Istanbul Street Food: What to Eat, Where to Go

Why We Fell in Love with Istanbul Street Food

Hello everyone, Merhaba! We explored Old Town Istanbul in many ways, but my personal favorite was through food. Istanbul had a way in our hearts with a welcoming atmosphere, stroller-friendly streets, and irresistible aromas filling the streets! Our centrally located hotel, The Radisson President Old Town Istanbul, made it so that just walk right into the city and dive into all the wonderful street eats. In this blog post, I’m going to list out our family’s favorite places to get traditional Turkish food, picky kid verified!

If you’re planning your trip, check out our full 3-day itinerary here! 👉 3 Days in Istanbul

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Istanbul Street Food You Must Try

Breakfast Street Bites

Simit: sesame-covered bread rings sold from red carts, a kid’s favorite!
Açma– similar to Simit, is a soft, flaky, ring-shaped bagel.
Börek: flaky pastry with cheese or spinach.
Turkish tea or Turkish coffee in either local cafes or stalls.
Salep– Winter only: Delicious milk, flour, sugar, orchid tuber-based hot drink dusted with cinnamon.
Turkish Delight– Coming in different flavors and colors, our kids loved the nut-free pomegranate flavor. You will find these everywhere!

Savory Favorites

Beyti Kebab: grilled meat wrapped in lavash and yogurt, my personal must-eat!
Kumpir: stuffed baked potato piled high with toppings.
Lahmacun: thin Turkish flatbread pizza.
Midye Dolma: mussels stuffed with spiced rice (optional for adventurous eaters).

Sweet Treats

Turkish Ice Cream (Dondurma): chewy, playful, and interactive — kids loved the show!
Baklava: pistachio layers at Hafiz Mustafa (your go-to spot).
Lokma: fried dough balls with syrup — street-style donuts.
Chestnuts: You’ll find these warmed and served up in cute cones! It was fun to try these.
Pomegranate Juice– Vendors all over town will be selling freshly squeezed pomegranate juice. This was so fun to watch and enjoy!

Where to Find the Best Street Food in Istanbul

Sultanahmet Square: easy to access from your hotel, full of carts and cafes.
Grand Bazaar area: perfect for tasting simit, lokum (Turkish delight), and kebabs.
Spice Bazaar: sensory overload — perfect for spices, teas, and local snacks.
Karaköy & Eminönü: ferry-side bites and simit sellers with seagull views.

Tips for Trying Street Food in Istanbul with Kids

The locals were incredibly kind and attentive to my kids; they even offered small treats and plenty of free samples. They kept them safe during the traditional Turkish coffee drinking as they were exploring the area. It was super helpful!
I felt safe and comfortable eating street food everywhere. During this trip, I was 6 months pregnant and never got an upset stomach. And I ate everything!
Carry wet wipes and reusable utensils for easy cleanup.
Try one or two new foods per day to keep things exciting for the kids. There are tons of cheeses, chocolates, and candies to try in Istanbul, so this will be an easy task.
Bring a stroller — the streets are very stroller-friendly for food exploring.

Must-Order Drinks to Go With It

Turkish Coffee: strong and rich, a must-try for adults.
Ayran: salty yogurt drink that pairs perfectly with kebabs.
Fresh Pomegranate Juice: available everywhere, and fun to watch them squeeze it!

What Makes Istanbul Street Food So Special

Turkish food is a blend of cultures — Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Central Asian influences.
Food is part of community life — every corner smells incredible!
It’s budget-friendly, fresh, and served with heart.
You’ll never run out of new flavors, even in just 3 days.

Eat Your Way Through Istanbul

I could not believe the amazing flavors and foods we discovered. I highly encourage families not to be afraid of street food — it’s authentic and safe.
Street food eating was a major highlight of the entire trip.
There are plenty of food tour options if you prefer going with an Istanbul Local and a group. Here’s one I’d recommend 👉Istanbul Street Food Tour.