Where to eat the best kebabs in Istanbul
Gaziantep Burc Ocakbasi Restaurant
Gaziantep Burc Ocakbasi, located next to the Grand Bazaar, first opened its doors in 1988. The restaurant serves excellent Gaziantep cuisine, and its top sellers include Eggplant Kebab and Adana Kebab. Gaziantep Burc Ocakbasi has brought distinctive Gaziantep flavors to the heart of the Old City and has also appeared in guidebook lists of recommended kebab restaurants. In addition to kebabs, you should try the stuffed dry eggplant, stuffed dry pepper, and kunefah here.
Adana Ocakbasi in Istanbul
Adana Ocakbasi is in Sisli's Kurtulus district, and its slogan is “The perfect address for kebab.” Alongside kebabs and appetizers, you can order cacik, a Turkish yogurt dish with cucumbers and herbs, as well as eggplant salad with yogurt. The tail fat and spices used in the Adana kebab are well balanced at this restaurant. Rib shish kebab and beef shish kebab are also among the strongest choices. Another reason people like Adana Ocakbasi is its extensive appetizer selection.
Develi Kebab
Develi Kebab is one of Turkey's best-known restaurants, with a history dating back to 1912. Arif Develi, the restaurant's proprietor, is known as the inventor of pistachio kebab. Develi Kebap represents Gaziantep, one of Turkey's most important kebab cities. After relocating from Gaziantep to Istanbul in 1966, the restaurant became so popular that branches opened across the city. The branch recommended here is in Samatya, on Istanbul's Historical Peninsula. Located near Sultanahmet Square, Samatya Develi is widely regarded as one of Istanbul's best Turkish kebab restaurants.
Hamdi Restaurant
Hamdi Restaurant stands next to the Spice Bazaar and is accessible from both Sultanahmet and Taksim Square. Hamdi Arpaci, who came to Istanbul from Sanliurfa in the late 1960s, started as a street vendor in Eminonu and eventually came to occupy five floors of the building where he serves guests today. Hamdi Restoran's menu includes 17 different kebab varieties, among them Birecik kebab and opium poppy kebab. Popular appetizers include haydari, hummus, ezme salad, and eggplant in tomato sauce.
What to know before ordering kebab in Istanbul
Kebab in Istanbul is not limited to one style. The difference between Adana and Urfa is the most familiar starting point for visitors, but local menus often go much further. If you prefer heat, Adana is the obvious choice. If you want something milder, Urfa may suit you better. Eggplant kebab offers a smoky balance, yoghurt kebab is richer and softer, and beyti kebab is a classic for those who enjoy a more composed presentation.
Because many notable kebab restaurants are located around the Historic Peninsula and central districts, it is easy to combine a meal with sightseeing. After lunch near the bazaars, you can continue toward Topkapi Palace or other nearby landmarks. To learn more about kebab's wider cultural background in Turkey, you can also review the general overview on Wikipedia. For broader travel information about Turkish cuisine and Istanbul, GoTürkiye is another useful source.
Make sure you eat well in Istanbul so you have the energy to explore the city's many historical attractions. A satisfying kebab meal can be the perfect break before a long afternoon of walking through markets, waterfront neighborhoods, and imperial sites.
