Over the centuries, the grounds where Turkey stands right now have been inhabited by countless civilizations with various ethnic and cultural backgrounds; this collective heritage has a very distinctive signature on today’s richness of Turkish delicacies.

Istanbul is the greatest melting pot of Turkey’s colourful mosaic of cultures; this is most prominent and delicious when it comes to the art of cuisine. You can find 81 unique dishes from each of the 81 cities that makes Turkey a whole. 

Since Istanbul is also one of the most touristic cities in Turkey, regional and cultural cuisine restaurants are a big business, making the city an ideal choice to try out most, if not all, the delicious tastes that sprouted out of these grounds throughout the time.

Here’s a selection of places that are famous with their delicacies and deserve a visit when you’re in Istanbul.

Van Breakfast House

A true example of the rich Turkish breakfast culture, Van Kahvalti Evi takes its name from the eastern city of Van. Signature mixed breakfast has 5 different and distinctly characteristic cheese kinds, eggs, local jams and marmalades, honey, olives, veggies and local tea, as well as various number of local delicacies such as mutluga, cemen and jaji which you have to experience for a full-blown Turkish breakfast. 

One of the key factors that created the unique Van breakfast culture is that the city grounds are located on the route where the famous Silk Road once passed through, which meant many travellers and traders brought different tastes to Van while passing by.

Van Kahvalti Evi is located in Cihangir, one of the most popular districts in Istanbul with a walking distance to Taksim Square and Istiklal Avenue.

A mixed breakfast in Van Kahvalti Evi is a great way to start your day when you’re in Istanbul.

Aheste Meze House

Aheste is a boutique appetizer house located in Beyoglu. With cold and hot meze selections as well as various main courses, delicious and one-of-a-kind dishes of Aheste is an ideal alternative to enjoy before an afternoon walk in Beyoglu and Istiklal Avenue.

The restaurant is a prime example of how cultural potpourri can create a wonderful experience with recipes from Turkish, Persian, Ottoman, Greek and Armenian origin, enjoyed with slow jazz music. Coincidentally, “Aheste” means “slowly” in Turkish and the reason that the restaurant is named in this way is because these appetizers should be enjoyed slowly, as the owner suggests.

Aheste’s authentic and inventive dishes combine the local cuisine with global tastes to bring out a joyful union.

Karadeniz Doner 

Rated as the best doner kebab of Istanbul in many magazines and food blogs, Karadeniz Doner is a must-have experience if you wish to enjoy one of the most famous street delicacies in Turkey. The unbelievably large kebab starts being cooked in the morning and there is such high demand that it runs out at noon, when the shop also closes. So, you better get there relatively early if you want to try the amazing doner!

Karadeniz Doner is perfect for lunch with a short walking distance to Besiktas coast, where you can take a walk by the Bosporus and enjoy the view.

As one of the most famous street foods of Istanbul, Karadeniz Doner is among the top choices for an authentic and delicious lunch.

Sensus Wine House

Istiklal Avenue starts at Taksim Square and ends at Galata; and in Galata, right under the historically famous Galata Tower: Sensus Wine House. 

Sensus is a wonderful choice for an elegant dinner with live piano music, sophisticated dishes of vegetables, chicken, meat and duck as well as various side dishes. The restaurant offers a wide range of locally made wines that cater to all pallets and budgets. 

The unique taste of Sensus wines stem from the special grapes grown in the dark soils located by the volcanic mountain of Divrit in Manisa city.

Sensus Wine House is a very fine choice to spend a pleasant evening with delicious food and some of the best local wines in Turkey.

Feriye 

Located right on the shoreline of Besiktas district, Feriye offers an excellent dining experience accompanied by the beautiful Bosporus view. The place is also home to concert and theatre venues as well as workshops, offering various fun choices for a well spent evening.

Feriye also hosts periodical charity sales with boutique and local crafts people of Istanbul, where you can find a unique souvenir for yourself or a friend while helping a good cause.

 Feriye is one of the best choices for spending a night by the mesmerizing view of Bosporus and have a delicious dinner.

