Off the Eaten Track: The Best Street Food in Istanbul (2024)

Two men at a baked potato stall in Istanbul, best street food in Istanbul
 

Last updated April 2023

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To put it bluntly, if you love your food, Istanbul is the place to be and to put it more bluntly (and more tastily), if you love your food then the ‘streets’ of Istanbul are the place to be!

That’s why today we’ll be encouraging you to venture ‘off the eaten track’ by helping you find the best street food Istanbul has to offer.

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Alphonse de Lemartine once said that  “If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul.” Nice one Alphonse. But whilst I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment, I can’t help thinking that this Lemartine lad might have missed a trick by just ‘gazing’ at it.

To get a real sense of Istanbul you can't just look, you need to get a taste of Istanbul, or if at all possible, see and taste at the same time. This is where street food in Istanbul comes into its own.

 
 

Why Eat on The Street in Istanbul?

Whilst eating in Istanbul takes many forms and there’s certainly no shortage when it comes to fantastic Turkish restaurants in Istanbul, it is also true that Istanbul food includes some of the best street food Turkey has to offer. 

To just follow the tour buses or hop blindly from one touristy ‘Tripadvisor says’ food joint to another, is to miss much of the city's culinary richness and diversity. 

By all means visit the restaurants, as most of them are excellent. Definitely try a serpme kahvaltı (an unmissable Turkish breakfast experience) but to get a real taste of Istanbul, we advise taking a break from the sit-down meals to venture out in search of food that you can take with you as you explore. 

 
 
 
 

Finding the Best Street Food in Istanbul

 
 

To truly experience Istanbul food, you have to sample the street food. Luckily, that is a very simple thing to do.

The simple answer to the question ‘where do I find street food in Istanbul?’ is ‘everywhere.’ In fact, some of the best and most instantly recognisable foods from Turkey, (not to mention the cheapest and tastiest food in Istanbul), are sold from carts on street corners or tiny shopfront places.

READ NEXT: The Best Areas to Stay in Istanbul - Coolest Neighbourhoods and Top Hotels

 
 
 
 

In general, our advice would be to try places with a high turnover and an even higher number of loyal customers, because as with any city, it is always worth investigating the places the locals go.

We’ve also specified a few places where you should definitely try the Turkish street food mentioned in this guide.

 
 
Close up of a man's hands preparing a turkish baked potato known as a kumpir. A traditional food from turkey
 
 

So whether it’s the slowly rotating kebabs that seem almost as numerous as the streetlights, the clack and clang of ice-cream sellers stabbing their uniquely chewy version of everyone’s favourite dessert (yep, you read that right, chewy ice cream, but more on that later), the homely, aromatic scent of freshly-baked simits or the balık ekmek loaded with spices and just-caught fish fresher than Will Smith when he arrived in Bel Air, in Istanbul street food is king.

So if you’re wondering where to eat in Istanbul, just throw on your trainers, whip out your itinerary and try your hand at ‘eat and go’, Istanbul style.

🔥 Hot tip:

🥙 Find local street food spots and Turkish delicacies during this guided food tour.

 
 

Finding Your Perfect Kebab in Istanbul

 
 

Okay, this one was inevitable. The undisputed champion of Istanbul foods and top dog ‘famous food in Turkey’, (omitting of course whatever gold plated clickbait nonsense Salt Bae is rustling up that week), the mighty kebab and specifically the doner kebab is probably the best-known dish associated with Turkey and its most famous city.

Despite the seemingly endless variety of options for food in Istanbul, if you ask most people to name a traditional food of Turkey they will inevitably come up with either the word ‘kebab’ or ‘doner’.

Though some would dispute whether the kebab is exclusively a ‘traditional food from Turkey’ at all, we’ll put that debate to one side for now before someone puts me on a skewer.

However, whilst the ubiquitous doner is a veritable staple here, grabbing a ‘kebab’ in Istanbul is not quite as straightforward as simply waiting for someone to shave a portion from the old ‘elephant’s leg’, nor is it as boring.

With a little effort and exploration, it can be a far more delicious and satisfying prospect than the oily mess you pick up in London on the way home after a pint (or twelve).  

 
 
 
 

Having been a key part of the Turkish diet for centuries, the Turkish kebab covers a range of very different dishes that come in a variety of shapes, forms and serving options depending upon the meat, the accompaniment and the level of spice preferred. Here are just a few options you have to try.

