🇹🇷 Taste your way through Turkey with these must-try dishes!
Turkey is a food lover’s paradise — with flavors that blend Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian influences. Whether you’re strolling through a local market or dining by the sea, here’s a list of 10 iconic Turkish foods that you must try on your visit.
1. Kebap (Kebab)
- What it is: Grilled or roasted meat, often lamb or chicken, served with bread, rice, or vegetables.
- Where to try it: Almost everywhere! Adana and Urfa kebabs are regional favorites.
2. Meze
- What it is: Small plates of appetizers served before the main course — like hummus, ezme, haydari (yogurt dip), and more.
- Where to try it: Seafood restaurants or any traditional Turkish eatery.
3. Baklava
- What it is: A sweet dessert made of layers of filo pastry, chopped nuts, and syrup or honey.
- Where to try it: Gaziantep is the baklava capital of Turkey.
4. Lahmacun
- What it is: Often called “Turkish pizza,” it’s a thin flatbread topped with minced meat, herbs, and spices.
- How to eat it: Roll it up with fresh parsley and lemon juice. Delicious and cheap!
5. Menemen
- What it is: A savory Turkish breakfast dish made with scrambled eggs, tomatoes, green peppers, and spices.
- When to eat it: Best enjoyed in the morning with fresh bread.
6. Simit
- What it is: A sesame-crusted bread ring — crispy outside, soft inside.
- Where to find it: Street vendors, bakeries — everywhere! A go-to Turkish snack.
7. Manti
- What it is: Turkish-style dumplings filled with minced meat, topped with yogurt and garlic sauce.
- Fun fact: It’s often called the “Turkish ravioli.”
8. Dolma & Sarma
- What it is: Vegetables (like peppers or zucchini) or grape leaves stuffed with rice, herbs, and sometimes meat.
- Tastes like: Comfort food with a kick of lemon.
9. Pide
- What it is: Long, boat-shaped flatbread topped with cheese, egg, or ground meat.
- Must-try version: Pide with sucuk (Turkish sausage) and cheese!
10. Turkish Tea & Coffee
- Not food, but essential! Served after every meal and at every social gathering.
- Pro tip: Don’t say no to a tea offer — it’s part of the hospitality.
✅ Final Thoughts
Trying Turkish food is half the adventure of visiting the country. From sweet to savory, street food to fine dining, every dish tells a story of rich history and culture.
🍽️ Ready to eat your way through Turkey? Don’t forget to check out our guide to the best places to eat in Istanbul — coming soon on Simple Turkey Guide!
