Istanbul Food Guide: What to Eat and Where to Order

Local tip

Avoid eating at the restaurants immediately surrounding Sultanahmet, where multi-language photo menus almost guarantee inflated prices and diminished quality. Instead, head to neighborhoods like Karaköy, Beşiktaş (famous for its "Breakfast Street"), or Kadıköy on the Asian side for honest pricing and local crowds. If ordering fresh fish at a seafood restaurant, always confirm the price by weight before agreeing to the catch, as surprise seafood bills are the city's most common tourist trap.

Best Kebabs in Istanbul

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Kebapçı İskender

KadıköyRun by the descendants of the inventor of the İskender kebab, this is the gold standard for thinly sliced döner over pita, smothered in hot butter and tomato sauce.

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Zübeyir Ocakbaşı

BeyoğluOne of Istanbul's most famous ocakbaşı restaurants, offering an authentic grill-side experience with masterfully prepared, hand-minced meats.

Order: Signature order

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Şeyhmuz Kebap Salonu

ÇemberlitaşA legendary, no-frills institution near the Grand Bazaar that uses a traditional curved *zırh* knife to hand-mince the meat, ensuring an unmatched texture.

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Adana Ocakbaşı

KurtuluşA cozy, long-standing neighborhood favorite that consistently delivers one of the most authentic, unapologetically spicy Adana kebabs in the city.

Order: Signature order

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Şehzade Cağ Kebap

SirkeciWidely considered the best place in Istanbul for Cağ kebabı; the tender, wood-fired lamb skewers are brought to your table continuously until you say stop.

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Bursa Garaj Kebap

LeventA highly respected destination for serious İskender kebab purists, known for sourcing top-quality meat and butter to recreate the true Bursa flavor.

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Emin Usta

KaragümrükA fiercely local, traditional kebab shop where the master still oversees the grill personally, offering an ungentrified, authentic taste of Southeastern Turkey.

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Adana Yüzevler

EtilerAn elegant, comfortable restaurant run by a family from Adana, ensuring the spice levels and preparation of their signature kebab remain absolutely authentic.

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Siirt Şeref Büryan

FatihA legendary institution where the lamb is slow-roasted in a deep, underground stone pit for over two hours until it is fall-apart tender.

Order: Signature order

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Bayramoğlu Döner

KavacıkWidely considered one of the city's finest döners, served with unlimited, ultra-thin house-made lavaş and high-quality local butter.

Order: Signature order

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Ciğerci Hulusi

KadıköySpecializes in small-cut, expertly spiced Mersin-style liver skewers served with an abundance of fresh herbs, onions, and hot lavaş.

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Hamdi Restaurant

EminönüA multi-story institution offering a vast array of Southeastern Anatolian kebabs paired with some of the best panoramic views of the city.

Order: Signature order

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Beyti

FloryaAn upscale, historic meat temple where the eponymous Beyti kebab was invented, favored by politicians and celebrities for decades.

Order: Signature order

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Dürümzade

BeyoğluAn iconic, no-frills street food corner made globally famous by Anthony Bourdain, prized for its impeccably spiced wraps in bubbly, grill-charred lavash.

Order: Signature order

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Umut Ocakbaşı

BeyoğluA reliable, classic ocakbaşı tucked into the lively side streets of Taksim, offering excellent charcoal-grilled meats in a lively, smoke-filled atmosphere.

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Kebapçı Enver Usta

BeyoğluA tiny, often packed, legendary local lunch spot hidden in an alleyway, doing the simple basics of grilled meat to perfection.

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Best Lahmacun & Pide in Istanbul

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Meşhur Fatih Karadeniz Pidecisi İbrahim Usta

FatihWidely considered the absolute best place in Istanbul for authentic Black Sea (Karadeniz) pide, featuring expertly crafted dough and incredibly high-quality butter and cheese.

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Öz Kilis Kebap ve Lahmacun Salonu

FatihA destination for those seeking Kilis/Antep-style lahmacun, known for a higher ratio of garlic and onion in the topping, baked to a perfect crunch.

Order: Signature order

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Tatbak

NişantaşıOperating since 1960 in a chic neighborhood, this unpretentious spot serves what many consider the city's finest, most flavorful garlic lahmacun.

Order: Signature order

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Bafra Pide Coşkun Usta

KızıltoprakA historic institution established in 1981, bringing the distinctively crispy, closed-style Samsun/Bafra pide to Istanbul using premium ingredients.

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Lider Pide

ÜmraniyeA legendary spot on the Asian side drawing crowds specifically for its massive, ultra-authentic Trabzon-style wood-fired pides; traditionally served without a knife.

Order: Signature order

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Çıtır Pide Lahmacun Salonu

BeşiktaşA neighborhood staple since 1993, famous for honoring its name by delivering some of the crispiest, thinnest lahmacun and pide in Beşiktaş.

