Turkey is legendary for thus many issues, together with historical past, seashores, nature, and its traditions, however I’ll allow you to in on a secret—the meals in Turkey is like nowhere else on earth. If you happen to’re a foodie, you’ve simply discovered your match: each area is legendary for one thing, and the highest dishes are well-loved for an excellent cause. Conventional dishes to strive in Turkey are plentiful.
I lived in Turkey for a number of years, and I nonetheless go to incessantly now. My husband is Turkish and if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have opened my culinary thoughts and tried as many scrumptious sorts of Turkish meals as I’ve. That is palms down among the best locations to strive one thing new, and even when you’re a choosy eater, you’re certain to be tempted to present new dishes a go merely due to how wonderful they give the impression of being and scent.
15 Finest Meals to Strive in Turkey
There’s a lot well-known meals in Turkey, that you simply may wrestle to know the place to begin—that’s the place this listing is available in. The primary time I visited, I didn’t perceive rather a lot when it got here to the meals, and as ashamed as I’m to confess this now, I caught with the common worldwide fare. Don’t make the identical mistake; there’s far an excessive amount of deliciousness to get caught in a culinary rut.
On this listing, you’ll discover 15 of the tastiest and most well-known meals to strive throughout your go to to Turkey. It doesn’t matter the place you’re visiting in Turkey, or what area, as you’ll discover these meals all over the place, and so they’re all fairly affordable when it comes to value too. You may acknowledge a few of them, however even when you don’t, be courageous and pattern them anyway: I promise you gained’t be upset.
1. Döner Kebab
(Most Well-known Meals to Strive in Turkey General)
Once you consider Turkish meals, you most likely consider the döner kebab first. Now, I ought to level out that that is nothing just like the dry or greasy kebab you get on an evening out after the membership again dwelling; it is a juicy, scrumptious, and downright mouth-watering deal with. You don’t need to smother this in ketchup and mayonnaise to make it style good – it does all that by itself.
Döner kebab is usually both beef (mostly) or rooster, and it’s cooked on a big rotisserie. The server slices items off the vertical “skewer” and layers them in your wrap, bread, or pitta, together with salad and infrequently fries. You may inform them when you don’t need any particular components added, and notably with rooster, a yogurt sauce could also be added.
So far as Turkish avenue meals goes, that is probably the most well-known of all of them, and also you’ll discover distributors promoting it all over the place. Nevertheless, one of the best döner I’ve ever tried was from Karadeniz Döner Asım Usta in Beşiktaş, Istanbul. The meat is all the time juicy, and the queue ought to let you know how good it’s—get there early as a result of as soon as it’s gone, they shut for the day.
Karadeniz Döner Asım Usta Info
Tackle: Sinanpaşa, Mumcu Bakkal Sokağı No:6, 34353 Beşiktaş/İstanbul
Cellphone: +90 212 261 7693
Working Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10.30 am – 5.30 pm, closed on Sundays
Common Price of the Dish: 150TL/$5
2. Turkish Breakfast (Together with Menemen)
I’m going to cheat a bit of right here and add an entire meal fairly than a particular meals: if I listed all the things in a Turkish breakfast, I’d be right here all day. Breakfast is probably the most well-known meal of the day in Turkey, and it’s identified regionally as ‘kahvaltı’. You could have seen footage of a desk stuffed with small plates containing numerous meals, corresponding to cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, chilly meats, eggs, jam, honey, and rather more – effectively, that’s a Turkish breakfast.
A typical breakfast in Turkey goes on for hours, and also you merely spend time speaking, sipping çay (tea), and nibbling on all the things on the desk. My favourite factor a couple of Turkish breakfast is menemen – a sizzling breakfast dish consisting of peppers, generally onions, tomatoes, tomato paste, and eggs. It’s blended collectively, and also you eat it with bread—wonderful.
