A Foodie’s Guide To Istanbul

Any visitor to Istanbul is surely going to head to the likes of the harbour front or the Hagia Sophia and the many back streets and cute, kitschy cafes that are on offer to sample the likes of Turkish beers and the famed Turkish coffee (and Turkish delight!). What about those of us who are absolute foodies though? What are the top places and foods to try in Istanbul? Read ahead to find out which are the best haunts for those of us who love food.

Menemen

A typical Turkish breakfast dish consisting of scrambled eggs cooked with vegetables and served warm with bread for dipping. Great on its own or with a side dish. Common throughout the region.

Kofte

Not coffee – but think instead a falafel type dish made with ground beef or lamb instead of chickpeas. Served typically either stewed or in pitas, sandwiches, as an accompaniment to salads or on its own with a side of yogurt for dipping.

Kuzu Tandir

A delicious lamb dish, it’s usually slow roasted meat served with rice, potatoes and yogurt.

Lahmacun

A flatbread that is served crispy and can either have a topping of vegetable spread or ground beef, salad and lemon juice, usually available along the street, it makes a perfect snack or light meal for those on the go.

Pide

Turkish pizza, essentially. A rugby ball shaped crispy flatbread with different toppings ranging from mixed meats to salads. Perfect for a meal.

Now that you have seen some of the foods, what about some of the top restaurants in the city?

The Old Ottoman Cafe

Ideally situated in the centre of Istanbul, the Old Ottoman Cafe is a favourite among locals and tourists alike, serving up the best in Turkish cuisine and offering a fantastic location to sit on their terrace and people watch over a Turkish coffee or meal.

Olive Anatolian Restaurant

Right near the Guhlane Park, this is a perfect location to catch a quick meal on your way around the centre of the city. One of the most top rated restaurants in Istanbul, the Olive Anatolian will have you coming back for more, especially with its fantastic terrace overlooking the area.

Buhara Ocakbasi Restaurant

The number one rated restaurant in all of Istanbul according to TripAdvisor. This makes the Buhara Ocakbasi the stop for meals at least once during your stay in the city. With a varied menu featuring all the Turkish dishes you could hope to try, this is the ultimate in do not miss restaurants.

So there you have a couple of great suggestions on dishes and the places to try them in Istanbul for those traveller who love to try all the fantastic dishes that are local to a place. With these suggestions you won’t go wrong – Turkish food is some of the best in the world.

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