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Food in Turkey is a vibrant blend of rich flavours, regional recipes, and cultural traditions. Whether it’s gorging on a hot kebab, having sweet flaky baklava or sipping on a refreshing glass of ayran, every food offers a unique culinary experience. Turkish food traditions are mainly influenced by the Ottomans, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern practices. Street food and fine dining in Turkey manage to please everyone with the most delicious spices, fresh ingredients and ancient cooking methods.
Top 10 Food In Turkey
Whether you prefer meat or vegetarian food in Turkey, there are plenty of choices. Here are ten must – try dishes:
1. Doner Kebab
Photo: Tim Reckmann / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Doner kebab is one of the most popular street foods in Turkey, enjoyed by many tourists. It is made with delicious, marinated meat, that can be lamb, beef, or chicken. Doner kebab is served in a wrap, sandwich, or over a bed of rice with fresh vegetables, yoghurt sauces, and spices. The staple food of Turkey cannot be completed without tasting the doner kebab, which is smoky and juicy. It is an ideal meal while visiting the crowded Turkish streets for a quick nibble. It is an irresistible temptation for anyone who visits Turkey.
Best Location To Try: Bayramoğlu Döner, Kizilkayalar in Istanbul
Best Paired With: A side of pickled vegetables and traditional yoghurt-based sauce
2. Lahmacun
Photo: Rainer Zenz / Wikimedia Commons
Lahmacun is a beloved Turkish street food. It is sometimes referred to as “Turkish pizza” for its thin crust and crisp base, topped with fresh minced meat and spiced mixtures of onions, tomatoes, and other spices. Lahmacun has no cheese, unlike a traditional pizza, and is usually rolled with fresh herbs and lettuce and maybe squeezed with lemon juice. This savoury dish belongs to Turkish cuisine and is eaten at all times of the day. Lahmacun is available in local bakeries and street vendors across Turkey, with the best experiences coming from traditional wood-fired ovens.
Best Location To Try: Borsam Taş Fırın (Istanbul), Halil Lahmacun (Gaziantep), and Kırçiçeği (Izmir)
Best Paired With: Hot with a cold Ayran drink
3. Menemen
Photo: E4024 / Wikimedia Commons
Menemen is a delicious and hearty breakfast dish that stands out among the must-try foods in Turkey. It presents itself as one of the best foods to try among Turkish specialities. First, tomatoes and green peppers, along with a selection of fragrant spices, will be sautéed. Then the scrambled mixture will include eggs. Some people make it with added sucuk (Turkish sausage) or even cheese for flavour enhancement. Wonderful with crusty, freshly baked bread, Menemen will warm your stomach and comfort it, especially when taken with Turkish tea. It’s a sentimental favourite of all Turkish households and breakfast cafes for flavourful, warm mornings.
Best Location To Try: Lades Menemen (Istanbul), Çakmak Kahvaltı Salonu (Istanbul), Van Kahvaltı Evi (Istanbul)
Best Paired With: Turkish tea and olives for a complete meal
4. Kumpir
Photo: Donald Trung / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Kumpir represents Turkey’s most fashionable street food which covers the crispy and creamy extremes. A Kumpir is a large baked potato that, once opened, has its insides mixed with butter and cheese, making for a soft and tasty bed to hold the toppings. There are so many varieties of toppings one can choose from for Kumpir. These include olives, sweet corn, sausage, pickles, mayonnaise, and spicy sauces. This personal choice is loved by both locals and tourists and offers a filling and delicious combination. Its versatility and rich taste make it something of a must-try for anyone exploring foods in Turkey.
Best Location To Try: Ortaköy (Istanbul), Kızıl Meydan Kumpir (Ankara), Kumpir Sokak (Izmir)
Best Paired With: A combination of spicy and creamy toppings
5. Iskender Kebab
Photo: مانفی / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Iskender Kebab ranks among the most symbolic dishes of Turkey, originating from Bursa. It is made with thinly sliced doner meat served on bits of pita bread, spread generously with thickened tomato sauce and melted butter. A blissful symphony of salty and juicy meat, tanginess of sauce, and butteriness is what attracts the taste buds of locals and foreigners alike. Traditionally prepared using quality lamb with a very deep, satisfying flavour, Iskender Kebab is ideally served with grilled veggies. Indulging in Iskender Kebab in a fine-dining establishment is a perfect way to savour traditional Turkish cuisine.