For probably the most epic Turkish breakfast, head to Van Kahvaltı Evi in Beyoğlu, near Taksim, Istanbul. If you happen to’re visiting on the weekend, get there early because it’s extraordinarily standard with locals. Nevertheless, I all the time assume that’s one of the best mark of high quality, and this place hasn’t upset me as soon as (and I’ve been many occasions).
Van Kahvaltı Evi Info
Tackle: Kılıçali Paşa, Defterdar Ykş. 52/A, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Cellphone: +90 212 293 6437
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 8 am – 5 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 400TL/$14
3. Lahmacun
One other well-known dish of Turkey is lahmacun, also known as Turkish pizza, though I don’t assume it’s something like pizza in any respect. Lahmacun is a skinny and crispy flatbread that’s topped with minced lamb, tomatoes, and spices after which cooked in a wood-fired oven. It’s then eaten rolled up with onions, greens, and tomatoes inside, smothered in lemon juice.
Gaziantep is legendary for lahmacun, and that is the place you’ll discover the spiciest of all of them. The server will ask you if you would like it acılı (spicy) or acısiz (not spicy), so select in line with your preferences. I all the time go for the non-spicy possibility as a result of in Turkey, after they say spicy, they actually do imply spicy!
You’ll discover lahmacun very simply throughout the whole nation, and one of the best I had was at Düveroğlu Kebap Salonu in Ankara, famed amongst locals as one of the best within the space. In some locations, the lahmacun is usually a little soggy, however right here was the crispiest and tastiest; I extremely suggest stopping in to strive it for your self when you’re within the space.
Düveroğlu Kebap Salonu Info
Tackle: Mutlukent Mahallesi, 2432. Cadde & 1924 Sk. 117-119-121, 06810 Ümitköy/Çankaya/Ankara
Cellphone: +90 031 223 51111
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 11 am – 10 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 90TL/$3
Web site: https://duveroglu.com.tr
4. Pide
Some of the standard meals in Turkey is no doubt pide. Identical to lahmacun, you’ll discover this totally all over the place, and it is available in differing kinds. Pide is a flatbread, however it is a little thicker than lahmacun and formed like a ship, with an open filling within the center.
The commonest filings embody mince meat (kıyma), cheese, cheese and spinach, meat, and peppers (kuşbaşılı), and generally you’ll discover it with a fried egg on high. That is an inexpensive meals in Turkey and is usually served with salad on the facet. It’s historically from the Black Coastline, notably Trabzon; when you occur to be within the space, it’s one of the best place to strive it.
I had one of the best kıymalı pide from Terminal Pide Trabzon, and I stumbled upon it by chance, just because there appeared to be a queue forming exterior, so I figured it will be good. I wasn’t fallacious. Nevertheless, it doesn’t matter what metropolis or area you’re in, pide is a meals that’s very simple to seek out.
Terminal Pide Trabzon Info
Tackle: Sanayi, Terminal Sk. No:4, 61100 Ortahisar/Trabzon
Cellphone: +90 462 325 0436
Working Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8 am – 7 pm, Sunday 8 am – 6 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 200TL/$7
5. Gözleme
One other of my favourite meals, and one which historically goes with breakfast. Gözleme is one other kind of flatbread, however this one is barely completely different because it’s created from both do-it-yourself bread or yufka, which is filo pastry. It’s full of a wide range of completely different fillings, together with potato, cheese, and spinach, or minced meat and onion.
Gözleme is usually cooked on a sac griddle, which is a big, domed pan over a excessive warmth. Watching gözleme being made within the conventional means in a village is sort of hypnotic, and also you’ll seemingly need to give it a go your self after witnessing it. It’s a standard native meals in Turkey, and it will also be eaten as a avenue meals.
My favourite filling is potato, however you may also discover candy variations, corresponding to Nutella by itself or with banana, or tahini. Gözleme is a typical meals in Turkey to take pleasure in with a sizzling glass of çay (tea), and I cherished the one I had in Ankara at Sevgi Anne Gözleme. It is a meals well-known from the central Anatolian area and attempting it from the place it originated will provide you with the tastiest outcomes.
