Famous Turkish foods include savory kebabs (like Döner, Shish), fresh Meze spreads, stuffed pastries like Börek, Gözleme (flatbreads), and iconic sweets such as Baklava and Turkish Delight (Lokum), alongside staples like Lahmacun (Turkish Pizza) and hearty Lentil Soup (Mercimek Çorbası).
As we've already touched on, of all the typical Turkish dishes, the doner kebab is undoubtedly the best known and most popular dish. Its name translates as 'rotating grilled meat'. And that is the essence of this dish.
A Turkish breakfast, or kahvalti, is a lavish, communal spread of small plates featuring fresh vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers), cheeses, olives, eggs (often menemen or sucuklu yumurta), various jams, honey with clotted cream (kaymak), and breads like simit and fresh loaves, all enjoyed with endless cups of Turkish black tea, focusing on fresh, varied, and savory/sweet tastes for a slow, social meal.
Top 10 Most Popular Turkish Foods || Turkish Traditional Food || Istanbul Street Foods || OnAir24
What snack is Turkey famous for?
Lastly, a time-honoured favourite snack, the Simit, must be Turkey's most widely consumed snack. Think of Simit as Turkey's equivalent to America's bagel.
Turkish food is based on freshness and contrary to popular belief is not spicy. The seasoning and sauces frequently used are simple and light as not to overpower the food's natural taste. Each different region of Turkey has its own cuisine unique to its environment.
Raki is Turkey's national drink. Made with twice-distilled grapes and flavoured with aniseed, the taste can be compared to Greek ouzo or sambuca. The traditional way of drinking it is in a special glass filled just under halfway with raki, and the rest with water and ice.
Döner kebab is fundamentally Turkish in origin, a traditional dish from the Ottoman Empire using a vertical rotisserie, but the popular fast-food sandwich version in a flatbread with salad and sauces was developed and popularized by Turkish immigrants in Germany, making it a significant part of both cuisines now.
The Turks' main meat dishes were yahni, a type of stew, and tutmaç, or meat cooked with strips of dough and yogurt (Kafesoğlu, 1977). Tutmaç was eaten by the Selçuks and in the Ottoman palaces (Sümer, 1972). The most commonly eaten meats include sheep, lamb, goat and chicken, and kebabs are made from all of them.
Sometimes referred to as “Turkish pizza”, lahmacun is so much more than that. The name comes from Arabic, simply meaning “dough with meat” – a fair description. The dish rose to prominence during the Ottoman era, though similar dishes existed in the region much earlier.
Arguably the most famous of all Turkish street foods, Döner Kebab is made by roasting marinated slices of lamb, chicken, or beef on a vertical spit. The tender, flavorful meat is then shaved off and served in pita bread or a flatbread wrap, often accompanied by vegetables and sauces like garlic yogurt or spicy chili.
Lunch in Turkey often consists of kebabs, stews, and rice-based dishes. At Turkish Flames, options like Meat Saute, Chicken Doner, and Pide are perfect midday meals, providing hearty yet balanced flavors. Lentil Soup and Shepherd Salad are lighter options often served alongside main dishes.
When visiting Turkey, do dress modestly (especially at religious sites), accept tea/hospitality, try local food (like baklava), bargain respectfully in markets, use right hand for eating/passing items, and remove shoes at homes/mosques; don't wear shorts in mosques, speak loudly in places of worship, show excessive public affection, drink alcohol in public, insult the Turkish flag/nation, or use your left hand for dining/passing. Be aware of surroundings, especially regarding scams and sensitive topics like politics or religion.
The answer depends on what you order. Greek cuisine is praised for its heart-healthy Mediterranean diet: olive oil, lean meats, fresh vegetables, and whole grains. Turkish cuisine includes indulgent pastries and rich kebabs, but also lighter options like mercimek çorbası (lentil soup) and grilled fish.
Here are some of the best Turkish foods to try on your next trip to Türkiye with Insight Vacations, from comforting traditional meals to unusual sweet treats.
At any time of the year, from breakfast to dinner and anytime in between, there's a tempting choice of Istanbul street food on offer throughout the city. You can snack on simit, chew on çiğ köfte, or try a glass of turşu suyu.
TYPES OF TURKISH BREAD. Somun / Francala Ekmek (Turkish regular loaf) Vakfikebir / Trabzon Ekmek. Misir Ekmek (Cornbread) Turkish Pide Bread. Ramazan Pidesi. Bazlama. Turkish Lavas and Balloon Bread. Yufka. Simit.
ORDER A SELECTION OF TURKISH BREAD WITH YOUR PROVISIONS.
Name the best souvenir to buy from Turkey? Turkey offers a variety of the best choices. You can purchase Turkish carpets, coffee and tea sets, and powder or coffee beans without hesitation. And, ceramic items and household decorative products are really good.
Topping the list of popular Turkish fruits are grapes. Turkey is one of the world's leading grape producers, and these succulent fruits find their way into a multitude of dishes and products.
Bolci chocolates are renowned for their beautiful, elegant packaging, making them a popular and sophisticated choice for special occasions, holidays, and corporate gifting. Giving Bolci is giving a taste of Turkish luxury.
