Turkey is legendary for therefore 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 legendary for one thing, and the highest dishes are well-loved for an excellent cause. Traditional dishes to attempt in Turkey are plentiful.

I lived in Turkey for a number of years, and I nonetheless go to incessantly 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 sorts of Turkish meals as I’ve. That is arms down probably the greatest locations to attempt one thing new, and even for those who’re a choosy eater, you’re certain to be tempted to give new dishes a go merely due to how superb they give the impression of being and scent.

15 Greatest Meals to Try in Turkey

There’s a lot well-known meals in Turkey, that you simply may wrestle to know the place to begin—that’s the place this checklist comes in. The primary time I visited, I didn’t perceive rather a lot when it got here to the meals, and as ashamed as I’m to admit 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, they usually’re all fairly cheap in phrases of value too. You may acknowledge a few of them, however even for those who don’t, be courageous and pattern them anyway: I promise you received’t be disenchanted.

1. Döner Kebab
(Most Well-known Meals to Try 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 residence; this can be a juicy, scrumptious, and downright mouth-watering deal with. You don’t have 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 hen, 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 sometimes fries. You possibly can inform them for those who don’t need any particular components added, and notably with hen, a yogurt sauce could also be added.

So far as Turkish avenue meals goes, that is probably the most well-known of all of them, and also you’ll discover distributors promoting it all over the place. Nonetheless, the perfect döner I’ve ever tried was from Karadeniz Döner Asım Usta in Beşiktaş, Istanbul. The meat is all the time juicy, and the queue ought to let you know 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 Data

Deal with: Sinanpaşa, Mumcu Bakkal Sokağı No:6, 34353 Beşiktaş/İstanbul
Cellphone: +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 right here and add an entire meal reasonably than a particular meals: if I listed every little thing in a Turkish breakfast, I’d be right here all day. Breakfast is probably the most well-known meal of the day in Turkey, and it’s recognized domestically as ‘kahvaltı’. You’ll have seen photos of a desk crammed with small plates containing numerous meals, corresponding to cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, chilly meats, eggs, jam, honey, and far more – nicely, 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 every little thing on the desk. My favourite factor a few Turkish breakfast is menemen – a scorching 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 probably the most epic Turkish breakfast, head to Van Kahvaltı Evi in Beyoğlu, shut to Taksim, Istanbul. In the event you’re visiting on the weekend, get there early because it’s extraordinarily widespread with locals. Nonetheless, I all the time assume that’s the perfect mark of high quality, and this place hasn’t disenchanted me as soon as (and I’ve been many instances).

Van Kahvaltı Evi Data

Deal with: Kılıçali Paşa, Defterdar Ykş. 52/A, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Cellphone: +90 212 293 6437
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, Eight am – 5 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 400TL/$14

3. Lahmacun

One other well-known dish of Turkey is lahmacun, usually referred to as 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 legendary for lahmacun, and that is the place you’ll discover the spiciest of all of them. The server will ask you if you’d like it acılı (spicy) or acısiz (not spicy), so select in accordance to your preferences. I all the time go for the non-spicy possibility as a result of in Turkey, after they say spicy, they actually do imply spicy!

You’ll discover lahmacun very simply throughout your entire nation, and the perfect I had was at Düveroğlu Kebap Salonu in Ankara, famed amongst locals as the perfect in the world. In some locations, the lahmacun could be a little soggy, however right here was the crispiest and tastiest; I extremely suggest stopping in to attempt it for your self for those who’re in the world.

Düveroğlu Kebap Salonu Data

Deal with: Mutlukent Mahallesi, 2432. Cadde & 1924 Sk. 117-119-121, 06810 Ümitköy/Çankaya/Ankara
Cellphone: +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

Probably the most widespread meals in Turkey is surely pide. Similar to lahmacun, you’ll discover this positively all over the place, and it comes in differing types. Pide is a flatbread, however this can be a little thicker than lahmacun and formed like a ship, with an open filling in the center.

The most typical filings embody mince meat (kıyma), cheese, cheese and spinach, meat, and peppers (kuşbaşılı), and generally you’ll discover it with a fried egg on prime. That is an reasonably priced meals in Turkey and is usually served with salad on the aspect. It’s historically from the Black Beach, notably Trabzon; for those who occur to be in the world, it’s the perfect place to attempt it.

I had the perfect kıymalı pide from Terminal Pide Trabzon, and I stumbled upon it by chance, just because there appeared to be a queue forming outdoors, so I figured it could be good. I wasn’t improper. Nonetheless, it doesn’t matter what metropolis or area you’re in, pide is a meals that’s very simple to discover.

Terminal Pide Trabzon Data

Deal with: Sanayi, Terminal Sk. No:4, 61100 Ortahisar/Trabzon
Cellphone: +90 462 325 0436
Working Hours: Monday – Saturday, Eight am – 7 pm, Sunday Eight 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 sort of flatbread, however this one is barely completely different because it’s comprised of both home made bread or yufka, which is filo pastry. It’s full of a wide range 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 in the normal approach in a village is kind of hypnotic, and also you’ll probably need to give it a go your self after witnessing it. It’s a conventional native meals in Turkey, and it will also be eaten as a avenue meals.