 
 

💡 Top tip: Explore all the kebabs you desire and dive deep into Turkey's rich food culture on an Istanbul food tour. Here are our favourites:

Doner and Tavuk Doner

 
 

Obligatory. These are the Turkish kebab options that most folks are probably familiar with, consisting of a vertical skewer of meat that is slow-cooked for hours and served in shaved strips.

The difference in Istanbul to other areas seems to be in the accompaniments and the spices. The tavuk (chicken doner) in particular can taste very different in Istanbul to other areas of Turkey and sometimes varies depending upon the area of the city, so try a few to find the one you prefer. 

 
 
Two men cutting pieces from an Istanbul doner on a famous street in Istanbul.

Doner kebab stalls in Taksim Square

 
 

It is also rare to find the doner drowning in sauces as they so often are in the UK. In most places, there are several doner options that relate to the particular variety of Turkish bread or Turkish flatbread in which it is served. 

Here’s a very quick guide to Turkish bread types and how they relate to your kebab:

Ekmek usually involves the meat, salad, pickles and accompaniments being served in a half loaf of white bread that resembles a thicker and softer baguette. 

 
 
 
 

Pide is the slightly thicker Turkish flatbread similar to naan and which in most cases will be opened on one side to be filled, much like a Turkish pitta.

Dürüm essentially means ‘wrap’ and involves the delicious Turkish lavash bread being rolled up around the kebab.

Dürüm is arguably the most popular and transportable option. It’s also usually the cheapest and if you are lucky, involves a process in which the lavash is pressed against the surface where the kebab is prepared or the meat itself, in order to allow it to absorb the ‘juices’.

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN READERS: Check out our post on The Best Vegan Fast Food in Istanbul!

 
 
Close up of an istanbul  doner rotating before the fire. A traditional food of turkey and one of the best street foods Turkey has to offer
 
 

Adana and Urfa

Named after the Turkish cities where they are said to have respectively originated, the Adana and Urfa kebabs look almost identical.

Both kebabs are made from minced meat, spices and parsley, formed into cylinders and packed onto a metal skewer by hand, then grilled over charcoal till beautifully browned.

The difference between the two is ostensibly a matter of heat and spice - the Adana kebab having been formed with chilli added to it, whilst the Urfa kebab is the plain, non-chilli version

Interestingly, whilst this distinction is certainly true for most places in Istanbul and for many other cities in Turkey, it is hilariously redundant when you are actually IN Sanliurfa, the city after which the mild version is named. 

There (in my experience) this style of kebab comes in only one variety (the Urfa kebab, naturally).

The distinction around spice seems to disappear, with the mildly spiced kebab you might have enjoyed in Istanbul now being just as spicy as the option referred to as an ‘Adana’ in Istanbul.

As a lover of the Adana over Urfa this suited me perfectly, but for those with delicate tastebuds planning to venture out of Istanbul, you have been warned. 

 
 
 
 

Cağ Kebab

A distant cousin of (and some would claim great grandfather of) the doner kebab, at first glance the cağ kebab, looks just like a horizontal version of its better known relative.

However, this variety. which is proudly claimed by the Erzurum province, an area also famous for producing cabbages the size of a small bungalow, is entirely different and deserves a section of its own.

Incidentally, I plan to visit Erzurum and sample this rotating delicacy soon, so watch this space for a full report.

 
 
Close up shot of a cag kebab on a plate. Meat on a skewer. Best kebab Istanbul
 
 

The cağ kebab is often both spit-roasted and charcoal grilled. Strips of lamb are packed onto a spit with tail fat to enhance the flavour.

The meat, which has been marinated for at least 24 hours with onion, black pepper, salt and basil, is then slow-cooked on a horizontal rotating spit. 

When served however, the meat is cut from this tightly packed spit-roasted piece, placed onto skewers so that it more closely resembles a Turkish şiş (shish) kebab. This is then grilled over charcoal and the whole delicious mess is served in your choice of bread. 

I would not presume to advise on where to get the best kebab in Turkey, the best kebab in Istanbul or even the best doner in Istanbul, that is a highly contentious and highly subjective topic (also a great excuse to try more than one, but I digress…)

What I will say is that one of the most fascinating things about street food in Istanbul is how marvellously inclusive it is.

Type ‘Best restaurants in Istanbul Turkey’ into Google and you'll find places that not only serve the frilly fine dining options you’d expect to see, but also the exact same kebabs and grills that you can find at any Istanbul kebab house or street-side stall. The only difference is that the street stall sells it for a tenth of the price.

