Food & drink · 3 min read
What and where to eat in Istanbul
Use markets, neighbourhood restaurants and tea stops to put together a day of eating at your own pace.
What to check first
Try a neighbourhood market for the first meal instead of reserving three restaurants. Kadıköy has a compact market around its ferry approach. In Karaköy, a short street walk can connect coffee, a bakery and a meal. For a sit-down lunch, a lokanta with prepared dishes is an approachable way to see several options before ordering.
Plan the next step
Read the menu for portions, bread, drinks and cover charges, and check hours directly with each restaurant. Bring a written allergy note in Turkish if you need one. For a group with different appetites, alternate shared stops with one individually ordered meal rather than trying to turn every bite into a reservation.
Sources and further reading
Some linked sources are published in other languages.
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