When it comes to iconic dishes in Turkey, the döner kebab stands out as a beloved favorite. Meat cooked on a revolving spit, which has an exterior that is perfectly crisp and an interior that is juicy tender, is served here.
Different forms of döner kebab: in a sandwich with fresh vegetables and fries, or on top of rice. It’s become a very common food in Istanbul; probably, one can see a stand on almost every street corner. With so many döner kebab restaurants throughout the city, how does one spot the really good ones?
Below, I will introduce you to the best places for döner kebab in Istanbul, along with their location and how to get there. I’ll focus mainly on classic döner kebab sandwiches, which I love for their simplicity. You will also find choices for Iskender kebab at some places.
Whether you’re a döner kebab aficionado or a newcomer to this delectable dish, keep reading for an insightful look at what goes into your meal. If you’re eager to dive straight into the recommendations, feel free to click here to skip ahead!
What is Doner Kebab?
If you know and love döner kebab but want to learn more, here is a simple overview! In a classic döner kebab, layers of meat—usually lamb—are piled in a cone shape on a spit that turns slowly over hot coals. This cooking method ensures even cooking of the meat so that you have juicy slices, tender no matter where you bite.
As this meat cooks for about 30 minutes, it makes for a very tasty, juicy kebab usually served with some bread to soak up those delectable juices. Although street vendors may sell quick bites of döner, going to a restaurant ensures you get the freshest, highest-quality ingredients.
Döner kebabs can be served solo or wrapped in flatbread known as pide. When ordering at a Turkish restaurant, you’ll typically receive a garnish of salad leaves and parsley, accompanied by colorful slices of tomatoes, red onions, and lettuce on the side.
Doner Kebab: Not Just for Tourists?
Döner kebab is a well-known delicacy amongst the locals and tourists. This delicacy originated in the Ottoman Empire, where this was an easy and accessible meal for travelers in Anatolia. Turkish migrants took with them in the 1970’s to different places in Europe, which made the food famous and popular worldwide.
While in Turkey, döner kebab remains the cheap food par excellence, made of ingredients easily found: lamb, tomatoes, green peppers, onions, garlic, herbs, all marinated and grilled to perfection.
When is the Best Time to Eat a Döner Kebab?
In many places, döner kebab is considered a midnight snack—good after a night on the town. But not in Turkey: it is more than just fast food there. Whether for a filling lunch or a satisfying dinner, döner kebab is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed at any time of day. Its rich flavors and filling nature make it a go-to meal whenever the craving strikes!
Important Words to Order Doner in Turkey
- PORTION DÖNER: A plate of regular meat, with bread. Take a knife and fork!
- LAVAŞ ÜSTÜ DÖNER: Plain meat, served with flatbread (lavaş) to make your own wrap.
- PİLAV ÜSTÜ DÖNER: Meat on top of rice.
- İSKENDER: A dish with döner meat on sliced pide bread, covered with butter and tomato sauce, and served with yogurt.
- DÜRÜM DÖNER: A döner wrap with flatbread lavash or yufka filled with stuff like tomatoes, pickles, and lettuce. –
- KAŞARLI DÜRÜM DÖNER: A cheese-stuffed döner wrap.
- TOMBİK DÖNER: Meat served in a bun-shaped pide.
- SANDWICH BREAD DONER: Sandwich bread filled with doner meat and topped.
What to Drink with Your Doner Kebab – Ayran:
This yoghurt drink is a classic to drink with döner kebab. – Salgam: Adventurously, this sour drink from the purple carrot brine serves up a different taste sensation. – Rather have a soda? That’s fine too! Ready for your Döner Kebab adventure in Istanbul? First, take your map, and let’s find some of the best places to try this delicious culinary tradition!
You can also check our this page – Finding the Best Indian Food in Istanbul.
Where to Eat Doner Kebab in Istanbul?
Metet Közde Döner in Kuzguncuk
Metet Közde Döner is a must if you are in Kuzguncuk and want to satisfy your doner kebab craving. It is set on a quaint street that evokes the magic of Istanbul with its cozy atmosphere and mouthwatering dishes. Their doner kebabs are just unforgettable, full of flavor and perfectly cooked.
What makes Metet unique from the rest of the restaurants is not only the food but the whole experience. After ordering, they give you a refreshing salad and yogurt that complements your meal. The restaurant is not extravagant; however, the warmth of the place and the friendly staff make you feel at home. That first bite of doner will want you to return again and again.
After you’ve savored your dinner, spend a little time wandering around Kuzguncuk’s charming streets. Its cobbled lanes are so full of history and charm that they make the perfect background for a relaxed stroll. You may even feel your appetite stirring for more local delights! Do not miss Çınaraltı Cafe in the vicinity-very special and a spot for an unforgettable break under an ancient massive plane tree offering some nice shadow, great place for a Turkish coffee or a tea. Lush seating areas make locals adore the place. Finish your visit to Kuzguncuk in the proper manner by sitting at such a legendary café.
