours
• > Price: €66

Before we introduce you to the top food tours in Istanbul, let’s quickly run through the best foodie neighborhoods so you can explore the culinary delights on your own.

Sultanahmet, also known as the old town, is Istanbul’s most touristed district and includes neighbourhoods such as Sirkeci and Eminonu. Visit the famous Spice Market Misir Carsisi, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, which is an explosion of color and flavor from every corner of the world. 

In Eminou try Turkish delight, also known as lokum, at the oldest confectionary shop in Istanbul, Ali Muhiddin Haci Bekir Lokumlari. Stop by at the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia, as well as the underground Basilica Cisterns. Of course, no visit to Istanbul is complete without a trip to the Grand Bazaar, full of indoor souks and market stalls peddling everything from fine leather to fake brands. 

Karakoy is a harborside neighborhood in Istanbul on the opposite side of the river to the old town. Trendy cafes and cocktail bars line the streets while family-run shops and traditional neighborhood bakeries give the area a local vibe. 

Istiklal Street is Istanbul’s busiest thoroughfare, packed with color, culture and flavors from all over the world. Also known as “Independence Caddesi,” it’s a 1.5-kilometre-long pedestrian boulevard that runs through Beyoglu.

Just north of Taksim Square the area of Besiktas is famous throughout Turkey. Hundreds and thousands of Turkish residents visit here year-round to fill their bellies with the first meal of the day. Affectionately known as “Breakfast Street” , the area near to Dolmabahçe Palace is packed full of cafes and restaurants serving up menemen, kaymak, simit, and a whole selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. All washed down with a healthy amount of Turkish coffee of course.

To the north of Besiktas is the flamboyant restaurant Nusr-Et Steakhouse Etiler , made famous by the viral ‘Salt Bae’ videos on social media. I can say from experience it’s 100% worth the hype and is one of the top places to visit in Istanbul ! The ‘extra’ serving style, refined Turkish dishes, and over-the-top portions make this a meal not to be missed.

Kadiköy is a laid-back residential neighborhood on Istanbul’s Asian shore. It’s probably best known for its fresh seafood and local favorite Marmara Balik Market (fish market). Here you can find everything from Turkish pizza, to fresh olives, and perfectly steamed stuffed mussels. The area is pretty popular with the younger crowds too. You can visit indie boutiques, hipster cafes, and traditional Anatolian eateries. There’s also some of the best nightlife in the city along Barlar Sokak (Bar Street).

For some of the best views, visit the Moda Caddesi neighborhood’s shores that showcase Istanbul’s beautiful skyline. Get a dondurma (ice cream) from Meshur Dondurmaci Ali Usta and look out across the Sea of Marmara.

Now you know where to go looking for the best food in Istanbul, you need to know which… It’s time to take a look at the top food tours to add to your Istanbul itinerary .

A Taste of Istanbul’s Street Food – The Overall Best Istanbul Food Tour

• Where: Kadikoy Market, Beyoglu district
• Duration: 4.5 Hours
• Includes: Professional guide, Tastings, Public transportation (Bus, ferry, subway etc.)
• Price: €63.02

This small group tour gives you a taste of some of the best food in Istanbul. It’s a comprehensive five-hour tour of Istanbul’s street food scene covering everything from pide to simit.

You will travel by foot as well as tram, and take a ferry over the Bosphorus to seek out the best dishes on the Asian side of Istanbul. 

Start by browsing the vibrant Kadikoy Market on Istanbul’s Asian side. Later, take a stroll along the iconic Galata Bridge to sample the seafood sandwiches of Galata.

There’s a bit of everything on this tour, all finished off with baklava at the famous pastry shop ‘Karakoy Gulluoglu’ in the Beyoglu district.

Your local guide will give you loads of facts about the surrounding area as well as some great tips for getting around. Do this tour at the start of your visit, even if you’re only visiting for a weekend , and save yourself a load of money on taxis and bland food.

No Diet Club Istanbul Food Journey – For Those Who Don’t Care About Calories

• Where:  Karakoy & Kadikoy
• Duration: 3 Hours
• Includes: Food, drinks, ferry, local guide

This offbeat 3-hour tour is perfect for those that aren’t watching their weight. Packed with tasty delights from favorite local spots and food markets, this tour takes in the highlights of Istanbul’s treats.

Try fresh mussels at the Karakoy Pier, a local favorite, wander the backstreets of Kadikoy on the Asian side, and try some of the best Turkish mezes. Then uncover the secrets to Turkish cheese and try Künefe, a cheesy dessert adored by locals.

Local guide, Yunus Emre, has been an official tour guide in Istanbul for over 12 years. He’s done all of the sights and knows the facts, but this tour isn’t for sightseeing. 

It’s a deep dive into the flavorsome food that keeps this city running.

Half-Day Turkish Coffee Tasting and Tour – The Caffeine Addicts Food Tour in Istanbul

• Where: Fatih / Old Town
• Includes: Hotel pick-up and drop-off from centrally located hotels, local guide, coffee and Turkish delight tasting, all entrance fees

Turkish coffee is world-famous and making the perfect cup is a fine art. Visit a unique museum and get the chance to drink at some of the most historic coffee venues in Istanbul on this three-hour guided tour.

