There is really a kind of competition between the restaurants to make one come inside. However, the best restaurants are not always the expensive tourist restaurants, but those small Lokantas where many Turks go for food while out and about.
Snacks
“Kokoreç” is composed of wound lamb intestines grilled on a spit ,chopped with herbs and spices and usually served as a sandwich. It is a traditional midnight snack of those who have imbibed among the bustling crowds of bar and streets throughout the city.”Mercan Gurme ” in Besiktaş probably best in the city.
Döner
Always a good option for having fast and cheap food. The entrance to Istiklal Street contains dozens of small doner restaurants and they serve almost around the clock; though for a better experience (and a better food quality) you may want to wander about in residential neighbourhoods, since anything near a commercial or tourist area can be highly overpriced and greatly reduced in quality.
Balık-Ekmek
Balik-Ekmek (literally “fish and bread”) is a fish sandwich served in small boats and little buffets in Eminonu. It is also increasingly popular in buffets in Kadıköy coast. A regular sandwich consists of one small fried fish, slices of tomatoes and onion. However, the taste is beyond expectations for such a basic menu.
Hamsi
In Autumn and Winter the Black Sea Anchovy migrate through the Bosphorus, the local fishermen coming out in force to take advantage. All fish restaurants have them on the menu in season.
It seems the classic serving is a handful of deep fried fish with raw onion and bread. Eat the fish whole, it’s a winner. Look for the small restaurants behind the fish merchants on the Karakoy side of the Galata Bridge, western side.
One thing not to be missed is the local ice cream sold at the street stands, called dondurma. While flavors are relatively standard for the region, the ice cream usually incorporates orchid root extract, which gives it an incredibly chewy and stringy texture, also lending itself to be used for marketing and attracting attention while the sellers do tricks to try to sell the ice cream. Try it!
Kumpir is a snack which can easily be a full meal. It is originated from Albania but is quite unique to Istanbul in its present form. It consists of a baked potato with various fillings such as grated cheese, mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles, sweetcorn, sausage slices, carrots, mushrooms, and Russian salad among others, any of which can optionally be added to or omitted from the mix. While kumpir can be had at many cafes throughout the city, it is best had from one of the cafes in Ortaköy, which have a long tradition of preparing kumpir and offer really filling and tasty ones.
Roasted chestnuts(“kestane Kebap, as locals call it) are sold from carts around the city, and is a very nice snack to have when the weather is cold, as it keeps your hands warm.
Quality and flavour is generally good but can vary Between batches, even from the same stand.
Boiled and roasted corn on the cob (known as Süt Misir and Közde Misir in Turkish, respectively) is sold from carts around the city, and is a fantastic snack to walk around. Price varies from cart to cart and area of the city.
Don’t miss the “simit,” a warm bread sold from carts around the city, and is a fantastic snack to walk around. The texture and taste is a bit like a sesame bagel.
Also, be sure to try Ayran, a local drink based on yoghurt, although sour and much thinner. It isn’t always on the menu or displayed, but it’s there, so ask for it.
Freshly squeezed juice and juice blends are sold from stands and small shops all around the city, and are a refreshing treat (especially in the warmer months).
The combinations range from a simple orange juice to the more rare options like pomengranate or kiwi. Price varies from shop to shop, area of the city and complexity of your order.