We’ll leave it to you to decide which tastes better.

PLANNING A TRIP TO TURKEY? Then check out our Ultimate Turkey Itinerary 10 Days! The most detailed guide on the internet to make planning a trip to Turkey stress-free!

 
 

Köfte Ekmek

 
 

Staying with meaty goodness for a few more moments, I’d like to introduce you to the deliciousness that is a Turkish meatball sandwich or köfte ekmek.

Beloved by football fans (it’s apparently the best food to eat in Istanbul when you’re heading to a football match), this popular street food snack consists of meatballs served in a small loaf of bread.

 
 
Image of turkish meatballs name kofte being cooked on a griddle. Best street food Istanbul
 
 

While this sounds simple, I can assure you the taste is anything but: köfte are usually made from ground beef or lamb that is mixed with a range of spices such as cumin, black pepper and chilli.

The köfte are then grilled or fried before being stuffed inside the bread with parsley, sliced onions, tomatoes and grilled peppers.

You can find köfte vendors all over Istanbul, so do yourself a favour and grab one while you are wandering around. It’s the perfect lunch on the go!

 
 

🔥 Hot tip:

If all this street food has got your mouth watering, why not get to know the inside of a local Turkish kitchen with EatWith? Their immersive cooking classes and home-cooked Turkish dinners will give you a unique insight into Turkish food culture and you'll get to eat plenty of delicious dishes too!

Kestane Kebap

 
 

Why exactly this one even counts as a kebab/kebap/kabob I haven’t actually gotten to the bottom of, though I suspect it is either down to the fact that it is slow roasted or it is a chestnuts sale ploy, because that is exactly what the kestane kebap is: roasted chestnuts.

A comforting, sweetly acrid smell that follows you around during winter, the kestane kebaps are sold from small carts of the same type from which you’d expect to purchase a simit and essentially consists of a bag of roasted chestnuts. 

Though simple, they are an undeniably tasty, vegetarian and vegan friendly and surprisingly satisfying option, that will fill a hole as you explore the city.   

 
 
Chestnuts sale. Image of roasted chestnuts know as a kestane kebap. A popular street food Turkey
 
 

Simit

 
 

Perhaps the most ubiquitous of all Istanbul street foods, these ring-shaped bread snacks are often referred to as ‘Turkish bagels’ though they are quite different and I would argue, a little tastier.

 
 
A huge pile of freshly baked simits. Turkish bagel. Turkish bread snacks. Street food in Turkey
 
 

Made from bread dough that has been crusted with sesame seeds and sometimes other seed varieties, simits are slightly chewy, salty-sweet and incredibly moreish. 

Though they can be enjoyed plain and by themselves, simits can also be enjoyed with a variety of toppings.

These include savoury options such as beyaz peynir (soft white cheese), olive spread, pekmez (a sweet grape molasses) or sweet varieties such as my personal favourite Nutella,

Simits are the most popular street food in Turkey (especially for breakfast) and you can see Istanbulites eating these tasty snacks every day (including the dogs, cats and birds who are invariably served the leftovers at the end of each day).

 
 
 
 

Whilst many small firins (bakeries), cafes and even supermarkets sell fresh simits and there is even the sit-down option of specialist simit cafe chains like Simit Sarayı, (who incidentally sell the usually dirt cheap simits for as much as £5 in London, the cheeky bastards), arguably the best place to pick up a simit is from one of the many friendly ‘simit men’.

Standing by their picturesque red and glass-fronted carts with stacks of the gorgeous Turkish bagels piled high, these friendly purveyors of baked goods are to be found on most street corners.

Buying from here not only supports a small business but provides you with an opportunity to practice your Turkish and take in the atmosphere whilst gobbling down a quintessentially Turkish snack. 

READ NEXT: Best Breakfast in Istanbul: 16 Incredible Places to Try

 
 

Istanbul Balık Ekmek

 
 
 
 

It is more than possible to take your own food tour of Istanbul, just by wandering through the streets and picking up whatever delicacy takes your fancy on the way, but if you do happen to stroll down by the water, there is one option you really have to try: the traditional Istanbul fish sandwich.

Balık ekmek/dürüm is sold everywhere - you’ll see plenty of purveyors of this fish sandwich on the Galata bridge and down by the water in Karaköy. But there is one place serving a fish sandwich that is head and shoulders above the rest.