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Buket Lahmacun

MecidiyeköyConsistently ranked by local critics as having the best thin-crust lahmacun on the European side, known for its high-quality meat and perfect crunch.

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Hocapaşa Pidecisi

SirkeciAn excellent, historic stone-oven option for fresh, piping-hot pide situated conveniently close to the major historical peninsula attractions.

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Halil Lahmacun

KadıköyA legendary, no-frills shop in the bustling Kadıköy market where locals stand or sit on small stools to eat thin, blistered lahmacun straight from the wood-fired oven.

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Borsam Taşfırın

KadıköyA beloved local chainlet famous for consistently delivering crispy, affordable lahmacun baked traditionally in a stone oven.

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Nizam Pide

BeyoğluA classic Beyoğlu destination known for an enormous variety of generously topped pides and an iconic baked rice pudding dessert.

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Mahir Lokantası

ŞişliBeyond its excellent home-style cooking, locals swear by their lahmacun, which has an incredibly thin, crispy base and perfectly spiced meat topping.

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Elise Karadeniz Pide & Lahmacun

OrtaköyA cozy, family-run neighborhood spot near the Bosphorus that consistently produces some of the finest, crispiest Black Sea style pide in the area.

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Pideban

SarıyerA highly respected institution that strictly adheres to authentic Black Sea recipes and imports its core ingredients directly from the region.

Order: Signature order

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Best Balık ekmek in Istanbul

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Tarihi Eminönü Balıkçısı

EminönüThe quintessential Istanbul experience: grilled mackerel served in fresh bread directly from ornate, rocking boats on the Golden Horn.

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Taka Balık Ekmek

YeniköyA local favorite in the upscale Yeniköy neighborhood where the fish is often caught and grilled on the same day right by the water.

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Sur Balık Sarayburnu

FatihA contemporary seafood destination offering a refined balık ekmek experience with sweeping views of the Bosphorus and Sea of Marmara.

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Balıkçı Sabahattin

FatihFamily-run since 1927, this world-renowned institution focuses on traditional seafood recipes in a beautifully preserved Ottoman-era house.

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Kadıköy Balıkçılar Çarşısı

KadıköyA cluster of vendors within the market who grill fish directly from the stalls into fresh bread for local shoppers.

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Kandilli Suna'nın Yeri

ÜsküdarA local legend where simple, perfectly fresh fish is served on paper-covered tables right at the water's edge.

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Balıkçı Murat Abi

KumkapıA dedicated street-side option in the historic seafood district that focuses on extremely fresh catch and careful, traditional preparation.

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Balık Dürüm Mehmet Usta

KaraköyA cult favorite known for expert deboning and a signature spice blend with pomegranate molasses, wrapped in a perfectly charred lavash.

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Derya Balık Ekmek

KaraköyA reliable Karaköy staple that offers one of the most substantial portions of grilled mackerel in the area.

Order: Signature order

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Eminönü Street Vendors

EminönüThe most authentic street experience: standing by the Golden Horn, watching the ferries, and eating a sandwich from a local cart.

Order: Signature order

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Beşiktaş Balıkçısı

BeşiktaşA popular spot for a quick, affordable, and consistently fresh fish sandwich in the lively Beşiktaş district.

Order: Signature order

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Tarihi Karaköy Balık Lokantası

KaraköyOne of the city's most historic fish restaurants, celebrated for its consistency and mastery of simple, charcoal-grilled fish.

Order: Signature order

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Muradoğlu Balık Ekmek

BeykozAn ultra-local, no-frills spot famous for its exceptionally fresh fish and perfectly toasted bread, worth the trek for purists.

Order: Signature order

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Karaköy Balıkçısı

KaraköyA high-end legendary fish house that offers a more refined version of the fish sandwich in a historic setting with stunning views.

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Best Mezze & rakı in Istanbul

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Karaköy Lokantası

KaraköyA stunning, blue-tiled space that operates as a tradesman's lunch spot by day and transforms into one of the city's most refined, sought-after modern meyhanes by night.

Order: Signature order

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Asmalı Cavit

BeyoğluWidely considered the gold standard for a traditional, no-frills Istanbulite tavern experience, maintaining its classic charm and impeccable meze quality for decades.

Order: Signature order

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Giritli Restoran

CankurtaranAn elegant seafood meyhane specializing in Cretan and Aegean flavors, offering a peaceful garden retreat from the bustling Sultanahmet tourist crowds.

Order: Signature order

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İsmet Baba

KuzguncukA historic, waterfront institution on the Asian side that remains fiercely local, offering classic fish and mezes right on the Bosphorus without the pretense of modern fine dining.

