One minute you’re having doner kebabs minutes after landing, and the next you’re trying some spicy knock-your-socks-off butter chicken has a chaser. Because there are so many choices in the Istanbul street food scene, even the seasoned of the seasoned foodie can get overwhelmed if they are not prepared enough. For first-time travelers visiting the wonderful city of Istanbul to explore its street food’s unending charms, knowing vital information such as where to find the best street food, and how to get there is important. That’s why we’ve created a guide for travelers from all over the world to easily identify the top ten street foods in Istanbul and dive deep into one of the best cuisines in the world.

Top 10 Delicious Street Foods You Must Try in Istanbul

The delicious and diverse street food in Istanbul is one of the top highlights of the city aside from its wonderful history. Whether you’re trying the Cig Kofte or the sumptuous Baklava, you’re unlikely to try a dish you’ll be disappointed by. For first-time travelers looking to get a picture of the sumptuous Istanbul street food culture, here are some of the best street foods you can try in Istanbul:

1. Tantuni

Tantuni is a Turkish steak wrap that is highly rated by everyone who eats it. The dish consists of lavash bread filled with uniquely cut beef that is boiled in salt water and then fried. Apart from the beef, the wrap is also filled with tomato slices, green peppers, parsley, and onions to enhance the flavor and give it a more crunchy texture when taking a bite of this magnificent dish.

Check Out: Istanbul Tour (3 Days)

2. Simit 

Similar to a traditional bagel but filled with more flavor and chewier, Simit is the best street food you can grab for a quick snack.  This Istanbul street food is traditionally eaten with Turkish tea. It’s topped with sesame, which links this food back to the 1500s, and has been a popular dish ever since. The bread is made from flour, yeast, water and other ingredients which are shaped into a ring shape, and are ladened with sesame seeds and then baked.

3. Doner Kebab

You’ll find the Doner Kebab everywhere in Istanbul and all over the world. The dish is made with meat being vertically roasted by a burner, and shaved off continuously for orders. After shaving off the meat, it is wrapped in pita bread along with slices of cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and yogurt and then served. Other variations of the Doner Kebab are also served with rice on a plate, contributing to a more delicious and diverse taste in the Istanbul street food scene.

4. Balik Ekmek

For those wanting an escape from the beef and lamb-heavy Istanbul street food, the Balik Ekmek dish near the Galata bridge offers a light but equally delicious fish alternative to other beef and lamb dishes. The dish is prepared by using fish like mackerel or sardine, which are grilled until they are fully cooked and juicy and then put inside a traditional Turkish bread. Along with the fish, tomatoes, lettuce, onions and peppers, some sauces are drizzled on the sandwich to give it a more delicious flavor. 

Check Out: Istanbul Tour (4 Days)

5. Midye Dolma

Midye Dolma is another top street food in Istanbul one must try on their first-ever visit. The dish consists of mussels, which are first cleaned and then boiled in hot water to detach the shells. After boiling the mussels, various types of ingredients such as oil, spices, and rice, are stuffed in the mussels along with the meat to enhance the flavor.

6. Cig Kofte

Koftes are a specialty of Turkey and you especially see this when you take a bite of the luscious Cig Kofte. They are also a huge part of the Istanbul street food scene and are highly rated by everyone who tries them. These koftes, fully cooked minced meat, are served with cucumbers and onions and are also accompanied by Ayran (a Turkish yogurt drink), combining to make one of the best experiences in the Istanbul street food scene one can have.

7. Lahmacun

A variant of the normal everyday pizza but even more delicious, you’ll forget the taste of the normal one after taking a bite of this wonderful culinary delicacy known as the Turkish pizza. Lahmacun is prepared with minced meat mixed with spices and various vegetables put on top of a flatbread and then baked. One of the top highlights of Istanbul street food, you’d be hard pressed to find a single flaw about this wonderful culinary delicacy. 

Check Out: Istanbul Tour (5 Days)

8. Baklava

If you go to Turkey and don’t eat the wonderful pastry delight that is the Baklava, you’re missing out on the pride and joy of the dessert scene of the country. Famously known for its crispy and delicate texture, you’ll find people selling Baklava in every corner of Istanbul and in the country. The filo dough filled with chopped, finely cut nuts and dipped in rosewater after baking is one of the top desserts of the Istanbul street food scene.

9. Kumpir 

Kumpir is another top street food in Istanbul and is made with a baked potato filled with various kinds of toppings. For this dish, a baked potato is sliced in half and filled with toppings such as corn, carrots, mushrooms, pickles, and ketchup to make a wonderful combination of various ingredients meshed into a wonderful dish.