Balık Dürüm Mehmet Usta in Karaköy is not only one of the best places to eat in Istanbul, but also the best place to try balık ekmek. Just ten-minutes walk from Istiklal Street (the main shopping street in Istanbul), it is a must-try for fish lovers and those looking for a delicious taste of the city’s fishing culture. 

Using the same bread-based format as the kebabs (ekmek is on a half loaf, dürüm is a wrap)  Mehmet Usta promises a deboned and grilled fish, lovingly drizzled with oil and peppered with his personally prepared spice mix.

This is then slathered not only onto the fish itself but also the bread and served with pomegranate seeds, a sweet pomegranate sauce and grilled red peppers amongst other things, until it is a salty-sweet, richly flavoured masterpiece of fishy delight. Beautiful. 

 
 
 
 

Künefe

 
 

If you’re looking for something sweet and possibly less familiar to try whilst on the move, then you should definitely take the time to sample the Syrian künefe in the Fatih district of the city. This delicious after-dinner treat is mostly comprised of…cheese.

Now before you get all Peter Kay on me and turn your nose up at the idea of cheese in a dessert (cheesecake?) I can tell you from experience that this much-loved dessert, made from shredded filo pastry, cheese, melted butter and sugar syrup and garnished with pistachios, is extremely tasty.

The slightly caramelised sugar on top of the pastry, combined with the stretchy cheese and dusting of pistachios makes künefe incredibly moreish.

Go on, be brave.

 
 
 
 

If you do decide to give it a go, then we recommend taking a trip to Fatih.

With a huge Syrian population, the Fatih area of Istanbul, which also hosts one of the city’s best fresh food markets, has many Syrian and Arabic influenced dishes to sample on the go.

Of particular note is the small outfit selling künefe right next to the stunning Fatih mosque, a branch of a chain that our Syrian friend informs us is not only well known but considered the best by connoisseurs in Syria

The mosque itself is beautifully lit in the evening and the immense grounds and grassy areas act as a social gathering point after the sun goes down, with families sharing desserts, children roller skating and old men swigging Turkish tea whilst they discuss the day’s happenings sitting on the benches or steps. 

The atmosphere, especially in the summer months, is one of relaxed calm and is one of the best places to stop with a sweet treat. 

Enjoying künefe on a bench outside of Fatih mosque is not only a food adventure but also one of the best things to do in Istanbul at night. 

Read next: Top 12 things to do in Istanbul

 
 
Long queues of people outside a popular Istanbul  take away dessert restaurant
 
 

Kumpir

In what might strike some as a surprising entry on a list of foods to try in Istanbul, kumpir is, in its most basic form, simply a jacket potato. Now I know what you’re thinking: Francis Drake, potatoes from the Americas, Spudulike…

How are filled potatoes an Istanbul or even a Turkish speciality food? Well, technically they’re not, if you’re just having your average baked spud with cheese and beans that is, but a kumpir? A kumpir is an entirely different beast.

Best enjoyed at one of the many highly competitive stalls close to the water in Ortaköy (which incidentally is a lovely area that is well worth seeing for more than just its spuds) the best way to experience a kumpir is to throw caution to the wind, go all in and let them bang virtually everything but the kitchen sink on there.

 
 
Close up of a turkish kumpir. Bakd potato filling ideas. Jacket potato stuffing ideas.
 
 

Purchasing a kumpir basically involves the seller selecting a massive jacket potato that has been cooking away for hours and mixing in butter and cheese to make the inside as soft and fluffy as you could want it. 

Before them is something resembling a deli counter full of baked potato stuffing ideas, with heaped tubs full of a veritable myriad of toppings, from bulgar, black olives, yogurt and chives, to chilli, pickles, turkey ham, sweetcorn, cheese and everything in between. 

You then play a game of yes/no with every topping as the server points to them, until your humble potato ends up so overloaded with seemingly contrasting flavour toppings that it resembles an ice cream sundae assembled by a greedy six-year-old. 

An explosion of colours and contrasts that you think at first glance shouldn’t really go together or work, but whoa moma does it! The surprising blend of cool yoghurt with chilli, the tang of pickle with the smooth red hot warmth of the potato and the crunch of the pickled cabbage, it just...works. 

Somehow and against all the odds it comes together into something that is inexpensive, massively filling and incredibly delicious. The potato might not be Turkish, but this way of feasting on them certainly is. 