Order: Signature order

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Balat Sahil Restoran

BalatA hidden gem cherished by locals in the historic Balat neighborhood, known for a phenomenal, ever-changing array of cold mezes and seasonal mushrooms.

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Safa Meyhanesi

YedikuleA historic tavern since 1948 that feels untouched by time, featuring its original high ceilings, wooden decor, and a strictly traditional meze menu.

Order: Signature order

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Agora Meyhanesi 1890

BalatOne of Istanbul's most atmospheric meyhanes, built into ancient walls and featuring its own vineyard and an extensive, historically-informed meze selection.

Order: Signature order

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Yakup 2

BeyoğluA legendary Beyoğlu institution known for its boisterous energy and a consistently excellent array of cold and hot starters that haven't changed in decades.

Order: Signature order

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Koço

ModaUniquely features a small, active Greek Orthodox holy spring (Ayazma) inside the restaurant, paired with high-quality seafood and mezes.

Order: Signature order

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Despina

KurtuluşOne of the city's few remaining traditional Greek-style meyhanes, famous for its garden seating and impeccable fried liver and cold mezes.

Order: Signature order

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Barba Vasilis

BalatA cozy, neighborhood-focused meyhane that captures the fading spirit of old Istanbul-Greek taverns with warm service and authentic dishes.

Order: Signature order

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İnciraltı Meyhanesi

BeylerbeyiFamous for preserving forgotten 19th-century Istanbul meze recipes, this Asian-side gem offers a deeply authentic, nostalgic atmosphere away from the tourist trails.

Order: Signature order

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Refik

BeyoğluA legendary institution operating since 1954, favored by writers and artists for its classic cold mezes, hot liver, and timeless, boisterous tavern energy.

Order: Signature order

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Tarihi Cumhuriyet Meyhanesi

BeyoğluOperating since 1890, this multi-level historic tavern is the place to go if you want the full sensory experience of traditional live *fasıl* (classical Turkish music) with your rakı.

Order: Signature order

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Kydonia

Cunda/Istanbul (Cunda-themed)A refined establishment that transports the culinary traditions of Cunda Island to the Bosphorus, focusing on incredibly fresh seafood and innovative vegetable mezes.

Order: Signature order

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Best Mantı in Istanbul

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Sayla Mantı

KadıköyA beloved Asian-side institution that has been serving perfectly crafted, traditional dumplings in a cozy, neighborhood setting for generations.

Order: Signature order

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Bodrum Mantı & Cafe

ArnavutköyA popular, lively Bosphorus-side spot known for its unique fried version of mantı, particularly favored by the late-night crowd.

Order: Signature order

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Hıngal Mantı

BeykozA destination spot specializing in larger, uniquely shaped dumplings with over 10 varieties of traditional and modern fillings, including colorful vegetarian options.

Order: Signature order

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Yeni Lokanta

BeyoğluOrder this

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Bizim Gözleme ve Manti Evi

SultanahmetOne of the few remaining truly authentic spots in the tourist heart of the city, where you can watch the women hand-rolling dough in the window.

Order: Signature order

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Sinop Mantı

BeşiktaşFamous for a unique regional twist from the Black Sea city of Sinop, where dumplings are topped with crushed walnuts and butter.

Order: Signature order

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Aşkana Mantı

UlusWidely considered the city's finest, serving consistently delicate, handmade dumplings to a loyal local following for decades.

Order: Signature order

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Fıccın

BeyoğluA Beyoğlu classic specializing in larger, more herb-forward Circassian-style dumplings served alongside traditional Caucasian dishes.

Order: Signature order

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Casita

EtilerAn iconic spot that created the "Feraye" style—fried dumplings in a spicy tomato sauce—now a staple of Istanbul's food scene.

Order: Signature order

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Kaşık-la

AtaşehirThe ultimate destination for purists seeking authentic, tiny Kayseri mantı; the legendary rule is that 40 dumplings must fit in a single spoon.

Order: Signature order

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Mr. Dumpling

KadıköyA modern take on tradition, offering a wide range of fillings and doughs including high-quality plant-based options without losing the handmade feel.

Order: Signature order

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Emek Mantı

YeniköyA seaside classic in one of the city's most charming neighborhoods, beloved for its thin dough and rich yogurt topping.

Order: Signature order

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Cihangir Mantıcısı

CihangirA tiny, cozy neighborhood gem where you can often see the dough being rolled out fresh for every single portion.

Order: Signature order

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Sabırtaşı Restoran

BeyoğluA family institution famous for preserving the flavors of the Maraş region, traditionally served alongside their legendary içli köfte.

Order: Signature order

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Yakut Mantı

KaraköyA local secret in Karaköy offering hearty, no-frills portions of traditional mantı to local workers and those in the know.

