Dirt Cheap Istanbul

Don’t try searching for a Turkish version of McDonald’s, but stick to all those little restaurants and Take-Aways who pop up at every street corner. Whether you’re vegetarian or not you will find your fair share of fast food in Istanbul.

Fish Sandwich in Eminönü
Right at the Golden Horn you can find three little ships, dandling on the water and selling their fish bread to passers-by. For 4 YTL (2 Euro) you get a fried fish with salad and onions in half a Turkish white-bread and they offer you lemon-juice and salt at the little tables on the pier. Check if they tucked out all the bones!

Eminönü Pier, right after the Galata Bridge
Tram Eminönü (T1)

Ismail Usta Dürümcü
Ismail is the chief when if comes to Dürüm, which is lamb or chicken meat wrapped up with tomatoes and salad in a flat, round Turkish bread (4, 50 YTL = 2 Euro). Being there you should also try the Turkish version of Pizza called Lahmacun (1 YTL = 50 cent), although you might need up to three Lahmacun to be full as they are not as heavy as Italian pizza. Ismail only has three tiny-winy tables, so better order it Take-Away.

Bogazkesen Caddesi No. 11
Tel. 0090 212 244 11 78
Tram Tophane (T1)

Sampiyon Kokorec
If you have already read the 5 things to avoid, you might be surprised about this hint. But as everyone has a different taste (and as this little Turkish fast food chain is offering more than grilled lamb intestines) you might want to give this Kokorec a try (starting from 6 YTL = 3 Euro). If you think so, please stick to Sampiyon Kokorec and don’t try one of those Kokorec Sandwiches sold on the streets. You know the reason.

Kadiköy, Rihtim Caddesi No. 12 – on the Asian side of Istanbul
Tel. 0090 0216 414 23 53
Ferryboat Kadiköy

Balik Pazar, Sahne Sokak No. 3 B
Tel. 0090 212 251 25 11
Metro Taksim (M2), Funicular Taksim (F1)

Pad-sos 7/24
You will totally love this place when you love French Fries and Burgers. Or French Fries in a Burger (2, 50 YTL = 1, 50 Euro). The perfect place when you’ve partied hard and want to get a bite before you head home. Also try Kumpir! That’s a big jacked potato to which you add your favourite ingredients shown in the display (6, 50 YTL with a drink = 3 Euro). The 7/24 obviously means that it is open 24/7, don’t ask why they switch the numbers, no one will ever know.

Istiklal Caddesi No. 94, in front of the Galatasaray Lisesi
Metro Taksim (M2), Funicular Taksim (F1)

Simit Sarayi
This is another fast-food-but-not-burger-chain of Turkey. As the name intents, they sell Simit (and other pastries) in every variation. You don’t know what Simit is? Come on! It’s those little ring-shaped sesame-pastries sold at every corner of Istanbul, only that at the Simit Sarayi – Simit Palace – you can order them stuffed with cheese or sausages (3-6 YTL = 1,50 – 3 Euro). Very delicious.

Right at the beginning of the Istiklal Caddesi and at it’s end at Tünel
Metro Taksim (M2), Funicular Taksim (F1), Funicular Tünel

Visiting European cities on a tight budget? Check out our other dirt cheap guides!

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