Vegan Istanbul: The Best Fast Food Options for a Vegan in Istanbul (2024)
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If you’re looking for a decent vegan restaurant, Istanbul has some great options. But what if you’re not in the mood for a full-on sit-down meal?
What if you want something that’s short on guilt but not short on calories? What if, what you really fancy is something quick and dirty- vegan fast food that’s ethical, but also delicious? Well, if you’re a vegan in Istanbul, you’re in luck, because we’ve got you covered.
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Vegan in Istanbul: The Best Fast Food Options
In contrast to the stereotypical image of veggies and vegans as ‘super worthy sandal-wearing tree huggers’ who make their own clothes from hemp fibres and survive on a diet of kale smoothies and raw carrots, most herbivores I know just want decent food. Sans animals.
Vegan graffiti in Kadıköy.
Not only that, but sometimes, those same animal-loving tree-huggers crave food that is far less ‘worthy’ than some might expect.
We all love a good Istanbul vegan restaurant, but at times all you want to do is shelve the lettuce, push aside the lentils and dig into some good old fashioned (albeit animal friendly) plant-based junk food.
Other times, the desire for a quick fix is driven by a need for speed.
You want to grab something quick and be on your way to get on with whatever else you have on that day (after all, those trees aren't going to hug themselves and someone needs to stitch that hemp).
It’s no wonder then that vegan fast food, vegan takeaway food and the Dirty Vegan movement have such a massive following. Even in Turkey.
This is all very nice and good for you but sometimes you need some comfort food.
In an effort to appeal to the dirty vegan, vegan junk food and veggie takeaway market, some of the best vegan restaurants Istanbul has to offer have gotten in on the action.
These restaurants are now creating vegan dishes that are arguably even better in terms of flavour than their meat and cheese heavy versions, meaning that it is not only the best vegan fast food but some of the best food Istanbul has to offer: period.
So jump in for tips and advice on where to eat in Istanbul as a vegan or vegetarian looking for a fast food fix. And by the way…
If you do have a bit more time on your hands and fancy more of a sit-down meal, then it turns out we still have you covered, especially if you want to try the world-famous Turkish breakfast or the best vegan brunch Istanbul has to offer.
When it comes to breakfast especially, Istanbul is a paradise for vegans. So for reviews and suggestions, check out our ultimate guide to the best places for vegan and vegetarian breakfasts in Istanbul.
A vegan cheese and potato pide. Bloody lip-smacking delicious!
Happy Burger, Şişli
Okay, yes, we know that for convenience sake you can just pop into some branches of Burger King in Istanbul and find the meat free version of a Whopper.
However, being meat free does not save the burger from the usual fast food disparity between the juicy, mouth watering example shown in the picture and the limp, steamrolled hunk of carpet tile that you actually get served.
Nor does it rescue you from service provided by teenagers who want to be there about as much as you want a porcupine enema. So, you’re welcome to your Burger King if there are no other options, however…
If you are still in the market for a burger but fancy trying something that not only looks like it does in the photo, but also tastes fantastic, (with the added bonus of service that actually makes you feel like you want to be there), head over to Happy Burger in Kurtuluş.
ARE YOU A FOODIE? Then check out the 26 Must-Try Gaziantep Foods!
Hello Vegan Burger my old friend.
Like Burger King, this unassuming place also serves the meaty options alongside their vegan and veggie varieties.
Unlike Burger King however, what actually arrives on your plate when you order vegan, bears at least a passing resemblance to what was advertised and in our humble opinion tastes far better than the homogenised Burger monarch offering .
Not only that, but Happy Burger actually offers a range of veggie and vegan options, from a fake meat ‘schnitzel burger’ for those who may have preferred the breadcrumb coated chicken burgers to beef in their pre-vegan days, to a choice between a vegetable based burger or a vegan protein burger. Decisions decisions.