Aret’in Yeri 

Aret’in Yeri is one of the most acclaimed restaurants when it comes to appetizers, fish and the traditional Turkish drink raki. With recipes both originating from Armenian and Turkish cuisine, the restaurant is full almost every night. Even though it’s now one of the most famous taverns in Istanbul, Aret’in Yeri is a cosy and warm place with friendly staff and regular customers.

Aret’in Yeri means Aret’s Place in Turkish and you can see the owner Aret almost anytime you visit the restaurant, working alongside his employees. There’s even a good chance he will drop by your table for a quick chat!

If you want to experience the famous raki, fish and appetizer culture of Turkey, Aret’in Yeri is a spot-on choice.

Cumhuriyet Meyhanesi 

Cumhuriyet Meyhanesi is a living and breathing piece of history. With more than 100 years of experience, the tavern served as the favourite gathering spot for many musicians, writers, politicians and other well-known personas in Turkish history. All appetizers and courses are prepared with exactly the same recipe as the founding owners served, which takes this dining experience to a whole new dimension. 

Tavern’s name means Republic, which, as the story goes, was coined by the founder of Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. It is said in many sources that Cumhuriyet Meyhanesi was one of Ataturk’s favourite dining places in his time.

Cumhuriyet Meyhanesi brings history and a delicious dining experience together, with age old recipes and a unique ambiance.

Yücetepe Kır Gazinosu 

Located in Buyukada, the largest one of the 9 islands near Istanbul, Yucetepe Kir Gazinosu is almost a place out of fairy tales. Surrounded with trees and wild flowers, the restaurant is situated right next to Aya Yorgi Kilisesi (Church of St. George). You can visit Yucetepe Kir Gazinosu at any time of the day to enjoy grilled delicacies, appetizers and drinks. 

The restaurant is located at the highest point of Buyukada, giving you the best view of the island as well as the surrounding areas.

Visiting the islands is a great way to spend the day in Istanbul and Yucetepe Kir Gazinosu is one of the best choices to stop by for lunch or dinner while enjoying the wonderful view.

Reks Kokorec 

Kokorec is a regional street food made from skewed and grilled small intestines of lamb, and Reks Kokorec is one of the most famous and popular places to taste it. The meat is carefully cleaned and marinated in a mixture of spices to give it a distinctive taste. Kokorec is the favourite go-to food of Turkish people after a night of drinking at pubs, and it is believed to be a cure for the oncoming hangover of the next morning!

Reks Kokorec is located at Karanfil Street in Kadikoy, a very popular street adorned with pubs, clubs and bars. You can drop by Reks Kokorec after a couple of beers with your friends or family to taste the famous kokorec.

Reks Kokorec is open until the early lights of the morning and it’s a great last stop to your bar hopping adventure in Kadikoy’s colourful nightlife.

Sekerci Cafer Erol

Sekerci Cafer Erol is a historical dessert and candy shop that was handed down from one generation to the next since 1807. With over 200 years of experience, the family business is still going on with the enthusiasm and joy of the first day. All candies, desserts and cakes are handmade with family recipes and there are a lot of them, so you may want to drop by Sekerci Cafer Erol more than once to experience all tastes!

The candy shop is located in Kadikoy, where you can take a stroll on Moda shore and sit by the sea to enjoy your candies and desserts.

Sekerci Cafer Erol is a delicious and historical wonderland where you’ll be tempted to try all the candies and desserts!

Istanbul has various districts with an amazingly active nightlife and places with great food and drinks to spend your evening. One of the most popular districts when it comes to having a fun night out is Kadikoy. Kadikoy is home to countless concept bars, pubs, restaurants where you can have a calm and relaxing evening over a couple of drinks or have crazy fun until the early lights of morning.

Here are 6 of the great places to check out when you’re in Kadikoy:

The Harp Irish Pub

Harp is a prime example of the Irish pub culture in Kadikoy, though various Irish pubs are located in the district, Harp has all the essential marks of a real Irish pub. You can play darts and pool, enjoy the Irish folk music and sit at the island bar outside, watching sports games while having a drink. On top of it, the waiters are very friendly, helpful and professional.

Another upside of The Harp is how close it is to the ferry and subway stations.

