Everything I Ate in Istanbul (Ultimate Istanbul Food Guide)

Since it's already 2023, this Istanbul street food guide is long overdue. But, here it is! In this article, I've gathered up my favourite Istanbul treats and delicacies to help make your belly and your soul happy the next time you end up in this legendary Turkish city. 

You'll find a variety of Turkish foods in this guide, from overwhelmingly sweet desserts that will make even those who don't enjoy sugar drool, as well as more traditional staples everyone visiting Istanbul for the first time MUST try. 

You'll also uncover some of the best food places in Istanbul Turkey and how much you can expect to spend. Bonus money-saving tips are waiting for you at the end.

Keep reading to find out the best Turkish food in Istanbul, from my "foodie" perspective.

Kumpir (or Loaded Jacket Potatoes or Baked Potatoes)

Kumpir is essentially a loaded jacket potato that you can fill with all sorts of goodies. The base is typically butter and cheese. From there, you can customize your toppings and add as many or as few extra ingredients as you wish. 

Kumpir or Baked Potato

In my case, I went for couscous, olives, marinated cabbage, and some orange stuff that seemed ambiguously delicious (and it was!). You can get this same exact kumpir in Taksim Square at a place called Patsosis. 

Kumpir toppings

Better yet, check out the food stalls in Ortaköy for the authentic kumpir. Look for "Kumpir Sokak" (translated to Baked Potato Street) and enjoy this yummy must-eat food in Istanbul. I paid around 100 Turkish liras, or 5 euros.

Lebanese Food

I know, it's not Turkish street food. But, if you are looking for mouthwatering Lebanese food in Istanbul, Arada Cafe is your go-to spot. It's a charming cafe in Beyoğlu that offers falafel, hummus, and other freshly-prepared Lebanese dishes. 

Arada Cafe

You can order a full menu like I did (enough for 3-4 people, depends how hungry you are). 

İçli Köfte (or Turkish Stuffed Meatballs)

İçli köfte or kibbeh is basically a stuffed or filled meatball. The dough balls are created from a blend of fine bulgur, spices, and potato (this is the base of the shell). 

Fried dough balls and Ayran

Some typical fillings include ground lamb or beef mixed with ground nuts such as walnuts or pine nuts, plus tons of spices. The dough balls are fried, hence the signature crispy texture and hard outer shell. I had içli köfte as an appetizer with my favourite Turkish beverage, Ayran.

Lahmacun (or Turkish Pizza)

Ask any Turkish person, and they'll tell you that lahmacun is a gift from above. It's too damn delicious. As you've guessed, this is a Turkish-style pizza or flatbread topped with minced veggies, minced meat, and a variety of herbs such as tomatoes, garlic, onions, parsley, and red peppers. 

Lahmacun

You can also get a taste of warming spices like paprika and chilli pepper. Find the best Turkish pizza at Halil Lahmacun in Kadikoy.

Traditional Turkish Breakfast

You can't leave Istanbul without an authentic Turkish breakfast at least once. If you have never heard about a Turkish breakfast before, here's an overview. 

Usually, it includes different bite-sized goodies, such as green and black olives, cured meats, cucumbers, sauces and dips, eggs, fresh tomatoes, fresh cheese, fruit jams and preserves, freshly-baked bread, pastries, honey, and butter. 

Plus, you get an unlimited supply of çay or Turkish black tea. No, this is not a joke.

Turkish breakfast

Where to have the best traditional Turkish breakfast in Istanbul? You can find it almost everywhere in the city. I recommend checking out the Beyoğlu district. On average, you can expect to spend anywhere from 10 to 50 liras per individual.

Simit

Hands down, my favourite street food in Istanbul is simit, a circular bread encrusted with sesame, flax, or poppy seeds. While it is not the most nutritious food you can munch on in Istanbul, it's convenient and cheap. 

Fresh Simit in Taksim Square

Grab one or two and go explore the city. You can find simits and other pastries on most streets in Istanbul. Look for street vendors, and go early in the morning to get them fresh.

Pide (Turkish Flatbread Pizza)

Another one of my all-time favs is pide, or Turkish flatbread pizza. I accidentally stumbled on this pide place in Taksim, but unfortunately, I don't remember its name anymore.

Turkish Pide

Again, you can find pide almost everywhere in Istanbul. It's super filling and cheap. Best of all, the toppings are almost endless - including vegetarian and vegan options. According to foodies, you can get the best pide at Hocapasa Pidecisi. Other highly-rated places include Pide Ban and Nizam Pide.

Künefe or Knafeh

Are you craving something sickeningly sweet? If so, try some künefe, a dessert originally from the Middle East. It's created with a spun pastry named "kataifi", drenched in a sugar-based sweet syrup (or attar). 

Usually, there's also a generous layer of cheese and other delicious ingredients on top like clotted cream and nuts. 

Künefe from Asi Künefeleri

Overall, it will make you addicted. The one I tried is from Asi Künefeleri and Keyfeder Künefe Katmer, but I heard that Hadiz Mustafa's is also excellent.

San Sebastian Cheesecake

Here is another intruder on the list of best street foods in Istanbul. While the San Sebastian cheesecake is not Turkish at all, it remains one of the most popular desserts to try in Beyoğlu. 

San Sebastian Cheesecake

Go to Viyana Kahvesi Galata and create an Insta-worthy picture of the cheesecake with the majestic Galata tower in the background. Cons: It's very expensive and the crowds ruin the mood. Nevertheless, if you want to taste this fluffy treat, this is another Istanbul must-eat.

Lokantas

In its basic sense, a lokanta is a restaurant. You'll find these restaurants all over the city, serving delectable home-style casserole dishes for a quick and satisfying meal. 

Lokanta in Istanbul

While the prices will vary depending on the district and the "prestige" of the lokanta, usually, these are one of the most budget-friendly restaurant options for travellers who want to save money. 

My favourite lokanta is located in Kadikoy and it's called Kadi Lokantasi.

3 Money-Saving Tips for Hungry Budget Travelers in Istanbul

Are you feeling hungry, but don't want to splurge in Istanbul? Worry not, you don't have to. Usually, food is very inexpensive there. You can find a wide array of street vendors and cheap restaurants in Istanbul with quality food. 

Nevertheless, it's a good idea to keep these three tips in mind when on a tight budget:

1. Choose restaurants and cafes further away from monuments and landmarks (these are less touristy and more affordable)

2. When in doubt, eat at a lokanta.

3. Indulge in fruits and veggies! You can get fresh vegetables and fruits for a low price. Go shopping in Istanbul's weekly farmers' markets and bazaars.

That wraps up everything I ate in Istanbul last year (besides tons of Turkish ice cream and waffles that I didn't take photos of). Undoubtedly, Istanbul is a foodies paradise, and I'll come back soon!