Turkish Cuisine: 30 Essential Dishes
Turkish cuisine is one of the world great cuisines, influenced by Ottoman palace kitchens, Central Asian nomadic traditions, and Mediterranean flavors. From street food to fine dining, here are the 30 dishes every visitor to Turkey must try.
Kebabs & Grilled Meats
1. İskender Kebab: Thinly sliced döner meat served over pide bread, drenched in tomato sauce and hot melted butter, with yogurt on the side. Originally from Bursa. 2. Adana Kebab: Spicy hand-minced lamb kebab on a flat skewer, grilled over charcoal. Named after the city of Adana. 3. Beyti Kebab: Seasoned ground meat wrapped in lavash bread with tomato sauce and yogurt. 4. Şiş Kebab: Classic grilled meat cubes on a skewer with vegetables. 5. Çöp Şiş: Tiny cubes of lamb on thin wooden skewers — addictive Aegean-style kebab. 6. Cağ Kebabı: Horizontal rotating spit kebab from Erzurum — the ancestor of döner.
Street Food
7. Simit: Circular sesame-crusted bread rings sold on every corner. The Turkish bagel. 8. Balık Ekmek: Grilled fish sandwich at Eminönü waterfront. 9. Midye Dolma: Stuffed mussels sold from street carts — squeeze lemon and eat! 10. Kokoreç: Seasoned lamb intestines on a horizontal spit, chopped and served in bread. Controversial but beloved. 11. Lahmacun: Paper-thin crispy flatbread topped with minced meat, herbs, and spices. Roll it up with lemon and parsley. 12. Kumpir: Giant baked potato stuffed with butter, cheese, and dozens of toppings at Ortaköy.
Meze & Starters
13. Mercimek Çorbası: Red lentil soup — served at the start of nearly every Turkish meal. 14. Patlıcan Salatası: Smoky roasted eggplant salad. 15. Sigara Böreği: Crispy fried filo pastry rolls filled with feta cheese and parsley. 16. Mücver: Zucchini fritters served with yogurt dip. 17. Humus: Chickpea dip drizzled with olive oil. 18. Yaprak Sarma: Grape leaves stuffed with rice, pine nuts, and herbs.
Main Dishes
19. Mantı: Turkish dumplings filled with ground meat, topped with garlicky yogurt and red pepper butter. 20. Hünkâr Beğendi: Lamb stew served over smoky eggplant purée — an Ottoman palace dish. 21. Pide: Boat-shaped Turkish flatbread with various fillings (cheese, meat, egg). 22. Menemen: Scrambled eggs with tomatoes, peppers, and spices — a breakfast staple. 23. Karnıyarık: Stuffed eggplant with ground meat and tomato sauce.
Desserts & Drinks
24. Baklava: Layers of filo pastry with pistachios or walnuts soaked in syrup. Best from Gaziantep. 25. Künefe: Hot shredded pastry with melted cheese, soaked in sweet syrup. Served warm. 26. Turkish Delight (Lokum): Gel-like candy in dozens of flavors — pistachio and rose are classic. 27. Dondurma: Stretchy Turkish ice cream made with salep. 28. Tavuk Göğsü: An Ottoman dessert made with chicken breast — sounds strange, tastes amazing. 29. Turkish Tea (Çay): Black tea served in tulip-shaped glasses — the national drink consumed all day. 30. Turkish Coffee: Thick, unfiltered coffee brewed in a cezve — a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. For food-focused travel experiences including cooking classes and culinary tours, some visitors arrange guided food tours through local agencies or an Istanbul catering and food service provider.