Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Istanbul for Any Food Lover
Delicious vegan burger on the picture
Either you are a lover of healthy soul-feeding foods, veg-food enthusiast or someone who just wants a change in their lives from eating kebabs, here is a little list of restaurants for you to go out, enjoy the day and discover new vegetarian tastes and animal-free diet in the city of Istanbul.
1. Bi Nevi Deli
Creative plant-based kitchen in Etiler. A restaurant with a casual feeling, makes every dog lover feel like home. The menu is rich with its variety, with an approach to raw, healthy, whole foods. Vegan burgers and köfte, hummus tartine with roasted garlic and tomatoes, house-made cashew cheese, and beet spaghetti alfredo made with spiralized beets can be found.
We ordered a Quinoa Burger and Chipotle Cheezy Seitan Burger. Both of them were good and filling, but our favorite was Seitan Burger, because of the brown rice patty and its texture. The food was really filling, so I even couldn’t get to the desserts. Definitely recommend the ayran! I couldn’t believe there’s no actual milk inside, but obviously (like everything) is plant-based and they make it from cashews. Amazing.
The burgers are 37-39 tl, which comes with potato salad and kale. If to compare the food quality and prices, it’s definitely worth it and I’m definitely going again.
The waitress was very nice and introduced us (aside from the menu) to their 3 dogs - Caramel, Venus and Sarı.
We ordered a Quinoa Burger and Chipotle Cheezy Seitan Burger. Both of them were good and filling, but our favorite was Seitan Burger, because of the brown rice patty and its texture. The food was really filling, so I even couldn’t get to the desserts. Definitely recommend the ayran! I couldn’t believe there’s no actual milk inside, but obviously (like everything) is plant-based and they make it from cashews. Amazing.
The burgers are 37-39 tl, which comes with potato salad and kale. If to compare the food quality and prices, it’s definitely worth it and I’m definitely going again.
The waitress was very nice and introduced us (aside from the menu) to their 3 dogs - Caramel, Venus and Sarı.
Location: Dilhayat Sokak 10/1, Etiler
2. Falafel House
Casual, cheap and delicious. Good option for enjoying Middle-Eastern dishes like hummus and falafel, just a few steps away from Taksim Square. No meat is served at this restaurant.
Opened by Palestinian father and son duo in 2006, after they noticed a gap in the market for simple and fresh traditional Middle-Eastern food, they got popular within the locals and foreigners.
Location: Şehit Muhtar Bey Cad. No.19/A Taksim3. Zencefil
Vegetarian restaurant with colorful atmosphere, daily food options, and seasonal ingredients.
As I sat there I saw quite colorful hippie personalities, which was refreshing. Vegan dishes are served cold, vegetarian options mostly warm. I got a vegetarian lasagne and potato pie. The taste was good, but at the same time, there wasn't anything surprising or 'wow moment' to it. For the taste, both were good, but I preferred the lasagne. As a drink, we got 'Zencerfil limonata'. To me, it tasted like classical lemonade. Couldn't feel the ginger inside and nor did my boyfriend.
As a dessert, we got a vegan tart. Oh boy, that one was amaaazing! Served with vegan bazil-ice cream, that was over the top of experience. As a conclusion, I was expecting more surprising flavors, as this is one of the oldest vegetarian restaurants in Istanbul. But overall it was good. The waiter was very helpful. If you go, definitely ask for vegan tart (with vegan ice cream). Good experience, I might go again.
Location: Şehit Muhtar Mahallesi, Kurabiye Sokak, No 8/A, BeyoğluAs I sat there I saw quite colorful hippie personalities, which was refreshing. Vegan dishes are served cold, vegetarian options mostly warm. I got a vegetarian lasagne and potato pie. The taste was good, but at the same time, there wasn't anything surprising or 'wow moment' to it. For the taste, both were good, but I preferred the lasagne. As a drink, we got 'Zencerfil limonata'. To me, it tasted like classical lemonade. Couldn't feel the ginger inside and nor did my boyfriend.
As a dessert, we got a vegan tart. Oh boy, that one was amaaazing! Served with vegan bazil-ice cream, that was over the top of experience. As a conclusion, I was expecting more surprising flavors, as this is one of the oldest vegetarian restaurants in Istanbul. But overall it was good. The waiter was very helpful. If you go, definitely ask for vegan tart (with vegan ice cream). Good experience, I might go again.
4. Community Kitchen
Community Kitchen is a warm and welcoming place to try innovative vegan Turkish cuisine. With a home-like, cozy atmosphere, it's a little vegetarian restaurant in a central location where cats are welcomed inside. It's a place where menu changes daily, providing always something new and exciting.
Location: Kumbaracı Yokuşu 57/ A, Beyoğlu5. Komsu Cafe
Pay as much as you want or have! It's a collective coffee place, where you can eat in-house-made vegetarian and vegan food, drink fair trade coffee with a list of recommended prices but you can give as much as you want or have. You can even bring your own food and cook in the kitchen.
Komşu Cafe is a contribution to alternative economy. Everyone and every idea non-authoritarian, non-discriminant, non-sexist, non-homophobic and non-transphobic is welcome and will be respected.
An open-minded community space welcomes everyone.
Location: Rasimpaşa Mahallesi, Uzunhafız Sokak, No 83/A, Kadıköy
6. Mahatma Cafe
Recommended to me by my Turkish vegan colleague! It's a cozy small cafe with a calm and laid back feel to it. The atmosphere is colorful and neighborhood artistic. Vegan börek, beetroot hummus, bulgur and other types of Turkish cuisine can be found.
Location: 50/A Macit Erbudak Sokak, Kadikoy, Istanbul, Turkey
7. Naan
It's a non-vegetarian restoran, but vegan pide and vegan sandwiches are options in the menu.
Location: Caferağa Mahallesi, Moda Caddesi, No 113, Kadıköy
Location: Caferağa Mahallesi, Moda Caddesi, No 113, Kadıköy
8. Tahin
Lebanese kitchen which is not specialized on vegetarian food, but amazingly delicious vegan options can be found in the menu, such as Falafel Dürüm (Falafel wrap) and Vegan menu, which is so big that I never finished by myself. You can also order it to share. If you love Middle-Eastern tastes, this one is for you.
Location: Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa Mah, Mumhane Cad, No 41/A, Beyoğlu
Vegan menu on the picture
Lastly, If you don't know already, I would suggest you to also check out a page happycow.net. It is a great page to find Vegan and Vegetarian options near where you are. Just insert your location to the search engine. Brilliant!
Love animals,
Happy eating,
enjoy!
Mariliis
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