Best Street Food in Istanbul

Istanbul is famous for its diverse and flavoursome cuisine choices, and many restaurants and cafes cater to those seeking authentic Turkish dishes. Yet, you don’t have to go to a fancy restaurant to experience the best Turkish food. There are many street food places in Istanbul where you can find genuine mouth-watering Turkish delicacies. All street food markets in Istanbul must comply with municipal health regulations, making it safe to eat anywhere. Plus, food trucks in Istanbul are often less expensive than other dining options, with prices usually between 5 and 20 TRY. Here is our guide to the best street food in Istanbul and where to find it.

Try the Best Pilav in Unkapanı

A standard meal in many Turkish homes, pilav is also a popular street food all over Istanbul and can be found on street carts, arguably the best of which is in front of the İstanbul Manifaturacılar Çarşısı Department Store in Unkapanı. This simple meal costs around 20-50 TRY and uses butter-fried rice as its base, which is then cooked in broth and served with additional ingredients. Chicken is a common addition to many pilav meals, as are chickpeas, tomatoes and fried eggs.

Sample Scrumptious Simit at the Blue Mosque

Also known as a Turkish bagel, simit is sold by vendors all over Istanbul for about 2.5 TRY per piece. The circular bread is baked with molasses and sesame seeds, and you can eat it on its own or with various fillings. These bagels are especially popular for breakfast when they’re fresh out of the bakery. Simit works well when mixed with savoury choices, such as cheese and vegetables, but it also tastes great with sweet options, such as Turkish cream and Nutella. You can purchase simit from any bakery or red, glass-fronted cart in the city, but the best time to try fresh simit is in the morning, from one of the carts in front of The Blue Mosque.

For the Best Balık Ekmek Head to Galata Bridge

Walking along the Bosphorus in the Karakoy and Eminonu districts, you will notice fishing boats lining the shores. Here is the best place to buy another Turkish street food delicacy, Balık Ekmek. The vendors will cook the fish on their boats and serve it to you in a crusty sandwich bread with lettuce and onions. You will often get a slice of lemon to add extra zest to your meal. Balık Ekmek can be purchased anywhere in Istanbul and costs around 10-15 TRY. The best place to sample it is from the boats close to Galata Bridge.

Taste Tantalising Midye Dolma in Taksim

Another popular seafood choice in Istanbul is mussels: midye. Stuffed mussels, which are known as midye dolma are mussels filled with aromatic rice and served with a squeeze of fresh lemon. This dish is a popular menu option for street vendors, the best of which can be found on street corners in Taksim who charge around 2-5 TRY.

Enjoy the Ultimate Izmir and Istanbul Kokoreç at Beyoğlu Fish Market

Kokoreç is literally grilled lamb intestines. That might not sound appealing, but it is a popular delicacy in Istanbul and the best place to sample it is at Sampiyon Kokoreç in Beyoğlu Fish Market near Taksim Square. We are sure that once you’ve tried it, you’ll also be a fan of this dish. The kokoreç is carefully cleaned and prepared and usually served sliced or minced. It’s mixed with salt, oregano, chilli and tomatoes in a Turkish bread sandwich. Vendors typically offer two varieties of kokoreç: the standard Izmir version and the much spicier Istanbul version. Each costs an average of 10 TRY.

The Most Delicious Köfte Ekmek Awaits You in Fatih

Köfte Ekmek, or Meatball Hero, can be purchased at street vendors all around Istanbul. It is often the meal of choice for football fans whenever a match is on. As the name suggests, this dish consists of grilled Turkish meatballs served with tomatoes, peppers, onions and parsley in bread or a wrap. The meatballs are often mixed with pepper and spices to enhance their flavour. You will find many places selling köfte ekmek around the football stadium during matches or outdoor festivals. A highly recommended köfte restaurant that has been serving Turkish meatballs since 1920 is Sultanahmet Koftecisi in the Fatih district of Istanbul, not far from the Chora Mosque. Average prices are 14-26 TRY.

The Best Islak Burger in Town at Taksim Square

While ordering a burger in Istanbul might seem the least authentic food choice, we guarantee that the Islak Burger is a uniquely Turkish take on a common fast-food option. These burgers are steamed and cooked with butter and spices. They are then served in a soft, white bun with garlic and tomato sauce. These burgers are also known as Wet Burgers, as they are kept in steam boxes to preserve the flavours until served, making them very moist. You can find Islak Burgers being sold all over Taksim Square for around 3 TRY, and they are a particular favourite with the nightlife crowd. One of the most popular places to taste one of these delicacies is Kizilkayalar, which can be found directly opposite Taksim Square.

For the Most Succulent Mısır Heat to Sultanahmet Square

A simple but delicious snack found on the streets of Istanbul is mısır or corn. While not particularly flavoursome on its own, mısır can be cooked in several ways to create a delicious snack. Some vendors serve Koçan Mısır (boiled corn), while others also offer Közde Mısır (grilled corn). These days, the most popular way to eat mısır is in a cup mixed with butter and spices. You can find stalls selling mısır for around 2 TRY and chestnuts for about 10 TRY throughout Istanbul, but the best ones tend to be around Sultanahmet Square or at ferry terminals.

Dine on a Delicious Döner Kebab at Dönerci Şahin Usta

Of course, no list of street food in Istanbul would be complete without the famous döner kebab. This is one of Turkey’s most popular street food options, made from slowly roasted mixed meats, wrapped in pita bread and served with salad, spices and sauces. Many stalls, shops and restaurants sell their own version of the kebab, from the traditional to the fancy, and prices start from 10 TRY. However, the best places to find authentic döner kebab dishes are from vendors near the Grand Bazaar, particularly Dönerci Şahin Usta, a popular place for foodies in Istanbul.

For the Best Sweet Treat Try Dondurma at Istiklal Street

If a cooling dessert is in order, a smooth and delicious dondurma (Turkish ice cream) is something to try. Thickened with mastic and orchid powder, dondurma is a little chewy. The best is from the Kahramanmaraş region of Turkey, and the street vendors tend to wear the national costume. You can find dondurma vendors in Istiklal Street in Taksim or near the Bosphorus at Ortakoy Square. Prices range from 15 to 25 TRY.