Turkey is known 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. In the event you’re a foodie, you’ve simply discovered your match: each area is known for one thing, and the highest dishes are well-loved for an excellent motive. Conventional dishes to attempt in Turkey are plentiful.
I lived in Turkey for a number of years, and I nonetheless go to continuously 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 kinds of Turkish meals as I’ve. That is palms down probably the greatest locations to attempt one thing new, and even for those who’re a choosy eater, you’re positive to be tempted to provide new dishes a go merely due to how superb they give the impression of being and odor.
15 Finest Meals to Attempt in Turkey
There’s a lot well-known meals in Turkey, that you simply would possibly wrestle to know the place to begin—that’s the place this checklist is available in. The primary time I visited, I didn’t perceive lots 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 checklist, you’ll discover 15 of the tastiest and most well-known meals to attempt 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 price too. You would possibly acknowledge a few of them, however even for those who don’t, be courageous and pattern them anyway: I promise you gained’t be upset.
1. Döner Kebab
(Most Well-known Meals to Attempt in Turkey Total)
Once you consider Turkish meals, you in all probability 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; this can be 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 often 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’ll be able to inform them for those who don’t need any particular components added, and notably with rooster, a yogurt sauce could also be added.
So far as Turkish road meals goes, that is essentially 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 at all times juicy, and the queue ought to inform you 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
Telephone: +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 moderately than a particular meals: if I listed the whole lot in a Turkish breakfast, I’d be right here all day. Breakfast is essentially the most well-known meal of the day in Turkey, and it’s identified domestically as ‘kahvaltı’. You will have seen photos of a desk full of small plates containing varied meals, reminiscent of cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, chilly meats, eggs, jam, honey, and way more – properly, 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 the whole lot on the desk. My favourite factor a few 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—superb.
For essentially the most epic Turkish breakfast, head to Van Kahvaltı Evi in Beyoğlu, near Taksim, Istanbul. In the event you’re visiting on the weekend, get there early because it’s extraordinarily standard with locals. Nevertheless, I at all times 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
Telephone: +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, sometimes called 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 known for lahmacun, and that is the place you’ll discover the spiciest of all of them. The server will ask you in order for you it acılı (spicy) or acısiz (not spicy), so select based on your preferences. I at all times go for the non-spicy possibility as a result of in Turkey, once they say spicy, they actually do imply spicy!
You’ll discover lahmacun very simply throughout the complete 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 could be a little soggy, however right here was the crispiest and tastiest; I extremely advocate stopping in to attempt it for your self for those who’re within the space.
Düveroğlu Kebap Salonu Info
Tackle: Mutlukent Mahallesi, 2432. Cadde & 1924 Sk. 117-119-121, 06810 Ümitköy/Çankaya/Ankara
Telephone: +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
One of the standard meals in Turkey is unquestionably pide. Similar to lahmacun, you’ll discover this positively all over the place, and it is available in differing kinds. Pide is a flatbread, however this can be a little thicker than lahmacun and formed like a ship, with an open filling within the center.
The commonest filings embrace 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 commonly served with salad on the aspect. It’s historically from the Black Beach, notably Trabzon; for those who occur to be within the space, it’s one of the best place to attempt it.
I had one of the best kıymalı pide from Terminal Pide Trabzon, and I stumbled upon it by chance, just because there gave the impression to be a queue forming outdoors, so I figured it might be good. I wasn’t incorrect. 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
Telephone: +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 comprised of both selfmade bread or yufka, which is filo pastry. It’s filled with quite a lot of completely different fillings, together with potato, cheese, and spinach, or minced meat and onion.
Gözleme is often 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 doubtless 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 road meals.
My favourite filling is potato, however you may also discover candy variations, reminiscent of 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 beloved the one I had in Ankara at Sevgi Anne Gözleme. It is a meals well-known from the central Anatolian area and making an attempt it from the place it originated provides you with the tastiest outcomes.
Sevgi Anne Gözleme Info
Tackle: Üniversiteler, Şht. Jnd. Astğmn. Mustafa Tayyarcan Cd. No:129, 06800 Çankaya/Ankara
Telephone: +90 312 227 0201
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 9 am – 7 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 100TL/$3.50
6. Mantı
In the event you’ve ever been to Cappadocia or carried out any analysis into it, you’ll in all probability know that mantı is a well-known meals from this stunning area, however total, 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 sort of ravioli or dumpling that’s full of meat or cheese, after which both boiled or fried (çıtır mantı). It’s often served with yogurt and garlic.
