Istanbul was established at the crossroads between European, Asian, African, and Middle Eastern cultures. As a result of this constant cross-pollenation encouraged by the vast Ottoman Empire which once used Istanbul as its capital – and before that, the Holy Roman Empire when it was called Constantinople – makes eating in this grand Turkish city an experience like none other.
One of the more common strains in Turkish food is the Meze. It doesn’t refer to any particular food, but rather to a style of serving platters – usually cold – to be shared with the entire table. If you’re in the mood for a lighter meal, you can share these dishes – such as hummus with freshly baked bread, stuffed grape leaves, or a tangy cucumber and tomato salad – with your fellow travelers. Be sure to order some olives with your meal – the quality of what you’ll find won’t be matched by what’s on offer at your local grocery store.
Kebabs are another classic staple of Turkish cuisine in Istanbul. Whether you’re just looking for a simple meal on the street or a more involved multiple course meal, it’s difficult to go wrong with these hot grilled meats. Lamb is often roasted for hours before it’s served, garnished with Turkish yogurt and vegetables.
Of course, the best way to end a meal in Istanbul is with a scalding-hot cup of Turkish coffee. Turkish coffee isn’t like what they serve in a plastic pot at your office. It’s a powerfully concentrated and flavorful concoction that makes a triple espresso seem like decaffeinated tea. Turks will serve it to you in ornate porcelain cups the size of shot glasses, designed to be savored. The dregs are served in the cup, so be sure not to guzzle the entire thing, or you’ll wind up staying up for nights on end. But when you’re vacationing in Istanbul, that might not be such a bad thing. With the year round sunshine that visiting Turkey offers, you can get some really great hotel and cheap flight deals if you can travel in the low season between October and April and book in advance.
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