The burgers are served in a chunky bun with the usual lettuce, tomato and caramelised onion dressings and you are free to add to Heinz sauce of your choice from bottles at the tables.
The burgers also come with a mountain of crispy well seasoned fries, provided in servings that don’t look as if they have been portion controlled and tallied up chip for chip by some corporate bean counter at head office.
Whilst we’re on the subject of corporate capitalist consumerism (and other forms of evil alliteration) it is worth also considering that for the price of the better burger served at Happy, you get to help out a local business rather than a globe spanning chain.
Whilst the price of food in Turkey and the cost of living in Turkey are low by Western standards, that is not necessarily felt by those actually living and working in Turkey and being paid a local wage.
By munching through your burger here, rather than in the mall, you are not only helping out a small business, but also racking up points toward your halo.
Since all vegans and veggies are supposedly right on do-gooders anyway, we might as well give some foundation to the stereotype, in a conveniently delicious way. Mmmmm ethicalicious…
Address: Happy Burger, Bozkurt, Eşref Efendi Sk. No:46, 34500 Şişli/Istanbul
Hours: 11.00am - 12.00am
PLANNING A TRIP TO TURKEY? Then check out our Ultimate Turkey Itinerary 10 Days!
Vegan Masa, Beşiktaş
Leaving behind the ever present burger for a moment, if you fancy the idea of trying traditional Turkish favourites that have been veganised instead, you should not leave the city without checking out this absolute diamond of a place in Beşiktaş.
Wait, THIS is vegan?!
With an exclusively vegan menu that also includes a fantastic lentil soup and some great desserts, such as a vegan take on the traditional kadayıf and an indulgent supangle (a Turkish chocolate pudding), Vegan Masa specialises in vegan versions of those Turkish fast food favourite pide and lahmacun.
Usually off-limits for vegans and veggies on account of how it happens to be slathered with mincemeat, the lahmacun - a sort of thin-crust, cheese-less pizza with a rich tomato, chilli and parsley topping - is one of those dishes that is frustratingly meaty, as it looks so damn delicious!
The amazing ‘mincemeat’ pide at Vegan Masa
Luckily, now the frustrations are over. Substituting the mincemeat for vegan alternatives, the folks at Vegan Masa prepare this Turkish delicacy in exactly the same way (with a huge wood-fired pizza oven that infuses the crispy base with a gorgeous smokey undertone) but without the meat and dairy.
Whilst the lahmacun tends to get top billing, the star of the show for us is the mincemeat pide, which comes with green and red bell pepper, chilli, onion and parsley all stuffed into the traditional boat-shaped oval of crispy based deliciousness that rises around the edges to form a crunchy golden barrier of crust.
Delicious and also vegan
Add to that a vegan ayran and free helpings of pickled red cabbage, onion and tomato and you have a place that should be advertised by clarion call from the rooftops. Or on a blog. Whatever’s easier.
Address: Vegan Masa, Türkali, Mısırlı Bahçe Sk. No: 8/A, 34357 Beşiktaş/Istanbul
Hours: 10.00am - 10.30pm
Vegan Mantı at Mira Mantı, Feriköy
I know that pasta might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking ‘fast food’.
However, not only is manti (the particularly Turkish stuffed pasta, similar to ravioli) often enjoyed as a quick lunch meal or as a pick up and go food, but since it comes slathered with yoghourt and sauces it does feel like an indulgent cheat day treat.
Not to mention the fact that this little place, which boasts an entire vegan range on its menu, is far too good to miss out.
By the way, the first thing to note for those who are looking for ‘pasta’ in Istanbul, is to be aware that just looking up the word ‘pasta’ will give you surprising results, since ‘pasta’ is the Turkish word for ‘cake’.
Many is the time that I have excitedly seen the word pasta, expecting lasagna and ravioli and instead been greeted with a range of beautifully iced desserts. Pretty, but hardly the Italian style portion of carb laden stodge I was looking for.