It is a standard dish everywhere in the nation, however for those who’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 an excellent spot to go for those who’re touring with kids; 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 may select between the fried or boiled/steamed variations.
You’ll in all probability hear mantı known as Turkish ravioli, particularly on worldwide menus, so for those who do see that, they’re one and the identical.
CANCAN Cafe & Restaurant Info
Tackle: Avcılar Mahallesi, No.27, 50180 Göreme/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir
Telephone: +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 attempt actually genuine Turkish meals, you need to give güveç a attempt; actually, when you’ve had it, you’ll be hooked, and also you’ll need it time and again – belief me. You’ll be able to eat this scrumptious meal any time of the yr, however I believe it really works very well within the winter months if you’re after one thing heat and hearty to fill you up.
Güveç is among 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 cook 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 sort of tomato paste, and it’s left to cook dinner till the whole lot melts into each other.
This dish is often served with rice, however don’t be afraid to seize some contemporary crusty bread and use it to mop up that scrumptious tomato gravy on the finish. Güveç is one among my favourite conventional dishes and for those who’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
Telephone: +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 have to be good. I wasn’t incorrect; cağ kebabı is among the high must-try dishes in Turkey, and for those who love lamb, you’ll adore this well-known road meals.
Somewhat 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 consider 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 contemporary 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 though the dish truly hails from Erzurum. I’ve returned a number of occasions since, and for those who occur to be within the space, I extremely advocate you seize a desk right here.
Şehzade Cağ Kebap Info
Tackle: Hoca Paşa, Hoca Paşa Sk. No:6 D:4, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul
Telephone: +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
One of the well-known and simply discovered kinds of meals in Turkey is köfte, which is basically a sort of grilled or barbecued meatball. There are various kinds of köfte, together with Muğla köfte and Izmir köfte to say simply two, and the distinction comes all the way down to its form and the spices used. Nevertheless, I believe Izmir köfte is the tastiest of all of them, and for those who’re within the metropolis, that is one thing you have to attempt. You’ll discover common köfte completely all over the place.
Köfte might be served on a plate with potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, and rice as a important meal, or it may be loved as a road meals in both a wrap or on bread. Both means, it’s scrumptious and is a well-known dish in Turkey, due to its versatility. You’ll additionally discover köfte in a sauce or a stew.
In the event you’re strolling round Istanbul or Izmir specifically, you’ll discover road distributors cooking köfte in entrance of you and the odor 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
Telephone: +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 sort of Turkish delicacies that hails from the southern metropolis of Adana. In the event you 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 unquestionably present in its namesake metropolis.
Adana kebab is product of minced lamb and spices that are mixed collectively and formed over an extended kebab skewer. It’s then cooked over an open hearth 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 sometimes loved with lavaş, tomatoes, and onions, and served alongside rice or bulgur.
You may as well get Adana kebab in a wrap, which is a well-known kind of road meals you possibly can seize on the go. Both means, for those who’re in Adana itself, ensure you add this to your must-try checklist; I can extremely advocate 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
Telephone: +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 likewise across the Balkans, relationship again to Ottoman occasions. There are various kinds of dolma, however essentially the most well-known is vine leaves filled with rice and spices. You may as well discover dolma containing minced meat, or fish, nevertheless, the seafood model is much less frequent.
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 that you could eat it sizzling or chilly, so you probably have any left, merely put them within the fridge and revel in them afterward.
Dolma is discovered everywhere in the nation, and it’s an excellent conventional dish that the majority households will make sooner or later by way of any given week. I had actually scrumptious dolma in Kadıköy on the Asian aspect of Istanbul, in a small restaurant referred to as Çiya Sofrası; the flavors burst in my mouth, and that’s the place I discovered my love for this well-known dish.
