Top 10 culinary specialities in Istanbul

What’s good to eat in Istanbul? At the crossroads of two seas, fish is widespread and idolised. You’ll also find plenty of meat dishes, especially lamb. In fact, it’s in Istanbul that you’re likely to taste the best kebabs of your life. Turkish cuisine is one of the most varied in the world, and that’s hardly surprising given the city’s reputation for being cosmopolitan. So you’ll find flavours from Europe, the Orient and Asia all on the same plate. It’s also worth noting that the flora and fauna there are so rich that they are regularly used for culinary purposes, much to the delight of our taste buds.

Here’s a short, exhaustive list of the city’s cult dishes, which we warmly recommend you try. What’s good to eat?

What to eat in Istanbul?

1. Borek

Let’s start with a classic that you may already have had the chance to try elsewhere: “Borek”. Typically savoury, this is a pastry made with “filo” pastry (which means leaf in Greek), minced meat, cheese and vegetables. Widely sold in bakeries, borek can be found on every meal table, especially at breakfast. If you’re a vegetarian, it’s also easy to find a meatless version. It’s a dish that the locals like to eat with spinach, because the filo pastry seems to go very well with it. Will you try it?

2. Honey chicken

Amazing, isn’t it? Who would have thought that chicken and honey would work so wonders when mixed together! Inspired by Asian cuisine, this is the kind of meal that puts a smile on your face, and reflects all the flavour and culinary richness in one bite. The various herbs and spices added to the preparation provide an interesting contrast with the sweetness of the honey and the tender white meat. Young and old love it, and it’s the kind of dish that tourists love!

3. Köftes

Hello carnivores! This is the dish for you. These little meatballs made from lamb or beef are seasoned with a variety of spices specific to the city of Istanbul, giving them an absolutely divine taste. With a good portion of chips, a little rice and a few vegetables to keep your figure, it’s a MUST! Köfte can be cooked in a variety of ways: fried, baked, grilled… which always makes it taste a little different. A delicious treat.

4. Efes Beer

Efes beer is undoubtedly the city’s most popular beer, and the biggest in Turkey. Created by Turkish specialists, it is a nectar with a low alcohol content and is now recognised as an international drink. One of a kind. It is brewed from barley malt and rice, so its taste is unlike any other alcohol. If you go into any of the city’s bars or restaurants, its name will be at the top of the drinks menu. Let yourself be tempted by its pretty, slightly shiny golden colour.

5. The Lüfer

The Lüfer is THE star fish of the Bosphorus. Known as the “Sultan of the Strait”, it can be cooked with any type of food: rice, lentils, pasta, vegetables, bread, etc. The ideal time to try it is in January. That’s when shoals of Lüfer migrate by the thousands into the Bosphorus Sea. One thing’s for sure, these freshly caught fish won’t be languishing in fishermen’s baskets for long, they’re so popular. Little known elsewhere in the world, this is a tasty, mild dish.

6. Baklava

This is the dessert par excellence. Made with filo pastry (the one and only), walnuts, honey and soaked in syrup, these little squares barely bigger than the palm of your hand are both crispy and delicious. Their golden brown colour is a real eye-catcher, and it’s a confection that everyone loves to eat at any time of day, between visits to famous monuments. Accompanied by a nice cup of tea or coffee, it’s even better!

7. Testi Kebab

Kebab au pot” is an ancient dish that comes from a very specific way of cooking food: in a ceramic pot for several hours over a low heat. The meat used for this dish is usually lamb, but many people like to mix it with a few pieces of finely chopped beef. Vegetables such as tomatoes and green peppers can also be added. This is a very popular meal, usually simmered all day and served with dinner when it gets dark. It’s delicious and mouth-watering just by the smell of it.

8. Loukoums

This small, gelatinous cube made by hand is one of the most famous delicacies in Istanbul and the rest of the world. Quite simply, its elasticity and softness were enough to delight everyone’s taste buds. Made partly from sugar and honey, and flavoured with rose or orange water, this little starchy pastry is often garnished with dried fruit. Easy to cook, you’ll find it in any of the city’s patisseries and restaurants. Enjoy!

9. Simit

Leave the traditional French bread and long white baguettes behind for a moment. Come and try a completely new type of bread, Simit. You won’t be able to visit Istanbul without tasting this bread at least once, sold by vendors on every street corner. Similar in shape to a bagel, it is covered in sesame seeds and can be eaten with any kind of topping: sweet or savoury. Cheese or jam go very well with them, according to feedback.

10. Lahmacun

Fancy a quick snack? Lahmacun are small pizzas that are very popular at local street markets. What sets them apart from the usual pizzas is not only their size (very small), but also the sauce used. Tomato paste is used instead of tomato sauce. They are therefore a little heavier, although the paste is not thick, with a little parsley, paprika and a few pinches of chilli. A real treat!