Manti is the best kind of Turkish comfort food
Whilst there are a number of very good Italian restaurants in Istanbul (one in Kadikoy springs to mind) if you do fancy pasta in Istanbul then manti is the thing to try.
In this small eatery, which also serves delicious soup, the manti comes stuffed with potato, vegetables, mushroom or cheese and is covered over with a garlic and olive oil yogurt.
For vegans, the exact same is true except that of course the yogurt and cheese are replaced with vegan friendly options that are equally as tasty.
Another place that does well on takeaways (the owner explained that the majority of their business comes from take out orders) on sites like Zomato, Mira Manti is a filling and delicious way to try another traditionally Turkish fast food.
Address: Duatepe, Baruthane Cd. No:74A, 34379 Şişli/Istanbul
Hours: 12pm - 10pm
Pumpkin Gözleme: Vegan Turkish Pancake at Feriköy Organic Market
Another great option for veggies and vegans in Turkey is gözleme, which, for the uninitiated, is a traditional Turkish eggless pancake, usually prepared over a huge circular or half-sphere metal plate and expertly flipped and rolled by the (invariably female) chefs.
Whilst the savoury gözleme pancake itself is far lighter than a traditional pancake and is in many ways more similar to a flatbread or lavash, the delicious fillings make gözleme a cheap but very satisfying choice.
Most places serving gözleme will have both veggie and vegan options. You can often choose what you want inside the pancake from a range of fillings that includes potato, yellow cheese, white cheese, tomato, onion and spinach.
The filling is then mixed with parsley, mint and chilli according to your preference and served piping hot.
For a less common but equally delicious twist on this theme, head to the Feriköy Organic Market (Feriköy Ekologik Pazar) on a Saturday.
This small but interesting fruit and veg market is fringed on either side with stalls selling gözleme and homemade sweet treats such as brownies and cakes.
Star of the show and a hidden gem of vegetarian Istanbul, is the stall occupying one corner of the market close to the entrance which serves the rarer ‘kabak’ or pumpkin gözleme.
This stall, which offers a variety of other options including the usual potato and spinach or cheese varieties (for those not so fussed about dairy), specialises in a delicious pumpkin gözleme made with a subtly spiced and herb-infused pumpkin mash alongside whatever other ingredients you fancy trying with it.
You can also grab a hot glass of çay from any of the vendors circling around the long benches at which you can sit to enjoy your meal (often sharing with other customers, which can be a good excuse to have a chat and practise your Turkish) whilst you dig in.
Luzzy, Şişli
Tucked away in the back streets of Şişli and doing a roaring trade through Istanbul food delivery sites like Yemeksepeti, Luzzy (which also houses a juice bar where you can pick up some great guilt-free smoothies) has a number of excellent vegan and veggie options.
The menu includes veggie and falafel burger alternatives, vegan hot dogs, and a wrap stuffed with vegetable quinoa köfte, which is a bit of a treat since quinoa is rarer than rocking horse shit in Istanbul.
Quinoa köfte in a taco
That’s before we even explore the vegan cheddar covered potatoes, the interestingly different vegan tacos or the indulgent vegan cookies (lemon and coconut or chocolate and almond) and desserts.
Luzzy even offers vegan combo deals, ideal for sharing or for days when you are feeling particularly famished and/or greedy.
Address: Merkez Mah, Harzemşah Sk. No:10/A, 34360 Şişli/Istanbul
Hours: 11.00am - 12.00am
Çiğ köfte (found everywhere!)
When it comes to the vegan vs non-vegan debate, no one dish sums up the opposite ends of the spectrum better than çiğ köfte.
Somehow transferring from being a vegan and vegetarian’s worst nightmare in its original form, to a vegan’s best friend in its most common incarnation, çiğ köfte is now a genuine example of an all vegan Turkish food, not to mention a delicious Istanbul cheap eat that no self respecting vegan or vegetarian should leave the city without having sampled.
