Top 10 Foods to Try in Turkey – What They Are and Why You’ll Love Them 🇹🇷🍽️
If you’re heading to Turkey and wondering what to eat, you’re in for a real treat. Turkish cuisine is rich, diverse, and full of bold flavors, drawing inspiration from the Middle East, the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and Central Asia. From sizzling street food to comforting home-style dishes, here are the top 10 foods you absolutely must try in Turkey — and why they belong on your plate.
1. Simit – The Turkish Bagel 🥯
What it is: A circular bread with a crispy sesame-coated crust.
Why try it: It's Turkey’s most iconic street snack, often sold by vendors on the street. Crunchy on the outside and soft inside — perfect with Turkish tea for a quick breakfast or snack.
2. Menemen – Turkish Scrambled Eggs 🍳
What it is: Eggs cooked in a sizzling pan with tomatoes, peppers, and olive oil (sometimes with cheese).
Why try it: It’s the ultimate Turkish comfort food. Light, flavorful, and perfect for breakfast or brunch with crusty bread to dip.
3. Kebap – More Than Just Kebab 🍢
What it is: A variety of grilled meat dishes, the most famous being Adana (spicy minced meat) and Şiş (skewered cubes).
Why try it: Turkish kebap is juicy, spiced just right, and often served with rice, grilled vegetables, and flatbread.
4. Meze – A Feast of Small Plates 🧆
What it is: A spread of cold or warm appetizers like hummus, ezme (spicy tomato salad), haydari (yogurt dip), and stuffed grape leaves.
Why try it: The best way to sample a variety of flavors — ideal for sharing, especially over a glass of rakı.
5. Lahmacun – Turkish Pizza 🍕
What it is: A thin, crispy flatbread topped with spiced minced meat, onions, and herbs.
Why try it: It’s cheap, delicious, and super satisfying. Add a squeeze of lemon and wrap it up with parsley and onions.
6. Dolma – Stuffed Vegetables 🍃
What it is: Vegetables like peppers, zucchini, or vine leaves stuffed with rice, herbs, and sometimes meat.
Why try it: A classic in Turkish home cooking, dolma is healthy, flavorful, and vegetarian-friendly.
7. Çiğ Köfte – Spicy Bulgur Patties 🌶️
What it is: Traditionally raw meat, but now often a vegetarian mix of bulgur, spices, and tomato paste, shaped into finger-sized pieces.
Why try it: It’s packed with flavor and served cold in a wrap with lettuce and pomegranate molasses. A must-try on our vegetarian food tour in Istanbul!
8. Kumpir – The Ultimate Stuffed Potato 🥔
What it is: A baked potato loaded with butter, cheese, and your choice of toppings like olives, corn, pickles, and sausage.
Why try it: It’s street food heaven — hearty, customizable, and perfect after a day of sightseeing.
9. Baklava – Sweet Layers of Heaven 🍯
What it is: Layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and soaked in syrup or honey.
Why try it: It’s the dessert of Turkey. Buttery, crunchy, sweet — no visit is complete without a bite (or three).
10. Turkish Delight (Lokum) – A Classic Treat 🍬
What it is: Soft, chewy candy made of sugar and starch, often flavored with rosewater, lemon, or pistachios.
Why try it: It’s a centuries-old tradition and makes for a sweet souvenir. Try it fresh at a specialty shop like Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir in Istanbul.
Bonus: Want to Taste It All?
Join our food tour in Kadıköy (Asian side of Istanbul) to discover these dishes and more, guided by a local expert. You’ll eat where locals eat, avoid tourist traps, and learn the stories behind the flavors.
👉 Book your spot now at www.foodprint.tours
