Finding the best food in Turkiye doesn’t take a lot of work. Turkiye is packed with incredible culinary delights from pide to Turkish delight.
The country of Turkiye (formerly known as Turkey), offers a foodie scene as unique as the country itself. This magical country spans Europe and Asia and features a culinary heritage influenced by many of the cultures that reside within and near its borders.
Blending rich flavors urged on by plenty of spices, Turkish cuisine provides a unique and delicious culinary experience. This guide to the food in Turkiye that every visitor must try will take you through classic Turkish dishes and give you some insight into its background. The flavors of Turkiye offer similar experiences to those in a nearby country that bridges cultures. Like food in Morocco, Turkiye’s place on the historic spice route has led to an incredible melding of spices, flavors, and cooking styles that make it one of the world’s best foodie destinations.
From the unforgettable street food of Istanbul to the Mediterranean dishes of coastal Antalya, food in Turkiye spans a broad range of flavors, and all of them are incredible.
What Is Food In Turkiye Like?
The food in Turkiye is absolutely delightful. Combining Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Central Asian, and European influences, the breadth of culinary influences in the country is both vast and diverse. Traditional Turkish food typically focuses on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the cuisine is characterized by rich flavors, and spices decorating delicious meat dishes like kebabs and stews to flavorful vegetable dishes like dolma and meze.
Bread is a staple in Turkiye and one of my favorite parts of food in the country. From restaurants to breakfast tables, you’ll find various types of flatbreads, Lavaş, and simit being served. While you’re exploring the Turkish culinary scene, don’t miss out on popular desserts like baklava and Turkish delight which are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
The food in Turkiye ranges in flavor across seven distinct regions. Each of these culinary destinations in the country offers its own unique food culture and specialties.
- Marmara in the country’s northwest is known for its seafood, olive oil dishes, and meze.
- The Aegean region on Turkiye’s western coast is famous for its olive oil dishes, grilled meats, and mezze.
- The Mediterranean Coast, situated on the southern coast of Turkiye is famous for fresh seafood, grilled meats, and citrus fruits.
- Central Anatolian, located in the center of Turkiye and is known for its meat dishes like kebabs and stews.
- The Black Sea shores on the northern coast boast incredible fish, specifically anchovy dishes, and hazelnuts.
- The Eastern Anatolian region in the eas is known for its meat dishes, dairy products, and spices.
- The Southeastern Anatolian in Turkiye’s southeast is popular for its spicy and flavorful cuisine, including kebabs, baklava, and pistachios.
Each region has its own unique ingredients, cooking techniques, and cultural influences that shape its cuisine. From the fresh seafood of the Mediterranean to the spicy and flavorful dishes of the Southeastern Anatolian region, Turkiye’s food culture is as diverse as its landscape.
10 Turkish Foods That You Must Try
Döner Kebap
Considered the National Dish of Turkiye, the Doner Kebap involves succulent slices of meat, typically lamb or beef, which are marinated in a blend of spices, slow-cooked on a spit, and finally served on a warm pita bread along with crunchy vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.
Not only is the doner kebab one of the most popular foods to eat in Turkiye, but the meat, marinated in paprika, cumin, and oregano and cooked for hours until juicy and tender, is among the most flavorful dishes in the country.
Kebaps are usually topped with a drizzle of tangy yogurt along with a sprinkling of zesty sumac that pulls the entire dish together with a citrusy kick.
A Turkish Doner Kebap is a mouth-watering dish that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. The succulent slices of meat, usually lamb or beef, are marinated with a blend of spices, including paprika, cumin, and oregano, which infuse the meat with a rich and savory flavor.
Another form of this tasty dish that you should be on the hunt for, especially in the Bursa region, is the İskender kebap or Alexander kebab. This dish, which isn’t served on pita, is considered the “King of Turkish kebabs. The Iskender kebap is typically made from grilled lamb and is topped with a hot tomato sauce served atop pita bread. The entire dish is coated in melted sheep butter and yogurt
Pide (Turkish Flatbread)
Pide is a traditional Turkish flatbread that delights with its soft and fluffy texture. Served in a similar style to a flatbread pizza, the bread offers the perfect base for various toppings such as meat, vegetables, cheese, and herbs.
Among the most popular styles for this boat-shaped pastry are cooked spinach and eggs, and a traditional favorite is a spicy Turkish sausage called sucuk. Authentic pide is as close to a traditional Turkish pizza as you’ll find in the country. You’ll find it in most towns as both a dine-in and takeaway option. Not only is it delicious, but it’s an easy Turkish meal that can be enjoyed on the run or with friends and family.
You can find our traditional Turkish pide bread recipe right here.
Manti (Turkish Ravioli)
One of my absolute favorite foods in Turkey is Manti. This Turkish food sometimes referred to as Turkish Ravioli consists of small, savory dumplings filled with ground meat or vegetables and topped with a variety of flavorful sauces and garnishes.
The Manti dumplings themselves are tiny and are usually made by hand. Each small packet is carefully shaped and pinched closed to keep the filling inside. They are then boiled until tender and served in a bowl or on a plate, often with a generous drizzle of garlic yogurt sauce or tomato sauce.
Manti is typically packed with a meat filling. The filling is traditionally made with a blend of lamb and beef that is seasoned with spices like cumin and paprika for a warm, aromatic flavor. Vegetarian options may feature fillings like pumpkin or spinach, which offer a lighter, fresher taste.
To add a little flare to the dish, Manti is often topped with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, and melted butter or oil that brings the whole dish together in a delightfully comforting package.