10. Cag Kebab

Imported from Erzurum over the centuries, Cag Kebab is another kind of the delicious variants of Kebabs that Turkey has come to be famous for making. Cag Kebab consists of lamb that is marinated for many hours and is attached to a horizontal spit that keeps continuously roasting the meat to make it completely tender. The meat is served in the form of skewers or put in Lavash bread and drunk with Ayran to complete the mixture of wonderful flavors.

Check Out: Istanbul & Bursa Package (4 Days)

How to Navigate Istanbul’s Street Food Scene

The Istanbul street food scene is a wonderful haven for all types of travelers to get lost in. Whether it’s eating the sumptuous Doner Kebab or getting lost in the plethora of ingredients in the baked potato dish of Kumpir, the whole scene of the street food in Istanbul can seem unending. In Istanbul you’ll find people in every nook and cranny of the city selling all of the top dishes in the whole region. For first-time travelers, it’s important to have complete know-how about the vast food scene of Istanbul to make your experience more comfortable and exciting. So without further ado, here are some steps that first-time travelers should take to easily navigate the vast and bustling food scene of Istanbul.

Do Research on the Best Istanbul Street Foods 

In general, researching about the food scene in any city is a good step one should take to be aware of where you can find the best culinary delicacies. In Istanbul, you are likely to find many street food vendors selling various types of foods. It’s important to do online research to find which neighborhood has the best and has a good seating area to get a perfect experience on your first trip to Istanbul. Places like the Kadikoy Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar are one of the spots in the Istanbul street food scene where you’re guaranteed to have a good meal.

Book Food Tours for Istanbul’s Street Foods

Another step first-time travelers should take is booking food and full tours of Istanbul to get a more complete picture of the food scene in addition to exploring various fascinating destinations in the city. Travel experts like iLinkTurkey offer multiple-day tours of Istanbul, where you get a chance to explore the city’s wonderful history, engage in various recreational activities, and fully dive into the wonderful culinary scene of the historically contemporary place.

Watch Food Vlogs of the Best Istanbul’s Street Foods

Another way to get a complete idea of the Istanbul street food arena for travelers is by watching food vlogs of local artists and tourists eating and finding the best foods in Istanbul. By watching vlogs, you can get a general picture of where you can find the best foods in Istanbul and the best way to get there.

Check Out: Istanbul and Izmir Tour (5 Days)

Istanbul’s Food Scene: A Delectable Haven for Foodies and Travelers Alike

Istanbul’s street food scene remains unparalleled. The major reason being the way it incorporates cuisines from all over the country and various surrounding regions. The City of Streets Feasts offer all kinds of culinary delicacies for people of all tastes. Whether you’re taking a bite into the pizza-like Lahmacun or eating Simit with traditional Turkish tea, Istanbul street food is an art cherished by all of its inhabitants and many travelers from all over the world.

For anyone wanting to embark on a wonderful street food experience that is unlikely to disappoint even the most picky of eaters, Turkey is your next destination. So do you want to explore the culinary landscape of Turkey and immerse yourself in its culture? iLinkTurkey offers a variety of guided tour packages for destinations in Turkey. Go head on over to our packages and book one of our top-rated Turkey packages now.

The post Istanbul Street Food 101: Essential Eats for First-Time Visitors appeared first on IlinkTurkey.

Istanbul not only served as the administrative hub for the Ottoman and Byzantine empires but it is also known to have its own mini culture, which has been birthed from the combining of modern and old cultures. Touring the local neighborhoods in Istanbul is a popular tourist activity on its own. But when it comes to doing that in Istanbul, that’s an entirely unique experience that manages to awe the visitors completely.

There’s something for everyone. While one place might be a hub for architectural and historical wonders, the other might be a vibrant nightlife scene calling all the youth to its beauty. Some might be an experience for your tastebuds, offering delicacy after delicacy, others might be decorated with local scenery and landscape. Here are the top 6 neighborhoods in Istanbul to visit when traveling in Turkey. 

Top 6 Neighbourhoods in Istanbul to Visit This Summer

To get the most in-depth Istanbul travel experience, visiting its local neighborhoods is a must. Take a look at some of the best and most vibrant neighborhoods of Istanbul to visit this summer in Turkey:

1. Explore Sultanahmet in the Old City

Since Sultanahmet is in the European Fatih district, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is brimming with historical sites from the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, including the majestic Hagia Sophia. Bearing the majority of historical landmarks, it should come as no surprise that this neighborhood in Istanbul should be at the top of the list from the perspective of tourists. 

The Golden Horn, Sea of Marmara, and Bosphorus surround the hotels in the Sultanahmet Historic District, which range in quality from guest houses to five-star resorts. Restaurants serve a variety of local and foreign cuisines, making a trip to this region worth every minute. 

