Best Street Food Restaurants In Istanbul

When it comes to food, Istanbul has something for everyone. The city is a food lover’s paradise, offering a wide range of cuisines that reflect its rich cultural heritage. But if you want to experience the real essence of Istanbul’s food scene, you have to try its street food. Here are some of the best street food restaurants in Istanbul that you must visit.

1. Simit Sarayı 🥨

What is Simit Sarayı?

Simit Sarayı is a chain of bakery-cafes that offers traditional Turkish pastries and snacks. They are known for their simits, a type of circular bread that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

What are the must-try dishes at Simit Sarayı?

Aside from their famous simits, you should also try their börek, a savory pastry filled with cheese, spinach, or meat. You can also try their gözleme, a thin flatbread that is stuffed with fillings such as potatoes, cheese, or spinach.

2. Kızılkayalar Köftecisi 🍔

What is Kızılkayalar Köftecisi?

Kızılkayalar Köftecisi is a restaurant that specializes in köfte, a type of meatball that is made with ground beef or lamb. They have been serving köfte for over 90 years, making them a must-visit spot for meat lovers.

What are the must-try dishes at Kızılkayalar Köftecisi?

You should definitely try their köfte platter, which comes with a generous serving of köfte, grilled peppers, and tomatoes. You can also try their piyaz, a salad made with white beans, onions, and tomatoes.

3. Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi 🍴

What is Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi?

Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi is another restaurant that specializes in köfte. The restaurant has been around since the 1920s and has become a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

What are the must-try dishes at Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi?

You should try their köfte sandwich, which is made with freshly baked bread and a generous serving of köfte. You can also try their piyaz, which is a popular side dish in Turkey.

4. Kral Kokoreç 🌯

What is Kral Kokoreç?

Kral Kokoreç is a street food vendor that offers kokoreç, a type of Turkish fast food made with lamb intestines that are skewered and grilled over charcoal.

What are the must-try dishes at Kral Kokoreç?

You should try their kokoreç sandwich, which is made with freshly baked bread and a generous serving of grilled lamb intestines. You can also try their ayran, a Turkish yogurt drink that pairs well with kokoreç.

5. Çiğköftem 🌶️

What is Çiğköftem?

Çiğköftem is a street food vendor that offers çiğ köfte, a type of Turkish snack made with raw ground beef or lamb that is mixed with spices and served with lettuce leaves.

What are the must-try dishes at Çiğköftem?

You should try their çiğ köfte wrap, which is made with a freshly baked wrap and a generous serving of çiğ köfte. You can also try their ayran, which is a popular drink in Turkey.

6. Hafız Mustafa 🍰

What is Hafız Mustafa?

Hafız Mustafa is a chain of dessert shops that specializes in Turkish sweets and pastries. They have been around since the 1860s and have become a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

What are the must-try dishes at Hafız Mustafa?

You should try their baklava, a sweet pastry made with layers of phyllo dough, nuts, and syrup. You can also try their Turkish delight, which is a type of candy that is made with sugar, starch, and flavorings.

7. Dürümzade 🌯

What is Dürümzade?

Dürümzade is a street food vendor that offers dürüm, a type of Turkish wrap that is made with lavash bread and filled with grilled meat, vegetables, and sauces.

What are the must-try dishes at Dürümzade?

You should try their dürüm wrap, which is made with freshly baked lavash bread and a generous serving of grilled meat and vegetables. You can also try their ayran, which is a popular drink in Turkey.

8. Pideci İrfan 🍕

What is Pideci İrfan?

Pideci İrfan is a restaurant that specializes in pide, a type of Turkish pizza that is made with a thin crust and topped with meat, vegetables, and cheese.

What are the must-try dishes at Pideci İrfan?

You should try their lahmacun, a type of Turkish pizza that is topped with minced meat, onions, and herbs. You can also try their pide, which is one of the restaurant’s specialties.

9. Çiğköfteci Ali Usta 🌶️

What is Çiğköfteci Ali Usta?

Çiğköfteci Ali Usta is a street food vendor that offers çiğ köfte, a type of Turkish snack made with raw ground beef or lamb that is mixed with spices and served with lettuce leaves.

What are the must-try dishes at Çiğköfteci Ali Usta?

You should try their çiğ köfte wrap, which is made with a freshly baked wrap and a generous serving of çiğ köfte. You can also try their ayran, which is a popular drink in Turkey.

10. Şampiyon Kokoreç 🌯

What is Şampiyon Kokoreç?

Şampiyon Kokoreç is a street food vendor that offers kokoreç, a type of Turkish fast food made with lamb intestines that are skewered and grilled over charcoal.

What are the must-try dishes at Şampiyon Kokoreç?

You should try their kokoreç sandwich, which is made with freshly baked bread and a generous serving of grilled lamb intestines. You can also try their ayran, a Turkish yogurt drink that pairs well with kokoreç.

11. Fıstık Kebap 🍢

What is Fıstık Kebap?

Fıstık Kebap is a restaurant that specializes in kebab, a type of grilled meat that is marinated in spices and served with rice or bread.

What are the must-try dishes at Fıstık Kebap?

You should try their Adana kebab, which is made with ground beef or lamb and spicy red pepper flakes. You can also try their lamb chops, which are grilled to perfection.

12. Özsüt 🍦

What is Özsüt?

Özsüt is a chain of dessert shops that specializes in Turkish sweets and pastries. They are known for their ice cream, which is made with fresh milk and cream.

What are the must-try dishes at Özsüt?

You should try their ice cream, which comes in a variety of flavors such as pistachio, strawberry, and chocolate. You can also try their baklava, a sweet pastry made with layers of phyllo dough, nuts, and syrup.

13. Durumzade 🌯

What is Durumzade?

Durumzade is a street food vendor that offers dürüm, a type of Turkish wrap that is made with lavash bread and filled with grilled meat, vegetables, and sauces.

What are the must-try dishes at Durumzade?

You should try their dürüm wrap, which is made with freshly baked lavash bread and a generous serving of grilled meat and vegetables. You can also try their ayran, which is a popular drink in Turkey.

FAQs

1. What is street food?

Street food is food that is prepared and sold