Itineraries for Your Trip to Istanbul
3 Days in Istanbul for Foodies
Living in Istanbul for four years, I’ve explored the city’s major districts and hidden corners in search of the best desserts, meze, and street food. And, if going up in two pants sizes is any indicator, my tireless culinary quest has been a success. Istanbul’s vibrant food scene goes well beyond Turkish delight and doner kebab. Given the city's numerous unmissable dishes, fitting the top Turkish foods into your vacation (and stomach) is a challenge, even for the hungriest traveler. Skip the stress of finding individual restaurants and let your sightseeing itinerary lead you to the city’s top foodie neighborhoods: Sultanahmet, Beyoglu, and Kadikoy.
Regardless of the forecast, be prepared for wind, rain, and—in winter—snow.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a leisurely dinner at a meyhane, or traditional tavern.
Begin your education in Turkish cuisine by sampling street foods in the bustling Beyoglu neighborhood. Purchase roasted chestnuts, stuffed mussels, grilled corn, and sesame seed-covered simit, or circular bread, from the red carts along Istiklal Avenue and in Taksim Square. For Istanbul's best baklava, stroll down to Faruk Gulluoglu in Karakoy.
As night falls, wander the Asmali Mescit neighborhood and Cicek Pasaji to find some of the city’s best meyhanes. Here, stuff your face with mezes and share a bottle of the Turkish spirit raki.
Before heading home, stop for an islak, or wet, burger—it’s tastier than it sounds.
In addition to boasting Istanbul’s top historical attractions, the Sultanahmet neighborhood also offers traditional desserts. Satisfy your sweet tooth near the Grand Bazar with top-notch baklava, Turkish delight, and fried lokma (dough balls). Next, vie for a cone of mastic ice cream near the Hagia Sophia. After the inevitable sugar crash, refuel with a classic cup of Turkish coffee at any of the nearby coffeehouses.
Finish your second day with a Bosphorus dinner cruise. In addition to piping-hot kebabs and sides, you’ll enjoy music, whirling dervishes, and belly dancing, as the boat straddles the illuminated landmarks of Europe and Asia.
Leave the crowds behind and take the ferry to Uskudar. Enjoy Turkish breakfast at a Bosphorus front restaurant.
Next, head to the Bull Statue in Kadikoy for a caffeine pick-me-up at Cekirdek. Then, stroll through the bustling center, tasting pide (puffy, savory flatbread), lahmacun (thin flatbread), and kokorec (lamb intestines). Don’t miss the iconic fish market, with the best olives and cheeses.
End your day in Asian Istanbul with the best iskender kebab (lamb topped with tomato sauce) outside of Bursa at Kebapci Iskender. Or, dive deeper into Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) culinary history with Ottoman dishes at Ciya Sofrasi.
