What to Eat in Istanbul

Spicy hand-minced lamb pressed onto a flat metal skewer and grilled over charcoal. Named after the southern Turkish city of Adana, it is defined by its heat from red chilli flakes. Served with flatbread, grilled tomato and a mountain of fresh parsley.

Turkey's answer to flatbread pizza — a paper-thin dough topped with spiced minced lamb, onion and herbs, baked fast in a wood-fired oven. Roll it up with fresh parsley, raw onion and a squeeze of lemon. One of Istanbul's most popular street foods.

Tiny hand-folded dumplings filled with seasoned minced meat, boiled and served with garlicky yoghurt and a drizzle of browned butter infused with red pepper flakes and dried mint. One of Turkey's most beloved comfort dishes.

A skillet of eggs scrambled with tomatoes, green peppers and spices — the quintessential Turkish breakfast dish. Served bubbling hot in a copper pan, shared at the table. Some restaurants add sucuk (spiced sausage) or kavurma.

Stacked layers of seasoned meat slow-roasted on a vertical spit and shaved to order. Served in a flatbread wrap, over rice, or in a plate with salad. Istanbul's most ubiquitous street food and a quick lunch staple.

Seasoned minced meat — typically a mix of lamb and beef — shaped into small patties or cylinders and grilled or pan-fried. Every region of Turkey has its own version; Istanbul's most common is the flat grilled style served with rice pilaf and salad.

Thin döner slices layered over torn pide bread, soaked in rich tomato sauce and finished tableside with a pour of sizzling browned butter and a spoon of cool yoghurt. Originated in Bursa, one of the most indulgent kebap styles in Turkish cuisine.

Mussels stuffed with spiced rice, pine nuts and currants — one of Istanbul's most iconic street foods, sold from trays by vendors across the city. Eaten cold with a squeeze of lemon, typically bought by the piece. Midye tava (fried mussels) is the other popular preparation.

Fresh sea bass (levrek) pan-fried in olive oil until the skin is golden and crispy. Served whole with lemon, seasonal salad and sometimes rakı on the side. Sea bass is one of the Bosphorus's most prized fish, available year-round.

Layers of paper-thin filo pastry filled with finely chopped pistachios or walnuts, drenched in sugar syrup or honey. A craft dessert in Turkey — the best versions in Istanbul are from specialist shops that source Antep pistachios and make filo by hand.

A rich, warming soup made from the day's catch — typically simmered with onion, potato, tomato and olive oil, finished with lemon. A staple starter at Istanbul's fish restaurants and a morning dish at Karaköy's historic fish market.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Sis Kebap.

Boat-shaped flatbread baked in a wood-fired oven with various toppings: minced meat (kıymalı), cheese (peynirli), egg and sucuk, or mixed. Different from lahmacun — thicker, more substantial, closer to a personal pizza. Istanbul's pide specialists have long queues at lunch.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Sıcak Servis.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Kuzu Kebabı.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Serpme Kahvaltı.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Köfte Pilavı.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Fettuccine Alfredo.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Bibimbap.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Fırın Balık.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Dim Sum.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Pad Thai.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Balık Tava.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Mantar Kebabı.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Doner Kebabı.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Balık Büryanı.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Kebap.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Peking Duck.

Creamy baked rice pudding, served cold with a browned top from the oven. A classic Turkish dessert found at every lokanta and meyhane. The Istanbul version is typically topped with cinnamon and served in individual clay dishes.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Tiramisu.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Beyti Kebabı.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Gurme kahvaltı.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Grilled Salmon.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Fırında Levrek.

Flaky, layered pastry made from yufka dough, filled with white cheese, minced meat or spinach. Baked, fried or served in rolls. A breakfast and snack staple — Istanbul's bakeries sell it warm from the oven each morning.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Ravioli della Nonna.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Kıymalı Börek.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Kırmızı Etli Balık.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Balık Pilavı.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Hünkar Beğendi.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Balık Lahmacun.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Fırında Balık.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Kırmızı Etli Karides.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Mezgit Pilavı.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Omakase.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Japchae.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Tteokbokki.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Korean Fried Chicken.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Gyoza.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Pasta Carbonara.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Balık Çorbası (Taze balığın lezzetli çorbası).

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Kahvaltı Seti.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Spagetti Bolognese.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Klasik Menemen.

Despite the name ('raw meatball'), modern çiğ köfte is entirely vegetarian — bulgur wheat kneaded with tomato paste, hot pepper and spices into a firm dough. Wrapped in flatbread with pomegranate molasses and fresh lettuce, it is one of Istanbul's most popular fast foods.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Taze Balık Tavası.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Taze Balık Tava.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Kırmızı Etli Barbunyan.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Köfte Dolması.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Klasik Burger.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Türk Kahvesi.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Pilav.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Italian Soslu Pizza.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Mantar Pilavı.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Tavuk Parmigiana.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving İskender Balık.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Kuzu Tandır.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Sushi.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Ramen.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Green Curry.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Wagyu Nigiri.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Miso Soup.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Kimchi Jjigae.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Sundubu Jjigae.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Tom Yum.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Korean BBQ.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Specialty Coffee.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Kaymak Bal.

Restaurants in Istanbul serving Gözleme.