A Cuisine Full of History and Tradition: Top 10 Traditional Dishes of Istanbul
Pita Bread: A Classic of Istanbul’s Cuisine
If you can find a rich culinary tapestry as you explore this city, because the options are endless. Discover Istanbul through 10 traditional dishes with their unique flavors, colors, and cultural blend — from kebabs, menemen, and mezes to delicious desserts like baklava and Turkish delights. Get ready for an explosion of flavor on your palate as we explore this wonderful city and all it has to offer in its gastronomic scene.
Kebab: A Symbol of Istanbul
Kebab
The king of the city, kebabs come in many delicious varieties such as döner, dürüm, adana kebab, beyti, and iskender, among others. They can be made with different fillings like lamb, chicken, or beef, and are often served with pita or lavash bread, vegetables, legumes, rice, and sauces.
Enjoy them at street stalls called Kebapçi, such as those near the Galata Bridge, or at restaurants like Sultanahmet Köftecisi.
Mezes
Istanbul Meze Varieties
A selection of small appetizers served together for a complete tasting experience. Typically, five types of mezes are paired with alcoholic beverages like raki.
Some delicious mezes to try include curried octopus, goat cheese with red peppers, pickles, feta cheese, melon cubes, eggplant shakshuka, babaganoush, and tabbouleh, among other hot and cold options. They are often served with haydari (mint yogurt), hummus, and muhammara (tomato and walnut paste).
Balık Ekmek
Balık Ekmek
A quintessential street food enjoyed by both locals and tourists. This tasty fish sandwich with bread, vegetables, and sauce may seem simple but delivers incredible flavor. Head to Tarabya or Yeniköy to find affordable and delicious stalls.
Lahmacun: The Local Pizza
Lahmacun: The Local Pizza
A thin, cheeseless flatbread pizza originally from southeastern Turkey. Its name literally means “meat with dough.” Eaten with your hands, it includes ingredients such as minced meat, tomatoes, onions, and spices.
Usually served with lemon, you’ll find regular, spicy, and vegetarian versions. Pair it with hummus, shepherd’s salad, or drinks like ayran, traditional tea, or carrot şalgam.
Dondurma
Istanbul Dondurma Ice Cream
This curious Turkish ice cream delights travelers with its distinctive flavor and chewy, elastic texture. Made with salep (wild orchid flour), sugar, goat’s milk, and mastic resin, it achieves a unique and enjoyable consistency.
But the fun is not only in the taste — vendors dressed in traditional attire perform tricks and jokes while serving it with long metal rods, making the experience unforgettable.
Çorba Soup
Çorba Soup
A comforting and delicious dish, perfect for cold days. There are many types, such as Mercimek (lentil), tarhana (yogurt and flour), işkembe (tripe), tavuk suyu (chicken), balık (fish), and ezogelin (red lentil).
Dolmas
Dolmas
Stuffed vegetables or leaves filled with lamb, rice, or other ingredients like seafood, offal, or fruit. From grape leaves to cabbage rolls, there are countless versions. Often served with potatoes, salads, yogurt sauces, or hummus.
Menemen
Menemen
Originating from the district of the same name north of Izmir, this dish is a popular Turkish breakfast due to its simplicity and flavor. It’s made with vegetables, eggs, and olive oil, often seasoned with cheese, oregano, or chili flakes, and served with thick slices of homemade bread. You can find a delicious traditional menemen at the Grand Bazaar.
Turkish Delights (Lokum)
Turkish Delights (Lokum)
One of Turkey’s signature sweets, this cube-shaped, jelly-like candy dates back to the 16th century. It comes in flavors like lemon, rose, pistachio, and mint, often containing chopped nuts.
Its delicate flavor comes from ingredients like starch, sugar, milk, syrup, fruit extracts, and rose water. It’s traditionally eaten during the Sugar Festival (Şeker Bayramı) or served with Turkish coffee.
Baklava
Traditional Turkish desserts: Baklava
The star dessert of Turkish cuisine — this world-famous pastry combines layers of crispy phyllo dough with chopped nuts and sweet syrup. Rich, aromatic, and irresistibly delicious, it’s the perfect ending to any meal.
Flavors That Capture the Soul of Istanbul
Tasting Istanbul’s traditional dishes is more than just a culinary experience — it’s a sensory journey through Turkey’s history, culture, and hospitality. Each bite reflects the blend of East and West that defines this captivating city, where recipes have been passed down for generations.
From the irresistible aroma of freshly grilled kebabs to the sweetness of baklava paired with Turkish tea, Istanbul’s cuisine invites you to savor every moment. So on your next visit, let the markets, aromas, and local smiles guide you. Istanbul isn’t just seen — it’s discovered through taste.
Ready to savor the magic of Turkey?
