Vegan Istanbul: The Best Under-the-Radar Restaurants for Vegans and Vegetarians (2024)
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Ah, Istanbul! Bonafide foodie destination and home to a cavalcade of culinary delights…even if you don’t eat meat.
Yes, you read that right, even if you don’t eat meat.
Though the Istanbul vegan restaurant scene is still in its infancy and the city is hardly awash with vegan restaurants, vegan Istanbul does exist and the city is a great foodie destination for vegetarians, vegans and non-vegans alike.
Sometimes though, it can seem a little difficult…
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READ NEXT: Wondering where to stay in Istanbul as a vegan? Check out our post on the Best Areas to Stay in Istanbul, which includes recommendations for the best neighbourhoods for vegans!
Finding a good recommendation for vegan and vegetarian food in Istanbul isn’t always easy.
Most lists of the best restaurants in Istanbul tend to pack in more meat than a pair of speedos on a well-endowed swimmer, and the usually reliable ‘veg and vegan-friendly’ sites only list the same Istanbul vegan cafes you’ve already tried.
Or they repetitively list endless falafel and vegan Istanbul burger places, which though nice, don’t provide much variety.
So, as a vegan in Istanbul, you could be forgiven for thinking that your meat-free munchie options are doomed to be either lacklustre or limited.
Look a little further, however, and you’ll discover that this really isn’t the case.
Vegan Istanbul: Why Visit Under-the Radar Places?
The problem with searching for vegan food in Istanbul is often that the places serving some of the best vegan and vegetarian food options also serve meat or dairy (the dream of an all vegan Istanbul is a looooonnng way off) and they don’t shout about the vegan options they offer, they tend to be left off the lists.
This is where insider knowledge comes in handy. If you are happy to try the veg or vegan option on the menu in a place that’s not exclusively vegan then suddenly the city opens up for you. Turks love their food and whilst they might enjoy their meat, they also love their vegetables too.
One glance at any Istanbul food market (or any Turkish market for that matter) will confirm this. All that beautiful veg must be going somewhere, right? “But where?” I hear you cry, for the Love of God “Where?”
Well…here.
Eschewing the usual Greatest Hits list of Istanbul vegan restaurants and places that make the vegan Istanbul lists of other sites, (at least until the very end of the post) we have compiled a list of places to eat in Istanbul that aren’t necessarily so well known. The vegan and vegetarian hidden gems.
Our suggestions of where to eat in Istanbul contain the best-kept-secret cafes, under-the-radar restaurants and genuine hidden gems in Istanbul for vegans and vegetarians to help you get a tasty treat without the meat.
We’ve eaten at all the restaurants we recommend in this list (an important part of our research of course) and also made sure there’s something in here to suit every type of traveller.
So whether you’re a vegan travelling on a shoestring budget or someone with plenty of ca$h monies, there’s a restaurant for you.
Being a vegan in Istanbul is easier than you think, if you know where to look.
Vegan in Istanbul: The Best Under-the-Radar Places for Vegans and Vegetarians
Badem, Şişli : A Great Cafe for Vegans and Veggies
This tiny, family-run place, a short walk from Osmanbey station, is probably the place on this list most deserving of the ‘hidden gem’ title.
Though not exclusively vegan (they have an entirely separate area for the one meat-based option they prepare a day and there is yogurt in some dishes) this friendly little joint serves up a slightly different combination of almost exclusively vegan and vegetarian Turkish homemade dishes each day. Not to mention the baked desserts that are to die for.
Simply ask which dishes are vegan and you will find more than enough to dazzle your eyes and tantalise your tastebuds.
Stepping inside, you are met with a glass counter behind which you will find a blaze of colour from the twenty or so vegetable dishes they are serving that day.
Select three or four to make up a plate and enjoy.
For vegetarians, the pumpkin in yoghurt with a tangy spiced sauce is not to be missed. Whilst those looking for exclusively vegan dishes will love the tahini curried cauliflower, black bean salad, apricot, chickpea and wheatberry salad, and the rich bulgar balls in tomato sauce, to name just a few.