 
 
 
 

Turkish Ice Cream - Dondurma

If you’ve spent any length of time on the magical interwebs (it’s witchcraft I tell ye!) then you will probably have seen video clips of some poor sap attempting to take an ice cream cone from a vendor dressed in traditional Ottoman garb.

The basic routine involves the customer repeatedly reaching for the ice cream offered by the vendor only for the flips, turns and slips of the churning stick to elude them in what is essentially an ice cream based version of ‘keep away’. 

If you haven’t experienced this comically frustrating process in real life then you’re in for a treat.

This sleight of hand street theatre-like aspect of purchasing an ice cream in Turkey can be experienced all over Istanbul, is part of the experience and should be taken in good humour.

And to those of you saying to yourself that it doesn’t matter where ice cream comes from because ‘ice cream is ice cream’ I say oh contraire.

 
 
Turkish Ice Cream seller in traditional ottoman garb. Turkish ice cream tricks are a turkish street food show.
 
 

Whilst your usual Wall’s or Haagen Dazs ice cream is widely available in Turkey, it is the traditional dondurma ice cream that is sold by the elaborately dressed vendors and is, it's fair to say, a completely different animal. 

The first difference you will notice with dondurma compared to other ice creams you may have tried, is the consistency. Dondurma is chewy. Yes, you read that right. 

Owing to the addition of mastic and orchid powder (which is also the primary ingredient in another Istanbul winter favourite, the beverage salep) dondurma is stretchy and has a more malleable consistency than ‘traditional’ ice cream

 It is for this reason that the vendors seem to be constantly stabbing or churning the ice cream with the long metal instrument, which they also clack rhythmically against the sides of their stalls to attract attention. 

 
 
 
 

Whilst this difference in texture might seem strange at first, especially to those expecting ice cream to melt quickly, it does not stop dondurma from being velvety smooth and delicious in a slightly different way. 

Usually available in a variety of flavours dondurma is best enjoyed with a hot drink as some Turks believe that consuming cold foods can cause illness and the hot beverage is thought to balance this out.

Also, it is a perfect accompaniment, so take the time to grab a glass of çay, allow yourself to be wound up by the vendor and give chewy ice cream a try. You’ll soon be asking ‘Why isn’t there a place for Dondurma near me’?

 
 

Gözleme

 
 

A favourite amongst locals looking for a quick but filling snack, gözleme is a brilliant option when you are pushed for time, or on the move.

An eggless pancake prepared over a heated plate, gözleme comes stuffed with a choice of individual fillings or a mix and match of several. 

 
 
 
 

These options usually include various combinations of white cheese, yellow cheese, spinach, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, mint, chilli and in some places pumpkin, mushroom or meat.

The lack of egg and predominantly vegetarian fillings make gözleme a great pick for those of a vegan or vegetarian persuasion and washed down with a glass of çay or ayran is a filling and invariably cheap lunch option that will keep both the tastebuds and the wallet happy. 

 
 
 
 

In terms of places to try this fantastic snack, our top pick would be Iskele Mola Kafe, right opposite Karaköy Ferry Terminal and near the Galata bridge.

With a great view over the water especially at sunset, this picturesque, open-air little spot is the perfect place to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy a snack whilst looking over the sunlit domes of the various mosques.

Also serving kumpir and some great Turkish coffee, it offers various flavour combinations and the opportunity to mix the ingredients you prefer whilst leaving out the ones you don't.

Take a short break on one of the backless chairs or grab your gözleme and continue your explorations as the transport links (ferry, metro or bus) are just a stone’s throw away. 

 
 

Price of Food in Istanbul

As with any city in the world, when travellers, backpackers and tourists begin discussing food in Istanbul, price inevitably becomes the star around which the conversation orbits.

So, the inevitable question, how much does eating in Istanbul cost? Well, that depends. It also has both a short and a long answer. 

Of course, if you decide to eat in the most famous restaurants in Turkey and want to watch someone sprinkle salt whilst doing the shadow puppet motion for a duck, or want your food covered in gold leaf so that later that night you can shit ingots, it will cost you a fortune. 

However, for most people eating like a normal human being, compared to many cities and speaking in general terms, the price of food in Istanbul is low and eating in Turkey can be satisfyingly cheap, with street food prices being particularly reasonable.

 
 
Picture of a man at dusk selling his kestane kebap. Chestnuts sale. Traditional food from Turkey. best street food Istanbul
 
 

So the short answer is: it’s cheap. The long answer is also: it’s cheap, but with the caveat of ‘not for everyone.’

