İslim Kebabı — Eggplant-Wrapped Meatballs
Meatballs wrapped in two eggplant ribbons, topped with tomato and pepper, and baked in a light sauce.
Hünkar Beğendi — Lamb over Smoky Eggplant Purée
Slow-cooked lamb spooned over a creamy, smoky eggplant purée.
Karnıyarık — Turkish Meat-Stuffed Eggplant
Roasted eggplants split and filled with savory minced meat, tomato and peppers.
Vişne Kompostosu — Turkish Sour Cherry Compote Drink
A ruby-red sour cherry drink with tender fruit, served chilled beside a meal or in small bowls with a spoon.
Demirhindi Şerbeti — Spiced Tamarind Sherbet
A tangy brown tamarind sherbet with cinnamon, cloves and ginger, served chilled in small glasses.
Reyhan Şerbeti — Purple Basil Sherbet
A fragrant pink-purple sherbet made by steeping purple basil with gentle spice and citrus, then serving it well chilled.
Limonata — Turkish Homemade Lemonade
Bright Turkish-style lemonade made with fresh citrus juice and fragrant zest rubbed into sugar, finished with mint.
Salep — Turkish Winter Milk Drink
Warm, gently thickened milk scented with cinnamon: the classic Turkish winter drink made with salep powder.
Ihlamur — Turkish Linden Blossom Tea
A delicate floral infusion of dried linden blossoms and bracts, traditionally served warm, with honey and lemon offered on the side.
Nane Limon — Turkish Mint and Lemon Tea
A familiar Turkish home-style drink of dried mint and fresh lemon, gently simmered and strained into warm cups.
Boza — Traditional Fermented Grain Drink
Traditional sweet-tart fermented grain drink, served cool with cinnamon and roasted chickpeas. A sourced home-style method with fermentation notes.
Ayran — Turkish Yogurt Drink
Cool, lightly salted and whisked until frothy, ayran is made with yogurt, cold water and salt. Serve in a traditional copper cup alongside pide, lahmacun or grilled kebabs.
Palamut Pilaki — Bonito with Tomato and Onion
Lüfer Izgara — Charcoal-Grilled Bluefish
Balık Ekmek — Istanbul Fish Sandwich
Balık Çorbası — Turkish Fish Soup
Ispanaklı Börek — Spinach and White Cheese Pastry
Golden layered yufka börek with a generous spinach, onion and Turkish white-cheese filling.
Kıymalı Kol Böreği — Coiled Minced-Beef Börek
Coiled yufka pastry filled with savory minced beef and onion, baked crisp and deeply golden.