🥙 Istanbul gastronomy: what to order on the city streets

Istanbul is easy to sample on the go: street food here is cheaper than restaurants, and you can tell how fresh it is by the line at the counter. We've put together the dishes and drinks worth trying in the city, plus tips on where to find them.

Turkish cuisine is built from dozens of traditions. Recipes came here from Anatolia, Syria, Bulgaria, Armenia, and Greece, and each left its mark. Even street snacks reflect this mix (according to the official Türkiye portal).

Below are six items, from hot kebab to a cup of coffee. For each dish, we explain what makes it distinctive and what to look for when choosing.

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Testi kebab in a clay pot

💡 In short:

Testi kebab is slow-cooked in a pot sealed with dough and cracked open in front of you.
Look for balık ekmek by the water in Eminönü, and grab simit from morning carts.
Turkish coffee is brewed in a cezve, and tea is served free with the bill.
Street food and desserts: 09/2026, according to the official Go Türkiye portal.

Testi kebab is cooked in a clay pot and served with real flair. Meat with vegetables and potatoes is slow-cooked in an oven, the pot is sealed with dough, and in front of the guest the waiter cracks it open onto a platter with coals. The aroma of spices and roasted vegetables fills the room instantly.

Choose your spot carefully. In tourist restaurants, the meat is often stewed in a regular pot and simply transferred into the clay pot. The real dish requires a complex recipe, so a cheap café won't make it properly. Ask in advance whether the pot is cooked in the oven.

testi kebab in a clay pot with vegetables

The little pot is often taken home as a souvenir. It's ceramic, holds heat well, and works for baking in your own kitchen. If you liked the dish, ask whether they sell the cookware separately.

Balık ekmek: fish sandwich by the Galata Bridge

Balık ekmek translates as "fish in bread." It's a sandwich with fried mackerel, onion, tomatoes, and lettuce, and the best version is sold by the water. Kitchen boats dock along the Eminönü waterfront under the Galata Bridge, where the fish is fried on board and immediately placed in bread (according to the Go Türkiye guide). The same sandwich is offered on ferries and in Karaköy.

For a budget lunch, this is one of the best options in the city. In a fish restaurant, the same dish costs more, and sometimes it's made from thawed fish. The boats have high turnover, so the fish is fresh every day.

Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn from above

Take the sandwich and eat it right away, while the bread is still crisp. The lemon here isn't decoration, it's part of the flavor: squeeze it over the fish before the first bite. On the Asian side, head to Kadıköy near the fish market for a fresh version.

Want to try several spots in one walk? Food tours in Istanbul on GetYourGuide are led by guides through neighborhoods with tastings.

Simit, döner, and other street food

Simit is sold on every corner. It's a round bread with sesame seeds, denser than a bagel and lighter than a pretzel, and for many locals it replaces breakfast. Vendors carry it on red-and-white carts, and fresh simit is crisp and smells of warm sesame.

Istanbul University building and monument in Beyazıt Square

Get simit in the morning, while it's still warm. It pairs well with ayran or a glass of tea. By evening the bread goes stale, so don't put off buying it.

Döner kebab is considered the city's most popular street food. Meat is shaved from a vertical spit and served in bread or with rice, and the best spots are in Sultanahmet, Eminönü, Beşiktaş, and Üsküdar (according to the official Go Türkiye website).

In the evening, try midye dolma: mussels with rice and spices sold right from the tray. On the Asian side, in Kadıköy, they add lemon. In Ortaköy, get kumpir, a baked potato with toppings: it's assembled in front of you from a dozen ingredients.

In winter, the streets smell of chestnuts. They're roasted in mobile ovens and sold in paper bags, and the warm bag keeps your hands warm as you walk.

Ayran: the drink instead of store-bought yogurt

Ayran is more refreshing than any soda. It's a fermented dairy drink made from yogurt, water, and salt, slightly sour and nothing like supermarket mixes. Order it with kebab or baklava: it quenches thirst well and cuts the heaviness after rich food.

Glasses of ayran on tap in a kiosk display

Real ayran is served in a glass or in sealed cups, like yogurt. If you don't like the salty taste, ask for ayran without salt: that's often done for guests. At home, the drink is made from scratch and served with every meal, and in cafés it's brought with the bill.

Baklava: how much filling and where to get it

Baklava is made from thin layers of dough with nuts between them. The finished treat is baked and then soaked in syrup or honey, which makes it very sweet and dense. Inside there may be pistachios, almonds, or hazelnuts, and the filling determines the flavor.

Serving baklava with pistachio filling and tea

The price depends on the location. A café will charge the highest price per portion, specialty shops are cheaper, and a supermarket with its own bakery is cheaper still. For freshness, buy baklava in the morning: over the day it soaks up syrup and becomes heavier.

Baklava keeps well, so it's easy to bring home as a gift. Get a box from a trusted shop where the treat is cut in front of you.

Turkish coffee and tea: how to tell if the drink is right

The history of Turkish coffee began in Istanbul. From Yemen, the beans reached the court of the Ottoman sultan, and the drink quickly became part of the palace kitchen.

Turkish coffee on a tray with water and sugar

Coffee here is brewed in a cezve, on sand or over fire, and served strong, sometimes with spices. The grounds at the bottom of the cup are normal, because Turkish coffee is not filtered. Let them settle and don't drink the last sip. In a good café, the drink is made in front of you. Tea is served in thin glasses, often free, while you wait for the bill.

Order tea with your meal, and take coffee after dessert. That way you'll really taste the difference between the city's two main drinks. And remember: coffee here is drunk slowly, over conversation, not on the go.

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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Where in Istanbul can I try balık ekmek?

The best spots are on the Eminönü waterfront under the Galata Bridge: the fish is fried on boats and immediately placed in bread. The sandwich is also sold on ferries and in the Karaköy area. On the Asian side, look for a fresh version in Kadıköy, near the fish market.

Is street food in Istanbul cheaper than restaurants?

Yes, street stalls are noticeably cheaper than restaurants, especially by the water and in side streets away from the main squares. Balık ekmek, simit, and tea cost several times less than a sit-down lunch. Prices change every season, so check them on the spot rather than relying on old guides.

Is it safe to drink ayran and water on the street?

Ayran is safe: it's sold in sealed cups, like yogurt, or poured into a glass. Tap water is not recommended, so buy bottled. For street food, choose places where the food is cooked in front of you and where locals are lining up.

What should I order if I don't eat meat?

Get kumpir, simit, and baklava, and for drinks, ayran or tea. Kumpir with toppings is filling and can easily replace lunch.

Do I need to book a restaurant in Istanbul?

For street food, no reservation is needed: spots at the counters turn over quickly. In popular restaurants in Sultanahmet and Beşiktaş, it's better to reserve a table in advance, especially in the evening on weekends. For a relaxed dinner, arrive at opening time, before the evening rush.

In short: what to try in Istanbul

Street food covers most of the culinary program. For a hot clay pot, go to a restaurant; for fish and simit, head to the Eminönü waterfront; and save coffee and tea for the evening. That way you'll try both the local classics and the street format without extra spending.

If you're short on time, start the day with simit, and in the evening get balık ekmek by the Galata Bridge and a portion of baklava with tea. If you're staying for several days, add testi kebab at a relaxed restaurant and kumpir in Ortaköy.

Planning tastings in advance is easier with this selection of food tours on GetYourGuide. For accommodation near the markets and the tram, check out Istanbul hotels on Trip.com.

Street food in Istanbul: from testi kebab to a cup of coffee