Explore the Best of Turkey’s Famous Food: 15 Must-Try Dishes

Turkey, a country rich in history, culture, and culinary tradition, offers a feast for food lovers. With influences from both Europe and Asia, Turkish cuisine boasts a wide range of flavours, textures, and unique dishes. Turkey’s famous foods are as diverse as the country itself. Whether you’re strolling through bustling bazaars or enjoying the tranquil beauty of the Mediterranean coast, Turkey’s food will take you on an unforgettable gastronomic journey. 

Let’s dive into the 15 must-try dishes that define Turkish cuisine in 2025.

Non-Vegetarian Turkey Cuisine

1. Kebabs – The Iconic Turkish Dish

Kebabs are the heart and soul of Turkish cuisine, with countless variations found across the country. The most famous kebab is the Adana Kebab, made from minced lamb or beef, mixed with spices, and grilled on skewers over charcoal. Served with flatbread, vegetables, and a dollop of yoghurt, kebabs are a staple of Turkish dining, whether enjoyed at a street food stall or a fine restaurant.

Must Try: Adana Kebab, Urfa Kebab, and Şiş Kebab.

Price Range: INR 700/ 307.50 Turkish lira onwards

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2. Baklava – A Sweet Taste of Tradition

Baklava is one of the most beloved desserts in Turkey, consisting of layers of filo pastry, filled with chopped nuts (usually pistachios or walnuts), and soaked in a fragrant syrup made from honey and sugar. This sweet treat has deep roots in Ottoman history and remains a symbol of Turkish hospitality. It’s often served as a celebratory dessert, and you’ll find variations all across the country, each with its unique twist.

Must Try: Pistachio Baklava, Walnut Baklava, and Chocolate Baklava.

Price Range: INR 350/ 153.75 Turkish lira onwards

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3. Meze – Small Plates, Big Flavors

Meze is a collection of small, flavorful dishes typically served as appetizers or shared among a group. These dishes feature a variety of textures and flavours, from creamy hummus to tangy yoghurt with cucumbers, and zesty tabbouleh. Meze is often accompanied by rakı, Turkey’s anise-flavoured spirit, making it a perfect prelude to any meal.

Must Try: Hummus, Muhammara, Tzatziki, and Baba Ganoush.

Price Range: INR 500/ 219.64 Turkish lira onwards

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4. Pide – Turkish Pizza

Pide, often referred to as “Turkish pizza,” is a flatbread topped with a variety of ingredients, from minced meat to cheese, and often baked in a wood-fired oven. The dough is thin and crispy on the edges, while the centre remains soft and delicious. Pide is a popular street food or family meal, often served as a long, boat-shaped slice.

Must Try: Meat Pide, Cheese Pide, and Spinach Pide.

Price Range: INR 400/ 175.71 Turkish lira onwards

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5. Mantı – Turkish Dumplings

Mantı are Turkish dumplings that are typically filled with minced lamb or beef and served with a garlic yoghurt sauce, topped with melted butter infused with paprika. This dish is often likened to ravioli, but the flavours and textures are unique to Turkey. Mantı is a comforting dish, perfect for cold weather, and is often made in large batches for family gatherings.

Must Try: Mantı with garlic yoghurt sauce and paprika butter.

Price Range: INR 600/ 263.57 Turkish lira onwards

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Vegetarian Turkey Cuisine

6. Lahmacun – Turkish Flatbread

Lahmacun, often called “Turkish pizza,” is a thin flatbread topped with a spiced mix of minced lamb or beef, onions, tomatoes, and herbs. The bread is baked until crispy and served hot with fresh parsley, onions, and a squeeze of lemon juice. While it’s often enjoyed as a snack or light meal, lahmacun is also popular among vegetarians when made with just vegetables.

Must Try: Lahmacun with fresh vegetables and a squeeze of lemon.

Price Range: INR 300/ 131.79 Turkish lira onwards

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7. Çorba – Turkish Soup Varieties

Çorba refers to a variety of Turkish soups, which are an essential part of the Turkish meal. From the creamy Yayla Çorbası (yoghurt-based soup) to Mercimek Çorbası (lentil soup), there is a wide range of flavours and textures. Often served as a starter, these soups are both nourishing and flavorful, making them a comforting choice for any meal.

Must Try: Mercimek Çorbası, Yayla Çorbası, and Tarator.

Price Range: INR 250/ 109.82 Turkish lira onwards

8. Simit – The Turkish Sesame Bagel

Simit is a popular Turkish snack, often enjoyed for breakfast or as an afternoon treat. Similar to a sesame-crusted bagel, the simit is round and has a crisp, crunchy exterior with a soft and chewy inside. It’s commonly served with a glass of tea and eaten with cheese, olives, or jam.

Must Try: Simit with Turkish tea and cheese.