You can find our detailed Turkish ravioli recipe right here.
Dolma
Typically served as a main dish, Dolma is a healthy and delicious food in Turkey is traditionally made with vine leaves, but a popular alternative includes vegetables such as peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, and eggplant. Dolma is a staple in the Turkish meze platters, a group of small plates or appetizers often served up instead of full meals.
Dolma is usually served as a vegetarian dish, but non-vegetarian versions aren’t uncommon. They usually include spiced minced meat in the filling. This favorite food in Turkey isn’t exclusive to the country though, dolma can be found in many Eastern Mediterranean countries, throughout the Balkans, as well as the Levant, Anatolia, South Caucasus, and many Middle Eastern countries.
It is believed that this Turkish food was first created in the 17th century. It further highlights how much history is behind Turkish cuisine.
Menemen
When it comes to food in Turkiye, breakfast is a big deal. And no matter where you travel in the country, you can be sure that menemen is on the menu. This dish of spicy eggs fried up with tomato, peppers, and spices is traditionally served in a metal dish and eaten with chunks of bread.
Menemen (which admittedly sounds like a typo whenever I write it) is really easy to make, and locals often switch up the recipe by adding cheese, herbs, or various spices to the dish. You’ll find menemen served up at home as often as you’ll find it in restaurants and cafes. Its traditional roots run deep and there’s a deep passion for it in the country.
Lahmacun
Not to be confused with Pide, Lahmacun is another flatbread-style Turkish pizza that, while having similar properties to its sibling, is a vastly unique experience. Lahmacun rather than being full and fluffy is served up with a thin, crispy crust and is topped more similarly to a pizza with a hearty sauce made of tomato, peppers, and minced meat mixed with a variety of herbs and spices.
Lahmacun can be traced back to the Levant region, but its believed to have originated nearby as lahmacum has Arabic origins of lahm (meat) and ahin (dough). It was a staple of nomadic tribes in the region as it was easy to prepare over an open fire, and eventually became one of the most popular street foods in Turkey.
The dish is traditionally served up as a starter or appetizer, but those with a lighter appetite can enjoy it as a main as well, often with a squeeze of lemon or a drizzle of tahini sauce.
Gözleme
Gozleme is one of the best foods to eat in Turkiye. This traditional pastry is packed with cheese, and either cheese, vegetables, or minced meat (and sometimes a combination of some or all of them). The pastry folded up into a triangle, sealed up, and cooked over a hot griddle.
If you love street food in Turkiye, this is one that you absolutely must try. You’ll find it on many street corners, it’s often eaten as a breakfast or a fast-food snack. It’s a delicious and filling snack or meal that can really be enjoyed at any time of the day. If you want something tasty to fill up on the go while you’re exploring the country, this is a go-to dish.
Kofte (Meatballs)
I was first introduced to kofte while exploring the best food in Morocco, and when I found that they were a popular food in Turkiye, I was SO excited. Kofte is a traditional Turkish meatball. These patties or flattened balls are typically made with ground lamb or beef blended with fresh herbs such as mint and parsley, onion, and spices.
Kofte can sometimes be found in casseroles, coated in egg, and fried over salads. Sometimes they are stuffed into sandwiches but traditionally are served with rice and winter salad on the side. They’re often served up on pita bread as well.
There’s even a vegetarian version made with chickpeas and vegetables. Kofte is a Turkish food that can pander to a diverse range of palates and people and is undoubtedly one of the country’s most delicious dishes.
You can find my recipe for traditional Turkish beef Kofta here.
Baklava
A food tour of Turkiye just isn’t complete without tasting authentic Baklava. Made with layer upon layer of paper-thin phyllo pastry and adorned with chopped nuts (typically pistachios or walnuts), and drenched in a sweet honey syrup, Baklava will delight your sweet tooth.
Baklava is an incredibly popular dessert in Turkiye and is considered to be one of the most traditional Turkish foods. It was introduced to the country during the Ottoman Empire and has gone on to become one of the most popular things to eat in Turkiye.
Baklava can be found throughout Turkiye, from coffee shops and restaurants to home tables and weddings. While the basics of great baklava remain consistent throughout the country, there are a few local variations on the dish, usually in the type of nuts or syrup used.
Turkish Delight
I’m not sure it’s even possible to talk about food in Turkiye without mentioning the traditional sweet found everywhere from the Grand Bazaar to local markets.
Turkish delight, also known as Lokum is a sweet confectionary with a soft, chewy texture. It’s traditionally flavored with either rosewater, citrus juice, or a combination of both, and it’s one of the most popular foods to eat in Turkiye. It’s even made a splash worldwide. These flavorful Turkish sweets are often made with chopped dates, pistachios, and walnuts and then dusted with icing sugar.
Turkish delight dates back to the Ottoman Empire when it was created as a sweet treat for the royal court. Its inspiration isn’t entirely clear, but it’s believed that it was inspired by a Persian sweet known as “rahat-ul hulkum” which means “comfort of the throat.”
The treat rose to Western fame in the novel “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis where one of the main characters, Edmund, was lured by promises of the popular treat to betray his siblings.
Discover The Best Food in Turkiye For Yourself
We have you covered if you’re looking for the best food in Turkiye. These must-try plates and meals will delight your flavor senses as you explore one of the most incredible foodie destinations in the world.
If we missed a dish, don’t hesitate to drop a comment below, and I’ll be sure to check it out on my next visit to Turkiye.
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