Food & Drink

Turkish food is filled with fresh ingredients like olive oil, yogurt, vegetables, meat, and spices like cumin, sumac, and red pepper. Local cuisine is diverse and flavourful, and has been influenced by its proximity to the Mediterranean, Middle East, Central Asia, and the Balkans.

Historically, the enormous kitchens of the Ottoman Topkapi Palace at times had upwards of 1,300 staff preparing extravagant meals. Special meals included salads sprinkled with rose petals, Circassian chicken with walnut sauce, and rice with eggplant and meatballs.

What is Türkiye's traditional cuisine?

A global favourite, kebabs are grilled meat on a stick and can be eaten in a flatbread or on rice. Shish kebabs are skewered marinated chunks of meat. Doner kebabs, also known as gyro, is thinly sliced and stacked meat, grilled, and usually served on bread with onions and tahini. Adana kebabs are made from ground lamb, shaped around skewers and served on a flatbread with tomatoes and onions.

Mezze is a popular style of eating that involves serving numerous small hot and cold appetizers like babaganoush, hummus, haloumi cheese, meats, tabbouleh, and stuffed grape leaves known as dolmas. Pide, similar to pizza, but with a Turkish twist, is a boat shaped flatbread with toppings like mincemeat, vegetables and herbs.

Baklava is a sweet dessert made with thin layers of pastry and covered with a honeyed syrup and chopped nuts, and Turkish delight is a sweet and chewy gelatin confection traditionally flavoured with rosewater and dusted with icing sugar. There are many varieties of this dessert using other fruits and spices.

What is the dining etiquette in Türkiye?

When preparing to eat a meal, it is important to wash your hands before, as there is value placed on spiritual and physical cleanliness. It is a custom to demonstrate respect for the preparation of the meal. Once the host is seated at the table, it is common to begin a meal with afiyet olsun, Turkish for enjoy your meal, to express gratitude for the food. Be sure to eat exclusively with your right hand, as it is perceived as the sanitary one. This is especially true if there is bread to scoop food from a communal dish. Bread in Turkish culture is a sacred entity, representing abundance and unity and will not be wasted. To indicate you are done eating, leaving a small portion of food on your plate is polite.

What is the drinking etiquette in Türkiye?

Tea, known as çay, is a traditional and popular beverage in Türkiye, revered for its symbolism of hospitality. Turkish tea and coffee are strong and rich in flavour, served in small tulip shaped glasses, and often served with a small piece of Turkish delight. Aryan is a traditional Turkish drink made from yogurt, salt, and water. If you’re traveling in the colder months, boza is a drink popular in the winter made from mildly fermented millet, and it tastes like eggnog. Sahlep is another warm drink made from the pulverized tubers of wild orchids. It is sweet and is served sprinkled with cinnamon.

Alcohol is widely available in Türkiye. However, consumption is limited in some parts of the country due to religious regions. Raki, also known as Lion’s Milk, is an anise-flavoured spirit made from twice-distilled grapes, plums, or pears. It’s the national drink of Türkiye. There is a high tax rate associated with alcohol sales. Alcoholic beverages are primarily enjoyed in private homes, or tourist areas. Excessive drinking is not common. On hot summer days, the popular Turkish beer Efes Pilsen with a squeeze of lemon hits the spot, or you can try a Turkish Delight martini with its floral flavours mixed with vodka and rosewater.

Does Türkiye cater to dietary restrictions?

Allergy awareness in Türkiye is less widespread, with few restaurants labeling menus for dietary restrictions. It is important to do research about specific spots that can accommodate any restrictions. Tourist friendly cities and areas around the coast frequently offer gluten-free and vegetarian options. Travellers will find that most traditional Turkish food is halal, though do confirm at restaurants regarding their practices, as restaurants do not post certifications on windows. Travel with a Turkish translated card indicating any dietary restrictions, such as allergies or gluten-free needs, to inquire about specific ingredients and any potential cross-contamination concerns.

What do meals typically cost in Türkiye?

Typically travellers find the pricing of food in Türkiye to be less expensive than other European locations, which is due in part to the exchange rate. In cities, such as Istanbul or Ankara, you can find lunch plates, with varied dishes, at a mid-range restaurant for around $8-10. At a fine dining restaurant, featuring a three-course meal, expect to spend $25-30 per person. High end options are also available, with pricing closer to $75 per person. Quick, less expensive on the go options, such as kebabs or falafel wraps, will often cost $2-3 per item.