Istanbul, the vibrant metropolis straddling two continents, is a melting pot of cultures and flavors. Its culinary scene is a testament to the city's rich history and diverse heritage. From savory street food stalls to charming hidden gems, Istanbul offers an array of local food places that tantalize taste buds and offer a glimpse into the city's soul. In this guide, we'll uncover the top local food spots that should be on every food enthusiast's itinerary.
Having a local food experience is usually hard, in tourist areas restaurants will try their best to provide a good show and say they are all authentic and stuff, which is correct in some cases. But don't believe most locals will be eating at these places. They are usually expensive and "fancy".
Local places are usually found in alleys and owned by an old man, woman, or even a family who has been in the business for years, those places are sometimes from tourists' sight and serve the best-tasting food, and not the obviously recommended places when you ask someone where to eat.
But if you are looking for the real local experience and to be amazed by how good these places' food is, then buckle up. You are about to know a few of the best local food places in Istanbul.
Baran Et Mangal
"Et Mangal" is a Turkish term that translates to "Meat Barbecue" or "Meat Grill." It refers to the traditional practice of grilling or barbecuing various types of meats, often over an open flame or charcoal fire. This culinary tradition is an integral part of Turkish cuisine and culture, reflecting the country's historical connection to nomadic and pastoral lifestyles.
One of the best places to get "Et Mangal" is Baran, this place is located in the Fatih area and is very famous. They have a few shops opened side by side and even with that, it is possible to go there and find a queue. The small tables and the busyness of the place give all the local vibe, you can see all the raw meat being taken out from the display window and thrown on the grill fire right in front of your eyes.
Location: Google Maps here
Patso Burger
Patso" is a type of sandwich that originated in Turkey, particularly in the city of İzmir. The name "patso" is actually a colloquial abbreviation of the words "pastırma" and "sucuk," which are two types of cured and spiced meats commonly used in this sandwich.
This place was once mentioned in an article by the famous Insider magazine (link here), and it made this place skyrocket, people started showing up to this place from everywhere, and even the workers started to learn and speak English. With that being said, this place is actually one of the best places to get the Patso sandwich in Istanbul, their prices can be a bit high but the experience is totally worth it.
Location: Google Maps here
Güvenç Konyalı
Located in the center of the city, this place serves kinds of foods containing meat. They are also famous for cooking meat in the rock oven, like ribs. It is usually covered by a piece of bread and served with rice too.
Location: Google Maps here
Şehzade Cağ Kebap
Cağ Kebap, also known as "Çağ Kebabı," is a traditional Turkish kebab dish that originated in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. It is characterized by its unique preparation method and distinctive flavors.
Şehzade Cağ Kebap is one of the best in town, it is located in the alleys of Sirkeci and is famous for its unique local experience with Cağ Kebap.
Location: Google Maps here
Metet Közde Döner
The name "döner" translates to "turning" or "rotating" in Turkish, which refers to the method of preparation: layers of seasoned meat are stacked on a vertical rotisserie, which rotates as the meat cooks. This method allows for the outer layers of the meat to cook and become crispy, while the inner layers remain tender and juicy.
This dish is internationally recognized and is famous, but what is better than trying a famous dish in the home country, is to try the dish in one of the iconic traditional places that specialize in this food.
The owner of Metet restaurant is called the Einstein of Döner, it is one of a few places that still keep the heritage of making Döner in the old traditional way and serves everything like time has stopped. Not many people know about this place besides the locals. So you are getting the full local experience here.
Location: Google Maps here
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