Order: Signature order

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Best Simit in Istanbul

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Galata Simitçisi

KaraköyWidely considered the gold standard for simit in Istanbul; famous for its perfectly balanced, wood-fired crunch and rich sesame coating.

Order: Signature order

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Çengelköy Simit Fırını

ÇengelköyKnown for a distinctively flavorful dough that is the perfect accompaniment to the famous teas served at the nearby historic Çengelköy Çınaraltı.

Order: Signature order

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Tophane Tarihi Taş Fırın

TophaneA classic stone-oven bakery that uses traditional wood-firing methods to achieve a distinct, subtle smokiness in the sesame coating.

Order: Signature order

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Yedi Sekiz Hasan Paşa Fırını

BeşiktaşNamed after a famous Ottoman general, this bakery is a living piece of Istanbul history, producing some of the city's most consistent and reliable simit.

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Tarihi Harbiye Simit Fırını

HarbiyeA long-standing favorite for local office workers, prized for its reliable quality and generous coating of toasted sesame.

Order: Signature order

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Zeyrek Simit Fırını

FatihTucked into a historic wooden neighborhood, this bakery offers one of the most atmospheric and traditional simit experiences in the city.

Order: Signature order

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Balat Simit Fırını

BalatA historic bakery that has remained a constant staple through Balat's many transformations, beloved by locals and visitors alike.

Order: Signature order

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Baltaş Simit Fırını

GalataPerfectly situated on one of the city's busiest pedestrian paths, providing warm, fresh simit to a never-ending stream of locals and travelers.

Order: Signature order

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Osman Simit Fırını

KadıköyThe primary source of simit for people taking the ferry across the Bosphorus, where sharing a piece with the following seagulls is a mandatory ritual.

Order: Signature order

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Boğazkesen Simit Fırını

BeyoğluOne of the most historic stone ovens in the Beyoğlu area, maintaining a strictly traditional approach to the city's favorite bread ring.

Order: Signature order

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Kuzguncuk Ekmek Fırını

KuzguncukA charming neighborhood bakery where the smell of toasted sesame is the defining morning fragrance of one of Istanbul's most nostalgic districts.

Order: Signature order

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Eryılmaz Kardeşler

FatihOne of the last few "secret" bakeries that still uses a traditional stone oven without modern intervention, favored by serious bread purists.

Order: Signature order

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Beşçeşmeler Simit Fırını

MaltepeOne of the oldest continuously running simit ovens in all of Turkey, offering a literal taste of history in every bite.

Order: Signature order

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Tarihi Taşfırın Simiti

KadıköyA legendary institution that never stops producing warm, sesame-heavy simit, serving as the neighborhood's constant source of fresh bread.

Order: Signature order

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Tarihi Cihangir Simit Fırını

CihangirA legendary spot where actors and locals gather for their daily "gevrek" (crispy simit), maintaining a vibrant neighborhood energy.

Order: Signature order

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Best Baklava & Turkish delight in Istanbul

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Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir

EminönüFounded in 1777, this is the historic shop credited with inventing modern Turkish delight, serving immaculately fresh, cut-to-order lokum.

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Hafız Mustafa 1864

SirkeciA beloved, bustling historical confectioner that excels in both decadent baklava varieties and visually stunning, heavily-stuffed pomegranate and pistachio lokum.

Order: Signature order

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Bilgeoğlu Baklava

KadıköyThe Asian side's most respected baklava maker, known for using pure, high-quality clarified butter that gives their pastries a distinctively rich, unmistakable aroma.

Order: Signature order

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Şekerci Cafer Erol

KadıköyAn enchanting, visually spectacular historic sweets shop offering exceptional lokum, jams, and traditional candies in a space that feels untouched by time.

Order: Signature order

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Altan Şekerleme

EminönüOperating since 1865, this tiny, deeply authentic, fourth-generation family shop produces some of the most fragrant, additive-free rosewater lokum in the city.

Order: Signature order

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Gaziantep Baklavacısı

OsmanbeyAn uncompromisingly authentic Gaziantep-style baklava house serving exceptionally fresh, syrupy pastries to a devoted local following in the Şişli district.

Order: Signature order

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Karaköy Güllüoğlu

KaraköyThe absolute gold standard for baklava in Istanbul since 1949, operating out of a single, massive location in Karaköy where master chefs hand-roll impossibly thin phyllo dough.

Order: Signature order

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Köşkeroğlu

KaraköyA fantastic dual-purpose establishment where locals eat excellent Southeastern kebabs before moving straight to their highly regarded, heavily-stuffed pistachio baklava.

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Istanbul

Read here. Play on foot.

Eat Kebabs at Şeyhmuz Kebap Salonu

Eat Balık ekmek at Kadıköy Balıkçılar Çarşısı

Istanbul is read. Now go eat it.