Join our mailing list!
Email :  


Advice - Category Archive

May 08
Wednesday

Advice: Dining with Kids in Istanbul?

Filed under Advice

Photo by Yigal Schleifer
Dear Istanbul Eats,

My husband and I are planning a visit to Istanbul with two little ones in tow. We love to be adventurous with food and want to explore the city’s culinary scene, but are also a bit concerned about finding “child-friendly” places to eat. Do you have any recommendations?

We happen to be of the opinion that Istanbul is the greatest city in the world for parents traveling with kids, especially when it comes time to eating. The truth is, save for perhaps the fanciest places in town, almost every restaurant in the city is very “child-friendly,” because Turks happen to be some of the most child-friendly folks around. There are few places in town where other customers will shoot you a dirty look if your kids get out of line or spill their ayran.

In some restaurants, you may even find the entire waitstaff oohing and aahing over your children and offering to take your kids on a tour of the premises, allowing you to have a few quiet moments to actually enjoy your food. And while most places may not have an actual kids’ menu, our experience has been that almost every kitchen in town will go out of its way to make kids happy, either by whipping up something that’s not on the menu or sending one of the busboys out to grab an order of french fries or a tost (pressed cheese sandwich) from a fast-food spot down the street.

The rest of this updated post can be found on CulinaryBackstreets.com, here.

Culinary Backstreets
In case you didn’t know, Istanbul Eats now lives over at Culinary Backstreets. Same great culinary walks, same great culinary writing. You’ll be redirected there in a few seconds!

All entries filed under Advice


Advice: Flyby Dining in Istanbul?
no responses - Posted 01.07.13
Dear Istanbul Eats, I’ll have an eight-hour layover in Istanbul and was wondering if you have any suggestions for places to go for a good Turkish breakfast and lunch. I love to eat at small, local places serving authentic food. I would prefer restaurants in the Yeşilköy area, as I have ...continue
Ramadan’s Iftar: The Break Fast of Champions
5 responses - Posted 07.19.12
Think of Ramadan, which begins this evening in many parts of the world, as a kind of monthlong biathalon that consists of an all-day race to beat back the hunger and thirst of fasting, followed by an all-night marathon of eating and drinking in order to fortify the body for ...continue
Since You Asked: Istanbul on a Student Budget?
2 responses - Posted 04.02.12
Dear Istanbul Eats: In September I will be going to Europe for the first time and have decided to throw in a visit to Istanbul at the end of the trip. I'm a student and so my budget for travelling is limited, but, as I love food, I'm not exactly crazy ...continue
If You Insist: Pandeli?
5 responses - Posted 01.11.12
Dear Istanbul Eats, I've heard and read so much about the historic Pandeli restaurant in Eminönü's Spice Bazaar, including that it's nothing more than an overpriced tourist trap. Have you been there recently? Is it worth going to? Concerned in Cincinnati  Dear Concerned, Thanks for the great question. Pandeli is indeed a venerable spot ...continue
If You Insist: Hamdi?
9 responses - Posted 08.22.11
Dear Istanbul Eats, I have heard so much about the famous Hamdi kebab restaurant in Eminönü, but can’t find anything about it on your website. Is there a reason for that? Curious in Chicago Dear Curious, Thanks for the great question. We’ve ourselves been curious about Hamdi, which we haven’t been to in ages, ...continue
Since You Asked: Eating During Ramadan?
no responses - Posted 07.08.11
(Editor's Note: With Ramadan set to start at the end of the month, we decided to rerun this timely advice column from last year.) Dear Istanbul Eats, I booked my trip to Istanbul months ago, looking forward to trying out many of your recommendations, only to realize just before leaving that I ...continue
Since You Asked: Istanbul with Kids?
3 responses - Posted 05.27.11
Dear Istanbul Eats, We are planning an upcoming visit to Istanbul with two little ones in tow. My husband and I love to be adventurous with food and want to explore the city’s culinary scene, but are also a bit concerned about finding “child-friendly” places to eat. Can you help? Foodie Mom, ...continue
Since You Asked: Where to Pop the Question in Istanbul?
no responses - Posted 05.01.11
Dear Istanbul Eats, Forget about Prince William and Kate – what about my own wedding? Can you please help my clueless boyfriend (along with millions of Turkish men) to find a nice and romantic place to propose! I am not necessarily asking for an expensive high-end restaurant, but a place with ...continue
Since You Asked: Springtime Specialties?
no responses - Posted 04.08.11
Dear Istanbul Eats, I've heard that springtime finds some of Istanbul's restaurants with unique seasonal items on their menu. I know the weather hasn't quite turned yet, but when spring does come, I don't want to miss out on any of those dishes. Do you have some suggestions on what to ...continue
Since You Asked: Jewish Istanbul?
no responses - Posted 03.11.11
Dear Istanbul Eats, For an upcoming trip, I’ve been searching for Jewish restaurants in Istanbul, but without any luck. I thought I would turn to a higher authority and ask what you can suggest? Thank you, N. Osher, Bethesda, Maryland While Istanbul has a sizable Jewish community (perhaps some 20,000) with a long ...continue

© Copyright by Istanbul Eats 2009 - 2024 Istanbul Eats | Original theme by Zidalgo.