maltamonument

Hi,

So I'm going to Istanbul later on this month. I already settled my places where to go and itinerary. Now let's talk about my favourite subject - food (and drinks). What are the must try's in Istanbul?

I already know about doner (who doesn't), midye dolmasi (stuffed mussels), dondurma (sticky ice cream), try the nargile, turkish coffee, balik ekmek (fish sandwich), baklava and lokum. Any other must try's I should know about ?

Sassafrass

Sultan's Lamb

otherchelebi

- Manti, (Turkish ravioli) at Sinop Manti, Emek manti or Casita

- Kuzu Tandir, (slow roasted lamb) at Borsa or Gelik.

- Lamb chops at Beyti and only at Beyti!

- Kuru Fasulye (Great Northern White Beans) at Husrev

- Baklava at Gulluoglu (only at Karakoy) or Keskeroglu (also at Karakoy).

- Kokorec only at Sampiyon at Galatasaray.

- Fistikli Kebap (Pistacchio Kebab) at Kasibeyaz

- Cag kebap at Sehzade (Hocapasa street, Sirkeci)


Warning :

Doner is not as good it should be at most places.
Try Sahin, (a hole in the wall,) across from the Kiliccilar gate of the Grand Bazaar,
Beyti at Florya,
Borsa, near Taksim,
Bursa Garaj at levent,
Intiba at Besiktas

wtm003

<<Cag kebap at Sehzade (Hocapasa street, Sirkeci)>>

This place was so yummy! We were walking around looking for a place to eat and decided to try it even though we had no recommendations. The young man helping us with the menu quietly advised us that pepper sauce would be too hot for us. The owner then asked the kid why we didn't order the sauce haha. It was really simple food, but one of my favorite meals.

HappyTrvlr

We liked Sardunya for fish. It is right on the Bosphorus, not far from the tram.
Follow OC's advice on everything in Turkey!

starwalker

You should also try a few different mezes - if you're 2 people, then order 4-5 different ones off the menu to share in the middle between you as tasters - you can find them at any meyhane in Taksim. Also for winter street snack - try the roasted chestnuts. Roka Pera and Meze by Lemon Tree are two nice restaurants in Taksim that make their own mezes from scratch.

ashwinb

I loved the vegetarian cig kofte, I had one at a place near the grand bazar, on the main street.

Croesus

Mmm - Kuru Fasulye - one of my favourites. "Great Northern" ones sound interesting.

It's a pity that Hüsrev's website is so rubbish - too much flash and no content. I want to see a menu with prices!
http://www.husrev.com.tr/

sandralist

If I'm not mistaken, the food blogger Katie Parla, who has a website (can't remember the name) has an app for Istanbul or else many recommendations on her website.

el13207

I HIGHLY recommend taking one of the foodie walking hours by Culinary Backstreets on one of your first days in Istanbul- they do a fabulous job and will
introduce you to wonderful places you might never find on your own. We ate our way through parts of the city - many stops- and tried lots of dishes new to us. They gave us a copy of their book, too, which describes lots of great restaurants to try. We returned to several of the places they introduced to in subsequent days. We have since taken their tour in Barcelona (good but not as great as the one in Istanbul) and have begun taking food walking tours wherever we go when possible. Highest recommendation.

trtourorganizer

Hi there,

Please check my blog about some recommendations especially about the street food. New post will come in a couple of days for desserts only.

http://www.turkeytourorganizer.com/b...ste-in-turkey/

Have a nice trip,
Kadir

mes2525

I recommend Asitane near Church of the Chora. Traditional Ottoman recipes. The food in Turkey is very good generally. The breakfasts at most hotels have a large variety of breads, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, jams, etc. One had a huge honeycomb so you could have fresh honey.

kja

In 2012, Asitane refused to serve me. They seated me, and then no one would take my order. Waiters looked at me, and then looked away when I caught their eyes. After a long while (20 minutes?), I asked the manager, he said he wouldn't force his staff to act against their beliefs. Since I was dressed conservatively, I can only assume it is because I was an unaccompanied woman. Maybe things have changed....

millymakepeace

We loved the fresh bread rolls sold everywhere and carried around in big baskets on the vendors head- delicious! Overall the food is good and the hospitality even better and also enjoy the apple tea,

kawh

Our fav...helva...which is jjust baked halva....piping hot in an iron pan with nuts on top....like half baked brownies. Mm mm.

And for the best cup of turkish coffee made by a true artist....go to Mandabatmaz.....tiny and local.

My fav you can take home for gifts.... chocolate bars...sold in normal smakk grocery stores called 'Karam Gurme Bitter Cikolatali" ... I promise you won't be sorry. I dream of them....

And gozleme was a fav... cooked over a big convex plate....but not sure where to get it in istanbul.

jasonposnansky

here is some info on Istanbul...
hope you enjoy my videos...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr-Clr_ddwc