My favourite filling is potato, however you can even discover candy variations, corresponding to Nutella by itself or with banana, or tahini. Gözleme is a typical meals in Turkey to get pleasure from with a scorching glass of çay (tea), and I liked 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 gives you the tastiest outcomes.

Sevgi Anne Gözleme Data

Deal with: Üniversiteler, Şht. Jnd. Astğmn. Mustafa Tayyarcan Cd. No:129, 06800 Çankaya/Ankara
Cellphone: +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 general, it’s a must-eat in Turkey no matter the place you’re. It’s troublesome to put into phrases what this dish really is, however the closest description is a sort of ravioli or dumpling that’s crammed with meat or cheese, after which both boiled or fried (çıtır mantı). It’s often served with yogurt and garlic.

It is a widespread 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 awesome spot to go for those who’re touring with kids; the costs are actually cheap, and it’s a laid-back spot to get pleasure from 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 referred to as Turkish ravioli, particularly on worldwide menus, so for those who do see that, they’re one and the identical.

CANCAN Cafe & Restaurant Data

Deal with: Avcılar Mahallesi, No.27, 50180 Göreme/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir
Cellphone: +90 038 427 12440
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 11 am – 11 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 250TL/$8.50

7. Güveç

If you’d like to attempt actually genuine Turkish meals, you’ve got to give güveç a attempt; in reality, when you’ve had it, you’ll be hooked, and also you’ll need it time and again – belief me. You possibly can eat this scrumptious meal any time of the 12 months, however I feel it really works very well in the winter months whenever you’re after one thing heat and hearty to fill you up.

Güveç is without doubt one of 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 prepare 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 prepare dinner till every little thing melts into each other.

This dish is often served with rice, however don’t be afraid to seize some recent crusty bread and use it to mop up that scrumptious tomato gravy on the finish. Güveç is considered one of my favourite conventional dishes and for those who’re in the Istanbul space, head to Nişantaşı Güveç for an unforgettable model of this well-known meal.

Nişantaşı Güveç Data

Deal with: Teşvikiye, Akkavak Sk. No:36, 34365 Şişli/İstanbul
Cellphone: +90 212 224 2464
Working Hours: Monday – Saturday, Eight am – Eight 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 known as Şehzade Cağ Kebap. I had no concept what I used to be it was, however as soon as we arrived, the place was packed; I figured it should be good. I wasn’t improper; cağ kebabı is without doubt one of the prime must-try dishes in Turkey, and for those who love lamb, you’ll adore this well-known avenue meals.

Relatively 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 received’t fairly imagine it. I ought to clarify that I don’t like lamb once I’m in 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 recent lavaş, onions, and tomatoes.

I loved the meal I had at Şehzade Cağ Kebap a lot, and I’m reliably knowledgeable that that is the perfect one, even supposing the dish really hails from Erzurum. I’ve returned a number of instances since, and for those who occur to be in the world, I extremely suggest you seize a desk right here.

Şehzade Cağ Kebap Data

Deal with: Hoca Paşa, Hoca Paşa Sk. No:6 D:4, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul
Cellphone: +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

Probably the most well-known and simply discovered sorts 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 point out simply two, and the distinction comes down to its form and the spices used. Nonetheless, I feel Izmir köfte is the tastiest of all of them, and for those who’re in the town, that is one thing you have to attempt. You’ll discover common köfte completely all over the place.

Köfte could be served on a plate with potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, and rice as a primary meal, or it may be loved as a avenue meals in both a wrap or on bread. Both approach, it’s scrumptious and is a well-known dish in Turkey, thanks to its versatility. You’ll additionally discover köfte in a sauce or a stew.

In the event you’re strolling round Istanbul or Izmir in explicit, you’ll discover avenue distributors cooking köfte in entrance of you and the scent is certain to make your mouth water. It’s fairly a problem to stroll previous with out giving in. I had the perfect köfte at a small spot in Izmir known 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 Data

Deal with: Alsancak, 1456. Sk. No:92/B, 35280 Konak/İzmir
Cellphone: +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 get pleasure from this one, however you can even ask for it to be made barely much less spicy in case your tastebuds can’t fairly deal with the warmth. Both approach, it’s a really well-known and simply discovered dish, though the perfect ones are surely discovered in its namesake metropolis.

Adana kebab is fabricated from minced lamb and spices that are mixed collectively and formed over a protracted kebab skewer. It’s then cooked over an open hearth to guarantee a slight crunch on the surface and loads of juiciness in the center. The skewer is eliminated earlier than dishing up, and it’s usually loved with lavaş, tomatoes, and onions, and served alongside rice or bulgur.

It’s also possible to get Adana kebab in a wrap, which is a well-known sort of avenue meals you may seize on the go. Both approach, for those who’re in Adana itself, be sure you add this to your must-try checklist; I can extremely suggest Adana Ege Kebap Salonu, as can the numerous locals who flock there, particularly at weekends.

