The Best Food to Try in Turkey

One of the many, many reasons why so many people travel to Turkey every year is for the fantastic food! If you have a taste for Mediterranean or Eastern cuisine, there’s even a good chance you may have sampled some of the delicacies that Turkey has to offer without setting foot on a plane or boat.

But, as many foodies and travellers will tell you, there is nothing quite like eating authentic national cuisine from the country it’s prepared in! So, we ran a quick survey with those of us in the SIMOVO team who have visited the region at least once, and put together a guide to the best food to eat in Turkey while you explore its wonderful history and city scapes.

While you’re exploring, it’s also worth grabbing an eSIM for Turkey so you have access to the best local restaurants at your fingertips while searching TripAdvisor.

Regardless, let’s dive into a world of Turkish cuisine, and why it’s worth travelling here purely for the food and drink!

Why Turkish food is famous around the world

Turkish food is partly so popular the world over because it’s designed to be enjoyed while socialising. Similar to how Greek meze is prepared in small dishes so that family and friends can easily dip in and out of appetisers, Turkish buffets are delicious finger-food displays that are laid out in such a way that you can pick and choose what you like, and move onto something new when you’re ready.

Turkish dishes are often heavy on meat, but there are options for all dietary requirements if you know where to look! Plus, it’s a haven for spice lovers, as plenty of dishes are given a little extra kick thanks to a little sumac and cumin, and you’re rarely two mouthfuls away from a hint of mint or parsley if you prefer a herby aftertaste.

Beyond tastes, there’s actually a bit of history to why Turkish cuisine has spread across all four corners of the globe. Turkey was, of course, the seat of the Ottoman Empire, meaning that for centuries, the best-loved food and drink of the Turkish people have been shared across continents.

That said, and as mentioned, you really cannot beat the Real McCoy as far as Turkish food is concerned. We highly recommend, after you check out the dishes listed in this guide, to start building restaurants and cafes you find online into your Turkey itinerary. Budget appropriately, of course, but rest easy knowing that even the tastiest of Turkish cuisine won’t burn a hole in your pocket.

Best food to try in Turkey

After surveying the SIMOVO team, it was obvious that the best-loved Turkish treats include traditional kebabs, meze, lahmacun, pide, baklava, and menemen. There are a few regional dishes worth trying, too, depending on where in Turkey you wish to travel. We’ll cover some of our regional favourites a little further down.

For now, however, allow us to introduce you to SIMOVO’s best food to eat in Turkey.

Kebabs

If you’re from the UK, the idea of a kebab might not seem too different from what you’re used to! However, authentic Turkish shish kebabs, served in wraps and a variety of dressings, are a million miles away from night-out food you’d grab down the street! We recommend checking out doner and shish kebabs for a variety in meat and taste. The best news is, kebabs are street food staples in Turkey, meaning you’ll never be too far away from one!

Meze

If the idea of meze sounds familiar, it’s because it’s something of a Mediterranean speciality, and it tends to play a big part in why dining in Turkey is such a social affair. Mezes in Turkey cover a range of different starters and dips that you can share with others - for example, you might find there are selections of pulses and veggies, or yogurt dips and different types of cheese. You’ll normally get the meat in the next course!

Lahmacun

Believe it or not, Turkey is pretty big on pizza, too! The lahmacun is a delicacy that’s essentially a traditional Turkish flatbread that’s adorned with veggies, mince, and a range of spices and herbs. Think of it as a spicy pizza without the cheese.

Pide

Pide is a type of bread that’s rather like lahmacun - it’s a flatbread dish served with a range of meat, vegetables, cheese, and herbs. Pide tends to be easier to eat by hand, so compare and contrast with the lahmacun as per your own tastes!

Baklava

This classic pastry dish has layers and layers of sweet nuts, honey, and syrup, and it really packs a crispy crunch. Again, this is something of a Mediterranean speciality, but the Turkish spin on baklava is easily one of the most memorable.

Menemen

Turkish cuisine is all about mixing together lots of ingredients that really work well together, and without tons of scientific preparation - menemen, for example, is a simple but delicious dish that is essentially a mix of scrambled eggs, blended together with veggies including peppers and tomatoes, and chopped, soft onions and herbs.

Regional Turkish dishes to try

We’ve explored some of the best food to eat in Turkey on a broad scale, but what about hidden delicacies? Here’s a quick rundown of some regional dishes you’ll want to discover and try on your travels:

• Mercimek Çorbası - a type of lentil soup that’s served with lemon slices
• Gözleme - special Turkish crepes served with spinach
• Patlican sögürme - minced aubergine/eggplant with roasted veggies, yogurt, and olive oil
• Tirnak ekmek - finger-food bread, densely baked and designed for eating with your hands
• Sucuk - a type of currywurst, made from lamb, beef, and other meats 

Street food culture in Turkey

Street food culture is something that’s exploded massively worldwide over the past decade, and it really does have a home in Turkey. You’ll barely walk anywhere without being able to enjoy some finger-food on the go. 

One of many Turkey fun facts is that it’s actually part of the cultural landscape, too. You’ll find that during festivals such as Ramadan, for example, street food vendors open up after fasting so that people can come together and share in the joy of food. 

That means you might not even have to book too many reservations for dinner when you visit - just find a street, and you’ll find a lively scene!

Food tips for travelling in Turkey

To close our guide, here are a few quick, final tips on making the most of the best food to eat in Turkey.

• Try to make some of the dishes in our list, or at least find an authentic Turkish restaurant, before you go
• Be prepared to get social when eating, and to leave the knife and fork on the table, especially for meze
• Always have an eSIM for the Middle East ready to go so you can easily find new places to eat without relying on WiFi
• Keep an open mind when it comes to spices - yogurt is your friend if you have a sensitive palate
• Build food into your Turkey itinerary - where possible, really plan local meals into your timetable so you don’t end up relying on boring old packed lunches

If you’re a foodie looking for exciting new cuisine and have never visited Turkey before, you’re missing out! Take a look at all of the dishes listed here and make sure to plan around food and drink when you arrive.