Karadeniz Döner Asım Usta in Beşiktaş
If you’re on the hunt for one of Istanbul’s best doner sandwiches, Karadeniz Döner Asım Usta in Beşiktaş is the place to be. This beloved spot has been serving up mouth-watering Black Sea-style meat for over 50 years, making it a favorite among locals. Expect a lively queue, as eager diners flock to savor Asım Usta’s renowned sandwiches crafted from fresh lamb or veal that’s carefully selected each morning.
Quality is obviously in the DNA of Asım Usta; he pursues it in every bite. He marinates the meat with yogurt, salt, and pepper, then grills it to perfection—juicy, not a single part burnt or overcooked. That is a doner kebab rich in flavor and expertly prepared.
After such a culinary experience as this one, take your time to discover more about the lively Beşiktaş neighborhood. The whole waterfront and local streets are full of charm, ensuring a great way to round off your visit.
Dönerci Engin’in Yeri near Galata Tower
It is difficult to find a good doner kebab in Istanbul, as most places tend to use frozen meat and items that have been pre-prepared. But Dönerci Engin’in Yeri stands out by focusing on quality ingredients and authentic preparation.
The secret of their success lies in choosing the best meat, seasoned with just the right amount of oil and salt, grilled over a wood fire—never burnt, just perfectly grilled. A touch of tail fat makes it uniquely rich, giving it that glossy sheen and a deliciously crunchy skin. You can really taste the difference of cooking on an open flame as opposed to the gas ovens many fast-food spots rely on.
It is seasoned just right with salt, black pepper, allspice, and a touch of cinnamon—all combined into a rich flavor without being overwhelming. At Dönerci Engin’in Yeri, doner kebabs are usually served on a plate so that you can truly enjoy each bite with the toppings of your choice. You can also have it wrapped in bread if you prefer it that way.
With a commitment to quality and tradition, this restaurant provides an experience that will make anyone enjoy the real pleasure of having doner kebabs. Bon appétit!
Kasap Osman in Sirkeci
Kasap Osman, in Sirkeci, is something that defines the true taste of Istanbul. Located at Hocapaşa Street, right in a street where certain restaurants leading the way in Istanbul are, Kasap Osman is a food outlet with a menu showing the best of Turkish cuisine.
From delicious pide and juicy meatballs to flavoriest çag kebab and crispy lahmacun, each dish is prepared with care and full of flavor. But what really catches your eye is their doner kebab, which every other authority claims is among the best in Istanbul.
Within walking radius-20 minutes-from either Sultanahmet or Eminönü, you’re in luck: you are within easy reach of Kasap Osman and its food orgasm. Be it classic Turkish dishes or doner, this is one place you’d want to be!
Sedef Büfe in Sultanahmet
For great tastes of doner kebab in the very heart of Istanbul’s tourist district, Sedef Büfe is a family-run gem that has been delighting visitors for decades. Conveniently nestled near popular attractions such as Sultanahmet and Topkapi Palace, it offers an ideal spot to recharge after a day of touring around.
Sedef Büfe is a specialist in mixing modern Turkish cuisine with classical Ottoman flavors and proudly satisfies your hunger with its filling plates. There’s the option to choose between a wrap or sandwich, but I really do recommend ordering your doner on a plate-the beautifully set sliced meat with crispy chips and fresh vegetables is such a well-rounded meal that it’s satisfying.
Sedef Büfe is the most indispensable place for those in search of a speedy lunch or easygoing meal to be enjoyed with authentic flavors in a warm environment.
Dönerci Celal Usta in Sirkeci
If you’re looking for an authentic doner kebab experience in Istanbul, then you shouldn’t leave without visiting Dönerci Celal Usta, especially given rave reviews from locals and tourists alike. Situated in Sirkeci, this restaurant serves an array of dishes inside its doors: from doner and İskender to lamb şiş kebabs, chicken kebabs, beyti kebabs, lamb chops, and even rice pudding. With all these culinary pearls in store, it’s worth coming back for more.
At my first visit, I was quite surprised, because flavors were nice: juicy and not dry or overcooked, which is a mistake in many places. While you wait for your doner kebab platter, try to satiate your cravings with free, crunchy pickles.
On my second visit, I had the İskender, and boy, it was divine. First of all, it just looked nice, really nice. They bake their own pita; it just felt good going down with the delicacy of the meat. Having tasted the doner on my first visit, this delicacy proved to be even more delightful.
Dönerci Celal Usta is definitely a treasure in the heart of Sirkeci, offering some of the best doner kebab in Istanbul. One shouldn’t miss the real taste of Turkey; do not forget to stop over here!
