Turkish Cuisine — A Culinary Universe

Turkish cuisine is considered one of the three great cuisines of the world alongside French and Chinese — and Istanbul is its melting pot. Here, influences from Central Asia, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and the Balkans come together and blend into a cuisine that is more diverse, aromatic, and delicious than most visitors expect.

Kahvaltı — The Turkish Breakfast

A Turkish breakfast is not just a breakfast — it is a feast. At least 15–20 small plates are on the table:

• Beyaz peynir (soft cheese), Kaşar (hard cheese), Tulum (goat cheese aged in goat skin)
• Olives (black and green, various varieties)
• Bal ve Kaymak (honey with clotted cream) — addictive
• Sucuk (garlic sausage) with fried egg, Menemen (scrambled eggs with tomatoes and peppers)
• Fresh bread (Simit, Pide, Ekmek), butter, jams
• Çay (black tea) — endlessly refilled

The best Kahvaltı experiences: In Kadıköy (Asian side), in Bebek (by the Bosphorus) or in a Serpme Kahvaltı hall. Price: 8–20€/person. Plan for 2 hours — breakfast in Turkey is a social event.

Street Food

• Simit: Sesame rings — Istanbul's staple food. At every corner, at any time of day. 0.30–0.50€.
• Döner Kebab: In Istanbul, Döner is an art form — from the simple street Döner (2€) to the upscale Kebab restaurant. The best Kebab variations: İskender, Adana, Beyti.
• Balık ekmek: Fish sandwich at the Eminönü pier — grilled mackerel in bread with salad. Istanbul in one bite. 2–4€.
• Kokoreç: Grilled, spiced lamb intestines in bread — sounds adventurous, tastes fantastic. The favorite food of Istanbulites after a night out. 2–3€.
• Midye dolma: Stuffed mussels (rice with spices) — sold by street vendors by the piece. 0.30€/piece.
• Kumpir: Giant baked potatoes with countless fillings — an institution in Ortaköy. 3–5€.

Baklava & Sweets

Baklava is the crown of Turkish patisserie: paper-thin layers of Yufka dough, filled with pistachios or walnuts, soaked in sugar syrup. The best Baklava comes from Gaziantep — in Istanbul, you can find it at Güllüoğlu (Karaköy, since 1871) or Karaköy Güllüoğlu. Other sweets: Lokum (Turkish Delight), Künefe (hot cheese in Kadayıf dough with syrup), Tavuk Göğsü (pudding with chicken breast — yes, really).