Vegan in Istanbul

Istanbul is a major city in Turkey with a population of over 15 million people. As you walk the bustling streets, you’ll find all kinds of Turkish delicacies including vegan options. One of those being freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, and in between meals down some Turkish tea.

Vegan Narsistt $$

📍Osmanağa, Canan Sk. 20/A, 34714 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey

📍Ayvansaray, Leblebiciler Sk. No:18, 34087 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

The first stop for anyone who wants a traditional vegan Turkish breakfast, should make their first stop at Veganarsist. They have more than just breakfast, but breakfast in Turkey is the most important meal of the day. They treat it the way other cultures treat dinner.

The owner prepared me an extensive vegan Turkish breakfast some of the things he prepared were baked bread slices topped with vegan cheese, tomato, roasted green pepper. A traditional Menemen made with green pepper, tomato, tomato paste cooked in oil with spices and omitting the egg.

He also served her a vegan and gluten-free Turkish sujuk made with soybeans and chickpeas instead of sausage. The morning platter also had three different types of Turkish vegan cheese: tofu feta (tastes like fresh cheese), vegan cheddar, and plain cheese.

One of the key components to every Turkish breakfast is fried bread dipped in some type of sauce. He had 8 different selections of sauces and jams such as a cashew sauce with basil, tomato paste, vegan almond cheese, tahini and molasses mix, red pepper jam and roasted eggplant sauce.

The Spreads!

He had 8 different selections of sauces and jams such as a cashew sauce with basil, tomato paste, vegan almond cheese, tahini and molasses mix, red pepper jam and roasted eggplant sauce.

All of this is of course served with Turkish tea because it wouldn’t be a Turkish breakfast without Turkish Black tea. If there’s one place to visit in Turkey as a vegan traveler, it’s Veganarist. To enjoy this meal, it’s on weekends only and you need to make reservation. Contact them on Instagram or on the website.

Spice Bazaar $

Afterwards, head over to the Eminönü district where you’ll find all sorts of beautiful attractions. At the Spice Bazaar, you can get samples of Vegan Turkish delight, teas and even take home vacuum sealed food and tea.

Turkish delight in the Spice Bazaar

Grand Bazaar $-$$

Another location is the Grand Bazaar which has around 4,000 shops and is one of the largest markets in the world. Other spots are the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Topkaki place and the Suleymaniye mosque which has rooftop views of the city.

Community Kitchen $

After your day of sight-seeing in Eminönü, hop on the ferry over to Princess Island and if you want more vegan food in Istanbul, try the Community Kitchen that specializes in vegan Turkish inspired food. They have vegan kebab, dolmas with a spicy kick, hummus made from peas, and Lahmacun which is a flat bread topped with lentils and sunflower seeds.The Community Kitchen has been open for 7 years and the owner wanted it to be vegan for their love and concern over animals. At first, it was the only vegan restaurant in all over Istanbul. For dessert, you must try their Turkish vegan baklava because most other places you find baklava will have butter.

Vegan Baklava $

📍 Güllüoğlu - Karaköy

Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Kemankeş Cd. No:67, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey

As mentioned above, although you will have a hard time finding vegan baklava, fear not because there is on major hot spot in the popular Karaköy neighborhood that serves vegan baklava in addition to their traditional kind. Güllüoğlu is one of the most popular Turkish pastry cafes where you can indulge in baklava, tea and much more.

Photo Courtesy of Güllüoğlu Website

Go discover Turkey’s culture through its food using this list of Turkish vegan restaurants to guide you.