From the lavish banquets of the Ottoman imperial court to small neighbourhood eateries, Turkish cuisine is celebrated worldwide. Rich in flavour and diverse in style, it is an essential part of the travel experience in Turkey and offers something for every palate.
Adventurous food lovers can explore bold, unfamiliar dishes, while newcomers or picky eaters will find comforting choices such as baklava, feta, and kebab. Regional variety is a hallmark of Turkish food: the Black Sea, Anatolia, Istanbul, and Izmir each present distinctive specialties, ingredients, and cooking traditions, so you will always discover something new to taste.
Turkish Food To Try – Istanbul Restaurant Recommendation
Istanbul has seen renewed interest in traditional Ottoman cuisine, a culinary legacy that stretches back centuries. Some restaurants focus on reviving royal and archival dishes with careful attention to historic recipes. One notable example is Asitane in the city’s historic quarter, which recreates recipes sourced from palace cookbooks. Dishes such as the Sultan’s Favourite — a veal preparation paired with eggplant purée — and Helatiye, a delicate dessert made with pistachios, almonds and rosewater, exemplify the refined flavours and techniques of Ottoman cooking.
(Picture Credit – GSZ)
Turkish Food to Try in Izmir
Izmir is a sensory maze of aromas and tastes. Warm pastries and breads such as börek and pide mingle with the scent of döner, filling streets with inviting smells. The city also offers more challenging and adventurous dishes: kokoreç, typically made from seasoned lamb or goat intestines wrapped around offal and grilled, is a popular street food for those who enjoy bold flavours and textures. Another regional specialty is söğüş, a cold kebab composed of boiled or roasted brain, tongue and cheek — a traditional preparation that may be surprising to visitors but remains beloved by many locals.
(Picture by Jason)
Turkish Desserts To Try
A Turkish meal is often punctuated by an array of desserts, and trying sweets is a must. Classic baklava — flaky, syrup-soaked pastry layered with nuts — is an enduring favourite, but Turkish dessert traditions include many other specialties. Güllaç, a delicate layered dessert made with thin sheets of dough, milk and pomegranate, is traditionally served during Ramadan and has a refreshing, light character. Aşure, also known as Noah’s pudding, is a sweet grain-based dish made from a mixture of grains, legumes, dried fruits and nuts, and is often prepared communally for special occasions. Kadayıf, a syrupy pastry made from shredded phyllo and often combined with cream or nuts, offers a texture and sweetness that many compare to a soaked, nutty cheesecake.
(Picture by Pablo)
Readers’ question: What is your favourite Turkish dish?
This piece is contributed by Laura Gavin, traveller and food writer.