Looks like a pile of raw mincedmeat, but definitely not meat!
Originally made from raw minced meat which never saw a flame but was ‘cooked’ through a process of vigorously kneading the meat and then serving it immediately, the çiğ köfte widely available in most of Istanbul is now completely vegan.
The minced meat has been replaced with bulgar, which is hand-kneaded with tomato paste, chilli and other spices, then formed into small pinched köfte pieces.
The çiğ köfte are then served in a wrap with lettuce, mint, chilli and depending upon the place, a variety of other fillings and drenched in sauces.
A fantastically portable and affordable snack food çiğ köfte is also available in some places in the mercimek (lentil) variety which is slightly thicker and has a more subtle flavour.
Whilst it is possible to get the original meat-based version in some places further East (it is worth checking if you are even a little worried about getting this version) almost all places in Istanbul and certainly the chain store çiğ köfte places now serve the exclusively vegan version.
There are a number of chain restaurants serving takeaway çiğ köfte, the most popular being Oses and Komagene. meaning that most high streets and even smaller areas have at least one çiğ köfte place. All of which makes it a brilliant backup option if you are ever struggling to find a vegan-friendly option when you’re on the move.
As an additional top tip for vegans and veggies, çiğ köfte is often also available at the deli counter or in the drink/sandwich fridge sections of most supermarkets.
Şok definitely sells pre-rolled varieties alongside packs of the pinched köftes themselves with portions of sauce. Üçler also serves çiğ köfte in both the bulgar and mercimek varieties at their deli counters, so if you need something on the run, this is a great option.
Falafel Köy, Balat
Moving away from traditional Turkish food for a moment is this cute little place serving Syrian food based around perfectly prepared falafel and other mezzes.
Formerly located just off Istiklal Caddesi, Istanbul’s busy shopping street, Falafel Köy (which we sometimes refer to as Falafel Joy because it is sooooo good) relocated to Balat at the end of 2023.
(We actually thought it had closed down permanently so you can imagine our happiness when the owner found new premises! Another famous vegan haunt, Vegan Community Kitchen, moved to Balat but recently moved back to Galata again. This is the reality of running a business in a city with ever increasing rental prices).
Serving fantastic falafel wraps as well as enormous ‘set plates’ loaded with babaganoush, hummus, bakla, tabouleh, fatoush and of course falafel (as well as baskets full of Syrian/Lebanese bread) this humble place produces some fantastic food at incredibly reasonable prices.
It’s a must-visit for vegans on those days when you get tired of eating the usual vegan options.
Incidentally, if Syrian food is something you’d like to sample whilst in Istanbul, be sure not to miss this Istanbul food tour of ‘Little Damascus' in the beautiful Fatih district of the city.
The organisers are happy to adapt the tour to suit vegan and vegetarian diets and will give an informative, filling and delicious tour of the area visiting several vegan-friendly stops along the way.
Address: Ayvansaray, Mahkeme Altı Cd. No:29, 34421 Fatih/İstanbul
Hours: Monday, Tuesday & Saturday 1.00pm - 10.00pm; Wednesday & Sunday 12.30pm - 10.00pm; Thursday 12.00pm - 10.00pm; Friday 2.00pm - 10.00pm.
Nohut Dürüm at Rulo Lezzetler, Kadıköy
Continuing the vegan/vegetarian obsession with chickpeas, another fantastic, if slightly harder to find option, is the nohut dürüm.
A student staple in Gaziantep, the culinary capital of Turkey, situated in the South East of the country, (watch this space for a full vegan/vegetarian survival guide to that part of the world coming soon) the nohut dürüm is sure to become a firm favourite of every vegan and vegetarian in Istanbul.
Nohut dürüm is essentially a wrap in the same model as the classic Turkish kebabs or Turkish doner but without the meat.
READ NEXT: For a breakdown of the best kebabs in Istanbul and what the different bread varieties mean in relation to what is likely to arrive, check out our guide to Istanbul Street Food.
Get in my belly!
Replacing the grilled meat component with a mouthwatering slow-cooked ‘mash’ of reduced and spiced chickpeas the nohut durum is pleasingly large, stuffed as it is with salad, bulgar, fried potatoes, aubergine and herbs before it receives a slathering of delicious, spicy and pomegranate based sauces.
There are a number of places specialising in this Gaziantep delicacy, including Rulo Lezzetler, an entirely vegetarian and incredibly popular place in Kadıköy.
A fantastic vegan option that has so far managed to stay off most lists of best vegan restaurants in Istanbul, Rulo also offers an option to buy a vegan ‘plate’ of the different fillings. Simply point and ask for the bits you like and pay per plate.
Other options for this hard-to-find delight are Gaziantep 27 also in Kadıköy and further afield Nohutçu Hamo'nun Yeri (though be warned, in the case of the latter, the nohut dürüm is considered a Turkish breakfast dish and sells out quickly, so get there early if you want to secure your serving).
Address: Caferağa, Nail Bey Sk. No:15, 34710 Kadıköy/Istanbul
Hours: 11.30am - 9.30pm
Sarsak Sigara Böreği, Kadıköy
Update: Sadly Sarsak Sigara Böreği has closed down and we haven’t found another place for our vegan sigara boreği fix. If you know anywhere, please hit us up in the comments - we need more fried goodness in our lives!
Named for their cylindrical shape that resembles the shape of a cigar or cigarette, Sigara Böreği, are composed of fried filo pastry and are most commonly filled with peynir (white cheese) and herbs. They are similar in taste and texture to a spring roll.
With a crisp slightly flaky outside and soft molten inside, they are incredibly moreish and available in many restaurants and cafes as an appetizer or one amongst many mezzes.
Whilst the original version is already well suited for vegetarians, if you happen to be of the vegan persuasion, or like me, just happen to have a healthy addiction to these tasty morsels, then be sure to head over to Sarsak Sigara Böreği in the Kadıköy district.
This tiny, hole in the wall place has a menu composed almost exclusively of sigara böreği varieties, in both savoury and sweet incarnations, a number of which are highlighted on the menu as being specifically suitable for vegans.
The böreğis are priced ‘per stick’ so the best approach is to select a few different flavours in order to try a wide range.
Stand out varieties are the Vegan Antebi Sarsak (featuring muhammara, a walnut breadcrumb and pomegranate molasses mezze, mixed with mashed potatoes) and Vegan Mojito Sarsak which contains beans, avocado puree, chilli and coriander. For dessert, the Nutella and banana flavour is a must-try: though be warned, they are highly addictive.
Address: Caferağa, Dr. Esat Işık Cd. No. 24/A, 34710 Kadıköy/Istanbul
Hours: 09.00am - 10.00pm
Vegan Tantuni at Tandir Tantuni, Kadıköy
Hailing from the coastal province of Mersin, tantuni is a popular fast food in Turkey and is traditionally made with julienne-cut beef or lamb.
The strips of meat are stir fried with sumac, red pepper and other spices and then wrapped in a thin lavash bread with a generous amount of chopped onions, parsley, sliced tomatoes and green pepper.
The bread has also been rubbed in the oil and gravy juices from the meat so every bite of tantuni is packed full of flavour.
Sasha has often wished out loud that there was a vegan or vegetarian version of tantuni but all our research turned up nothing…until now.
Tandir Tantuni in the Bostancı neighbourhood of Kadıköy started advertising its vegan and vegetarian tantuni options on Instagram in May and once we saw it we knew we had to go!
Plump chickpeas take the place of the meat in the vegan tantuni but the spices and fillings are all the same. It is served with side dishes of pickled beetroot, rocket and lemon wedges to squeeze onto your tantuni in the traditional way.
The lavash bread for the vegan tantuni was also soaked in the gravy from cooking the chickpeas with the spces and the end result was extremely juicy and tasty - basically a party in your mouth. Vegan food in Istanbul that is based on traditional Turkish dishes is always a winner for us!
Now technically this is basically a nohut dürüm but the flavours were so good that we weren’t going to argue. If you’re vegetarian you can also choose to have your vegan tantuni topped with yogurt and butter chilli sauce. Yums!
Address: Bostancı Mahallesi Mehmet Şevki Paşa Caddesi, Bostanlararası Sokağı No:5, 34744 Kadıköy/İstanbul.
Hours: Monday - Thursday 11.00am - 12.00am, Friday - Sunday 11.00am - 2.00am.
Gaam Burger, Kadıköy
I wasn’t planning to include another burger on this list but the vegan burger at Gaam completely blew us away so we simply have to mention it.
As fate would have it, we discovered Gaam on the very same day that we ate the vegan tantuni at Tandir Tantuni.
Our tantuni lunch was beginning to wear off and we were wandering around Moda in Kadıköy when we both got some serious burger cravings. A quick scroll through some Google reviews and we headed off to Gaam.
Gaam Burger only has one meat-free option on the menu and it can be made vegan or vegetarian on request.
The vegan burger includes vegan cheddar, a special vegan sauce, avocado (optional), lettuce and tomato. It’s served with ketchup, vegan mayonnaise, fries and potato smiley faces. (For the record potato smiley faces are still fun and tasty when you are an adult).
I don’t know what sorcery they do at Gaam but the burger was completely and utterly delicious - juicy and packed with flavour at every bite. This is vegan fast food in Istanbul at its best!
The staff were also so friendly - at the end of our meal the owner came over and asked us what we thought of the burgers. He said it was really important to him to make a tasty vegan burger as many of his friends are vegan and he gets quite a few vegan customers. I think he’s definitely succeeded!
Address: Caferağa, Burger shop, Moda Cd. 88A, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul
Hours: Monday, Friday & Saturday 12.30pm - 11.30pm; Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday 12.30pm - 11.00pm; closed on Tuesday.
Veganarsist, Kadıköy
For those who even in their craving for fast food are still looking to sample the more traditional food in Turkey, this place in the trendy area of Kadıköy should do the trick.
Alongside the more common burgers and falafels Veganarsist also specialises in specifically Turkish vegan food, including a huge, delicious and entirely vegan version of the traditional Turkish breakfast.
Eating Turkish breakfast is a must-try experience whilst in Istanbul and one we have explored with a specifically vegan focus in our ultimate guide to the best places for vegan and vegetarian breakfasts in Istanbul.
Look up ‘famous food in Turkey’ or ‘traditional food of turkey’ and the first thing you are likely to see is some variation of the word ‘kebab’. Luckily, the variation served at this place happens to be entirely meat free.
Though not exactly one of the most famous restaurants in Turkey as a whole, Veganarsist is one of the more popular vegan Turkish restaurants in Istanbul and understandably so.
Formerly situated in the upmarket Nişantası area (be careful that Google Maps doesn’t direct you here ) but now based in Kadıköy, this small but cosy place specialises in exclusively vegan takes on Turkish street food dishes.
Their menu includes items such as köfte, adana and even plant based versions of Turkish street food such as kokoreç and tantuni, which in their original forms sound like a vegan’s worst nightmare, but here are delicious traditional treats.
They also serve vegan burgers and salads, some of which are served up with a tasty vegan yogurt (which is also available at Bi Nevi Deli, for those of you screaming ‘where the hell did they get that?’ at the screen right now).
Veganarsist aims to provide the flavours of Turkish favourites and fast food options without the meat and even serves a veganised version of the traditional Turkish yogurt drink ayran, which is made with cashew milk and is a surprisingly scrumptious alternative.