For those with a sweet tooth, the cherry chocolate bunt cake, brownies and apple pastries are addictive in a way usually reserved for hard drugs (I’ve never tried cocaine, but I’m told it’s quite ‘moreish’).
Badem also does takeaway in the form of a three sectioned tray that allows you to select three dishes for a stunningly low price.
Support a local independent business and give this place a try, you certainly won’t regret it!
Vegan Bowls for Vegan Souls: Çorba Evi Karaköy
Ask most people to name a famous food from Turkey and they will probably come up with some combination of kebab in Istanbul, simit or even dondurma (aka Turkish ice cream).
Whilst we love all of these Istanbul street foods, one often overlooked staple of fast food in Istanbul that is perfect for veggies and vegans is the humble çorba, or soup.
Delicious soup at Karaköy Corba Evi
Eaten by Turks at all times of the day, including as a traditional Turkish breakfast dish and interestingly, both before and after heavy drinking sessions of Turkish raki, çorba is the generic name for ‘soup’.
Whether it actually is the best remedy for hangover as many of my friends claim, is debatable and it certainly seems less effective than Sasha’s suggested hangover cure of “drink less”.
Either way, it is certainly the most delicious hangover cure I’ve tried.
This perfect little place sells super cheap soups in a range of flavours and should be on the must-visit list for every vegetarian and vegan in Istanbul.
Small, informal and picturesque, this soup cafe has a cosy upstairs and outdoor tables on one of the main streets in Karaköy, an area popular with Istanbul’s young people and full of cool cafes and other hole-in-the-wall eateries.
Inside you’ll find steaming vats of the good stuff in a variety of colours and delicious flavours ready to be ladled out and enjoyed. .
Once you have decided what you’d like to try and let the staff know, you take your seat either outside on the street, (which is a great setting for people-watching in summer), or upstairs in the super cosy exposed brick cafe that is the perfect place to huddle over a steaming bowl in winter.
READ NEXT: Thinking of visiting this amazing city during the colder months? Check out our article on why you should spend winter in Istanbul.
Having found a table, you will discover to your inevitable delight that it is filled with free extras, including a small wicker basket full of croutons, a bottomless supply of bread rolls and chilli and garlic oils to add to the soups, as well as the ubiquitous nane (mint) and pul biber (chilli flakes).
We recommend adding a drizzle of garlic oil, a sprinkle of mint and chilli and finally adding a small mountain of croutons for a delicious and filling meal.
For those on a budget and concerned about the price of food in Istanbul, it is also worth considering that at the time of writing, most bowls of soup at Karaköy Çorba Evi cost around £1.60 ($2).
Now, obviously, the phrase ‘Turkish soup’ covers a wide range of flavours and ingredients including some decidedly meat-laden options like iskembe (tripe soup) and paşa (a type of chicken soup).
If you’re a dedicated herbivore then these are definitely best avoided. It’s also worth asking whether soups contain chicken stock (tavuk suyu) or butter (tereyağı).
However, a few seconds of reading the blackboard outside listing more than a dozen available flavours (all of which are also listed in English inside with separate sections for vegan and veggie options) will ensure there are no nasty surprises and a delicious veggie dining experience.
💡 Insider tip: The mercimek (yellow lentil soup) is a good choice for vegetarians whilst the ekşili ‘sour’ soup which has lovely chunky chickpeas in it, plus the pumpkin and broccoli soups are some of the tastiest vegan options.
Enjoy!
Whether it’s in a hotel room during Corona restrictions in Turkey…
…or in a restaurant, you can always find us enjoying corba somewhere!
No. 19 Dining, Çukurcuma
Tucked away in the streets off Istiklal (and on your route if you’re heading up to the uber-cool Cihangir neighbourhood) is this fantastic restaurant serving home-cooked food, most of which is vegan and vegetarian.
The setting for No. 19 has quite a swanky feel, with its large wooden tables, low lighting and interesting furniture, but the welcome is friendly and the owner always seems genuinely excited to have you try the many mouthwatering delights she has on offer that day.