Sevgi Anne Gözleme Info
Tackle: Üniversiteler, Şht. Jnd. Astğmn. Mustafa Tayyarcan Cd. No:129, 06800 Çankaya/Ankara
Cellphone: +90 312 227 0201
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 9 am – 7 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 100TL/$3.50
6. Mantı
If you happen to’ve ever been to Cappadocia or finished any analysis into it, you’ll most likely know that mantı is a well-known meals from this stunning area, however general, it’s a must-eat in Turkey no matter the place you might be. It’s troublesome to place into phrases what this dish truly is, however the closest description is a kind of ravioli or dumpling that’s stuffed with meat or cheese, after which both boiled or fried (çıtır mantı). It’s often served with yogurt and garlic.
It is a standard dish all around the nation, however when you’re in Cappadocia or the central a part of the nation, you’ll discover the tastiest mantı. I attempted it for the primary time at CANCAN Cafe & Restaurant in Cappadocia, and it’s a fantastic spot to go when you’re touring with youngsters; the costs are actually affordable, and it’s a laid-back spot to take pleasure in your meal. The mantı was actually flavorful, and you’ll select between the fried or boiled/steamed variations.
You’ll most likely hear mantı known as Turkish ravioli, particularly on worldwide menus, so when you do see that, they’re one and the identical.
CANCAN Cafe & Restaurant Info
Tackle: Avcılar Mahallesi, No.27, 50180 Göreme/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir
Cellphone: +90 038 427 12440
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 11 am – 11 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 250TL/$8.50
7. Güveç
If you wish to strive really genuine Turkish meals, you need to give güveç a strive; actually, when you’ve had it, you’ll be hooked, and also you’ll need it again and again – belief me. You may eat this scrumptious meal any time of the 12 months, however I feel it really works very well within the winter months once you’re after one thing heat and hearty to fill you up.
Güveç is without doubt one of the most conventional dishes in Turkey, and it’s a stew-style meal that’s made with slow-boiled meat, often beef. The meat is left to prepare dinner for a number of hours, so it falls aside and melts in your mouth. Peppers, onions, tomatoes, and garlic are added, together with pepper salça, which is a kind of tomato paste, and it’s left to prepare dinner till all the things melts into each other.
This dish is often served with rice, however don’t be afraid to seize some recent crusty bread and use it to mop up that scrumptious tomato gravy on the finish. Güveç is certainly one of my favourite conventional dishes and when you’re within the Istanbul space, head to Nişantaşı Güveç for an unforgettable model of this well-known meal.
Nişantaşı Güveç Info
Tackle: Teşvikiye, Akkavak Sk. No:36, 34365 Şişli/İstanbul
Cellphone: +90 212 224 2464
Working Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8 am – 8 pm, closed on Sundays
Common Price of the Dish: 200TL/$7
8. Cağ Kebabı
The primary time I visited Istanbul my husband insisted that we go to a small restaurant in Fatih referred to as Şehzade Cağ Kebap. I had no thought what I used to be it was, however as soon as we arrived, the place was packed; I figured it should be good. I wasn’t fallacious; cağ kebabı is without doubt one of the high must-try dishes in Turkey, and when you love lamb, you’ll adore this well-known avenue meals.
Moderately than cooking the meat on a vertical rotisserie like döner, cağ kebabı is cooked on a horizontal spit with layers of marinated lamb that’s so juicy, you gained’t fairly imagine it. I ought to clarify that I don’t like lamb once I’m within the UK, however this lamb is one thing very particular certainly. It’s served on a big kebab stick, and also you eat it with recent lavaş, onions, and tomatoes.
I loved the meal I had at Şehzade Cağ Kebap a lot, and I’m reliably knowledgeable that that is one of the best one, even if the dish truly hails from Erzurum. I’ve returned a number of occasions since, and when you occur to be within the space, I extremely suggest you seize a desk right here.
