Top 10 Culinary Specialties in Istanbul

What good food to eat in Istanbul? At the crossroads of two seas, fish is very widespread and idolized. You will also find many dishes based on meat, particularly lamb. Moreover, it's very certainly in Istanbul that you will taste the best kebabs of your life. Turkish gastronomy is one of the most varied in the world, and this is not surprising since the city is known for being cosmopolitan. Thus you will find in a single dish flavors from Europe, the Orient, and Asia. You should also know that the fauna and flora being very rich there, these are regularly used for culinary purposes, for the greatest pleasure of our taste buds.

Here is a small exhaustive list of the different cult dishes of the city, which we warmly recommend you taste. What good things to sink your teeth into?

What to eat in Istanbul?

1. Borek

We start with a classic that you may have already had the chance to taste elsewhere, "Borek". Typically savory, it's a pastry made of "filo" pastry (which means leaf in Greek), minced meat, cheese and vegetables. Very sold in bakeries, borek is present on all meal tables, particularly during breakfast. It's also possible for you to easily find it without meat, if you happen to be vegetarian. It's a dish that the city's inhabitants like to eat with spinach, because apparently, filo pastry pairs very well with them. Will you try?

2. Honey Chicken

Surprising, isn't it? Who would have thought that chicken and honey would work such wonders mixed together! Inspired by Asian cuisine, it's the kind of meal that warms the heart, and reflects all the flavor and culinary richness in one bite. The different aromatics and spices added to the preparation bring an interesting contrast with the sweet side of honey and the quite tender white meat. Young and old love it, it's the type of dish that pleases tourists a lot!

3. Köftes

Hello carnivores! This dish is made for you. These little meatballs made from lamb or beef are seasoned with a variety of spices specific to the city of Istanbul, which gives them an absolutely divine taste. With a good portion of fries, a little rice, and some vegetables to keep in shape, it's a MUST! Köfte can be cooked in different ways: fried, baked, grilled... Which makes it always somewhat different in taste. A delight.

4. Efes Beer

Efes beer is very certainly the most appreciated beer in the city, and the most important in Turkey. Created by Turkish specialists, it's a nectar with a low alcohol content and today recognized as an international beverage. Unique in its kind. It is brewed from barley malt as well as rice, which makes its taste unlike any other alcohol. If you go to a bar in the city, or a restaurant, its name will appear at the top of the list on the drinks menu. Let yourself be tempted by this beautiful golden and slightly shiny color.

5. Lüfer

Know that Lüfer is THE star fish of the Bosphorus. The one nicknamed "the sultan of the strait" can be cooked with any type of food: rice, lentils, pasta, vegetables, bread... The ideal season to enjoy it is in January. That's when schools of Lüfer migrate by thousands in the Bosphorus sea. One thing is sure, these fish freshly out of the water won't languish very long in the fishermen's baskets, they are so successful. Very little known elsewhere in the world, it's a tasty and mild delicacy.

6. Baklava

Here is the dessert par excellence. Made with filo pastry (the one and only), nuts, honey and soaked in syrup, these small squares barely bigger than a palm are crispy and indulgent at the same time. Their golden brown due to perfect cooking catches the eye, and it's a confection that everyone likes to eat at any time of day, between two visits to famous monuments. Accompanied by a good cup of tea or coffee, it's even better!

7. Testi Kebab

The "pot kebab" is an ancient dish, which comes from a very specific way of cooking food: in a ceramic pot for several hours over low heat. The meat used for this dish is lamb in general, but many like to mix it with some finely chopped pieces of beef. You can add vegetables, like tomatoes, and green peppers. It's a very widespread meal that generally simmers all day and is served when night falls, during dinner. Delicious, it will make your mouth water just from its enticing smell.

8. Turkish Delights

This small cube with gelatinous texture and artisanal manufacturing is one of the most famous delicacies in Istanbul and in the world. It's simple, its elastic and soft side has been enough to delight everyone's taste buds. Composed partly of sugar and honey, and flavored with rose water or orange blossom, this little starch paste is very regularly filled with dried fruits. Easy to cook, you can find them in any pastry shop, or restaurants in the city. Enjoy your tasting!

9. Simit

Leave aside for a moment the traditional French bread, and the long white baguettes. Come try a completely new type of bread, Simit. It will be impossible for you to visit Istanbul without tasting at least once this bread, sold by merchants on every street corner. Similar to a bagel in its shape, it is covered with sesame seeds and can be eaten with any type of toppings: sweet or savory. Cheese or jam pairs very well with it, according to feedback.

10. Lahmacun

Want a quick snack? Lahmacun are small pizzas very sold in local street markets. What differentiates them from the usual pizzas we can eat, is not only their size (very small), but also the sauce used. Indeed, we prefer tomato paste rather than tomato sauce. They are thus a little heavier although their dough is not thick, with a little parsley, paprika and a few pinches of chili. A treat!