The vegan and vegetarian options at No.19 Dining are simply divine
Dishes are homemade and usually pre-prepared, meaning that you can view and ask about each dish on offer before making a selection of as many or as few as you fancy.
As is often the case, the flavours in these home-cooked dishes tend to be fuller and the ingredients fresher than in a lot of chains or more popular restaurants,
No. 19 is no exception: the food here is fantastic.
The dishes come in half or full portions. On our visits we tend to get a few half portions of starters and one or two full portions as main dishes.
The green beans and coriander main dish is both satisfying and bursting with a zesty, slightly citrus tang.
The imam bayaldı (a veganised version of the famous Turkish dish usually made with mincemeat) is made from slow-cooked aubergine stuffed with tomatoes, parsley, garlic, onions and spices and is deliciously rich and satisfying.
Another dish not to be missed is the beetroot with giant couscous, which is and interesting mix of tastes and flavours.
Complement one or all of these dishes with smaller servings of celery with beans and lemons, sweet green long beans with tomatoes, or grilled aubergines mixed with peppers, tomatoes and garlic and you have a veggie feast that will have you already looking forward to your next visit even as you’re munching.
Nohut Pilav at Pilav House, Kadıköy
Elevating the humble chickpea (friend of every vegan in Turkey) to a fine art, nohut pilav or Turkish rice with chickpeas, is a dish that involves a hunk of slightly sticky white rice (pilav) studded with swollen and deliciously cooked chickpeas, to create a combination that is far tastier than its simple description makes it sound.
A simple dish of nohut pilav at Pilav House in Kadıköy
The dish is available across the city, but those of a more strictly vegan and vegetarian persuasion will need to be careful as some places offering this dish also serve the tavuk (chicken) variety that usually involves the pieces of meat resting on top of the rice.
Additionally, the rice is often prepared with butter, perfect for vegetarians but off limits for vegans (though in many places you can ask for a butter free version, or enjoy with spiced bulgar rice as an alternative).
There are also a number of places (in Kadıköy particularly) that serve nothing but different spins on the nohut and pilav theme, including multiple vegan and vegetarian dishes.
Our personal favourites include Pilav House which serves the local students and artists with a menu that specialises in this dish for a very low price
Meanwhile, on the European side, the moderately famous and marvellously moustachioed Baruthane Pilavcısı, which also serves çorba, salads and other vegetarian dishes is definitely worth a visit.
We also tried kuru fasulye (a dish made from white beans) with salad and rice at Pilav House in Kadıköy
Helvetia, Galata
Operating on a similar premise to Badem is Helvetia, located at the end of Istiklal Street, close to Galata and near the entrance to the Tünel funicular.
Helvetia charges per plate depending on the number of dishes you select and has a countertop full of veggie and vegan olive oil dishes.
These range from rice dishes, kisir (fine spiced bulgar wheat served with pepper and chilli in a manner similar to couscous) to various bean or lentil-based options.
Service can at times be a little brusque but the food is great and extremely reasonably priced considering its location, so the cafe is well worth a visit.
The Most Important Meal: Turkish Kahvaltı
They do say you should start your day with a good breakfast, and when it comes to vegan Turkish food, breakfast could definitely be considered not only the most important but the most delicious meal of the day.
If you’ve never heard of serpme kahvaltı, Turk kahvaltı or köy kahvaltı, then hold on to your taste buds, you’re in for a treat.
Whilst not your typical healthy vegan breakfast, the traditional Turkish breakfast is generally considered to be amongst the best breakfasts in the world and can very easily become a vegan kahvaltı with the removal or addition of a few items (and trust me, there are plenty of items to choose from).
The Turkish breakfast spread is so good for vegans in Istanbul that we couldn’t just do a ‘vegan Turkish breakfast’ entry on this list and instead decided to write an entire article about vegan Turkish breakfast in Istanbul.
