Istanbul is a treasure trove of culinary delights, featuring an incredible street food scene that ranks among the best in the world. The street food here is a rich tapestry of Türkiye's diverse culinary heritage. Whether you're short on time or seeking budget-friendly options, our list of must-try street foods will be your essential companion as you explore the delicious flavours of Istanbul in Turkiye.
When you talk about street food in Istanbul, nothing embodies the city's culinary spirit quite like balık ekmek, a must-try fish sandwich. Imagine savouring perfectly grilled, crispy fish fillets, enhanced by a tangy pomegranate molasses sauce and a medley of fresh vegetables sandwiched between freshly baked bread. This iconic dish isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience waiting for you along the vibrant waterfront and in the lively Eminönü Square.
Istanbul's street food scene boasts a legendary delicacy that adventurous food lovers can't miss: kokoreç. As you stroll through the city, the irresistible aroma of this dish fills the air, drawing you towards the bustling pedestrian squares. Kokoreç features tender lamb intestines expertly chargrilled with flavourful tomatoes, peppers, aromatic herbs, and spices. Served on fresh bread, this savoury treat offers a unique culinary experience showcasing Istanbul's rich flavours.
İçli köfte is a croquette-shaped treat made from cracked wheat (bulgur) and filled with minced meat, walnuts, onions, black pepper, parsley, and chilli flakes. These treats are stuffed and then fried, allowing the juices from the meat to soak into the golden-brown shell, which creates an explosion of flavour with every bite.
Ice cream has a rich tradition in Turkish cuisine, primarily in the form of hard, sticky maraş. Dondurma, or Turkish ice cream, is a favourite among tourists. It has a dense and chewy texture, which is achieved by adding two thickening agents: mastic resin and salep (a flour made from the tubers of wild orchids) to the basic mixture of milk and sugar.
As the chill of fall and winter sets in, people in Istanbul indulge in a delightful treat offered by Türkiye's street vendors: kestane kebap. The irresistible aroma of roasting chestnuts will pull you in, leading you to the carts where they slowly roast over glowing embers. You'll find a chestnut seller at nearly every turn along popular tourist paths, and they often pair these tasty treats with fresh corn.
Indulge in the delightful experience of Midye Dolma—mussels stuffed with herbed rice, served with a refreshing squeeze of lemon juice. On nearly every street corner, you'll discover carts overflowing with these glossy black mussels and eager vendors offering buckets of lemons ready for squeezing. Inside each shell lies a succulent orange mussel generously filled with herbed rice, pine nuts, and sweet currants.
No visit to Istanbul's vibrant street food scene is complete without savouring a delicious döner kebab. These are marinated cuts of meat stacked on a large skewer and slowly roasted as they rotate. Enjoy the tender, flavourful slices served on warm pita bread, topped with fresh onion, crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and creamy yoghurt sauce.
Simit is a beloved staple of Istanbul’s street food culture, readily available in shops and carts throughout the city. This local bread is crustier than a bagel on the outside yet soft, light, and delicate on the inside. Simit has a more pronounced flavour than bagels, thanks to the combination of toasted sesame seeds and a glaze made from grape molasses. The famous 17th-century Ottoman traveller and scholar Evliya Çelebi documented in his well-known work, “Seyahatname,” that Istanbul had hundreds of bakers producing simit in bakeries across the city by the 17th century.
