🇹🇷 Istanbul Food Guide - Must-Try Restaurants!

🍢 Maksat Ocakbaşı & Meyhane *(~1200 TL/person)* A lucky find near Istiklal Street! Their free bread (naan-like) is chewy and filling. 🔥 Must-order: Grilled eggplant, chicken wings (addictive!), lamb skewers 🍈 Bonus: The honeydew melon is juicy and refreshing! 📍 Hüseyinağa, Sahne Sk. no:23, Beyoğlu 💎 Olden 1772 *(~2000 TL/person)* Walked in without reservation - gorgeous ambiance, super photogenic! 🍚 Seafood rice (tastes like Chinese sticky rice chicken!) is the star. Salmon-avocado tartare was just okay. 📍 Hobyar, Mimar Vedat Sk. No:3, Fatih 🔥 Bilice Kebap *(~1500 TL/person)* Istiklal Street veteran. Endless side dishes, free refills on wraps, and complimentary Turkish tea! 🐔 Still has Istanbul's best grilled chicken wings (but prices have risen). 📍 Asmalı Mescit Cd. No:8, Beyoğlu 🍜 Sahra Uygur Restaurant *(~600 TL/person)* The most filling & cheapest meal! Chinese-speaking owner. 🐔 "Big Plate Chicken" (medium) could feed three! Hand-pulled noodles are chef's kiss. 📍 *İskenderpaşa, Şekerci Sk. No:10/1, Fatih* #IstanbulEats #FoodieIstanbul #TurkishFood #IstiklalEats #BudgetEats #UygurCuisine #TravelTurkey #HiddenGems