Simply looking up ‘vegan breakfast Istanbul’ or ‘Istanbul vegan kahvalti’ for those who are becoming familiar with the lingo, won't always give you the best options because it will only list places that are exclusively vegan. This however is to miss the beauty of Turkish breakfast. You can choose!
The ‘spread’ or ‘sprinkled’ nature of a serpme breakfast allows you to easily select the items you do and don't want, ending the eternal vegan vs non-vegan tug of war and providing a perfect meal for sharing in a mixed vegan and non-vegan scenario.
So skip over to our guide to the best vegan/vegetarian breakfast joints in Istanbul for our top picks for not only the best Turkish breakfast Istanbul has to offer but some of the best vegan food Istanbul has as well.
Not vegan? Then check out this ultimate guide to the best breakfasts in Istanbul!
Vegan Restaurants in Istanbul: World Foods
Something of a myth about Istanbul is that it is impossible to find anything other than Turkish food.
Whilst it is true that the Turks are (rightfully) very proud of their own cuisine and the majority of eateries serve local fare, it is more than possible to find international food in Istanbul if you look for them.
Not only that, but if you look a little harder, you’ll find that many of the Istanbul world food options also serve fantastic vegetarian and vegan food.
Iranian Vegan in Istanbul at Zolfa, Sarıyer
Yummy vegan fesenjoon at Zolfa Iranian restaurant
So, moving away from exclusively Turkish food and climbing a little up the price scale, Zolfa is another under-the-radar place serving excellent vegan Iranian food.
Whilst this may sound strange for what is usually a notoriously meat-heavy cuisine, the flavours on offer here will soon convince you that not only is it possible for Iranian food to be vegetarian/vegan but that it might actually be better that way (sometimes).
Do not miss the ghormeh sabzi, a dish that is apparently over 5000 years old (by which I mean the recipe, not the actual dish served here as that would put it slightly beyond its best-before date).
Ghormeh sabzi at Zolfa Iranian restaurant
The dish, usually described as a ‘herb stew’ is generally made with a mix of parsley and coriander along with green onions, leeks, kidney beans and importantly black lime and fenugreek to give a unique sour, salty and deeply robust flavour.
Another stand-out choice is fesenjoon, another Iranian stew made with pomegranate molasses, eggplant and walnut to make a sweet and sour taste sensation.
Served with typically flavoursome saffron rice decorated with barberries and you have a perfect slice of Iranian cuisine with a vegan twist.
Egyptian Vegan Food in Istanbul at Kem Küm, Kadıköy
In a similar vein is the exclusively vegan Egyptian restaurant Kem-Kum. Nestled on the Asian side of Istanbul in Kadıköy, this tiny, family-run place is building quite a reputation (so be sure either to book or arrive early to make sure you can grab a table, especially if you happen to be in a larger group).
The owners will go out of their way to try to accommodate you but bear in mind that you might have to wait to be seated if the place is full.
If you are lucky enough to get inside, the atmosphere is both cosy and familial.
In terms of food, Kem-Kum specialises in Egyptian street food and not only serves falafel and hummus but the traditional Egyptian koshari rice dish: rice mixed with macaroni and lentils and topped with a collection of separate elements including garlic vinegar, fresh tomato sauce, chickpeas and crispy fried onions.
The lovely rice dishes, gorgeous veggie stews, delicious, fruity hibiscus ‘wine’, plus the friendly welcome in this tiny place make it well worth a visit.
Koshari is a carb lovers dream!
Vegan Ethiopian Food in Istanbul: Habesha, Taksim
Close to Taksim square is this absolute gem of a place that is a paradise for vegans.
For those unfamiliar with Ethiopian food, you are in for a treat.
Every dish comes accompanied by (or in a lot of cases actually served on) a huge plate-sized piece of injera bread, a yeasty unleavened flatbread made from teff flour that is somewhere between a pancake and a crumpet.
Injera has a unique texture and a delicious earthy flavour that complements the dishes perfectly.
An amazing spread at Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant
At Habesha, there are a number of vegan curries plus different sharing plates where you can try a range of vegan-friendly dishes (I’ll be telling you more about that below!).