Address: Osmanağa, Canan Sk. 20/A, 34714 Kadıköy/Istanbul
Hours: 11.00am - 10.00pm
Where to Stay as a Vegan in Istanbul
So, if you are new to Istanbul or have only ever visited Sultanahmet, then your head is probably spinning right now with new place and area names: ("Where is Cihangir?", "I thought Beşiktaş was a football team…", What even IS a Kadıköy?") Arghhh!
Well, not to worry. To easily get your head around what each area has to offer, we’d recommend checking out our very detailed guide to the best areas to stay in Istanbul.
It covers 6 districts and over 15 different neighbourhoods, has hotels for all budgets and includes the highlights of each area. It covers everything you need to know to make the most of the city, including the area to stay if you happen to be one of those pesky tree-hugger types.
Check out the article for the real detail and (soy based) meat of the matter, but at a glance, see below for our top picks for the best places to stay as a vegan in Istanbul.
In a hurry? Click here to browse and book hotels in Istanbul.
Cihangir
Hosting everyone from the posiest of posey posers to the most authentic artists, actors and playwrights in the city, Cihangir is the place to be if you love bohemian vibes.
Whether you consider yourself to be uber-hip or closer to getting a hip replacement, Cihangir is a cool, welcoming and eclectic area, full of vibrant arty types who love a good conversation almost as much as they love their coffee.
With numerous vegan eateries, cafes offering plant-based options and even a vegan grocers, Cihangir is also a stone’s throw from a number of other places recommended on this list and a perfect place to be based if you happen to be plant based.
Photo of MySuite Istanbul courtesy of Booking.com
Check out MySuite Istanbul here, our top pick of places to stay in this area.
Cozy, colourful and boasting the cutest little balconies, at MySuite you can sip your coffee and contemplate your latest creative endeavor whilst watching others contemplate theirs.
They are apartments with character and atmosphere in an area jam packed with both. Plus, when you're finished daydreaming, there are some fantastic food options just outside your door.
Beşiktaş
In a similar vein to Cihangir, Beşiktaş offers an absolute beehive of activity and its proximity to the universities, some fabulous green spaces and the water, make it the perfect place to set up camp and really soak up the vibrancy of the city.
With a vegan grocers, some of our top picks for vegan restaurants and even pro-vegan graffiti splattered on the walls, you’ll immediately feel at home in this bustling corner of Istanbul.
Photo of Valente Suites and Hotel courtesy of Booking.com
Click here for Valente Suites and Hotel, our favourite place to stay in Beşiktaş.
A few minutes from the Araketler bus stops (which will take you virtually anywhere worth going) and slap in the centre of the cafe and restaurant scene, these suites are great for short and slightly longer stays.
Offering affordable luxury, with en-suite bathrooms, a kitchen area if you feel like rustling up some of your own vegan treats and good WiFi in case you want to look up the next place to visit (there’s actually a really good blog about that kind of thing, but I forget the name right now…).
Moda
Don’t be put off by the fact that Moda is on the ‘Asian Side’ of Istanbul. It is remarkably easy to reach the European side by metro and an absolute joy on a clear day to do it by ferry (be sure to take a simit with you and join the locals feeding the gulls and other seabirds as they fly alongside the boat).
Not that you will particularly want to get away from the Asian Side or Moda in the first place, as it is an absolute treat of an area.
Recently voted as one of the world’s coolest neighborhoods, Moda is also the perfect place to tune in to those vegan vegetarian vibes increasingly heard across the city.
With a raucous nightlife, great cafe culture and a myriad of vegan options, Moda is as fascinating as it is famous and packed full of plant based goodness.
Photo of Khalkedon Hotel Istanbul courtesy of Booking.com
Check out our Khalkedon Hotel Istanbul here, our favourite option in Moda.