Şehzade Cağ Kebap Info
Tackle: Hoca Paşa, Hoca Paşa Sk. No:6 D:4, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul
Cellphone: +90 212 520 3361
Working Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10.30 am – 10.30 pm, closed on Sundays
Common Price of the Dish: 170TL/$7
9. Köfte
Some of the well-known and simply discovered sorts of meals in Turkey is köfte, which is actually a kind of grilled or barbecued meatball. There are several types of köfte, together with Muğla köfte and Izmir köfte to say simply two, and the distinction comes right down to its form and the spices used. Nevertheless, I feel Izmir köfte is the tastiest of all of them, and when you’re within the metropolis, that is one thing you have to strive. You’ll discover common köfte completely all over the place.
Köfte could be served on a plate with potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, and rice as a predominant meal, or it may be loved as a avenue meals in both a wrap or on bread. Both means, it’s scrumptious and is a well-known dish in Turkey, because of its versatility. You’ll additionally discover köfte in a sauce or a stew.
If you happen to’re strolling round Istanbul or Izmir particularly, you’ll discover avenue distributors cooking köfte in entrance of you and the scent is bound to make your mouth water. It’s fairly a problem to stroll previous with out giving in. I had one of the best köfte at a small spot in Izmir referred to as Köfteci Turgay; the köfte was so juicy, and I loved it a lot, that I went again once more the very subsequent day.
Köfteci Turgay Info
Tackle: Alsancak, 1456. Sk. No:92/B, 35280 Konak/İzmir
Cellphone: +90 232 404 0033
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 11 am – 9 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 200TL/$7
10. Adana Kebab
Because the title suggests, Adana kebab is a kind of Turkish delicacies that hails from the southern metropolis of Adana. If you happen to like spice, you’re going to take pleasure in this one, however you may also ask for it to be made barely much less spicy in case your tastebuds can’t fairly deal with the warmth. Both means, it’s a really well-known and simply discovered dish, though one of the best ones are no doubt present in its namesake metropolis.
Adana kebab is made from minced lamb and spices that are mixed collectively and formed over a protracted kebab skewer. It’s then cooked over an open fireplace to make sure a slight crunch on the surface and loads of juiciness within the center. The skewer is eliminated earlier than dishing up, and it’s usually loved with lavaş, tomatoes, and onions, and served alongside rice or bulgur.
It’s also possible to get Adana kebab in a wrap, which is a well-known kind of avenue meals you may seize on the go. Both means, when you’re in Adana itself, be sure you add this to your must-try listing; I can extremely suggest Adana Ege Kebap Salonu, as can the various locals who flock there, particularly at weekends.
Adana Ege Kebap Salonu Info
Tackle: Cemalpaşa, Ege Taksi içi, Kapalı Spor Salonu Karşısı, 63014. Sk. No:2, 01120 Seyhan/Adana
Cellphone: +90 543 457 3628
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 9 am – 11 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 200TL/$7
11. Dolma
Dolma is a standard meals in Turkey and in addition across the Balkans, relationship again to Ottoman occasions. There are several types of dolma, however probably the most well-known is vine leaves full of rice and spices. It’s also possible to discover dolma containing minced meat, or fish, nevertheless, the seafood model is much less widespread.
The dolma is wrapped up right into a cigar-like form after which boiled in liquid till it’s all absorbed and served whereas nonetheless heat. You’ll often discover dolma served with lemon slices, and I wish to drench mine for a very zingy style. The beauty of this dish is you could eat it sizzling or chilly, so in case you have any left, merely put them within the fridge and revel in them afterward.
Dolma is discovered all around the nation, and it’s a brilliant conventional dish that the majority households will make in some unspecified time in the future by way of any given week. I had actually scrumptious dolma in Kadıköy on the Asian facet of Istanbul, in a small restaurant referred to as Çiya Sofrası; the flavors burst in my mouth, and that’s the place I realized my love for this well-known dish.