You will learn everything there is to know about the national drink during this tour for caffeine lovers. Make the perfect Turkish coffee in a historic coffee shop, visit the coffee storage of the Ottomans, and try authentic Turkish delights at the Kurukahvedji Inn.

Coffee is a huge part of Turkish culture, and this tour gives you all of the facts. Learn the how, the why, and the where to drink coffee along the beautiful “Coffee Route” of Istanbul.

Dervish Experience & Traditional Dinner – The Best Traditional Food Tour

• Where: Fatih
• Duration: 3.5 Hours
• Includes: Food, drinks, transport & tickets to the show

Join the locals at a very traditional Sufism Dervish show, then get spoiled with a feast on the rooftop of a 150-year-old restaurant. 

Spend an hour experiencing the hypnotic ‘Whirling Dervish’ of Turkey. Learn all about the dance and the history of the authentic surroundings from your local guide.

Hosts Kubilay and Zeynep are passionate about their culture and want to share it with visitors. You will get to know them and learn about the spiritual ways of Sufism .

This tour is a great way to get a sense of the Rumi spirit, a word borrowed from Arabic literally meaning ‘Roman’. The community comes together for these impressive shows, a far more authentic Istanbul experience than belly dancing.

After the show, you will be whisked away to a local kebab restaurant. It’s housed in a historic building with beautiful views out over the city from the rooftop.

You will get an unlimited amount of quality Turkish cuisine. Try traditional soups, a great choice of kebabs, and of course lots of mezes. Finish the night off with tea or Turkish coffee and a local dessert.

There are vegetarian and vegan options available too! Just let them know your dietary requirements when you book.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Breakfast in Istanbul – The Breakfast Tour in Istanbul

• Where: Besiktas 
• Duration: 2 Hours
• Includes: Traditional Turkish Breakfast and Turkish tea
• Price: € 37

Hundreds of people flock to ‘Breakfast Street’ in Istanbul every morning, but it remains largely unheard of to tourist visitors. The first meal of the day is an important part of Turkish culture, experience it like a local with one of the best Istanbul foodie tours. 

Just across from the Dolmabahce Palace, this trendy neighborhood in Besiktas is the best place to get breakfast in Istanbul. People from all over Turkey head here but many foreign visitors miss it completely.

Local guide Utku will order you a feast including menemen, kaymak & honey, and muhlama. Don’t worry about trying to translate menus, he’ll take care of everything.

Utku has traveled all over the world. He brought the very first Airbnb Experiences to Istanbul while he was working as Airbnb Brand Ambassador. His aim is to give you an unforgettable local experience in Istanbul.

If you’re not too full, chat about the best things to do in Istanbul over Turkish tea or coffee before heading back into the city center.

Turkish and Ottoman Cuisine Workshop – The Best Istanbul Cookery Class

• Where: Istiklal Street, Beyoglu
• Includes: All food, drinks, food history and cooking demonstration

Tucked away in a cozy house on Istiklal Street, between the Galata tower and Taksim square, you will find a fun-packed cooking experience with locals.

Kaan and Arda will immerse you into the world of Ottoman gastronomy, but this is no history lesson. They have been doing this sort of thing for a while, and know the key to great food is having fun!

Compete with your fellow cooks for ‘best chef’, learn some new dance moves while listening to traditional Turkish music, and eat your heart out during this action-packed cooking lesson in Istanbul.

Learn the art of making Turkish lasagna called ‘Yalama‘, and try Salgam (fermented black carrot juice), yum! There are plenty of options for vegetarians too with humus, Çig Köfte, and lots of other tasty treats. 

This is a great way to get a real appreciation for the food in Istanbul. Learn what goes into the food you are eating as well as try some of the best things to eat in Istanbul.

Local Food, History, and Hidden Places – The Do It All Food Tour in Istanbul

• Where: Sultanahmet and Eminou 
• Includes: Food, drinks, vegan/gluten-free options (advanced notice required)

Wander the hidden streets of the old town and visit the most historic and authentic local eateries in the heart of Istanbul. 

This tour takes in all of the essentials. If you want someone else to do all of the hard work for you and try the very best food in Istanbul, this is the one for you.

Starting at the iconic Spice Bazaar you will try pide, followed by Turkish delights from a 245-year-old shop, then to a local stall for the “best döner in town”. 

Find hidden kebab stalls in the Grand Bazaar and wash it all down with Turkish coffee. Finally, demolish some baklava as you take in the sights of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.

Ozcan, the founder of Taste Of Istanbul, along with a small team (Didem and Elif) runs highly-rated food tours in Istanbul. As a local foodie, he has hand-picked some of the very best spots to try the most delicious and iconic food in the city.

This tour is perfect if you don’t have much time in Istanbul, or if you just want to learn about all of the best spots in the old town to return to during your stay. Taste of Istanbul also runs a nighttime tour of Beyoglu and a transcontinental foodie walk.

So there you have it, the best Istanbul food tours you just have to try. They are packed with history, culture, flavor, and a little pinch of heaven.

Not only will you ignite your taste palet, but these tours will help you learn all about the cultures of the many empires that have ruled and traveled through Istanbul. It helps you understand the people around you better. You’ll also find yourself greeted with open arms. 