With a low monthly income and an economy that has had a rough time in recent years, not to mention a tourist trade hit hard by Covid, times are hard for many in Turkey and whilst food is relatively inexpensive, especially when judged by many tourist’s budgets, it is worth remembering that it doesn’t seem that way if you aren’t earning a great deal. 

Eating street food from local or small vendors is not only a delicious way to enjoy the city, it is also a good way of getting money into the pockets of smaller independent outlets that could do with some support.  

Where to Stay in Istanbul

So by now you know all about the street food scene in Istanbul, but where do you sleep after you've gorged to your heart's content?

If you’re wondering where to stay in Istanbul, we’d recommend checking out our very detailed guide to the best areas to stay in Istanbul. It covers 6 districts and over 15 different neighbourhoods, has hotels for all budgets and includes the highlights of each area.

In a hurry? Keep on reading for the areas and hotels that we love and would really recommend, or click here to browse and book hotels in Istanbul.

Galata - Beyoğlu District

Close to the Galata Tower and Istiklal Caddesi plus many super cute cafes and good restaurants, Galata is a great area to stay in the Beyoğlu district.

You can easily travel anywhere in Istanbul from here as it’s close to the Şishane metro stop or just a walk down to Taksim Square or Karaköy. This is also a great area for solo travellers as it’s a very lively and fun area and there’s a great nightlife scene.

Photo courtesy of Louis Appartments via Booking.com

Check out Louis Appartments Galata here our hotel choice for the Galata area and Beyoglu District. The hotel has amazing suites and rooms plus a terrace with a superb view of the Galata Tower and Istanbul.

We really love this hotel - the staff are kind and friendly and there’s also an elevator which makes it a great place to stay for older people and anyone with mobility issues. Sasha’s parents actually stay here when they visit us in Istanbul and they loved it too!

Karaköy - Beyoğlu District

Another area that is close to Galata Tower, Karaköy has street art, cheap food, fabulous bars and restaurants and quirky shops.

Public transport is great here - there are trams, buses and the metro which make getting anywhere very easy. We’ve stayed in Karaköy a number of times and love how well-connected and lively it is.

Photo courtesy of SuB Karaköy via Booking.com

Check out SuB Karaköy here, our top choice for thıs area. This funky design hotel has a gym, a terrace with awesome views and serves a super Turkish breakfast every morning.

The fact that the rooms are comfortable, clean and super stylish doesn't hurt either!

Cihangir - Beyoğlu District

We lived in Cihangir for two months and loved the area’s hipster, arty vibes.

Cool cafes with fast Wi-Fi are everywhere plus fantastic breakfast restaurants, good vegan/vegetarian food options and uber trendy wine bars - this is great place for a short or long-term stay.

We preferred to rent apartments in Cihangir instead of hotel rooms just because there are plenty of cute options. Cihangir is within walking distance to Taksim Square - a central transport hub with plenty of buses and the M2 Metro Line.

Photo courtesy of MySuite Istanbul Cihangir via Booking.com

Click here to check out MySuite Istanbul Cihangir - our top pick in the Cihangir area.

These apartments are colourful and comfortable - some have private balconies with amazing sea views whilst others have a private Turkish bathroom where you can have your own 'hamam' experience!

Fener/Balat - Fatih District

We rented a few different apartments in Fener and really enjoyed living in this unique area.

Filled with cute cafes, old colourful Ottoman houses and picturesque cobbled streets, these areas have a great vibe and make a great base for your exploration of Istanbul.

The neighbourhood has an interesting history as it used to be a predominantly Christian and Jewish area, so there are synagogues, mosques and many churches. For more information on Fener and Balat, read our post on the area here.

Fener/Balat are extremely well connected - plenty of buses pass through this area heading to all areas of Istanbul and a short bus ride away is the M2 Metro at Haliç.

Photo courtesy of Fener Sweet via Booking.com

Click here to see Fener Sweet, our top choice for this area.

This friendly homestay offers lovely rooms all with private bathrooms and shared kitchen facilities. The hosts are kind and helpful, put on an amazing breakfast spread and will ensure that you have a fantastic stay in Istanbul.

Click here for more great hotels in Istanbul!

And that’s a wrap!

Ah, I could have made a Turkish dürüm (wrap) joke there, but I controlled myself.

So there you have it, some fantastic street food options to help give you a taste of the city whilst you’re seeing it.


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