Turkish and Ottoman cuisine is considered by many to be one of the world’s most delicious.
Apart from the usual world-famous kebabs and meat dishes, make sure to also sample the vegetables and fish. Side dishes are best enjoyed with a glass of rakı or beer, called mezes, and are served in traditional Istanbul taverns called meyhane. Sweet pastries, such as baklava, are also favourites. Most restaurants are cheaper than their equivalents in other big European cities. Unfortunately restaurants which cater mostly to tourists, especially in Sultanahmet, offer lower quality for a higher price.