Taste some of the very best fusion cuisines that have come from centuries of trade and shared cultures. Try and use a couple of Turkish words too and watch their faces light up.

Istanbul is a complete paradise for foodies, so make sure you make the most of your stay. These awesome food experiences really set your world on fire.

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20 Best Turkish Street Food in Istanbul: Complete Guide & Where to Find Them

Istanbul is a street food lover’s paradise. The street food of Istanbul is diverse and delicious, made with fresh ingredients and served from carts, peddlers, stands on street corners, street vendors, or restaurants across the city. From döner kebab to lahmacun, street food in Istanbul is an experience that can’t be missed!

The only problem is that there are so many delicious options! How do you choose? We created this guide to help you learn the 20 best Turkish street foods in Istanbul and where to find them.

Is it safe to eat street food in Istanbul?

Eating street food in Istanbul and Turkey is entirely safe and highly recommended (as long as you know what to look out for). In Istanbul, the municipality issues certifications and permits for street food sellers. They are constantly being supervised by the municipality, making it safe to say that you can enjoy Turkish street food delicacies in Istanbul without any worries! You can identify certified street food sellers by their certification numbers displayed on their carts or stands.

Of course, there are some factors that you need to consider before enjoying your favorite street food in Istanbul. For instance, those with sensitive stomachs should stay away from tap-water-washed green vegetables and tap-water ice cubes.

Street Food Prices in Istanbul

Street food prices in Istanbul and Turkey don’t adhere to a strict structure because they vary depending on what you order, where you order it, a street cart or a restaurant, or a touristy area. However, most of the street foods on this list will cost 1-3US$ average.

On the other hand, mid-range restaurants also serve some of the most popular Turkish street foods at higher prices.

Famous Street Foods to Try in Istanbul

Below you will find a list of 20 street food items that Istanbul visitors should not miss. We’ve also included pictures and details on what they are made of, and where to find them.

You may not be lucky enough to taste all of them during your stay unless you especially go and try to find them. So, let’s start!

20. Halka Tatlısı (Ring-Shaped Dessert)

Among Istanbul’s many tasty street food options is “halka tatlisi”, a type of dessert available almost anywhere in the city. This popular, delicious confection is made with a surprisingly basic recipe. The deep-fried dough is then dipped into syrup and cooled off. The result is a crispy and super sweet street dessert.

Istanbul streets are energy-sapping, but this Turkish street food can give you the full boost that’s needed.

19. Kestane Kebab (Roasted Chestnuts)

A street food can’t get any simpler than this; it is just chestnuts roasted on a grill with their skin on! While there may not be any meat present, a chestnut kebab is nonetheless an outstanding street food in Turkey.

It is healthy street food, which you can find at any time of the day. Especially during fall and winter, the streets of Istanbul are full of certified peddlers selling roasted hot chestnuts. In winter, chestnuts will be fresh and tastier.

Some may find their taste bland, but it is an old-time favorite snack for Turkish people when we used to cook them in our houses on wood-fired ovens. Turkey is home to a large population of chestnut trees, making the chestnut an abundant food in winter.

18. Koçan Mısır & Közde Mısır (Boiled & Grilled Corn)

Boiled and grilled corn can be found on Istanbul streets all year round, but the taste of a summer or spring cob is incomparable to that in winter. While it is quite filling and one of the cheapest street foods in Istanbul, its taste is not that flavourful. It’s worth trying both grilled and boiled corn since they have different tastes.

Corn is served straight from the boiling pot or the grill, which means you need to be careful not to get burned.

17. Midye Tava (Fried Mussels)

These crispy snacks are served on sticks, called “midye tava” in Turkish, and sold by street vendors and restaurants throughout Istanbul. They are particularly popular in seaside neighborhoods like Beşiktaş, Ortaköy, Kadıköy and Kumkapı.

The mussels are battered and fried in a huge metal pan filled with the hot oil in the center and served with tangy “tarator” sauce (made with bread crumbs, walnuts, olive oil, strained yogurt, freshly squeezed lemon juice, grated garlic, and salt) for dipping. 

If you like to eat a more filling meal, you can have your fried mussels between crusts of Turkish bread as a sandwich.

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Get the istanbul food guide for free, 16. köfte ekmek (meatball hero).

Köfte ekmek is a little-known street food originating from Western Turkey and spreading across the country during Ottoman times. This dish consists of grilled meatballs served in bread with fresh sliced tomatoes, onions, parsley, and grilled green peppers.

What makes this street food delicious is the spices used in the meatballs: black pepper, cumin, and allspice.

Köfte ekmek is Turkey’s most popular street food when there is a football game, and you are around a stadium. Do not miss your chance to enjoy this delicious street food prepared by the peddlers around the football stadiums.

15. Çiğ köfte (Raw Meatballs)

Finely grounded fatless lamb, bulgur, onions, garlic, tomato, and hot pepper paste is treated with extremely hot spices (isot, pul biber) and kneaded until the lamb is cured (cooked) by these hot spices. As a result, it should be consumed fresh and can’t be stored overnight.

Çiğ köfte is sold all around Istanbul and is one of Turkey’s most famous street foods, but fortunately, the original recipe above has been banned for commercial production due to health reasons.