Çiya Sofrası Info
Tackle: Caferağa, Güneşli Bahçe Sok, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul
Telephone: +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 in all probability have come to comprehend by now that there are numerous kinds of kebab to attempt, and consider me, I’ve solely launched you to a small handful; there are numerous extra. Nevertheless, Iskender kebab is among 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 regardless 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 lined in yogurt and a sizzling tomato and butter sauce. You’ll discover this dish in eating places and small takeaways, though you’ll typically 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 might 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 for those who’re not Bursa, it’s another choice you’ll discover all over the place. Nevertheless, it’s at all times finest in its dwelling place, and I’d extremely advocate Uludağ Kebapçısı Cemal & Cemil Usta within the Osmangazi space of Bursa for a very conventional model.
Uludağ Kebapçısı Cemal & Cemil Usta Info
Tackle: Ulu Mahalle, Uluyol Caddesi, 16. Şirin Sk. No:12, 16220 Osmangazi/Bursa
Telephone: +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 attempt 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 you could find your favourite model. I like the unique kind essentially the most, which is product of layers of filo pastry with honey syrup and pistachio filling – it’s scrumptious with ice cream too.
I believe baklava makes an excellent present for family and friends again dwelling, and Köşkeroğlu Baklava Tophane is a high spot to purchase it. The selection on provide is big, and so they present wrap it in a tin to make it look actually fancy. After all, it won’t 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
Telephone: +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, referred to as ‘ev yemek,’ and it’s fairly affordable when it comes to worth and is simple to make.
Put merely, kuru fasulye means ‘dry beans,’ however the dish basically is a white bean stew in a tomato sauce. It’s sometimes served with rice and bread and infrequently comes as the principle course after soup and salad. The dish might 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 advisable 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
Telephone: +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 seems to be might be very deceiving and you need to give it a attempt. 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 an excellent road meals possibility for those who’re on a finances.
Çiğ köfte hails initially from the southeast of Turkey, notably the Urfa and Adıyaman space. It’s a mix of bulgur wheat, tomato paste, and spices which are kneaded collectively till extraordinarily easy and served both in lettuce with pomegranate and lemon juice or in a wrap with no matter salad components you want. You may as well ask for a spicy or non-spicy model.
There are massive corporations that make this well-known dish, reminiscent of Komagene and Oses, however there are small distributors too, and also you typically discover the tastiest variations from locations like that. Çiğ köfte everywhere in the nation however if you wish to attempt essentially 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
Telephone: +90 416 216 0282
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10 am – 12 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 100TL/$3.50
Should-Attempt Meals in Turkey: FAQs
Listed here are some solutions to essentially the most generally requested questions on must-try meals in Turkey:
A typical meal in Turkey entails soup to begin, rice, meat, greens, and salad. Probably the most well-known conventional meals are subsequently güveç and kuru fasulye. Nevertheless, kebabs are additionally frequent, with an enormous vary obtainable, together with Adana kebab, Urfa kebab, and Iskender.
Turkish delicacies is extraordinarily assorted, however the kebab is undoubtedly the nation’s most well-known dish. You’ll discover numerous various kinds of kebabs with assorted meats. Doner kebab might be essentially the most well-known of all of them, and also you’ll discover a lot of these eating places all through the complete nation.
The most well-liked meals in Turkey is difficult to pinpoint, however doner kebab is extraordinarily standard, together with lahmacun and pide.
Each a part of Turkey is known for a particular delicacies, with Izmir well-known for köfte, Cappadocia famed for its mantı, and Adana for its Adana kebab. Nevertheless, for a assorted mixture of dishes, you possibly can’t beat Istanbul; you’ll discover the whole lot you’re searching for on this big metropolis.
A few of the finest meals in Turkey falls below the road meals umbrella. Doner kebab, börek, pide, çiğ köfte, köfte, and kokoreç are a few of the most well-known kinds of road meals on provide.
In Conclusion
Turkish meals is a few of the finest on the earth. Maybe I’m a bit of biased, however spending massive quantities of time within the nation has opened my palate to utterly completely different flavors that I in all probability wouldn’t have dared attempt in any other case. Whether or not you’re a meat lover, all in regards to the greens, otherwise you’re into super-spicy delicacies, you’ll discover one thing you’ll fall in love with.
Completely different elements of the nation are well-known for particular dishes, however there are some all-rounders, reminiscent of lahmacun, pide, and güveç that excel regardless of the place you might be. And naturally, you possibly can’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 definitely gained’t go away hungry.
