Dishes you should try in Kartal: Sahil Balığı (seafront fish) and Esnaf Lokantası Yemekleri (tradesmen's restaurant dishes). This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Kartal is famous for.
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Famous Dishes of Kartal
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Sahil Balığı (seafront fish)
Fish restaurants on the Kartal seafront serve fresh fish with views of the Sea of Marmara.
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Esnaf Lokantası Yemekleri (tradesmen's restaurant dishes)
Kartal's tradesmen's restaurants serve traditional Turkish home cooking at affordable prices.
Dishes from Istanbul Cuisine
What to eat in Istanbul →These dishes are known throughout Istanbul province; see the provincial food guide for details.
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Eminönü Balık Ekmek (grilled fish sandwich)
A street food with a registered geographical indication, made with grilled fish on the boats at the Eminönü pier.
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İstanbul Simidi (sesame bread ring)
A simit with a registered geographical indication, dipped in molasses and coated in sesame.
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Boğaziçi Lüferi (Bosphorus bluefish)
A fish with a registered geographical indication that passes through the Bosphorus in autumn.
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Sultanahmet Köftesi (Sultanahmet grilled meatballs)
Grilled meatballs served with piyaz (white bean salad).
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Midye Dolma (stuffed mussels)
Mussels stuffed with spiced rice; a street classic of the city.
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Tavuk Göğsü (chicken breast pudding)
A milk pudding made with shredded chicken breast fibres, handed down from the palace kitchen.
What to Buy in Kartal: Local Products
- Seafood Fresh seafood can be bought from Kartal's fishing harbour.
What Kartal Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
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Urban Transformation
Kartal is one of the districts of Istanbul where the most comprehensive urban transformation projects have been carried out. Former industrial areas are being converted into modern living spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Kartal?
Kartal is known for 2 local dishes, above all Sahil Balığı (seafront fish) and Esnaf Lokantası Yemekleri (tradesmen's restaurant dishes). Fish restaurants on the Kartal seafront serve fresh fish with views of the Sea of Marmara.
What is Kartal famous for?
Kartal is known for Sahil Balığı (seafront fish), Seafood and Urban Transformation. Its best-known sights include Aydos Hill and Dragos Hill.
What to buy in Kartal?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Kartal include Seafood.
Kartal Travel Guide
- Things to Do in Kartal 4 places to visit
- What to Eat in Istanbul All the famous dishes of the province
What to Eat in Other Districts of Istanbul
- Adalar 3 dishes Ada Balığı (fresh island fish), Ada Dondurmacısı (island ice cream) and Midye Dolma (stuffed mussels)
- Arnavutköy 2 dishes Köy Kahvaltısı (village breakfast) and Mangal Köfte (grilled meatballs)
- Ataşehir 1 dish Modern Istanbul Cuisine
- Avcılar 2 dishes Sahil Balığı (seaside fish) and Esnaf Lokantası (tradesmen's restaurant)
- Bağcılar 2 dishes Lahmacun and Çiğ Köfte (spiced bulgur dish)
- Bahçelievler 2 dishes Esnaf Lokantası Yemekleri (home-style lokanta dishes) and Kebap Çeşitleri (kebap varieties)
- Bakırköy 2 dishes Bakırköy Profiterolü (profiteroles) and Sahil Balık Restoranları (seafront fish restaurants)
- Başakşehir 2 dishes Modern Turkish Cuisine and Kebap Çeşitleri (kebap varieties)
- Bayrampaşa 1 dish Esnaf Lokantası Yemekleri (home-style lokanta dishes)
- Beşiktaş 3 dishes Ortaköy Kumpiri (stuffed baked potato), Beşiktaş Fish Market and Ortaköy Waffle
- Beykoz 2 dishes Beykoz Balığı (Beykoz fish) and Polonezköy Kahvaltısı (Polonezköy breakfast)
- Beylikdüzü 1 dish Modern Restoran Mutfağı
- Beyoğlu 3 dishes Beyoğlu Muhallebisi, Çiçek Pasajı Mezeleri and Karaköy Güllüoğlu Baklavası
- Büyükçekmece 2 dishes Göl Balığı (lake fish) and Trakya Usulü Köfte (Thrace-style meatballs)
- Çatalca 3 dishes Çatalca Köfte, Trakya Usulü Ciğer Tava (Thrace-style fried liver) and Butter, cheese and yoghurt
- Çekmeköy 1 dish Village Breakfast (Köy Kahvaltısı)
- Esenler 1 dish Bus Terminal Area Restaurants
- Esenyurt 1 dish Anatolian Flavours
- Eyüpsultan 3 dishes Eyüp Sultan Lokumu, Pierre Loti Stream and Eyüpsultan güveci
- Fatih 3 dishes Sultanahmet Köftesi, Balık Ekmek (Eminönü) and Spice Bazaar Spices (Mısır Çarşısı Baharat Çeşitleri)
- Gaziosmanpaşa 1 dish Tradesmen's Restaurant Dishes (Esnaf Lokantası Yemekleri)
- Güngören 1 dish Esnaf Lokantası Yemekleri
- Kadıköy 3 dishes Kadıköy Balık Pazarı Lezzetleri, Çiya Sofrası and Kadıköy Dondurmacıları
- Kağıthane 1 dish Esnaf Lokantası Yemekleri
- Küçükçekmece 1 dish Göl Balığı
- Maltepe 2 dishes Sahil Balığı and Çiğ Köfte Dürüm
- Pendik 2 dishes Pendik Ayranı and Sahil Balık Restoranları
- Sancaktepe 1 dish Esnaf Lokantası
- Sarıyer 2 dishes Sarıyer Böreği and Boğaz Balığı
- Silivri 2 dishes Silivri Yoğurdu (Silivri yoghurt) and Sahil Balığı (coastal fish)
- Sultanbeyli 1 dish Anatolian Flavours
- Sultangazi 1 dish Esnaf Lokantası Yemekleri
- Şile 3 dishes Şile Kestane Balı (Şile chestnut honey), Karadeniz Pidesi and Taze Karadeniz Balığı
- Şişli 2 dishes Nişantaşı Brunch Kültürü (brunch culture) and Osmanbey Döneri
- Tuzla 2 dishes Sahil Balığı and Pide
- Ümraniye 1 dish Esnaf Lokantası Yemekleri
- Üsküdar 3 dishes Üsküdar İskembe Çorbası, Kanaat Lokantası Yemekleri and Fish
- Zeytinburnu 1 dish Zeytinburnu Leather Tradesmen's Restaurants