Best Location To Try: Kebapçı İskender (Bursa), Uludağ Kebapçısı (Istanbul), Kasap Osman (Istanbul)
Best Paired With: A glass of ayran
6. Manti
Photo: Scudsvlad / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Manti is a beloved dish that showcases the depth of flavours in food in Turkey. These tiny handmade dumplings are stuffed with spiced minced meats, usually lamb or beef, and boiled until perfection. Its garlicky yoghurt sauce, melted salted butter with paprika flakes, and a sprinkle of sumac or dried mint that adds another dimension of flavour. This is why it is sometimes referred to as “Turkish ravioli” by tourists. Traditionally, Manti is said to be the best when made at home. However, one can find numerous restaurants throughout Turkey that serve an authentic flavour of this Turkish gastronomic heritage.
Best Location To Try: Bodrum Manti (Istanbul), Casita (Istanbul), Hacıoğlu Manti (Ankara)
Best Paired With: Enjoy with a sprinkle of sumac for extra flavour
7. Pide
Photo: Maksym Kozlenko / Wikimedia Commons
Pide is a popular Turkish flatbread and is beloved among all of the unique foods in Turkey. It’s traditionally a full, boat-shaped bread baked in a stone oven with various fillings inside, like minced meat, cheese, eggs, or vegetables. Crunchy on the outside and fresh toppings on the inside, Pide is ultimately a good meal at any point in the day. The second most famous variety is Kiymali Pide, which is garnished with spicy ground meat. When fresh and hot from the oven, Pide can be best paired with fresh salad or a glass of ayran. It is an absolute must-have for an authentic taste of Turkish cuisine, whether at a local bakery or a specially set Pide restaurant.
Best Location To Try: Hocapaşa Pidecisi (Istanbul), Nizam Pide (Istanbul), Pideci Hasan (Ankara)
Best Paired With: Cheese and egg toppings for a richer experience
8. Baklava
Photo: Maksym Kozlenko / Wikimedia Commons
Baklava is one of the most ancient and well-known desserts of Turkey. It is famous for its rich layers of crispy filo pastry, finely chopped nuts, and a good drizzle of syrup or honey. The baklava has a divine sweetness balanced with perfect crunchy consistency, well-deserving of tasting while exploring food in Turkey. The best baklava includes only the best quality ingredients, such as pistachios from Gaziantep, walnuts, or hazelnuts. Each bite will taste different depending on its fillings. Baklava is typically baked in large trays and then cut into geometric shapes or diamonds before serving.
Best Location To Try: Karaköy Güllüoğlu (Istanbul), İmam Çağdaş (Gaziantep), Hafız Mustafa (Istanbul)
Best Paired With: A cup of Turkish coffee or tea
9. Meze
Photo: Dreamchef / Wikimedia Commons
Meze is an essential part of food in Turkey, consisting of a variety of small dishes served as appetisers before the main course. While meze has widespread popularity, it is particularly significant in Turkish eating culture and is often enjoyed during gatherings of family and friends. A typical meze platter is a mixture of cold and hot dishes ranging from hummus, haydari (yoghurt dip with garlic and herbs), ezme (spicy tomato dip), stuffed grape leaves, and grilled eggplant salad. These delicious morsels are usually accompanied by freshly baked bread and a glass of rakı.
Best Location To Try: Nevizade Street (Istanbul), Çiya Sofrası (Istanbul), Denizaltı Meyhanesi (Izmir)
Best Paired With: Fresh bread and rakı, Turkey’s traditional drink
10. Simit
Photo: Andrey Filippov 安德烈 / Wikimedia Commons
In Turkey, simit is one of the most well-known street food items. It is often referred to as the “Turkish bagel.” It is a circular bread sprinkled with sesame seeds, boasting a crispy crust and a soft, chewy interior. Every nook and cranny of Turkey is saturated with simit vendors, who make this fresh bread an alluring breakfast option. In the early mornings, Turkish people happily munch on simit with some cheese and olives, sipping Turkish tea freshly brewed. Because of its simplicity, it is cherished by locals and tourists as an easy snack while exploring Turkish cities. Some vendors get creative and serve it with sweet chocolate spread or honey, making it a great food in Turkey.
Best Location To Try: Street vendors in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir
Best Paired With: Turkish tea and fresh cheese for an authentic taste
The food in Turkey is a memorable experience with a diverse array of flavours and textures. Whether you are enjoying your street-side doner kebab or a sweet slice of baklava, Turkish cuisine really has something for everyone. The numerous flavours and cultural aspects of each dish place a strong emphasis and are a key aspect of every travel experience. If you’re planning a food tour, plan with TripXL to explore the culinary delights.
Cover Photo: U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Katrina Heikkinen / Wikimedia Commons