Colourful and beautifully presented, the dishes here look as good as they taste, which means that Habesha is definitely one for all of you food photography fanatics out there.
The vegan dishes are mostly made with vegetables, pulses and nuts mixed with spices and served in generous portions on the injera bread itself. The sauce from the different dishes also soaks into the bread making the whole thing extremely yummy.
Habesha has a number of specifically vegan options (highlighted as such on the menu) with the star of the show being beyaynetu for either two or four persons. Essentially a platter filled with eight vegan dishes, it’s extremely filling.
For anyone who is a fan of meze or tapas, this is a similar and yet entirely unique variation on that theme and great for sharing.
If you are less about the sharing and more about the gimme gimme gimme, then we would recommend the shiro (made with Ethiopian spices, chickpeas and onions), misir wat (curried red lentils and onions) or the kik alicha (turmeric, onions, yellow split peas), all clearly marked as vegan and served with yet more rolls of scrumptious injera bread.
Misir Wat, Ethiopian red lentil curry
For vegetarians and those happy to eat (or in this case drink) honey, don’t miss the opportunity to sample tej.
This traditional mead like beer/wine that looks like a cross between orange juice and liquid gold, is prepared using honey, water and a shrub named gesho.
Do take care however, for though it doesn’t taste like it, at between 7-11% volume, tej does pack a bit of a punch. Deceptively delicious, it goes down way too easily and after a few rounds you may find yourself stumbling out.
You have been warned.
Vegan-Friendly Italian Food: Zucca Pizza, Kurtuluş
Another hidden gem, in the Kurtuluş area of Istanbul (again a short walk from Osmanbey station), and home to some of the best vegan pizza Istanbul can provide is Zucca Pizza and Cafe.
A small place tucked off a backstreet amongst a number of other cute cafes, Zucca sports interesting pumpkin and witch-based decor, like a rustic year-round Halloween celebration and serves some fantastic wood-fired pizzas with crisp, thin dough and mouthwatering toppings.
💡 Insider tip: Fill cafe, mentioned in our best vegan Turkish breakfasts in Istanbul guide is opposite Zucca and also provides some great vegan lunch and dinner options.
Zucca’s pizzas are simply divine!
In addition to the more obvious choices for vegetarians like margherita, Zucca also boasts some excellent options for those of an exclusively vegan persuasion.
Aside from the simple but highly recommended vegan salad that includes grilled aubergine and crunchy walnuts, the menu also features no less than four specifically vegan pizzas as well as numerous vegetarian options.
The Zucca vegan pizza, laden with eggplant, zucchini, pumpkin and peppers is a must try, as well as the vegan vedura pizza, avokada vegan pizza (with avocado), and leek and mushroom vegan for those looking to try something a little different. You can also choose between traditional marinara pizza sauce or a Zucca version made with pumpkins.
Our personal favourite is Zucca’s marinara pizza - simple but oh so flavoursome!
💡 Insider tip: Fancy trying a vegan Turkish-style pizza (pide) instead? For some of the best non-meat pide and vegan lahmacun Istanbul can offer, be sure to check out Vegan Masa restaurant! You can read all about it in our guide to the Best Vegan Fast Food in Istanbul.
Trusty Old Lokanta or Tradesman Restaurants
Finally, for those moments when you seem to have exhausted all options, have checked the net a hundred times and have completely run out of ideas for what to put into your belly, you can always rely upon the trusty old lokanta or ‘tradesman’ restaurants.
A typical yummy lokanta meal
To call these places Turkish ‘canteens’ conjures up images of a workplace food area or a drab, depressing place in the corner of some British shopping centre that serves rubbery days-old lasagna. But this couldn’t be more wrong.
Whilst lokantas do operate in the same way as your average canteen (pick up a tray, point to what you want, pay, sit and devour) the fare on offer is far superior to the limp food you might expect, or may even have suffered through in most canteens and dining halls.
They also serve some excellent vegan and vegetarian options.
Top of the list is kuru fasulye. This simple dish made from beans cooked with onions in a rich tomato sauce is a world away from a tin of Heinz.
