There are literally hundreds of restaurants in Istanbul which can cater for every budget and taste, from Western fast food chains, like McDonalds, to expensive, high class and internationally renowned restaurants. Many of the best restaurants are around Taksim and Galata , spreading down Istiklal Avenue and with the proximity of the sea you're never very far away from a great fish restaurant in Istanbul.
|
|
On the Sultanahmet Peninsula restaurants are improving in terms of choice available, though are generally no competition for the excellent restaurants around Taksim and Galata which are your best choice for quality even if somewhat overpriced.
If you're happy to eat in basic surroundings, many of the budget restaurants actually offer great food at very affordable prices, whilst many ‘fast food' kebab options exist which operate 24 hours along Istiklal Avenue.
What to Eat
Fish is very popular and usually very good, though can be pricey. The most common and tasty catches include Grey Mullet ( Kefal ), Bass ( Levrek ) and Bluefish ( Lüfer ) and if you like aniseed you must order a glass of the spirit, Raki, which you have on the rocks with water added.
Kebabs of various varieties are available just about everywhere. The main ones you will see are: Roast Lamb ( Orman Kebap ) – an expensive kebab; Meatballs ( Köfte ); Shish Kebab ( Sis kebap ); Bits and Pieces Kebab ( Çöp kebap ) – basically uses offcuts and tiny pieces of offal and lamb; Rotisseried Lamb Kebab ( Döner kebap ); Döner covered in yoghurt ( Iskender kebap ).
Provided you're not eating the Iskender kebap try some drinking yoghurt ( Ayran ). This is watered down yoghurt with a little salt added and is nicer than it sounds! |
Sweets and Pastries
Turkey is of course famous for its Turkish Delight , though there are many other sweets which will definitely appeal to someone with a sweet tooth!
Patisseries ( Pastane ) can be found all over Istanbul, selling a huge variety of Turkish Delight ( Lokum ) which you usually order by weight, meaning you can mix and match a box of different flavours. Or if you prefer you can buy a ready-packaged box too.
Layered honey and nut pastry ( Baklava ) is always popular and these can come in several varieties using different nuts, commonly pistachio or walnut.
‘Shredded Wheat' in syrup ( Kadayif ) is another one to try, though be aware that all of these special pastries can be expensive and your bill soon mounts up.
|
