Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

so are turkish dining habits like the spanish?

so are turkish dining habits like the spanish?

Old May 13th, 2014, 08:15 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
so are turkish dining habits like the spanish?

We are heading to Istanbul on Thursday - I was pre-booking a couple of reservations for dinner. One fairly popular restaurant seemed to have time frames - 7 - 9pm OR 9:30 to 11;30pm - seating options I guess. It made me wonder - do the locals tend to eat late, like in Spain? I may need to add naptimes to my days if we are going to enjoy late night dining!
suec1 is offline  
Old May 13th, 2014, 09:09 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We have spent considerable time in Spain but only three weeks in Turkey, and the Turkish times were similar to the US. Maybe OC will jump in here and correct me.
IMDonehere is offline  
Old May 13th, 2014, 09:25 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Perhaps "similar to US" should be qualified. We generally dine around 8 pm - but have worked with client in the midwest that are all sitting down to dinner by 6 pm (when we're still at work).
nytraveler is offline  
Old May 13th, 2014, 10:00 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Not Spanish dinner first at 10 or 11. And their mezzes tradition is similar to tapas, whether you are in the Midwest, Barcelona, or Goreme.
IMDonehere is offline  
Old May 13th, 2014, 10:02 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 23,335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I also recall eating on the early side in Turkey. Not at all like Spain.
ekscrunchy is offline  
Old May 13th, 2014, 10:04 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,326
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts
Dining times in Istanbul depend on the type of restaurant and the time of the year. Currently, earliest would be about 8PM since that is when it starts getting dark. Upscale restaurants would be more like 9PM. Later, summer dining at fashionable restaurants will be 9:30-10PM.

Wimter times will be earlier.

Touristy restaurants will serve at almost all hours and are used to patrons coming as early as 7PM or possibly even earlier although that would be like a late high tea, over an hour before sunset in June.

Out in the country where people tend to go to watch TV and sleep in their homes, dining will be over earlier and family dining among local inhabitants is almost nonexistent except during Summer vacations and at resorts.

At places like Alacati, Bodrum, Turkbuku, Yalikavak dinner will be late 9:30-11PM. In istanbul and at these locations life will go on until very early in the morning.

In Istanbul, especially on the Bosphorus and at Taksim, you can find street food, fast food places, cafes, grocery stores, tobacco shops, greengrocers, tripe soup restaurants, open up to 4AM.

The Bosphorus is great fun later at night when the weather is warm and so is Nisantasi/Tesvikiye when cooler. Taksim is always busy and Cihangir is good.

Eat late on the Bosphorus and Misantasi.
Eat early, 7PM or so at Sultanahmet.
Eat in between 8-9PM at Tunel, Asmali Mescit, istiklal

A 9:30-11PM spot near Sultanahmet or Sirkeci, means you will be leaving the restaurant to empty streets, with occasional or groups of tourists.
otherchelebi is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
calico1
Europe
6
Sep 11th, 2009 07:57 AM
terryb900
Europe
14
Dec 22nd, 2005 06:43 AM
AP6380
Europe
16
Dec 10th, 2004 02:44 PM
Ana
Europe
5
Oct 8th, 2002 04:33 AM
Heidi
Europe
16
Sep 16th, 2002 09:15 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -