Travel video guide
Abroad and Hungry in İstanbul, Fatih: 5 Spots
This guide turns INSANE Street Food in ISTANBUL, Turkey - WHOLE LAMB BBQ + Turkish street food in Istanbul, Turkey from Abroad and Hungry into a practical restaurant map with 5 saved spots around İstanbul, Fatih, and Ümraniye. The mapped places include a restaurant stop and a place marker. Use it to understand the places, dishes, and trip context before saving the map in Varedelo.
What the creator captured
Abroad and Hungry was deeply impressed by the scale of Turkish hospitality, from witnessing a catering operation feed thousands to watching the labor-intensive 30-minute kneading process of authentic Çiğ köfte. The standout moment was visiting a 130-year-old establishment to see Buryan Kebab cooked in a traditional three-meter deep underground pit. Max Ginestra concluded that the quality and tradition behind these ancient cooking methods make the flavors truly incomparable.
What this map is good for
- Planning a restaurant stop or short itinerary in İstanbul.
- Comparing food stops from a creator or saved local map before you commit time in the city.
- Saving 5 mapped spots into Varedelo so the list stays usable on the ground.
- Using the original video as context, then turning it into a clean place-by-place map.
Featured spots on this map
- Çiğköfteci Selim Bey
Restaurant in Molla Hüsrev, Cemal Yener Tosyalı Cd. No: 39/A, 34134 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye, İstanbul, Fatih, Türkiye
Price level: Medium - Kuzubeyi Kuzu Cevirme
Restaurant in İkitelli OSB Mahallesi, Dolapdere 28, İkitelli OSB, ada sokak no: 3, 34490 Başakşehir/İstanbul, Türkiye, İstanbul, Başakşehir, Türkiye - Ağababa Döner & Yemek Restaurant
Restaurant in Dudullu Esenşehir Mah. Natoyolu Cad. No:229, Ümraniye İST, İmes, Esenşehir, Karşısı B Kapısı, 34776 Ümraniye/İstanbul, Türkiye, Esenşehir, Ümraniye, İstanbul, Türkiye
Price level: Moderate
Hours: Hours available - Siirt Şeref Buryan1892
Restaurant in Zeyrek Mahallesi, Ömer Efendi Cad, Zeyrek, Serdab Sok. No:34, 34083 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye, Zeyrek, Fatih, İstanbul, Türkiye
Price level: Medium
Hours: Hours available - Polesan Catering
Place marker in DUDULLU OSB MH, E Blok 501 Sk NO:43, 34775 Ümraniye/İstanbul, Türkiye, İstanbul, Ümraniye, Türkiye
Price level: Medium
Food notes from the video
- Paper kebab (Kağıt Kebabı)
- Cold yogurt soup with chickpea flour balls
- Bulgur pilaf
- Oven-cooked lamb
- Eggplant puree with cheese
- İçli köfte
- Fillet with caramelized onions
- Çiğ köfte (Adıyaman style)
- 2 more included in the app.
Experiences captured
- Toured Polesan Catering production facility
- Watched mass-scale food preparation for 6,000 people
- Visited Ağababa Döner restaurant
- Observed 30-minute manual kneading of Çiğ köfte
- Met famous master Selim Usta
- Explored a 130-year-old Buryan Kebab restaurant
- Witnessed meat cooking in a three-meter deep pit
- Helped serve meat at Siirt Şeref Buryan
Planning notes for Istanbul
Istanbul, historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople, is a transcontinental city in Turkey that straddles the Bosphorus Strait, connecting Europe and Asia. As of 2026, the city remains a center for observing the architectural and cultural remnants of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires. Historical Heritage and Architecture The city's historical core, a UNESCO World Heritage site, contains structures that demonstrate a fusion of architectural styles. The Hagia Sophia.
Must-try foods nearby
- Cağ Kebabı
Originating from Erzurum but perfected in Istanbul's specialized shops like Şehzade Cağ Kebap, this is a horizontal rotisserie of marinated lamb. - Balık Dürüm
While the classic 'Balık Ekmek' (fish sandwich) is iconic, the modern trend is the spicy, grilled fish wrap found in Karaköy. - Mantı
Often called 'Turkish ravioli,' these tiny, handmade dough pockets are typically filled with spiced ground meat. - Lahmacun
A thin, crispy oval of dough topped with a savory mixture of minced meat, tomatoes, onions, and herbs. - Hünkar Beğendi
A classic of Ottoman palace cuisine, the name translates to 'The Sultan Liked It.' It consists of tender, slow-cooked lamb chunks served over a rich.
When to go: The best time to visit Istanbul is during the shoulder seasons of April to May and September to October, when the weather is mild (15–24°C / 59–75°F) and crowds are manageable compared to the humid, peak summer months. For coffee enthusiasts.
Local tips
- Purchase an Istanbulkart from yellow vending machines at the airport or transit stations for seamless, discounted access to all public transport, including ferries and trams.
- Always carry small amounts of Turkish Lira in cash, as most restaurants do not allow adding tips to credit card payments and street vendors rarely accept cards.
- When dining out, a tip of 5–10% is customary for good service and should be left in cash on the table or in the bill folder.
- Use ride-hailing apps like BiTaksi or Uber to ensure the taximeter is used and to avoid common street taxi overcharging scams.
What travelers are noticing
- Specialty coffee 'experience centers' and large-scale roasteries, such as the 64,500 sq ft Espressolab facility and Spada Roastery's new 5,300 sq ft training and cupping hub.
- Viral 'Third Place' cafes in Kadıköy and Karaköy, like Peggy Coffee & Eatery and Parsa Coffee Roasters, focusing on minimalist Nordic design and award-winning experimental roasts.
- Global-fusion coffee drinks including Black Sesame Lattes and chocolate-pistachio matcha fusions, alongside a rise in coffee mixology and functional 'wellness' brews.
Official tourism resource
The official tourism portal of Istanbul, managed by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Tourism Branch Directorate.
Planning questions
Where did Abroad and Hungry eat in İstanbul, Fatih?
This guide maps all 5 spots featured in the video, with names, addresses, and neighborhoods, so you can plan where to eat in İstanbul, Fatih.
What are the must-try foods in İstanbul, Fatih?
Creator picks from the video include Paper kebab (Kağıt Kebabı), Cold yogurt soup with chickpea flour balls, Bulgur pilaf, Oven-cooked lamb. Open the map in Varedelo to see which spot each one is at.
Can I save these spots to use on my trip?
Yes. Open the map in Varedelo to save every spot, get directions, and revisit the guide from your phone while you travel.
Use it on your trip
Save this restaurant map before you go
Keep the mapped spots, creator context, food notes, and planning details together. Varedelo turns the page into a phone-friendly map you can revisit when you are choosing where to go.