Adana Ege Kebap Salonu Data

Deal with: Cemalpaşa, Ege Taksi içi, Kapalı Spor Salonu Karşısı, 63014. Sk. No:2, 01120 Seyhan/Adana
Cellphone: +90 543 457 3628
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 9 am – 11 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 200TL/$7

11. Dolma

Dolma is a typical meals in Turkey and in addition across the Balkans, courting again to Ottoman instances. There are various kinds of dolma, however probably the most well-known is vine leaves full of rice and spices. It’s also possible to discover dolma containing minced meat, or fish, nonetheless, 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 like to drench mine for a very zingy style. The beauty of this dish is that you could eat it scorching or chilly, so if in case you have any left, merely put them in the fridge and revel in them afterward.

Dolma is discovered everywhere in the nation, and it’s a brilliant conventional dish that almost all households will make in some unspecified time in the future by any given week. I had actually scrumptious dolma in Kadıköy on the Asian aspect of Istanbul, in a small restaurant known 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 Data

Deal with: Caferağa, Güneşli Bahçe Sok, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul
Cellphone: +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 understand by now that there are numerous sorts of kebab to attempt, and imagine me, I’ve solely launched you to a small handful; there are numerous extra. Nonetheless, Iskender kebab is without doubt one of 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’re in the nation.

Right here, sliced döner meat is served on prime of chopped pitta bread, and is then lined in yogurt and a scorching tomato and butter sauce. You’ll discover this dish in eating places and small takeaways, though you’ll usually 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 could 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. Nonetheless, it’s all the time finest in its residence place, and I’d extremely suggest Uludağ Kebapçısı Cemal & Cemil Usta in the Osmangazi space of Bursa for a very conventional model.

Uludağ Kebapçısı Cemal & Cemil Usta Data

Deal with: Ulu Mahalle, Uluyol Caddesi, 16. Şirin Sk. No:12, 16220 Osmangazi/Bursa
Cellphone: +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 get pleasure from 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 types so you could find your favourite model. I like the unique sort probably the most, which is fabricated from layers of filo pastry with honey syrup and pistachio filling – it’s scrumptious with ice cream too.

I feel baklava makes an awesome present for family and friends again residence, and Köşkeroğlu Baklava Tophane is a prime spot to purchase it. The selection on provide is big, they usually present wrap it in a tin to make it look actually fancy. In fact, it won’t make it that far – I wouldn’t blame you for consuming it your self earlier than your return residence…

Köşkeroğlu Baklava Tophane Data

Deal with: Hacımimi, Kemeraltı Cd. No:46, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Cellphone: +90 053 097 74821
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, Eight 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 conventional home-cooked meals that almost all households get pleasure from a minimum of as soon as per week. You’ll additionally discover it in most residence meals eating places across the nation, often known as ‘ev yemek,’ and it’s fairly cheap in phrases of worth and is simple to make.

Put merely, kuru fasulye means ‘dry beans,’ however the dish in common is a white bean stew in a tomato sauce. It’s usually served with rice and bread and sometimes comes as the principle course after soup and salad. The dish could 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, nonetheless, the tastiest home-cooked meals like that is discovered in the southeast, with an entire host of scrumptious spices to make the dishes much more scrumptious. İspir Fasülyeci Diyarbakır is extremely really helpful by many locals as a prime place to do that conventional meals.

İspir Fasülyeci Diyarbakır Data

Deal with: Yenişehir, Lise 5. Sk. No:6, 21100 Yenişehir/Diyarbakır
Cellphone: +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 could be very deceiving and you’ve got to give it a attempt. It is a very wholesome and flavorful meals of Turkey and one that you simply’ll discover in many small vendor shops across the nation. The opposite plus level is that it’s tremendous low cost so it’s an awesome avenue meals possibility for those who’re on a funds.

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 can be 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. It’s also possible to ask for a spicy or non-spicy model.

There are giant firms that make this well-known dish, corresponding to Komagene and Oses, however there are small distributors too, and also you usually discover the tastiest variations from locations like that. Çiğ köfte everywhere in the nation however if you’d like to attempt probably 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 Data

Deal with: Kapcami, Eski Kahta Cd. No:10, 02100 Adıyaman Merkez/Adıyaman
Cellphone: +90 416 216 0282
Working Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10 am – 12 pm
Common Price of the Dish: 100TL/$3.50

Should-Try Meals in Turkey: FAQs

Listed here are some solutions to probably the most generally requested questions on must-try meals in Turkey:

In Conclusion

Turkish meals is among the finest in the world. Maybe I’m a bit biased, however spending giant quantities of time in 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 concerning the greens, otherwise you’re into super-spicy delicacies, you’ll discover one thing you’ll fall in love with.

Totally different components of the nation are well-known for particular dishes, however there are some all-rounders, corresponding to lahmacun, pide, and güveç that excel regardless of the place you’re. And naturally, you may’t begin the day with no 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 received’t go away hungry.