toledodd

my wife and i are heading to turkey (week in north cyprus, 4 days in cappadocia, 5 days in trabzon region of black sea coast and week in instanbul) for about a month - late april to mid may - getting very excited! travel quite a bit around the world, usually on a budget of about $50 a day for food. we have apartments in kyrenia and istanbul for a week each and plan breakfast in, usually a nice lunch out and then a light meal/snack back at our place or on the street. can we eat reasonably well on this budget? (by traveling at this level we can take 3-4 trips a year rather than one expensive one - made that decision 43 years ago when we were married) what are your recommendations about "drinking the water" and using local fruits and vegetables - we bring iodine solution with us to soak fresh food.

we simply love fodors and the information so enriches our trips.

thanks

toledodd

any one?

Aduchamp1

We have only been to Turkey once. Yes, you can do it, especially if you have if your large meal is lunch. In Istanbul, there are many places were you can have gozleme, a svaory pastry for lunch or the ubiquitous ke-babs. In Istanbul there are also many dessert places.

You will find Cappadocia to be one the oddest places you will visit any where. You will have a wonderful stay.

Michael

In Cappadocia there is a family restaurant at the cross roads leading into the city. It is an add-on to a gas station. The food was good, local and cheap.

For a splurge, the Old Greek House in Mustafapasha.

otherchelebi

toledod, there are too many places that offer decent food for reasonable prices to mention. The problem is that you may also get terrible food for the same price. As a rule of thumb stay away from the glitter and younger crowds, stay away from empty locations. go with places which appear to have a reasonable number of regular people. Hot plate restaurants are usually quite tasty, so are "kofte" meatball restaurants. Accompany your kofte with "piyaz', great Northern White Bean Salad. alcoholic drinks are expensive. Try the Turkish yoghurt drink, "ayran" wholesome and good with kofte and kebaps.

You do not need iodine in Turkey. The tap water is heavily chlorinated and does not taste good but is perfectly fine for washing fruit, vegetables and brushing teeth.
All bottled water are good, we drink the following brands:
-hayat-
-nestle
-erikli
-pinar

Tomatoes and cucumbers are now getting into season and even the cheaper priced ones are good.
It is still orange season. The local apples are expensive and most apples are usually imported. Some yellow plums and the unique green ones will be appearing. You should try them even if they are expensive, if they have reached medium cherry tomato size. Strawberries will be out but not too exceptional.

if you were going to the Aegean, i would recommend the many wild salad greens usually sold at local weekly markets or at regional restaurants.

worldinabag

Mmmm, speaking of Kofte - Tarihi Sultanahmet Koftecisi 12 Divanyolu Caddesi. Located at Sultanahmet Square. Great meatballs - cheap eating. Or take an evening ferry to Ortakoy and dine like the locals. For around $10 each buy Kumpir (stuffed potatoes) and eat them at the ferry dock or at sit down facilties at the stalls. Very atmospheric at night with the mosque lit up. There is also some stalls there to catch up on souvenir shopping. And for a light lunch try Green Corner Cafe, Alemdar Caddesi. Opposite the exit of the cistern. Good Turkish options in a lovely garden setting at inexpensive prices. Great burger and fries too!

toledodd

thanks to all of you!!!!

Michael

<i>In Cappadocia there is a family restaurant at the cross roads leading into the city</i>

the city is Avanos.

propertravel

Maybe Bizim Ev in Avanos ?

Michael

It was not in Avanos proper but at a big intersection before crossing the bridge.

Scott_Geyer

ADVICE FROM SOMEONE WHO LIVES IN TURKEY!

Don't ever drink the tap water as a foriegner!
You will get so sick and won;t know what hit you.
Food wise becarefull off the street venders selling meat, sure the food is cheap and you'll save a lot of money but once again you run a very high risk of getting sick.

Turkish bakeries on the other hand are a great place to get delicious and safe food for practically nothing. Great for breakfast or a snack.

I would also advise to be more cautious in the black sea region food wise and only eat at popular eating establishments.

For specific resaurants just ask any hotel, they'll be able to point you in the right direction

parosblue

There are lots of places to get good inexpensive food.
Also, I recommend you buy bottled water.