Istanbul's Iconic Eats & Drinks
Twenty Istanbul institutions locals actually send friends to: baklava counters, breakfast houses, kebab masters and coffee that stands up on its own. The order runs from the essentials to the deeper cuts, so a two-day trip and a two-week stay both work. Addresses come from Google Maps, so you can open any stop and go.
20 items
- 4
Van Kahvaltı Evi
Venue· ★ 9.2The eastern breakfast spread that started the trend.
- 5
Zübeyir Ocakbaşı/Taksim
Venue· ★ 8.4Charcoal grill classics in a smoky Beyoğlu room.
- 6
Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta
Venue· ★ 8.2Grilled köfte, beans and pickles, unchanged for decades.
- 7
Hamdi Restaurant - Eminönü
Venue· ★ 7.8Southeastern kebabs with a Golden Horn view.
- 8
Mandabatmaz
Venue· ★ 9.2Thick Turkish coffee off İstiklal Avenue.
- 9
Dürümzade
Venue· ★ 9.0Late-night grilled dürüm in Beyoğlu.
- 10
Dogu Karadeniz Pide Sarayi
Venue· ★ 8.4Black Sea pide and döner near Beşiktaş market.
- 11
Asmalı Cavit
Venue· ★ 9.2A classic meyhane for meze and rakı.
- 12
Kızılkayalar Taksim
Venue· ★ 7.8The wet burger that fuels Taksim nights.
- 13
Namlı Gurme
Venue· ★ 8.2Deli-style breakfast plates and cheese counters.
- 14
Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir Lokumları
Venue· ★ 8.6Turkish delight and lokum from 1777.
- 15
Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi
Venue· ★ 9.0The coffee queue every Istanbul kitchen depends on.
- 16
Soydan Turşucu
Venue· ★ 9.0Pickle juice and jars of turşu by the market.
- 17
Emirgan Sütiş
Venue· ★ 8.2Bosphorus-side milk puddings and long breakfasts.
- 18
Meshur Bebek Badem Ezmesi
Venue· ★ 8.0Almond paste sweets from the Bebek shoreline.
- 19
Balık Ekmek
Venue· ★ 7.4Fish sandwiches straight off the boat grills.
- 20
Beyti
Venue· ★ 9.2The steakhouse-kebab house behind the Beyti roll.