Nowadays, nearly all the Çiğ köfte in Istanbul are prepared without meat, making it a fantastic vegan food! This delicious street food is usually wrapped in lettuce and eaten with a squeeze of lemon. You can also have it wrapped in lavash bread.

14. Balık Ekmek (Grilled Fish Sandwich)

One of Istanbul’s best street food (which every visitor should try) is Balık ekmek, a grilled fish sandwich. It is grilled mackerel, fresh lettuce, and onions in 6-inch sandwich bread. It is delicious but be careful of the bones, and do not forget to squeeze lemon!

Rather than going to a restaurant, we recommend getting your Balık Ekmek from one of the many boats in Eminönü shore that cook it on their boats. Ordering your fish from a boat may look like they are using fresh, local fish, but the truth is that these boats and most of the restaurants in Istanbul use Norwegian mackerel for fish sandwiches.

Generally, the best time to eat Balık ekmek is between noon and nightfall. Finding these boats is usually impossible after the dark. You can also buy pickle juice or turnip juice sold nearby; locals enjoy these drinks with their fish sandwiches.

Related things to do

Taste of two continents tour, taksim evening food tour, 13. islak burger (wet burger).

These steamed burgers in Istanbul are unlike any you’ve ever had before. Beef patty and soft white buns are flavored with a garlic and tomato sauce and then left to sweat inside a steam box. In this way, the burgers are always kept slightly wet until served to a customer. They are tastier as they steamed longer.

These delicious and quite easy-to-eat wet burgers are popular food after a long night of drinking or partying. You can find many corner shops selling wet burgers around Taksim square.

Flavours of the Old City

Kadıköy street food tour, 12. simit, açma and çatal.

Simit is a circular bread encrusted with sesame seeds and also known as a Turkish bagel. Just like simit, çatal and açma are also kinds of pastry you can enjoy. Çatal is more crumbly and dry, açma is softer and more like a croissant.

Generally, they’re eaten in the morning and are available at bakeries. Peddlers certified by the Istanbul Municipality also offer them in crowded areas all day long. If you start your day early in the morning, you can find the freshest simit available.

Simit, çatal, and açma can be eaten with or without any spread but if you have time, we recommend you try them with any Turkish cheese, Turkish tea, or clotted cream & honey. This breakfast is meant to be light and quick but still traditional and flavorful.

11. İçli Köfte (Stuffed Meatballs)

Icli kofte, which translates as stuffed meatballs in English, is a traditional Turkish appetizer or main meal and is sometimes found as street food in Istanbul.

Balls of dough made from a mix of fine bulgur, potato, and spices are used as the outer shell and filled with beef or lamb mince. It is then cooked by boiling or grilling. It can be consumed hot or cold.

It’s often challenging for cooks and home chefs alike to prepare this complex recipe, and therefore it is becoming a delicacy at restaurants in Turkey.

Sabırtaşı Restaurant on Istiklal street serves these Turkish delicacies in their restaurant-front cart. İçli Köfte can be eaten any time of the day and has a unique taste that you won’t find anywhere else.

10. Kokoreç (Grilled Lamb Intestines)

One of the more popular street foods in Istanbul is kokoreç. If you’re a fan of offals, then this may be your next favorite food! In its simplest form, it’s grilled sheep intestines – yum?

Absolutely yes; while it is not for everyone, many locals will crave this tasty & iconic street food. It is not cheap street food and is viewed as a delicacy rather than regular street food.

Kokoreç is finely chopped and mixed with oregano, salt, red pepper, and sometimes fresh tomato. The mixture is then served in bread as a sandwich.

9. Börek (Baked Filled Pastries)

Börek is a Turkish dish made of numerous fillings like cheese, spinach, ground meat, and vegetables. It is a baked-filled pastry with either puff or shortcrust dough.

Istanbul is home to many different types of börek; some are specialties of Karaköy and Sarıyer neighborhoods. Locals usually eat this type of street food for breakfast.

It’s not hard to find börek shops anywhere, but the best time of day to get börek is from morning until noon. If you want to try a quick Turkish breakfast, this is your food to go.

8. Tavuk Pilav (Chicken and Rice)

There are many favorite Turkish dishes, but one of the most beloved is rice. Even though it’s usually cooked in homes and eaten as a staple food, you can also find it on street corners with vendors selling mouth-watering bowls of rice with boiled chicken and chickpeas.

Do not confuse Turkish buttery-flavored rice with an Asian style of bland steamed rice. In Turkey, rice is so good that it can be enjoyed by itself.

If you see any street carts or restaurants selling this cheap, filling, and wonderfully delicious street food, do not think twice and try it!

Do not forget to sprinkle some black pepper on your rice and taste the pickled hot mini peppers.

7. Dürüm (Wraps)

A dürüm is a Turkish wrap that is usually filled with Adana kebab, Urfa kebab, döner kebab, çiğ köfte, chicken shish or çöp şiş. The wrap is made from lavash or yufka flatbreads.

Turks love all kinds of wraps, and there are many different dürüms you can find in Istanbul. The 2 most popular ones are Adana dürüm and Urfa dürüm. These two street foods are generally made with beef or lamb mince mixed with lamb tail fat. The tail fat makes it juicy and flavourful. Mince is skewered and cooked on a charcoal grill. It is served as a lavash wrap with tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and parsley.

While they have the same recipe, Adana dürüm is a spicier variation of this Turkish street food.

Do not forget to order a refreshing ayran drink (salty yogurt drink) along with your Adana or Urfa dürüm.

6. Kumpir (Baked Potato)

If you ask the local teenagers and students, kumpir will be one of their most favorite   street foods in Istanbul. This is no surprise answer as it is reasonably priced, incredibly filling, and fantastically yummy!

These are huge baked potatoes filled with grated yellow cheese and butter. There are also optional toppings such as grated carrot, red cabbage, boiled mushroom and corn, black and green olives, sausages, pickles, Russian salad, ketchup, and mayonnaise.

Cheese and butter come as standard with your kumpir, but you will dress it up with the toppings as you please.

5. Döner Kebab

There are thousands of döner shops in Istanbul. Döner kebab is a common and the most popular street food in Turkey. It’s made of lamb, beef, or chicken that is slowly roasted on a rotating vertical skewer. Wrapped with pita and sprinkled with salad or vegetables, including tomato, lettuce, cabbage, onion with sumac, fresh or pickled cucumber, or chili, and various types of sauces.

It has become more than just your average fast food in Turkey and is no longer a quick meal. The meaty dish can now also serve as either a satisfying lunch or a fancy dinner for those who are looking to have something filling yet healthy on their plate at all times of the day.

4. Maraş Dövme Dondurması (Turkish Ice Cream)

Kahramanmaraş is one of the Turkish cities, which has been producing some of the most mouth-watering ice creams in the world. This Turkish ice cream is not your average sweet treat. It’s made with rich, creamy goat milk and a dash of sahlep (wild orchid roots) that keeps it from melting right away.

Maraş Dövme Dondurması is the perfect way to cool down during Istanbul’s summer or fall seasons. Forget about your diet for a moment, and indulge in this local treat as you wander the streets of Istanbul.

At some ice cream shops, you can even eat your dondurma with a knife and fork. Do not forget to order a Turkish coffee or Turkish tea to complete your dondurma experience.

3. Midye Dolma (Stuffed Mussels)

Istanbul is surrounded by the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, and that’s one of the reasons why stuffed mussels are abundant and are popular all over town. From restaurants to street carts, every vendor sells their own version of this dish – from mild to spicy! A few have even gone so far as starting up a restaurant just focused on selling one type of food: Stuffed mussels!

Mussels are stuffed with rice, cinnamon, onion, black pepper, allspice, sautéed pine nuts, and steamed cooked.

This traditional street food is sold at all hours, and the best way to eat it is with lemon juice freshly squeezed over them so that the mussel and rice are not dry and the taste of the spices will be enhanced.

Turks, in general, prefer to have stuffed mussels with or after alcohol consumption. And many of the area bars also offer this delicious snack as a treat if you order your alcoholic beverages from them.

2. Lahmacun

Lahmacun is popular street food in Turkey that consists of Turkish pita dough topped with minced meat, tomatoes, onions, and parsley. It usually has a round shape, and it is common for tourists to call it Turkish pizza.

If you have the opportunity to taste a lahmacun that is cooked over wood, do not pass it up. This spicy and garlicky street food is usually eaten alongside lunch or dinner and is not recommended as a morning snack.

The typical way to enjoy your lahmacun is to put some lettuce and parsley on top. Squeeze some lemon and roll the whole lahmacun into a wrap and enjoy the flavors. This delicious food is widely available in Istanbul and easy to find.

Tantuni is popular street food in Turkey that consists of julienned beef or lamb stir-fried on a traditional Turkish sac (a thin metal pan used for cooking food at high temperatures) with sunflower oil. After the meat is cooked, it’s wrapped in lavash with chopped onions, skinless tomatoes, and parsley.

Tantuni is first cooked in the Mediterranean town of Mersin and became popular across the country around the 1980s. It was street food for poor people in the early days – beef lungs were the meat commonly used. One thing to be grateful for is that beef lungs are no longer eaten in Turkey.

Today, cheaper versions of this street food are made with chicken. It is equally delicious.

Keep in mind that this food is oily and not recommended for stomachs sensitive to such. Before you take a bite from your tantuni, don’t forget to squeeze a few drops of lemon juice into it.

Final words

The best Turkish street foods in Istanbul are all waiting for you to enjoy them. From kebabs and lahmacuns to kumpir and simit, there is no shortage of delicious food on the streets of this bustling city. We hope you will have the most delicious time in Istanbul!

More of the best restaurants & food in Istanbul

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Istanbul Clues

Istanbul Tour Guide

Best STREET FOOD Places in Istanbul (Updated → 2024)

26 November 2023 by Serhat Engül

Visiting historical masterpieces like Hagia Sophia and taking a Bosphorus cruise are some of the must-do activities in Istanbul . While you explore historical places, you can also discover the best Turkish street food in Istanbul and turn your culture trip into a gourmet tour.

Istanbul boasts hundreds of dishes and rich food culture. Therefore, this amazing city offers delicious local food you definitely have to try. In this sense, I’ve listed the best street food places in Istanbul , Turkey.