Viktor Levi Wine House

Originally a grape farmer, Viktor Levi was a grape trader from Gallipoli. When he found out the immense demand for wine in Istanbul back in the early 1900s, he started to focus on the wine trade. Yet, the wine resellers in Istanbul were not fair in their willing prices, which drove Levi to open his own wine house in the city. The wine house offers delicious and exquisite dishes along with their own wines of different tastes. The restaurant is budget-friendly and has a great atmosphere. 

You can visit the below page in order to get details on Viktor Levi Wine House and book a table:https://www.viktorlevimoda.com

Koço

Koço is a trademark of Kadikoy since 1928. The traditional raki house has a rich menu with hot and cold side dishes and a range of delicious main courses. Situated right by the Moda shore, the restaurant also has one of the most beautiful views in Kadikoy. 

You can visit Koço’s webpage if you’d like to enjoy raki along with a mesmerising view and wonderful dishes: http://kocorestaurant.net/www/default.asp

Moda Kayikhane Event Hall

Though the name suggests an event hall, Kayikhane is much more than that. There’s a pub section, a large event hall for concerts and a restaurant section right by the water which serves traditional raki along with side dishes and main courses. Kayikhane is a place you can spend your whole night by starting with a lovely meal by the sea, moving onto the pub for a couple of drinks and follow up with a night of dance in the event section.

Zincir Rock Bar

Zincir is one of the oldest rock bars in Kadikoy. It is an old school pub with a dark atmosphere, playing rock and metal music all day. It is not a tourist spot per se, yet if you wish to experience the rock bar culture in Turkey stemming from ’80s, Zincir is a must-see.

Dorock XL

Dorock XL is the place you go when all other pubs and bars are making their last call and you feel like the night is still young. The event hall has live music until at least 4 in the morning and the bar section doesn’t close up until 6. So if you want to have an unforgettable night, Dornock XL can be the place you make those memories.

If you want to know more about Dorock XL and see the concert schedules, you can check the below link: http://www.dorockxl.com

Putting together the words “Turkey” and “street food” naturally draws a delicious picture of Turkish Kebab in the minds of most foreigners. However Turkish street food consists of various unique recipes and Istanbul, being the multicultural hub of Turkey has the very best selection. While the food is almost always delicious, it’s best to do a bit of research in order to have a great experience.

Here are the 6 street food spots that you must try when you’re in Istanbul:

Fish Sandwich in Karakoy

Walking in this seaside district offers a great view accompanied by one of the largest fish markets in Istanbul. While you can shop for different types of fresh fish to cook, you will inevitably catch the delicious smell of grilled fish. As the fisherman of Karakoy knows how to cast a line they sure know how to spice and cook. Also having some great fish restaurants, these on-the-corner grilled fish sandwich stands are definitely a must-eat.

Kumpir in Besiktas

Kumpir is a traditional Turkish fast food whose recipe can consist of basically whatever you wish. Kumpir is made by baking potatoes in the oven and stuffing them with butter, cheese, and any extra ingredient you like. The most commonly used ingredients are sausage, corn, olives, mayo, and ketchup, but usually, there is a very large variety of ingredients from seafood to rice or pasta and you can add any of them into your custom kumpir. If you’re visiting Besiktas, you can find various kumpir places in the Carsi streets.

Kokorec in Beyoglu

Kokorec is a guilty pleasure for most Turks, as the main ingredient is lamb intestines on skew with special seasoning on the grill. Though intestines are cleaned thoroughly and don’t cause any health problems, the stance on the actual safety of the food is constantly questioned. One thing that is not questioned by anybody though, is the sizzling flavour of kokorec.

One of the most famous kokorec places in Istanbul is Sampiyon Kokorec, whose website you can find in the below link: http://www.sampiyonkokorec.com.tr

Turkish bagel (simit) and tea in the ferry ride

This is an iconic Istanbul classic, mentioned in many romantic songs, movies, and TV shows. Deliciously fresh tea and Turkish bagels are sold in all ferry rides in Istanbul and the passengers love to enjoy it along with the beautiful Bosporus view. Another classic activity while doing this is to feed the seagulls with some of your bagels, it’s especially fun to watch them catch the bagels you throw mid-air.

