Top Street Foods to Try in Istanbul

Istanbul is a city where history, culture, and cuisine come together to make the traveling experience unforgettable. The culinary aspect of the city is truly a taste of heaven besides its grand mosques, crowded bazaars, and colorful neighbourhoods. There is no better way a traveler can explore the genuine Turkish tastes than the Top Street Foods of Istanbul. The city has many varieties of street food that represents its rich history: savory kebabs slowly roasting on hot coals and sweet treats such as baklava and simit.

As you walk the Bosphorus coastline, visit Sultanahmet, or head down the Istiklal Street, you will come across hundreds of street vendors selling hot and freshly cooked dishes. To savor the finest of it, numerous tourists opt to go on Istanbul food tour packages that enable local professionals to show them various dishes. In Go Kite Travel, you will be able to not only sightsee, but also have a gastronomic adventure, all without missing out on all the food wonders the city of Istanbul has to offer.

What is Special with Street Food in Istanbul

In Istanbul street food is not only about quenching hunger- it is also a part of the culture. Each restaurant dish has its story, which has been transferred through generations, and filled with Asian, Middle East, and European flavors. Being a crossroad of civilizations, Istanbul can be seen in its cuisine: simple but high-quality, affordable but memorable. People both local and foreign come together at street vendors to enjoy snacks that can easily be described as the epitome of Turkish hospitality and taste.

We will show you the Top Street Foods in Istanbul, where to eat what and why millions of people love it in this guide.

These are the Best Street Foods to eat in Istanbul.

1. Simit – The Turkish Bagel

Simit is one of the most popular street foods in Istanbul and is often referred to as the Turkish bagel. It is a crispy bread ring with sesame seeds that is good to have either in the morning or as a snack when sightseeing in the city. Vendors bear simit in racks upon their heads, particularly within the environs of the ferry ports and of the squares. It goes best with Turkish tea to experience the most local experience.

2. Balik Ekmek- Bosphorus Fish Sandwich.

Go to the Eminönu district, and you will see fishermen frying fresh mackerel and eating it in a soft bun with onions, lettuce and lemon. One of the Top Street Foods in Istanbul that reflects the relationship between the city and the sea is Balik Ekmek also known as fish sandwich. It is smoky, fresh and distinctively Istanbul.

3. Kumpir – Stuffed baked Potatoes.

To be substantial, get yourself Kumpir which is a massive baked potato that has unlimited fillings that include cheese, olives, sausages, pickles, and corn. This dish is particularly popular in the Ortakoy district and is a dish enjoyed by families and groups of friends.

4. Döner Kebab – A Turkish Classic

We can not list the Top Street Foods in Istanbul without listing Döner Kebab. This street food is a staple dish made of thinly sliced meat (typically lamb, chicken or beef) roasted on a vertical spit and served in pita bread (or flatbread wrappings) with vegetables and sauces. It is nutritious, tasty and can be found almost all over the city.

5. Midye Dolma – Stuffed Mussels

Stuffed mussels, Midye Dolma, are a snack served in Istanbul at night. They are sold by vendors in dozens, topped with aromatic spiced rice and pressed lemon. People like to eat them especially after an evening out and they are regarded as one of the most addictive street foods in Istanbul.

6. Kokorec- Roasted Crunchy Offal.

Kokorec is not a food that weak-hearted people like, but is enjoyed by a daring food lover. It is made up of roasted lamb intestines, which are wrapped around sweetbreads and roasted to perfection and then sliced up into a sandwich. It is among the most distinctive Top Street Foods in Istanbul because of its smoky taste that is very delicious.

7. Lahmacun – Turkish Pizza

Crispy thin flat bread with minced meat, herbs, and spices-Lahmacun is sometimes called Turkish pizza. It is light but very delicious rolled up with fresh parsley, lemon juice, and onions. Best loved hot out of the oven of a street peddler.

8. Börek – Flaky Pastry Layers

Boerek is a savory pastry that is prepared with layers of thin dough, cheese and spinach or minced meat stuffing. It is a favorite breakfast meal, but is also a good snack meal at any time of day. Every bite is buttery, crispy and comforting.

9. Baklava Sweet layers of Heaven.

Any visit to Istanbul cannot be done without trying Baklava. Layers of filo pastry, nuts and sweet syrup make up this world-famous dessert that is commonly sold by street-side bakeries. In addition to baklava stores, it is also easy to find on the street where it is better than ever.

10. Turkish Ice Cream (Dondurma)

Turkish Dondurma is a performance and a treat as it is served by entertaining vendors who juggle tricks as they serve their food. Children and grown-ups enjoy the fun of trying to get their ice cream cone at the stand.

11. Çiğ Köfte – Spicy Bulgur Balls

Once prepared with raw meat but nowadays usually with vegetarian ingredients, Çiğ Köfte is a spicy dish of bulgur in a wrap of lettuce leaves. It is very light, healthy and flavorful, and it is popular with locals.

12. Tavuklu Pilav- Chicken and Rice.

This is a very straightforward meal of rice with butter and shredded chicken and chickpeas, but it is one of the most comforting street foods in Istanbul. You will regularly come across vendors with huge pots of it serving it late at night, particularly in Taksim.

13. Gozleme Turkish Flatbread.

Gozleme is a hand stretched flatbread filled with cheese, spinach, potatoes or minced meat. It is grilled on a griddle by the women in traditional clothing which provides both a taste of Turkish hospitality and home cooked flavor.

The Perfect way to taste the Street food in Istanbul.

Although you may visit it individually, it is strongly advised that you consider the Istanbul food tour packages whenever you are touring the city. These tours also bring you to local markets, backstreets, and food vendors that you would not have discovered otherwise. At Go Kite Travel, you will get to experience not just the best dishes but also the background and history behind your bite.

How to eat Street Food in Istanbul.

Eat where the natives have dinner--they are a sure guide to the freshness and quality of the fare.

There is no need to be afraid of experimenting and trying something that does not sound normal.

Food should be accompanied by Turkish tea or drink ayran (yogurt), so that you can experience everything.

There is no need to bring a wallet with you because most street vendors do not accept cards.

Conclusion

A tour of the Best Street Foods in Istanbul is an adventure by itself. Crispy Simit and smoky Balik Ekmek are only a few examples of dishes that introduce us to the rich heritage of Istanbul culture and cuisine. What makes street food in this place is not only a question of flavor but also of the friendliness of the sellers, the beauty of the streets in the city, and the experience of eating as a local.

Next time you want to travel, use Go Kite Travel to help you spend the most part of your trip. Their well-planned Istanbul food tour packages will see to it that you explore the nooks and crannies of this city and, in the process, enjoy the best foods in the city. You will have not just the memories of beautiful buildings and colorful bazaars when you leave Istanbul but also the indelible flavor of its street foods.