Çiya Sofrası Info
Tackle: Caferağa, Güneşli Bahçe Sok, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul
Cellphone: +90 216 418 5115
Working Hours: Monday – Thursday & Sunday, 11.30 am – 10 pm, Friday & Saturday, 11.30 am – 10.30 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 170TL/$6
12. Iskender Kebab
You’ll most likely have come to comprehend by now that there are numerous sorts of kebab to strive, and imagine me, I’ve solely launched you to a small handful; there are numerous extra. Nevertheless, Iskender kebab is without doubt one of the most well-known and conventional meals in Turkey. The dish hails from Bursa, however as with most of those dishes, you’ll discover it very simply irrespective of the place you might be within the nation.
Right here, sliced döner meat is served on high of chopped pitta bread, and is then coated in yogurt and a sizzling tomato and butter sauce. You’ll discover this dish in eating places and small takeaways, though you’ll usually eat it inside, as it may be fairly messy! What I like about Iskender is that it’s not dry like another grilled meat kebabs could be, and the bread completely soaks up the yogurt and tomato sauce.
By way of what to eat in Turkey, this dish could be very well-known, and even when you’re not Bursa, it’s an alternative choice you’ll discover all over the place. Nevertheless, it’s all the time greatest in its dwelling place, and I’d extremely suggest Uludağ Kebapçısı Cemal & Cemil Usta within the Osmangazi space of Bursa for a really conventional model.
Uludağ Kebapçısı Cemal & Cemil Usta Info
Tackle: Ulu Mahalle, Uluyol Caddesi, 16. Şirin Sk. No:12, 16220 Osmangazi/Bursa
Cellphone: +90 224 254 7264
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 11 am – 7 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 250TL/$8.50
Web site: uludagkebapcisi.com
13. Baklava
When visiting Turkey, you should strive baklava, whether or not it’s your first time or not. That is a kind of meals that vacationers love, and locals take pleasure in on particular events, and it’s well-known throughout the nation. You’ll discover baklava in most high-end eating places as a dessert and in native patisseries (bakeries) to purchase by weight.
Baklava is a kind of meals in Turkey that you simply solely want a really small quantity of it, as a result of it’s fairly wealthy and candy, however there are differing kinds so yow will discover your favourite model. I like the unique kind probably the most, which is made from layers of filo pastry with honey syrup and pistachio filling – it’s scrumptious with ice cream too.
I feel baklava makes a fantastic present for family and friends again dwelling, and Köşkeroğlu Baklava Tophane is a high spot to purchase it. The selection on provide is large, and so they present wrap it in a tin to make it look actually fancy. After all, it may not make it that far – I wouldn’t blame you for consuming it your self earlier than your return dwelling…
Köşkeroğlu Baklava Tophane Info
Tackle: Hacımimi, Kemeraltı Cd. No:46, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Cellphone: +90 053 097 74821
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 8 am – 12 pm
Common Price of the Dish: Varies relying on weight
Web site: koskeroglu.com.tr
14. Kuru Fasulye
Kuru fasulye is arguably the staple meals of Turkey and it’s a standard home-cooked meals that the majority households take pleasure in a minimum of as soon as per week. You’ll additionally discover it in most dwelling meals eating places across the nation, often known as ‘ev yemek,’ and it’s fairly affordable when it comes to worth and is straightforward to make.
Put merely, kuru fasulye means ‘dry beans,’ however the dish basically is a white bean stew in a tomato sauce. It’s usually served with rice and bread and infrequently comes as the primary course after soup and salad. The dish could be made with a small quantity of meat (often beef), or it may be vegetarian.