With the aforementioned transport links only 4 mins away, this hotel has ensuite bathrooms, Wi-Fi (which you can use to check out the best things to do in Istanbul) and is slap in the middle of the cafes and restaurants where you can find some great veggie goodness.
Breakfast can be enjoyed every morning on the roof terrace, which is a great way to start the day (just be sure to let them know your dietary requirements in advance before sitting down to enjoy it).
Kurtuluş
Last but not least, if you’re looking for somewhere close to the city centre but far enough away for it not to be mentally busy, Kurtuluş could be for you.
On the one hand it is a diverse and historically significant area with a strong sense of community and identity in which you’ll find a more authentic sample of city life.
On the other, it is an up and coming hipster neighborhood and a great place to find some absolute hidden gems of the vegan and vegetarian eating scene.
Photo of Renata Boutique Hotel courtesy of Booking.com
Check out Renata Boutique Hotel here, our top pick for this area.
Perfectly located close to transport links that will have you in Taxim Square in less than 10 minutes, Renata offers spacious rooms, a buffet breakfast and is in close proximity to a number of great vegan food options as well as supermarkets stocking vegan alternatives.
If after all of that you still find yourself looking around for something sweet to polish off the marathon of Turkish munching, be aware that many places selling dondurma (Turkish ice cream) have vegan options amongst their selections.
It is also possible to pick up vegan versions of the world famous ‘Turkish Delight’ sweets wherever you are in the world. Click here to order vegan Turkish delight from Haci Bekir, a famous store in Turkey that's been operating since 1777!
Finally, if you’re still unsure about the idea of vegan Turkish food, would like to know more about what’s available or would perhaps like to try experimenting with a few dishes for yourself before you dive into the fast-food side of things, then we recommend investing in this useful little volume by Seda Dayloglu.
Check out ‘Vegan Meets Turkish Kitchen: Plant-Based Diet Cookbook with Traditional Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Recipes', which covers everything from starters and soups to delicious desserts (always the best bit) that can be prepared in an entirely plant-based and vegan-friendly way.
Perfect for those just dipping their toes into vegan Turkish cuisine or for those nights that you want to try something a little different. Plus, for all you bibliophiles out there, it’s a really pretty book.
So there you have it. Some fantastic meat-free (if not entirely guilt-free) options for vegetarians and vegans in Istanbul.
Enjoy and don’t forget to let us know about your experiences and new discoveries in the comments!
Before you go, make sure to check out some of our other Istanbul guides and guides to the rest of Turkey/Türkiye:
🍲 The Best Istanbul Food Tours
🏠 Best Areas to Stay in Istanbul: Coolest Neighbourhoods & Top Hotels
🌟 22 Best Hotels in Istanbul With a View
🗓 The Ultimate Turkey Itinerary 10 Days
🇹🇷 The Best Places to Visit in Turkey
🛫 How to Get from Istanbul Airport to the City Centre
🌷 Visit the Istanbul Tulip Festival
🎪 18 Best Festivals in Istanbul
✈️ How to Get From SAW Airport to Istanbul City Center
🥦 Vegan Istanbul: The Best Under-the-Radar Restaurants
🏔 Cappadocia in Winter: 7 Reasons to Visit + 16 Amazing Things to Do
🎄 Christmas in Istanbul: All You Need to Know for a Magical Stay
⛄ 9 Awesome Reasons to Spend Winter in Istanbul
✅ 12 Things You Need To Do in Istanbul
🔎 Explore Balat Istanbul: An Insider's Guide to One of Istanbul's Most Unique Neighbourhoods
🍳 Best Breakfast in Istanbul- 16 Incredible Places to Try
🥑 Where to Find the Best Vegan Turkish Breakfast in Istanbul
🖼️ 14 Top Things To Do in Gaziantep
🍔 Off the Eaten Track: The Best Street Food in Istanbul
Find more travel tips and useful information on Turkey here.
Looking for more travel inspiration? Click here to discover more of our favourite places around the world.
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