Counted among the world's three great cuisines, Turkish food is wonderfully varied. Each region has its specialties, spanning meat dishes, vegetable meze, breads and sweets. Here are the classics worth trying on your trip.
More than just kebabs
Turkey is famous for kebabs, but there's far more. Try 'meze' (assorted small plates), 'lahmacun' (thin flatbread pizza), 'pide' (boat-shaped bread), and slow-cooked stews. Meze lets you sample several dishes in small portions — a great way to start for first-timers.
The famous breakfast and çay culture
A Turkish breakfast ('kahvaltı') is a lavish spread of cheeses, olives, tomatoes, eggs, honey and several breads — enjoyed slowly, the Turkish way. 'Çay' (black tea) served in tulip-shaped glasses is a daily essential, and strong Turkish coffee is well worth trying after a meal.
Sweets for those with a sweet tooth
Turkey is a paradise for sweets. Layered 'baklava' of thin pastry, nuts and syrup; chewy 'lokum' (Turkish delight); warm cheese-based 'künefe'; and the stretchy ice cream 'dondurma' — a lineup of distinctive treats. Enjoying them with a glass of çay is the classic pairing.
A few dining tips
Restaurants often bring bread or çay as a courtesy — hospitality runs deep here. As a majority-Muslim country, dishes generally avoid pork, though cities offer plenty of variety. Avoid tap water for drinking; buying bottled mineral water is the safe choice.