Rice with chickpea and chicken in Unkapani

This is another classic Turkish street food with a budget-friendly price. Usually consumed after a night out with friends, the best beverage to accompany the rice with chickpea and chicken is the traditional Turkish drink ayran. Just bear in mind you may get carried away by the flavours and eat more than you can handle, which may invite an upset stomach. This is also a good option if you’re a vegetarian as it comes without meat.

Here’s one of the most famous rice shops in Istanbul where you can enjoy various rice-based dishes:http://tarihiunkapanipilavcisi.com

Stuffed Mussels in Kadikoy

This is arguably the most popular and most consumed street food in Turkey. You can find it on almost any street where there’s a bar, sold on trays that the sellers uniquely carry on their heads. Called “midye” in Turkish, it is enjoyed with a squeeze of lemon and best accompanied with an ice-cold beer.

Being one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Turkey, Istanbul is filled with cultural variety when it comes to the service industry. One of the most prominent examples of such establishments is the various concept cafés in the city with a range that extends from cosy to borderline kitsch. While some of them are inspired by local elements, others are based on more global concepts, but all of them are offering a unique experience and a strong atmosphere.

Here are 6 of these concepts cafés in Istanbul that we think would be totally worth your while to visit.

Café Naftalin K.

First on the list is a place that will take you back in time. An extension of a very old antique and vintage shop in Balat called Naftalin Antique Shop, Naftalin K. is situated right across the street with the same design elements that would make an antique shop magical. All decorations, as well as furniture, are vintage and antique. The name Naftalin itself means mothball, which is used to protect antiques. The cosy café is home to many cats, fed by the lovely couple who own the place. The “K.” in the café’s name comes from various Turkish words that the owners hold dear to and coincidentally starts with a K, such as kedi, kitap, kahve, Kafka (cat, book, coffee, Kafka respectively).

Walter’s Coffee Roastery

Here’s a prime example of a concept café with an original and global idea: this coffee shop is based on the famous TV series Breaking Bad. The whole place is adorned with conceptual elements from the hit show, with a brewery space that looks like a chemistry lab, baristas with iconic yellow protective lab suits from the show, and test tubes instead of coffee mugs. 

You can get a detailed view and info about Walter’s Coffee Roastery by clicking the below link:https://walterscoffee.com/

Minoa Books & Coffee

A place out of fantastic novels, Minoa is covered with books all around on its multiple floors. The coffee shop is filled with both new and old books of all genres, as well as comic books. You can enjoy your coffee while reading different books and choosing your favourites to purchase; it is worth noting that there are many books in English and other languages also.

You can check the details of Minoa Books & Coffee via the below link: https://minoa.com/en/

Mendel’s Café & Chocolatier

Mendel’s has a very unique and heartwarming story. Coming from a long line of dessert chefs, cousins Atahan and Emre are from the south-eastern town Mardin. One day, while going through their grandfather’s recipe book, they find a photograph of their grandfather alongside a foreigner, the photo is signed: “to my friend. Mendel”. Taking this souvenir and sentiment to the heart, they create Mendel’s Café & Chocolatier with their family recipes. The cosy coffee shop is a wonderful place to enjoy some unique chocolate desserts and delicious coffee.

You can check Mendel’s Café & Chocolatier and find out more about it by clicking the below link: https://mendels.com.tr

POW!

POW! is heaven for comic book enthusiasts. Mainly a comic book and action figure shop with an extensive range of products that includes books in multiple languages, the place also has a bakery and coffee shop. You can have a wonderful time while reading comics and enjoying the delicacies if you’re a fan of the comics world.

You can visit POW!’s website to see their inventory as well as other detailed info about the shop: https://shop.pow.com.tr/

Living Karma Café & Juice Bar

As a healthy food and beverage focused concept café, Living Karma serves delicacies with all-natural ingredients as well as unique juice mixes. So much so that they grow their own vegetables in the garden and exclusively use them to make various fresh drinks and food. There’s also a shopping section in the café with unique accessories and ornaments that go along with the nature concept.

Izmir, originally named Smyrna by ancient Greek civilisations, is one of the oldest settlements in the region. While the city has over 3,000 years of urban history, there is evidence of human habitancy in the area as far back as 8,500 years. Izmir has been a trade center throughout history due to being an important port city which also contributed to the city’s rich cultural background and vast diversity.