Table of Contents

Best Street Food Places in Istanbul 2024

In order to find the best street food places in Istanbul in 2024 , you have to visit the historical districts like Sultanahmet and Beyoglu (aka Taksim).

Sultanahmet is Istanbul’s most touristic district and includes neighborhoods such as Sirkeci and Eminonu nearby. Beyoglu is the modern side of Istanbul and includes places like Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, Galata and Karakoy.

While visiting these neighborhoods, you can easily get off the tourist routes and find restaurants where locals eat. In this article, you can find street food in Istiklal Street , the heart of Beyoglu, and in Sirkeci and Eminonu , which are local food places near Sultanahmet.

Turkish street food prices in Istanbul start from 20 liras to 200 liras. Of course, the cheapest options are sweet corn, bagel and chestnut. Baked potatoes, rice and mussels have a medium price. Turkish street food made of meat is the most expensive. While Kokorec, Kofte, and Doner are more expensive options, they are also the tastiest.

It is generally safe to consume street food in Istanbul . But if you see products made from meat very cheap, think twice. Sandwiches containing fish, meat or chicken cost no less than 100 Turkish Liras (3 US dollars).

If you take a food tour during your visit to Istanbul , you can get to know the city’s food culture and enjoy Turkish cuisine. You can reserve your place on the food tour I recommend by clicking the link here .

1. Balik Ekmek

Balik Ekmek (fish sandwich) can be found in many parts of Istanbul. However, when the locals think of fish sandwich, Eminonu is the first place that comes to mind. It is a great pleasure to eat fish sandwiches by the fish boats that stand alongside the sea in Eminonu. You can sit on the stools on the street and watch the Galata Tower while eating your fish sandwich.

There are a lot of fish sandwich shops near Galata Bridge , which connects Karakoy and Eminonu. If you want to sit in a proper place while eating, you can find a number of fish restaurants that offer tables under Galata Bridge and taste delicious mackerel. Galata Bridge is located within walking distance to Taksim and Sultanahmet, Istanbul’s most popular tourist destinations.

Alternatively, you can have Balik Ekmek by the Bosphorus at shabby but delicious restaurants. Some of the places you may want to visit are Nimet Abla Balik Ekmek and Taka Balik Ekmek , famous for its grilled anchovy, at Yenikoy (further up the Bosphorus).

2. Midye Dolma

Midye Dolma is mussels stuffed with herbed rice, currants, and pine nuts and it’s one of the most popular street food in Istanbul.

You can always find street stalls to try this delicious food, but you can alternatively find some established shops too. Especially, Mercan Kokorec and Sampiyon Kokorec are the two places that I highly recommend.

Mercan Kokorec and Sampiyon Kokorec are two famous chains, located in tourist centers. You can find these shops in Beyoglu Fish Market (near Taksim Square) or Kadikoy Fish Market (on the Asian Side).

Lastly, Tarihi Karakoy Midyecisi is another place that can satisfy you. You will definitely enjoy the stuffed mussel at this established shop which dates back to 1921. Karakoy is very close to Galata Bridge and can be reached from both Sultanahmet and Taksim.

Kokorec is a favorite choice among giblet lovers and there are two types of kokorec you can try, which are Istanbul and Izmir style.

The most famous place where you can find kokorec is Cengelkoy Kokoreccisi at Cengelkoy , a nostalgic neighborhood on the Asian Side of Istanbul. This shop has only one branch and its kokorec becomes more delicious thanks to a special thyme and pepper sauce.

Additionally, Mercan Kokorec and Sampiyon Kokorec on Istiklal Street (in Beyoglu Fish Market) are some other options you can go for in Istanbul. Most of the tourists coming to Istanbul stay around Taksim Square. Istiklal Street , which is within walking distance from Taksim Square, is a good place to experience the must-eat street food in Istanbul.

If you are on the Asian side of Istanbul, Gunes Kokorec in Uskudar or Meshur Kokorecci Adem Usta in Kadikoy are the best options. Moreover, Gala Kokorec that boasts 14 branches is another place where you can eat some great kokorec.

Gala Kokorec is located in Sirkeci (opposite the iconic Post Office Building). Gala Kokorec, which is within walking distance from Sultanahmet, is the right address to taste the best street food in Sultanahmet .

Pilav is a cheap street food that can be found all over Istanbul day or night. The best places to eat pilaf in Istanbul are in the back streets of the old districts. Meshur Tahtakale Pilavcisi (near Spice Bazaar) is one of such hidden gems. It’s a small place where you can try pilaf with chicken.

Another shop you might want to try is Meshur Unkapani Pilavcisi (near Ataturk Bridge in the Old City). It’s a place where ayran (Turkish yoghurt drink) meets pilaf and we can guarantee you will like this combination.

If you are looking for a different alternative, Tarihi Kalkanoglu Pilavicisi sounds like a good option. Here, you can try pilaf with fried meat or beans. You should also note that pilaf at this place is cooked with butter and broth. You can find branches of “Tarihi Kalkanoglu Pilavcisi” in Beyoglu (near Madame Tussauds Istanbul ) and Kadikoy (on the Asian Side of Istanbul).

Another great choice on the Asian side is surely Pilavcioglu (near Kadikoy Fish Market) where you can find soup, sautéed meat, and sautéed chicken in addition to pilaf.