Check Out: Istanbul Tour (3 Days)

2. Tour the Neighbourhoods of Fener and Balat

The Fener and Balat neighbourhoods in Istanbul, which showcase Istanbul’s lesser-known Jewish and Greek past, are becoming increasingly popular for guided walking tours. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, often known as the affluent Greeks, once resided in Fener and left their influences in the shape of the famous Saint George’s Church. 

Anrida, Istanbul’s oldest synagogue, is located in the Balat neighborhood, a former Jewish colony. Famous guided city walking tours show true local living as seen through the homes and shops and are fantastic for tourists who aren’t familiar with this aspect of Istanbul. 

Check Out: Istanbul & Bursa Package (4 Days)

3. Have a Blast in the Modern Beyoglu Taksim

The new faces of the modern part of Istanbul, Taksim, and Beyoglu are the center of the new city portion. İstiklal Caddesi, Turkey’s main pedestrian thoroughfare and busiest street which is typically used to characterize Istanbul is located here. Istiklal Avenue in Beyoglu, formerly a favorite hangout for foreign visitors, is now a center for shopping, nightlife, and upscale hotels. The Beyoglu nightlife and culture here, is something to be appreciative of during a tour where one can really see the culture of today’s Istanbul. The modern and new haven’t completely taken over the Taksim neighborhood in Istanbul, though.

The enormous Saint Anthony Padua Church, the Cukurcuma district’s antique stores, and Orhan Pamuk’s (Turkey’s well-known Turkish author). The Museum of Innocence is an ideal gem that showcases the country’s art and cultural landscape in these districts. 

4. Visit the Stunning Prince’s Islands

The gorgeous Prince’s Islands in Turkey are technically not a neighborhood. But they are still worth exploring because Büyükada (the largest island) and its pedestrian streets are one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Turkey. Tourists can book a guided walking tour to view the Old Turkish homes along streets that exhibit distinctive Ottoman architectural styles. 

These buildings were once used as exiled residences for Byzantine and Ottoman dignitaries. The best way to travel here is by horse-driven carriage because vehicles aren’t allowed. The only method to get there is to take a sea ferry from either an Asian or European part of Istanbul across the Sea of Marmara.

Check Out: Istanbul Tour (4 Days)

5. Sightsee the Asian Istanbul in Kadikoy

Kadikoy, which sits on the Asian side of Istanbul, is an often overlooked part of Istanbul. However, in recent years it has emerged as Istanbul’s most sought-after investment location. Because of this, the district has grown rich in exciting tourist activities such as hotels, clubs, restaurants, resorts, etc. 

Uskudar and Kadikoy are regarded as the primary ferry terminals that cross the Bosphorus to the European side. Which makes these locations must-visit destinations. The fish centric-Kadikoy local market is where you should always end your exploration after buying your fish. Which you can then take you to one of the nearby restaurants to prepare for you as you enjoy the beautiful coastal views from this neighbourhood in Istanbul.

6. Marvel the Beautiful District of Galata

Galata neighborhood in Istanbul, is also known as Karakoy and is a great place to visit in the city. This district is easily accessible from Taksim Square by tram line and a short walk. Tourists can enter from the opposite neighborhood by crossing the Galata Bridge on foot, which remains crowded due to the number of people wishing to view the tower. The Galata Tower, which has a cafe and a lookout point with stunning views of Istanbul, is the most well-known structure in Istanbul and one of its top tourist attractions.

Check Out: Istanbul Tour (5 Days)

Frequently Asked Questions About Neighbourhoods in Istanbul

Q. What is the nicest area in Istanbul?

A.  The Sultanahmet historic district is one of the best and nicest areas in Istanbul for first time visitors. Encompassing historic Constantinople, Sultanahmet contains lots of attractions such as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque etc.,.

Q. How many neighbourhoods are there in Istanbul?

A.  There are a total of 39 districts and neighbourhoods in Istanbul on the Asian and European side.

Q. Which side of Istanbul is nicer?

A. The European side of Istanbul is typically the best and fanciest part of Istanbul, although the Asian side is not too far behind. It has the most history compared to the Asian side and is more tourist oriented.

Explore the Hidden Gems in Neighbourhoods in Istanbul

Istanbul can be referred to as a “many-layered hub”. If you think you’ve seen it all, think again. There’s always something more to see, places to visit, food to try out, cruises to book, etc. If you want to learn more about Istanbul, you should visit the greatest attractions in the city which are its colorful neighborhoods, that make Istanbul what it is today, the king of tourism and history in Turkey.

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