In other cities, particularly in the east of Turkey, this dish is served with pieces of meat, but most places in Istanbul serve the exclusively meat-free version. Throw on some chilli to taste, grab a bread roll and dive in.
Other options are nohut, which is chickpeas cooked with onion and tomato and sometimes peppers in another rich sauce. An ever-changing range of fried/grilled vegetable dishes and if you’re lucky, potatoes cooked with dill and parsley.
These dishes can be accompanied with a plate of spiced bulgar with red pepper, wheatberry, pasta or plain pilav rice depending upon what you fancy that day.
Lokantas usually also have soup on offer (most often there is mercimek and a chicken/meat soup). Help yourself to some bread (some places have free bread, but other places charge) plus a plate of salad to put together a filling, satisfying and super cheap meal.
There are many vegetarian and vegan friendly dishes at lokanta restaurants!
There are many independent lokantas across the city as well as reliable chains such as Pehlivan and Balkan.
Ask the servers, check through the windows and point out what you fancy. Again you won't be disappointed.
💡 Insider tip: You can make sure the food at a lokanta is completely free of animal products by asking servers whether it is ‘etsiz’ (without meat), ‘tavuklu suyusuz’ (without chicken stock) and ‘tereyağsız’ (without butter).
Popular Pure Vegan Restaurants in Istanbul
Finally, it is worth mentioning the usual suspects. Not the Kevin Spacey film but the few ‘all vegan’ Istanbul outlets that make it onto every other list.
Our post obviously covers the hidden gems and less well-known options in the city, getting you off the beaten track in your search for vegan and vegetarian cuisine in Istanbul.
However, if you're in a rush, just want to go with the most popular option or lie firmly on the ‘vegan vegan vegan’ side of the vegan vs non vegan debate and want to avoid being close to anything remotely animal-based, then the usual headliners on lists of vegan restaurants in Istanbul are definitely still worth a visit.
Vegan Istanbul Cihangir
Though a search for ‘vegan restaurant Taksim’ might not yield many results, (though Habesha Ethiopian is close by) the Cihangir vegan scene close to Taksim is flourishing.
Possibly the most famous vegan restaurant in Cihangir is Vegan Istanbul Cihangir, a cosy downstairs place that serves exclusively vegan Turkish food.
The staff here are lovely and there is often a per plate or ‘set price for three dishes’ offer going on, especially at lunchtime.
Vegan Istanbul restaurant is actually more like a cafe, with a canteen-like setup of options for you to choose from.
In addition to their selection of Turkish vegan dishes they also have a fridge full of vegan products like tofu, vegan milks and yogurts if you're unable to get to an Istanbul vegan market or vegan shop Istanbul (yes they do exist- Vegan Dükkan in Cihangir being a great example).
Vegan Community Kitchen, Balat
Another regular character on searches for 'vegan restaurants Istanbul’ is the exclusively vegan Community Kitchen Istanbul, which for many years was a linchpin of the Istanbul vegan food scene and a reliable sanctuary for every vegan in Istanbul. This restaurant used to be in Taksim but moved to the trendy area of Balat last year.
This place again offers authentic vegan Turkish options including vegan kebab (including döner and iskender), köfte, lahmacun, vegan burgers and vegan ayran.
A vegan kebab at Community Kitchen
Bi-Nevi Deli
If you are vegan and have cash to splash, this uber-cool restaurant is where you go to.
Offering a varied menu featuring acai bowls, cocoa hazelnut butter toast, pumpkin seed scramble for breakfast plus various tartines (topped with avocado or humus), soups, Mexican-inspired quesadillas, bowls and a selection of burgers, so there really is something for everyone here.
Personally, we find Bi-Nevi Deli quite pricey for what it offers and the taste of the different dishes we tried is just okay for us.
In our opinion, you can find tastier, better value-for-money food at the places we’ve mentioned above or at places like Vegan Masa or Falafel Köy that are covered in our Istanbul vegan fast food guide.
This does neatly illustrate an important point.
It is worth remembering that although some vegan places in this city are well known, Istanbul vegan food extends well beyond these familiar faces.
The big hitters are famous and widely known in the vegan community but they aren’t the only option when you’re looking for the best vegan food Turkey has to offer.
Our advice as always is to stay longer, dig deeper and see more or if not, seek advice and suggestions from locals or people who have.
After all, it’s worth considering the possibility that the best vegan restaurant Istanbul has to offer might not be the one at the top of everyone else's list.
Where to Stay in Istanbul
Istanbul is a huge city and it can be confusing to decide exactly where to stay. This is why we’d strongly recommend checking out our article on the Best Areas to Stay in Istanbul.
This is the most detailed guide on the internet: it covers 6 districts and over 15 different neighbourhoods, has hotels for all budgets and includes the highlights of staying in each area.
There are a few areas in Istanbul that we think are particularly vegan-friendly, so if you are in a rush, check out our recommendations for areas and hotels below. We’ve recommended hotels and apartments for every budget so choose one that fits yours.
Cihangir
The trendy area of Cihangir is a regular haunt for budding actors, singers and artists and has a fantastic cafe culture.
This area is brilliant for vegans - you’ll find plenty of restaurants with vegan-friendly menus, cafes offering alternative milks and vegan desserts and pure vegan restaurants such as Vegan Istanbul. There is also a vegan supermarket here - perfect if you are self catering or just want to pick up some oat milk for your morning coffee.
Cihangir is walking distance from Taksim and a good location to stay for all of Istanbul’s major attraction plus you can easily get to many of the restaurants featured on this list from here.
Photo courtesy of Witt Istanbul Suites from Booking.com
BEST LUXURY OPTION: Witt Istanbul Suites (⭐ 9.5)
Elegant and luxurious, this hotel offers comfortable rooms with a kitchenette, Nespresso machine flatscreen TV and and ensuite bathroom. Some rooms have balconies with views of the Bosphorus. Guests can enjoy a home-cooked organic breakfast and there is also a roof terrace with stunning views.
Photo courtesy of MySuite Cihangir from Booking.com
TOP MID-RANGE PICK: MySuite Cihangir (⭐ 8.7)
This hotel offers unique rooms and apartments decorated in a funky and eclectic style and featuring free Wi-Fi, ensuite bathroom, flat-screen TV and tea and coffee making facilities. The hotel also provides an Istanbulkart transportation card and a mobile phone number that you can use during your trip.
Photo courtesy of Dreamers V&V from Booking.com
BEST BUDGET CHOICE: Dreamers V&V Hotel Cihangir (⭐ 8.6)
Only 8 minutes walk from Taksim metro station, this B&B offers clean and comfortable rooms with shared bathrooms, complimentary tea and coffee, flat-screen TV with satellite channels and free Wi-Fi. A complimentary breakfast is served to your room each morning.
Beşiktaş
The vibrant youthful area of Beşiktaş is packed with cool cafes and bars and great shops. There is also a lovely park nearby, perfect for when the hustle and bustle of Istanbul gets a little bit too much.
Like Cihangir, Beşiktaş has its own well stocked vegan supermarket and the gorgeous Vegan Masa restaurant is also located here. Most cafes offer milk alternatives and have vegan friendly menus.
The accommodation we have recommended here is all really close to a major bus route so getting around Istanbul is easy.
Photo courtesy of W Istanbul from Booking.com
BEST LUXURY OPTION: W Istanbul (⭐ 8.3)
Located in the fashionable area of Akaretler with its cafes, restaurants and galleries this chic hotel has a spa, lounge and cocktail bar and fitness centre. The luxurious rooms feature flat-screen TVs, Bose radios, plush beds and marble Ottoman style bathrooms with rain showers. Some rooms have a hot tub in front of the bed!
Photo courtesy of Housez Suites and Apartments from Booking.com
TOP MID-RANGE PICK: Housez Suites & Apartments Special Class (⭐ 8.7)
This hotel offers spacious and clean apartments with a private fully equipped kitchen, flat-screen TV, ensuite bathroom, free Wi-Fi and lounge area. There is also a gym and an on-site restaurant where guests can enjoy organic meals. A complimentary organic breakfast is available each morning.
