Istanbul’s 30+ Most Special Food Stops (A Mixed List of Every Kind of Dish)

Istanbul is a unique city that hides a different story and a different flavor around every corner. Over countless visits to Istanbul through the years, I’ve had the chance to taste one special dish after another, sometimes at a historic esnaf lokantası, sometimes at the city’s most ambitious restaurants, and sometimes at small places with real character.

In this list, I’ve brought together 30 special food stops that left a mark on me and that I’d happily return to again and again. Ranging from classics to modern cuisine and from street food to fine dining, I hope this selection helps you discover some new favorites of your own.

Görele Pide Şakir Usta

Gaziburma Mustafa

Bayramoğlu Döner

Taş Kavurma – Kartal

Basta Street Food Bar

Günay Konyalı

Zeynep Kamil Kokoreç Recep Usta

Çömlek Kuru Fasulye – Çamlıca

Antep Kuzu Lahmacun – Kilis Tava

Peçenek Döner Ataşehir

Bafra Pidecisi Tuzla

Çorbacı GADA

3 Monkey’s Burger

Kanatçı Ayaz

Baylan Kadıköy

Yeniköy Sivas Köfte Piyaz

Danilos Pizza | Caddebostan

Masal Kokoreç

Sembol Ocakbaşı Ataşehir

Reşat Balık

Mavi Sandal Balıkçısı

Kilisli Fiko

Sare Restaurant

Kasnak

Bafra Pide Çoşkun Kuru

Kıraca Balık Lokantası

Emek Mantı Evi

Edo Cag Kebap

Salt Fried Chicken Bağdat Caddesi

Burak Kurufasulye

Ethem Efendi Kahvaltı

Koska Köftecisi

Lipa Restaurant

Kaburgacı Cabbar

Kebapçı Asker Usta

Akali Suadiye

Çiya Sofrası

Ali Haydar Usta

Kars Iğdır Lokantası

Satırdan Lahmacun

Quick China Hilltown

Say Cheese

Perran Ocakbaşı

İrfan Usta Görele Pidecisi

Fasuli Çekmeköy