There are countless places to see and enjoy in and around the city of Izmir and here is a selection of must-see places we’ve picked for you:

Historical Kemeralti Bazaar

Kemeralti is one of the oldest bazaars in the world with a history of over 2,400 years. Once used in trade transfers for products brought over from eastern countries through the Silk Road, the great bazaar is still a mesmerising plethora of different products. You can find spices, jewelry, clothes and fabric and much more in the lively market. You can also enjoy a delicious Turkish coffee in one of the boutique cafes.

A walk at the historical Kemeralti Bazaar is a wonderful opportunity to experience both the historical feel of Izmir and the local shopping culture of its people with chatty artisans and tradesman who love to haggle.

Izmir Kordon

Kordon is the most famous coastline of Izmir and perhaps the whole of Turkey. The vast green grass laid right next to the sea is enjoyably crowded by the people of Izmir throughout the year and especially during the summer. People play games, drink, and chat while lying on the grass and enjoying the view. A rich choice of cafes, bars, and restaurants adorn the avenue right next to the Kordon.

Kordon is a traditional social gathering spot for people of all ages and cultures in Izmir.

Izmir Clock Tower

The clock tower is one of the main tourist attractions and a symbol of the city. The tower was built by the order of the Izmir governor as a courtesy and congratulation to Sultan Abdulhamid the second and his 25th year on the throne. The walls of the clock tower are adorned with the period’s ornaments and relics. The clocks on the tower were a gift to the city of Izmir from German Emperor Wilhelm the second.

The clocks of the famous tower have been running since 1901 when the structure was built.

Kadifekale

Translating into “Velvet Castle”, Kadifekale is one of the oldest structures in the city. The castle was called Pagos by the Greeks in older times and has a panoramic view of the Izmir coast as well as the city. Kadifekale also has several restaurants and cafes in its vicinity, creating a perfect opportunity to enjoy the amazing cityscape of Izmir while drinking tea or enjoying local delicacies.

Legend has it that the castle was built by the order of Alexander the Great after he saw a dream in which an oracle told him to build a city at this spot.

Izmir Wildlife Park

With an enormous space of 425,000 square meters, Izmir Wildlife Park carries on the mission of creating a natural settlement for the animals while allowing people to observe them and get to know about nature. All animals roam freely in their designated areas without any cages and the visitors can witness their daily routine and behavior from a safe distance. The park also has a beautiful lake and a peaceful green pasture for visitors to have a picnic and enjoy nature.

The Wildlife Park is home to over 120 animal species; including tigers, lions, crocodiles, hippos, hyenas and many more.

Izmir Cable Car

One of the most popular tourist attractions and a wonderful opportunity to see Izmir’s cityscape with all its beauty, the Cable Car takes around 3 minutes to complete its ride and reach the top. Once you’re at the top, you can use the binoculars situated on the observation terraces to enjoy the view to its fullest. There are also small cafes and breakfast shops at the top, but the most popular place is the barbecue venue. You choose the meat and the garnishes you’d like to have and the restaurant provides an already lit barbecue for you to cook your meat and enjoy it while watching the landscape.

Izmir Cable Car travels to a total height of 316 meters with an 810-meter route length.

The Historical Lift

Until the year 1907, the two avenues called Mithatpasa and Sehit Nahitbey had a height difference of 58 meters, and people who wanted to cross from one avenue to the other had to go through a stair of 155 steps. As the story goes, a member of one of the rich Jewish families broke his ankle climbing these stairs, which resulted in the investment by Neslim Levi, an important businessman of the time, for the construction of the historical lift. The lift was originally designed by French engineers to work with hydraulics, before the electricity was used.

Neslim Levi is the great grandfather of the best-selling French author, Mario Levi.

Kizlaragasi Inn

The Kizlaragasi Inn is located in the Kemeralti Bazaar. According to historical data, the famous Kizlaragasi Inn was built in 1743. Being the largest inn of its time, Kizlaragasi is believed to be popularly used by the tradesmen and artisans that arrived at the Izmir harbor. The Inn is now used as a part of the bazaar, with various shops decorating its yard.

When you visit, you can see the chambers used by the visitors and inn’s employees as well as the vast storage facilities.