Photo courtesy of Puffin Hostel from Booking.com
BEST BUDGET CHOICE: Puffin Hostel (⭐ 7.9)
Offering double, twin and family rooms with a private bathroom plus a male only dormitory, this hostel is ideal for budget travellers. Private rooms feature a flat-screen TV, comfortable bed and air conditioning. Free Wi-Fi is available everywhere. There is also a lovely terrace and shared kitchen and lounge area. Beşiktaş’ cafes and restaurants are right outside.
Moda
Another buzzing area but this time on the Asian side of Istanbul, Moda made TimeOut’s list of 51 coolest neighbourhoods in the world!
You will find cafes on every corner, cool nightclubs and trendy bars, parks by the sea and overall a generally much more relaxed vibe than on the European side of the city.
Moda is a vegan paradise: there are so many pure vegan cafes and restaurants here (including Kem Küm which we mention in this article plus others in our vegan fast food guide) that you will never go hungry. Other places have vegan and vegetarian-friendly menus.
It’s easy to get your coffee with a drop of any vegan milk you fancy and there’s a vegan supermarket too, perfect for stocking up if you are cooking for yourself (or just want to buy some vegan snacks).
The European side is an easy ferry or train ride away.
Photo courtesy of DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul - Moda from Booking.com
BEST LUXURY OPTION: DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul - Moda (⭐ 7.9)
This hotel is the epitome of luxury! Featuring a stunning rooftop infinity pool and bar with panoramic Bosphorus views, it also offers spa facilities, three international restaurants, a gym and spacious, modern rooms with sea and city views. The rooftop bar is perfect for a sunset cocktail.
Photo courtesy of Khalkedon Hotel Istanbul from Booking.com
TOP MID-RANGE PICK: Khalkedon Hotel Istanbul (⭐ 8.9)
Situated right in the heart of Moda’s cafes and restaurants, this friendly hotel offers clean rooms with a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and large ensuite bathroom. Guests can enjoy a generous buffet breakfast on the hotel’s roof terrace each morning. The hotel also has a rooftop bar and lounge with a sea view.
Photo courtesy of Moda Drei Hostel from Booking.com
BEST BUDGET CHOICE: Moda Drei Hostel (⭐ 8.6)
This hostel offers offers dormitory style rooms with comfortable, clean beds, air conditioning and free Wi-fi. Each bed includes electric charging ports and a wardrobe. Double rooms with private bathrooms are also available. There is a shared kitchen and lounge area for guests plus a roof terrace. Staff are really welcoming and friendly.
And That's a Vegan Wrap!
So there you have it. A whole range of under-the-radar options for you to explore, all of which will leave you guilt-free and satisfied on any trip to this wonderful city.
We'd love to hear about your vegan travels in Istanbul and whether you try out any of our recommendations. Let us know in the comments below!
Before you go, make sure to check out some of our other Istanbul and Turkey/Türkiye guides:
🗓 The Ultimate Turkey Itinerary 10 Days
🇹🇷 The Best Places to Visit in Turkey
✈️ How to Get From SAW Airport to Istanbul City Center
🏖️ Where to Stay in Izmir: Best Izmir Districts, Top Hotels + Useful Tips
🌟 22 Best Hotels in Istanbul With a View
🍲 The Best Istanbul Food Tours
🌷 Visit the Istanbul Tulip Festival
🎪 18 Best Festivals in Istanbul
🔎 Explore Balat Istanbul: An Insider's Guide to One of Istanbul's Most Unique Neighbourhoods
🏠 Best Areas to Stay in Istanbul: Coolest Neighbourhoods & Top Hotels
🛫 How to Get from Istanbul Airport to the City Centre
🏔 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
🍳 Best Breakfast in Istanbul- 16 Incredible Places to Try
🍟 Best Vegan Fast Food in Istanbul
🥑 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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