One of the principal activities in Turkey is to eat. Many things happen around food, around food the family gets together and all kinds of events is celebrated. It is with a cup of tea or coffee that many people spend hours of their day talking or just wathing time pass. Here I share my selection of my favorite plates and drinks you must try when you are in Turkey.

1. Türk Çay.
Tea is an important part in many cultures. In Turkey you can see people drinking tea everywhere and everytime. It is usual that is included as gift after a food in a restaurant. In Istanbul, to take a Turkish tea with sight to the Bosphorus is one of the must-do in the city.

2. Kebab
It is one of the most common plates in Turkey and one of my favorites. There is more than 10 types of Kebabs, but the incomparable flavor of the Urfa or Adana Kebab make them irresistible! (Between 10-30 TL)

In the Adana Kebab you can taste the perfect combination of ground lamb and beef and the perfect quantity of spice. Normally they come accompanied with rice and salad when they are ” to the plate ” or wrapped in tortilla when they are “dürum”.

3. Kumpir
One of the traditional delicacies of Istanbul. Giant potatoes with almost everything you want inside: cheese, corn, olives, spicy wheat, mushrooms, etc. The ideal place and where you find the major quantity of smaññ shops selling them it is in Ortakoy, then eat them next to the Bosporus, or in one of the several cruises that are departing from that point of the city (for 12 liras). (Between 10 y 15 TL)

4. Pide
A type of pizza, with a thin and crunchie dough dipped in butter. There are open and closed, and you can find them stuffed with eggs and meat, cheese, meat or both.  (Between 2,5 y 10 liras).

5. Manti

The Turkish raviolis stuffed with a mixture of beef and usually accompanied with tomatoes sauce, yogurt and minth.  (Between 5 y 20 TL)

6. Lahmacun
It is another type of pizza you eat as a snack, with a super thin dough and cover with a mixture of beef or lamb, onion and tomatoes. It comes with tomatoes salad, lettuce and lemon and can come with a touch of spicy if you ask so. ( Between 1,5 and 6 TL, depending on the size and place)

7. Köfte

They are the Turkish meatballs or burgers. Depending on how they are prepared they can be served in soups or grilled. Part of the street food, served as the ideal complement sandwich for any tour around the city. (Between 3 y 10 TL)

8. Gözleme
Is a filled dough much like a pancake or a pizza. My favorites are stuffed with spinach and cheese. The filling options are different depending on who sells them. (Between 2 y 10 TL)

9. Ayran
One of the traditional drinks, it is a type of yogurt. With a slightly acid flavor, very similar to the Indian lassi. Very often accompanies lunch or dinner and you can buy it cold in almost any shop or restaurant around the country. ( Between 1,5 and 5 TL)

10. Dondurma
The Turkish singular ice creams. With a firm texture and the just amount of sweetness. It is very common to be part of a long show while you buy them and they trick you to take your ice cream with the hands. ( Between 1 and 5 TL

11. Turkish delights and nougats.
The delirium of the glutton: They exist in diverse sizes, textures and flavors. With dried fruits and with rose, lemon and several other flavor. They are a must to try at the sweet offer in Turkey.12. Baklawa

The Turkish  sweets by excellence. Often, they are the ones that accompany half morning coffee, actually in Turkey any hour of the day is an excuse to eat sweets. My favorites are those from the store called Tatlici Safa.

13. Midye Dolma.
To eat mussels with rice: The perfect combination to enjoy before going out for party or as a snack. Almost in any neighborhood and corner of the city you find someone selling this delicious and simple delicacy. They exist in different sizes and cost 50kurus, 70kurus or 1 lira, according to size.
14. Türk Kahvesi 
Turkish Coffee it is a flavor and way of preparing coffee that accompanies me since I was a little girl. It is the way in which my grandmother taught me and always a pleasure for my senses. In any place in Turkey I have found it with the perfect foam, the perfect sweetness and the perfect flavor for me.  ( Between 4 and 10 T

 

Have you ever tried Turkish Food? Which ones are your favorites?