Pilav is one of the most satisfying and healthy options among Turkish street food. If you are looking for a cheap street food in Istanbul , small rice restaurants are the right option for you.

Simit is an important part of daily life in Istanbul. You can see many people having breakfast with simit on the streets of Istanbul and on the city’s nostalgic ferries. By the way, Turkish tea goes really well with simit. Most street bagel vendors put cheese inside the bagel, and it’s a yummy duo. If you like dessert, you can order your bagel mixed with Nutella.

It’s possible to come across a famous bagel shop at any neighborhood in Istanbul. Some of the famous bagel shops in Istanbul are Tarihi Karakoy Galata Simitcisi in Karakoy , Tarihi Harbiye Firini in Sisli , Tarihi Bogazkesen Firini in Cihangir , and Cigdem Pastanesi in Sultanahmet .

These districts where old simit bakeries are located are also the best places to stay in Istanbul . Staying in these historical districts of Istanbul offers you endless delicious food options.

6. Kofte Ekmek

Kofte Ekmek is the most practical and delicious street food you can eat in Istanbul. You can see the meatball sandwich sellers on the match days of the local football teams. Especially the meatball vendor next to Besiktas Vodafone Arena Stadium is famous.

They are present on the shores of the Bosphorus or wherever crowds gather. Kofte Ekmek is an important part of social life in Istanbul. Famous food blogger Mark Wiens’ Istanbul tour also begins with Kofte Ekmek. What a mouth-watering start to a street food video!

Those staying in Beyoglu can try Kofteci Huseyin , which is within walking distance from Taksim Square. Those staying in Sultanahmet should visit Hocapasa Street near Sirkeci Tram Station. In Hocapasa, two meatball places named Rumeli Koftecisi and Filibe Koftecisi are next to each other. Both are delicious.

In addition, in Besiktas , where luxury hotels are located, Sohretler Besiktas Köftecisi is very famous. Those staying on the Asian side can try the Express Inegol Koftecisi near fish market in Kadikoy . This is a cheap meatball shop and is filled with locals all day long.

As an insider, I can say that Kofte Ekmek has a special place in the lives of Istanbulites. There is a terrific smell from the grills of meatball sandwich vendors. Therefore, Istanbulites can never resist this yummy Turkish street food.

Misir is another important item of street food culture in Istanbul. It’s consumed as boiled, grilled or in a glass, which has become popular recently, but no matter how it’s consumed, people love eating sweet corn on streets in Istanbul.

If you feel hungry while visiting shops in Spice Bazaar or if you want to snack at Sultanahmet, corn sounds like a good option to choose. Moreover, many corn stalls in the squares of Kadikoy , Uskudar, Eminonu, and Besiktas are waiting for you to try corn in Istanbul.

8. Doner Kebab

Doner Kebab is by far the most popular street food in Istanbul. The most delicious doner shops are found in historical places. In districts such as Sultanahmet, Eminonu, Besiktas and Uskudar, I suggest you to choose the crowded local restaurants where you cannot even find a place to sit.

Donerci Sahin Usta near the Grand Bazaar and Asim Usta (aka Karadeniz Doner) in Besiktas are some of the places where you can have a quick and amazing meal in Istanbul. Another spot to visit is Zumrut Doner nearby Spice Bazaar .

You must have noticed that street food in Istanbul is identified with certain districts. The common feature of these places is that they are close to ferry piers. These spots are bustling with locals during rush hours.

Istanbulites know that the best street food places in Istanbul are near the ferries. For this reason, you can find local delicacies in Karakoy , Eminonu , Besiktas on the European Side of Istanbul, and in Kadikoy and Uskudar on the Asian Side.

Kumpir is one of the symbols of Ortakoy (a district located on the Bosphorus) and, naturally, there are tons of shops you can try this delicious snack there.

Kumpir (baked potato) is cooked in a special oven, filled with butter and goat cheese, as well as any toppings you prefer. Some of the items you can include in your baked potato are Russian salad, bulghur salad, mushroom, red cabbage with yogurt, and sliced olives.

You can just order your kumpir at one of the various shops in Ortakoy , sit on a bench and enjoy the Bosphorus and Ortakoy Mosque view. After eating in Ortakoy, you can walk to Bebek and drink coffee like Istanbulites.

10. Islak Hamburger

Islak Hamburger is one of the other special tastes of Istanbul.. You can find many shops that sell Islak Hamburger at “Siraselviler Street” in Beyoglu. Islak Hamburger is an indispensable street food of Istanbul’s nightlife and is sold around Taksim Square.

A steamed burger is topped with a special sauce, which makes the burger wet. A lot of butter is used to make this burger and the burger meat is spicy. Therefore, it’s a unique type of burger that is worth trying.

If you are staying in Taksim, one of the most popular accommodation places in Istanbul, you should definitely try this wet burger at Kizilkayalar . Because Islak Hamburger is the best street food in Taksim Square .

11. Kestane

Kestane (roasted chestnuts) used to be the symbol of winter but it’s common to see a street vendor selling this delicious snack any day of the year these days. You can come across one of such street sellers at touristic spots like Taksim, Eminonu, and Sultanahmet.