It is a typical Turkish meals that’s cooked all year long and is discovered completely all over the place, nevertheless, the tastiest home-cooked meals like that is discovered within the southeast, with an entire host of scrumptious spices to make the dishes much more scrumptious. İspir Fasülyeci Diyarbakır is extremely really helpful by many locals as a high place to do this conventional meals.
İspir Fasülyeci Diyarbakır Info
Tackle: Yenişehir, Lise 5. Sk. No:6, 21100 Yenişehir/Diyarbakır
Cellphone: +90 412 999 4720
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 9 am – 10 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 100TL/$3.50
15. Çiğ Köfte
Once you first see çiğ köfte you’ll marvel what on earth it’s, however appears could be very deceiving and you need to give it a strive. It is a very wholesome and flavorful meals of Turkey and one that you simply’ll discover in lots of small vendor shops across the nation. The opposite plus level is that it’s tremendous low cost so it’s a fantastic avenue meals possibility when you’re on a price range.
Çiğ köfte hails initially from the southeast of Turkey, notably the Urfa and Adıyaman space. It’s a combination of bulgur wheat, tomato paste, and spices which might be kneaded collectively till extraordinarily clean and served both in lettuce with pomegranate and lemon juice or in a wrap with no matter salad components you want. It’s also possible to ask for a spicy or non-spicy model.
There are giant firms that make this well-known dish, corresponding to Komagene and Oses, however there are small distributors too, and also you typically discover the tastiest variations from locations like that. Çiğ köfte all around the nation however if you wish to strive probably the most conventional model, head to Adıyaman and take a look at Yeni Nesil Adıyaman Çiğköfte Kenan Usta, a favourite amongst locals.
Yeni Nesil Adıyaman Çiğköfte Kenan Usta Info
Tackle: Kapcami, Eski Kahta Cd. No:10, 02100 Adıyaman Merkez/Adıyaman
Cellphone: +90 416 216 0282
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10 am – 12 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 100TL/$3.50
Should-Strive Meals in Turkey: FAQs
Listed below are some solutions to probably the most generally requested questions on must-try meals in Turkey:
A typical meal in Turkey includes soup to begin, rice, meat, greens, and salad. Essentially the most well-known conventional meals are due to this fact güveç and kuru fasulye. Nevertheless, kebabs are additionally widespread, with an enormous vary obtainable, together with Adana kebab, Urfa kebab, and Iskender.
Turkish delicacies is extraordinarily diversified, however the kebab is undoubtedly the nation’s most well-known dish. You’ll discover numerous several types of kebabs with diversified meats. Doner kebab might be probably the most well-known of all of them, and also you’ll discover these kinds of eating places all through the whole nation.
The preferred meals in Turkey is difficult to pinpoint, however doner kebab is extraordinarily standard, together with lahmacun and pide.
Each a part of Turkey is legendary for a particular delicacies, with Izmir well-known for köfte, Cappadocia famed for its mantı, and Adana for its Adana kebab. Nevertheless, for a diversified mixture of dishes, you may’t beat Istanbul; you’ll discover all the things you’re in search of on this large metropolis.
A number of the greatest meals in Turkey falls underneath the road meals umbrella. Doner kebab, börek, pide, çiğ köfte, köfte, and kokoreç are a few of the most well-known sorts of avenue meals on provide.
In Conclusion
Turkish meals is a few of the greatest on the earth. Maybe I’m a bit of biased, however spending giant quantities of time within the nation has opened my palate to utterly completely different flavors that I most likely wouldn’t have dared strive in any other case. Whether or not you’re a meat lover, all concerning the greens, otherwise you’re into super-spicy delicacies, you’ll discover one thing you’ll fall in love with.
Totally different components of the nation are well-known for particular dishes, however there are some all-rounders, corresponding to lahmacun, pide, and güveç that excel irrespective of the place you might be. And naturally, you may’t begin the day and not using a full and hearty Turkish breakfast!
So, put together your abdomen for a plethora of scrumptious tastes in your upcoming go to to Turkey—you actually gained’t depart hungry.
