Best 10 Street Foods in Istanbul

Forget The Menu—Just Follow The Aroma And Let Istanbul’s Streets Feed You.

Turkey's largest city, Istanbul, is home to many amazing landmarks including Taksim Street, Galata Tower, and many more, drawing thousands of tourists from around the world. But that’s not the only reason for its popularity. The hype around its street food scene is crazy! Imagine yourself strolling across the buzzing Istanbul street, where the aroma of roasted chestnuts, syrupy, sweet delights, and sizzling meat is filling up the air. With mouthwatering delicacies prepared with fresh ingredients everywhere you look, the city's street food culture is truly a feast for the senses.

From enjoying the flavorful stuffed meatballs known as İcli Köfte to sinking your teeth into wonderfully crispy börek, a fluffy pastry packed with an assortment of ingredients, this City Of Seven Hills is a perfect paradise for foodies. And if you have a sweet tooth, why not sample the crispy, syrup-soaked treat Halka tatlisi, while Döner kebab is a must-try for those who yearn for the authentic flavor of Turkey.

Here is a list of the 10 best street foods in Istanbul that you can’t leave the city without trying! Afiyet Olsun!

A classic Turkish starter and main course, İcli köfte (literally, "stuffed meatballs") is occasionally served as street food throughout Istanbul. Its outer shell consists of balls of dough filled with minced beef or lamb and made from a mixture of potato, fine bulgur, and spices. After that, it is either boiled or grilled to prepare and eat them cold or heated. The distinct flavor of İçli Köfte literally can’t be found anywhere else.

Want to have a quick Turkish morning meal? Then there’s no better option than Börek! This Turkish meal is filled with a variety of ingredients, including cheese, spinach, minced pork, and vegetables. It is a cooked pastry filled with shortcrust or a puff pastry. There are several varieties of börek in Istanbul, some of which are exclusive to the neighborhoods of Karaköy and Sarıyer. There are börek stores everywhere in Istanbul, but the ideal time of day to have börek is between the morning and noon.

The Black Sea and the Marmara Sea encircle Istanbul, leading to the hype of stuffed mussels in the city. Every seller, from eateries to street carts, offers a different variation of this meal, ranging in heat from moderate to hot. Rice, onion, cinnamon, allspice, black pepper, plus sautéed pine nuts are all stuffed inside steamed-cooked mussels. This classic street dish is served all day and is best enjoyed with freshly squeezed lemon juice on top to keep the rice and mussels from drying up and to bring out the flavor of the spices.

A common street dish in Turkey is Lahmacun, which is made of Turkish pita bread topped with parsley, tomatoes, onions, and minced beef. It is sometimes referred to as Turkish pizza by visitors and is typically spherical. Make sure to munch on Lahmacun, which is cooked over wood. Typically consumed for lunch or dinner, this fiery and garlicky street cuisine is not advised as a morning snack. Traditionally, Lahmacun is served with parsley and lettuce on top so roll the entire lahmacun in a wrap, pour some lemon over it, and enjoy the diverse flavors.

One of the many delicious street foods in Istanbul is "halka tatlisi," a dessert that can be found in any place in the city. Also known as Turkish Ring Dessert, the recipe for this well-liked, delectable treat is surprisingly simple. After being deep-fried, the dough is chilled and dipped into syrup, and a crunchy and very sweet street snack is the end product. This Turkish street snack may provide you with a much-needed energy boost because the streets of Istanbul sometimes become truly exhausting.

Tantuni is the best local food in Istanbul, made of julienne cut lamb or beef that is first boiled, then stir-fried in sunflower oil on a traditional Turkish tava—a thin metal pan designed for high-heat cooking. Following cooking, the meat is wrapped in lavash and topped with parsley, skinless tomatoes, and chopped onions. Around the year 1980, tantuni gained popularity nationwide after being prepared for the first time in the Mediterranean city of Mersin. In the beginning, it served as street food for the underprivileged and the most popular meat used in this dish was cow lungs.

There is nothing ordinary about this Turkish ice cream known as Maraş Dövme Dondurması. It's created with thick, creamy goat milk with a dash of sahlep which are wild orchid roots that prevent it from melting too quickly. In the summer or fall, it is an ideal way to cool down. Take a break from your diet and enjoy this regional delicacy while exploring Istanbul's streets.

In Turkey, Döner Kebab is the most popular and widely consumed street dish, and that’s why Istanbul has hundreds of döner stores. It is prepared by gently roasting chicken, beef, or lamb on a revolving vertical skewer. Then it is encased in pita and topped with a variety of sauces, salad, and vegetables, such as tomato, cabbage, lettuce, and onion along with sumac, pickled or fresh cucumber, and chili.

Among the most popular street snacks in Istanbul, according to the local kids and youngsters, is Kumpir. This response should come as no surprise because it is wonderfully filling, delicious, and fairly priced! These are large baked potatoes loaded with butter and shredded yellow cheese. Additional potential toppings include boiled corn and mushroom, red cabbage, shredded carrot, black and green olives, pickles, sausages, Russian salad, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Your kumpir will be served with butter and cheese as usual, but you may customize it with whatever toppings you choose.

Rice is among some of the most popular Turkish foods despite being a basic cuisine that is often prepared in households, Istanbul takes it to a whole new level. Street sellers serve delectable bowls of rice containing boiled chicken and chickpeas, creating a delicious dish. Asian-style bland steamed rice should not be confused with Turkish buttery rice because this rice is so delicious that it may be eaten on its own. Do not hesitate to sample this inexpensive, satisfying, and really tasty street cuisine if you come across any street vendors or eateries serving it! Remember to season your rice with black pepper and sample the fiery tiny peppers that have been pickled.