Travel video guide
Where to Eat in İstanbul: 150g Portion of 100% Lamb Doner | Varedelo
This guide turns İstanbul Gece Dönercileri - Ayaküstü Lezzetler from Ayaküstü Lezzetler into a practical restaurant map with 3 saved spots around Kadıköy, Kartal, and Şişli. The mapped places include a restaurant stop. Use it to understand the places, dishes, and trip context before saving the map in Varedelo.
What the creator captured
Ayaküstü Lezzetler began a late-night culinary tour to highlight Istanbul's growing night doner culture, starting at a specialized shop in Kartal that uses 100% lamb. The creators emphasized their preference for fatty, wood-fired meats over the saucier German-style alternatives. They were particularly impressed by the massive 75-kilogram doner skewers and the shop's ability to serve fresh meat until 4:00 AM.
What this map is good for
- Planning a buffet restaurant stop or short itinerary in Kadıköy.
- Comparing food stops from a creator or saved local map before you commit time in the city.
- Saving 3 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
- İstanbul Gece Dönercisi
Turkish Restaurant in Esentepe, E5 Güney Yanyol caddesi No 19/1A, 34880 Kartal/İstanbul, Türkiye, Esentepe, Kartal, İstanbul, Türkiye
Hours: Hours available - HaBu Döner
Restaurant in Sahrayı Cedit, Halk Sk. No: 41/1, 34734 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Türkiye, Sahrayı Cedit, Kadıköy, İstanbul, Türkiye
Hours: Hours available - Gayrettepe Gece Dönercisi
Buffet Restaurant in Esentepe, Müselles Sk. 6-1 A, 34394 Şişli/İstanbul, Türkiye, Esentepe, Şişli, İstanbul, Türkiye
Hours: Hours available
Food notes from the video
- 150g portion of 100% lamb doner
- Fatty and salty doner
- Wood-fired doner
Experiences captured
- Started a night doner tour in Kartal
- Visited the first night doner shop in Istanbul
- Observed a 75kg doner being mounted
- Experienced freezing cold weather while filming
- Discussed differences between Turkish and German doner
- Planned a three-stop doner route across Istanbul
- Ate at a shop with school-desk style seating
Planning notes for Istanbul
Istanbul is a transcontinental city located on the Bosphorus Strait, serving as a geographical link between Europe and Asia. Historically, it functioned as the capital for the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires. The city’s historical core, much of which is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, contains structures from various eras, including the 4th-century Roman Hippodrome, the 6th-century Byzantine Hagia Sophia.
Must-try foods nearby
- Cağ Kebabı
Widely trending in 2026 as the 'king of kebabs,' this Erzurum-style delicacy consists of marinated lamb stacked on a horizontal spit and wood-fired. - Balık Dürüm
The modern, more portable evolution of the classic fish sandwich (Balık Ekmek). Freshly grilled mackerel is seasoned with a secret blend of spices. - Hünkar Beğendi
A pinnacle of Ottoman palace cuisine, this 'Sultan’s Delight' features tender, slow-cooked lamb chunks served over a creamy. - Islak Hamburger
The legendary 'Wet Burger' of Taksim Square. These sliders are doused in a garlicky, spiced tomato sauce and kept steaming in a glass humidor, resulting in a soft, pillowy texture. - Midye Dolma
Plump mussels stuffed with aromatic rice, currants, pine nuts, and a heavy dose of black pepper.
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°C–25°C) and the city is ideal for walking. Summer (June–August) is the peak tourist season with hot.
Local tips
- Purchase an Istanbulkart at major transit hubs to access the city's extensive network of ferries, trams, and metros efficiently.
- Always verify that the taxi meter is switched on before starting your journey or use a ride-hailing app like BiTaksi to avoid overcharging.
- When dining, expect a leisurely pace as meals are social events, and it is polite to leave a 5-10% cash tip if a service charge is not already included.
- Accept offers of tea from shopkeepers as a sign of hospitality, even if you do not intend to make a purchase.
What travelers are noticing
- Viral Balık Dürüm (Fish Wrap) stalls in Karaköy, featuring innovative spicy sauces and charred flatbreads.
- Artisanal Midye Dolma (Stuffed Mussels) carts in Beşiktaş, trending for their larger, herb-infused rice fillings.
- International Istanbul Gastronomy Festival 2026, showcasing fusion street food and modern Anatolian techniques.
Planning questions
What is this video map?
It is a crawlable guide to the mapped places from İstanbul Gece Dönercileri - Ayaküstü Lezzetler, with the creator video, a static map preview, and selected spots from the trip.
Can I save these spots?
Yes. Open the map in Varedelo to save the places, keep planning notes, and revisit the guide from your phone.
Does this replace watching the video?
No. The video remains the source, and the map makes the places easier to scan, compare, and save while planning.
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.