Price Range: INR 150/ 65.89 Turkish lira onwards

9. İskender Kebab – A Rich and Flavorful Dish

İskender Kebab is a rich and indulgent dish that combines lamb doner, sliced thinly, and served over pieces of pita bread. It’s drenched in a buttery tomato sauce and topped with a generous serving of yoghurt. Often served with a side of grilled vegetables, İskender Kebab is one of the best ways to experience Turkish flavours in their full glory.

Must Try: İskender Kebab with yogurt and grilled vegetables.

Price Range: INR 800/ 351.43 Turkish lira onwards

10. Köfte – Turkish Meatballs

Köfte are Turkish meatballs made from ground beef or lamb, mixed with breadcrumbs, onions, garlic, and herbs. These meatballs are typically grilled or fried and served with rice, salad, or in a sandwich. They are one of the most famous dishes in Turkey, often enjoyed as a quick snack or as part of a larger meal.

Must Try: Köfte with rice or in a sandwich.

Price Range: INR 400/ 175.71 Turkish lira onwards

Street Food in Turkey

11. Sütlaç – Turkish Rice Pudding

Sütlaç is a creamy rice pudding that’s often flavoured with vanilla and rose water, giving it a distinctive aromatic sweetness. It’s usually served chilled and sometimes topped with ground pistachios or cinnamon. Sütlaç is a comforting and light dessert, commonly enjoyed after meals or as a snack throughout the day.

Must Try: Sütlaç with pistachios and a dash of cinnamon.

Price Range: INR 200/ 87.86 Turkish lira onwards

12. Kumpir – The Stuffed Baked Potato

Kumpir is a popular street food in Turkey, where a large potato is baked until the skin is crispy, and the inside is fluffy. The potato is then stuffed with a variety of fillings, such as cheese, sausage, corn, and olives. It’s a customizable dish, allowing you to pick and choose the toppings that suit your tastes.

Must Try: Kumpir with cheese, sausage, and olives.

Price Range: INR 500/ 219.64 Turkish lira onwards

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13. Gözleme – Turkish Flatbread Pastry

Gözleme is a savoury Turkish pastry made by rolling out dough, filling it with a variety of ingredients like cheese, spinach, and minced meat, and then frying it on a griddle. It’s a popular street food in Turkey, and the crispy, golden-brown exterior paired with the flavorful fillings makes it a satisfying meal on the go.

Must Try: Gözleme with spinach and cheese or minced meat.

Price Range: INR 250/109.82 Turkish lira onwards

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14. Kısır – Turkish Bulgur Salad

Kısır is a refreshing Turkish salad made from bulgur, parsley, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a tangy dressing made with lemon juice and olive oil. It’s a light, healthy dish that’s often served as a side or appetizer, and it’s perfect for warm weather.

Must Try: Kısır with extra lemon juice and olive oil.

Price Range: INR 300/ 131.79 Turkish lira onwards

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15. Dolma – Stuffed Grape Leaves

Dolma is vine leaves stuffed with a savoury mix of rice, pine nuts, herbs, and sometimes meat. These delicious stuffed grape leaves are a common appetizer or side dish in Turkish cuisine, served warm or cold, and often enjoyed with a side of yoghurt.

Must Try: Dolma with a yoghurt dip.

Price Range: INR 350/ 153.75 Turkish lira onwards

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FAQs

What is the most famous food in Turkey?

The most famous food in Turkey is kebab, with varieties like Adana Kebab, Döner Kebab, and Iskender Kebab. Other popular dishes include baklava, pide, mantı, and lahmacun.

What is the national dish of Turkey?

There is no official national dish, but kebabs, mantı (Turkish dumplings), and lahmacun are widely considered staple Turkish foods.

What is a must-try Turkish dessert?

Baklava is the most famous Turkish dessert, made with layers of filo pastry, nuts, and syrup. Künefe and sütlaç (Turkish rice pudding) are also popular.

What are the best vegetarian dishes in Turkish cuisine?

Vegetarian-friendly dishes include pide (Turkish pizza), gözleme (stuffed flatbread), kısır (bulgur salad), dolma (stuffed grape leaves), and çorba (Turkish soups).

What is the most popular Turkish street food?

The most popular Turkish street foods are simit (sesame bagel), kumpir (stuffed baked potato), döner kebab, lahmacun, and midye dolma (stuffed mussels).

What do Turkish people eat for breakfast?

A traditional Turkish breakfast (kahvaltı) includes cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs, simit, honey, jam, and Turkish tea.

What is the best drink to try in Turkey?

Turkish tea and Turkish coffee are must-try beverages. Ayran (yoghurt drink) and rakı (anise-flavoured alcoholic drink) are also popular.

What is the best city for Turkey famous food?

Istanbul is the food capital of Turkey, but Gaziantep is famous for baklava, Adana for kebabs, and Antalya for seafood.