Kestane is a practical street food that you can consume standing up during sightseeing. And I highly recommend you to try this classical street food when you visit Istanbul.

Pide is an oval shaped flat bread and can be filled with cheese, ground beef, eggs and sausage according to your choice. Although it looks a bit like pizza, it is a unique flavor with its spices.

In ordet to eat Pide in Istanbul, you can go to Sirkeci (very close to Sultanahmet), where Hocapasha Restaurants are located. For example, Hocapasa Pidecisi is delicious.

On the other hand, there is a wonderful place called Pide Sun in Kadikoy, which is the famous food spot on the Asian side of Istanbul. You can find this delicious restaurant inside the Kadikoy Fish Market.

13. Lahmacun

Lahmacun is one of the most popular street foods among Istanbulites. For this reason, there are several lahmacun restaurants in every district of the city.

Lahmacun is made according to different recipes in different parts of Turkey. Cities famous for their kebab dishes such as Antep, Urfa and Adana each have their own style of lahmacun.

You can have delicious lahmacun at Hamdi Restaurant next to Spice Bazaar . On the other hand, Munhasir Doner & Kebab serves delicious lahmacun near Taksim Square .

However, you can find more options for lahmacun in Kadikoy on the Asian side. For example, Borsam Tasfirin and the famous Ciya Sofrasi are the prominent ones.

14. Gozleme

Gozleme is essentially Turkish flat bread stuffed with spinach, potatoes or meat. However, it is not as common as other street foods as it is a bit difficult to prepare.

In the Old City, you can find a place that makes delicious Gozleme when you walk the gentle slope that goes down next to Hagia Sophia (following the tram tracks).

The restaurant called Otantik Anadolu Yemekleri , which has a few branches in places like Beyoglu and Kadikoy in Istanbul, is also very good at this type of traditional food.

15. Cag Kebap

Cag Kebap is a kind of Turkish kebab ideal for lamb lovers. This kebab is a dish unique to Erzurum, one of the provinces in the east of Turkey. Although Cag Kebap looks like Doner Kebab at first glance, it is a more oily and juicy version.

I have praised “Hocapasa Restaurants” in many articles on this blog. Because this alleyway full of restaurants in the Sirkeci neighborhood is where most of the street food in Istanbul is represented .

Sehzade Cag Kebap on Hocapasa Street (near Sirkeci Tram Station) is one of the most famous restaurants specializing in this dish. You can easily reach this restaurant from both Taksim and Sultanahmet.

Mark Wiens’ food videos in Istanbul are great in terms of giving visual support to this article. This specific video of the famous food blogger starts at the restaurant I mentioned, and frankly, when I see this video, I immediately want to eat Cag Kebab.

In this article, I tried to introduce you to the most famous street foods of Istanbul . As someone who was born and raised in Istanbul, I love these dishes and I tried to reflect this passion to you.

Of course, what Istanbul offers to its visitors is not limited to the ones in this article. But for those visiting the city for the first time, these dishes are great for an introduction to Turkish Cuisine.

You may need to dive a little deeper to turn your Istanbul visit into a gourmet tour. For this, you can also review my other article called self-guided food tour in Istanbul .

About Serhat Engül

Hello explorer of Istanbul! This is Serhat Engul. I am a licensed TOUR GUIDE IN ISTANBUL. I offer PRIVATE HALF DAY TOUR which includes a visit to the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern and the Spice Bazaar. This is a fantastic option to see some of the ICONIC LANDMARKS in the whole of Istanbul and you’ll receive plenty of background information on each location to enlighten you. You may see the details of this tour on the HOMEPAGE of the blog. I wish you a wonderful trip!

Reader Interactions

2 April 2022 at 17:27

I am excited to go very soon, Thank You for all your recommendations!

2 April 2022 at 22:45

Hello Havi, thank you for the feedback. Have a nice trip!

11 May 2023 at 00:24

Greetings Serhat, Will be visiting Istanbul in late October. We are interested in a private Grand Bazaar tour & Food Tour then. Please advise Thank you Wade

13 May 2023 at 09:44

Greetings Wade, I don’t think Grand Bazaar and street food are on the same tour. Mostly Spice Bazaar is included in food tours. You can reach the tour I recommend from this link here . Also, the information on self-guided street food tour article may be useful.

19 September 2023 at 19:34

Thank you for the nice recommendations.

What would you suggest for the 24th of December?

Greetings, Pernille

21 September 2023 at 14:23

Hello Pernille,

Apart from what I mentioned here, there are also great street restaurants to go to, especially in winter. Istanbul gets quite cold during the winter months and it is very popular to eat soup in the city’s old restaurants during these times.

I think Karakoy Corba Evi (Karakoy Soup House) in Beyoglu (near Galataport Cruise Terminal) is a great place to go in December. Here you can find every kind of soup you can think of (21 types).

This restaurant is located on Kemankes Karamustafa Pasha Street in the Karakoy district, opposite JW Marriot Hotel Istanbul Bosphorus.

Best, Serhat

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Istanbul Travel Guide

Istanbul Clues travel guide is designed to introduce you to the history, museums, restaurants and culture of istanbul.

Private Tour Guide in Istanbul

Author of this blog, Serhat Engul, is a licensed tour guide based in Istanbul.

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