Quench Your Cravings: What and Where to Eat in İstanbul
As a cultural melting pot, İstanbul has the most pleasant culinary scene to influence all its visitors. From special and traditional beverages like Boza to the classic dishes like Sultanahmet meatballs with captivating taste, they’re all matchless pleasures to have. But where do you begin when there are so many diverse meal options to pick from? Time to quench your cravings and discover what and where to eat in the world-famous İstanbul city!
Kanlıca’s Yoghurt
Kanlıca is a Bosphorus neighborhood, famed all across the country with its fabulous yoghurt since the 17th century. Its yoghurt is pretty unique and it takes its matchless taste by the perfect mix of fresh, well-fed goat, cow, and sheep milk varieties. You can find the renowned Kanlıca Yoghurt in traditional restaurants and cafés in Kanlıca neighbourhood. An icing sugar is added on top of this tasty snack to give it a distinctive texture and flavour. Have a relaxing getaway in Bosphorus and try this traditional taste while in town!
Taksim’s Islak Hamburger
Islak Hamburger, which literally means “wet burger” is a famous street food usually consumed at the buffets around Taksim square. This addictive snack waits to be cherished after a long night out or whenever you need a quick bite to munch on. Be careful, for this taste is quite addictive! You'll unlikely get away with just one piece. Before they’re served, Islak Hamburger pieces are kept waiting to warm up inside a steam box. Worry not, these burgers are so popular that they’re never kept in the box for far too long – especially late at night!
Ortaköy’s Kumpir
Kumpir is basically a baked potato – and now you're probably thinking "what's so special about a baked potato?" The scrumptious ingredients crush, pile, and wrestle with one another for a delightful party inside the baked potato. And when it comes to Kumpir, Ortaköy is the king of all venues to indulge in this delicacy. It’s definitely a must-eat street food in İstanbul. Choose your toppings before biting into the smooth, creamy, buttery potato and make sure to get a serving of various sauces to add more flavour to your Kumpir!
Sütlüce's Uyuluk
Uykuluk is originally the Turkish name of the soft meat cut that is taken from the neck of a calf. It is consumed in various parts of the country, yet the most prominent one is of course Sütlüce in İstanbul. Uykuluk is just tasty and budget-friendly enough that you can eat it without much bread and still feel yourself full. You’re certainly going to enjoy this unique experience since Uykuluk is truly a priceless delicacy. You can taste it either on a plate with some salad or sandwiched in a lavash bread topped with onions and spices. To make the most of your Uykuluk, opt fort he sandwich form and pair it with a tall glass of Ayran beverage.
Beşiktaş’s Turkish Breakfast
Searching for a filling and satisfying breakfast? Head down to the Kahvaltıcılar Sokağı! Literally meaning “breakfast street”, it’s lined with neat, boutique restaurants that mainly serve anything you may want for breakfast. Make sure you go early to find empty seats because this place is extremely popular especially among youngsters and students, so it tends to be very crowded on the weekends. It is unquestionably time to go on this incredible breakfast discovery in İstanbul’s narrow backstreets!
Sultanahmet’s Meatballs
Giving this unique taste its name, Sultanahmet is of course the ideal place to try Sultanahmet Köftesi. You may season the meatballs with pul biber (pepper flakes), but take it lightly; it may get hot! A chilled glass of Ayran complements this remarkable meal perfectly. With its rich history of tradition and culture, Sultanahmet meatballs provide more than just the iconic meatball taste. Since Sultanahmet is located in the center of İstanbul, it also allows you to readily discover the city's other mysteries found nearby right after your tasty lunch or dinner!
Vefa’s Boza Drink
Vefa Bozası is a legendary taste of İstanbul’s Vefa district. It gets its distinctive flavour from the sourness of fermented millet grain and the sweet taste of sugar that comes out with fermentation. It is served in glasses on large trays with ground cinnamon and roasted chickpeas on top. It is also quite nutritious. Head to Vefa district to enjoy some Boza drink and step back into time with this timeless Turkish beverage!