Travel video guide
Where to Eat in İstanbul: Wood-fired Doner
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 was founded as Byzantium by Greek settlers in approximately 657 BCE, renamed Constantinople in 330 CE by Emperor Constantine.
Must-try foods nearby
- Simit
The quintessential Istanbul street food, this circular bread is encrusted with toasted sesame seeds and typically dipped in grape molasses (pekmez) before baking for a distinct. - Balık Ekmek (Fish Sandwich)
A historic staple of the Eminönü waterfront, this sandwich features freshly grilled mackerel or white fish served in half a loaf of crusty bread with onions, lettuce. - Cağ Kebabı
Often called the horizontal ancestor of the döner, this Erzurum-style kebab consists of marinated lamb stacked on a horizontal spit and cooked over a wood fire. - Midye Dolma
These stuffed mussels are a legendary late-night snack, filled with aromatic rice seasoned with cinnamon, black pepper, and currants. - Mantı
Often described as Turkish ravioli, these tiny hand-folded dough parcels are typically filled with minced meat and topped with a triple threat of garlic yogurt, melted butter.
When to go: The best time to visit Istanbul is during the shoulder seasons of spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October), when the weather is mild and pleasant for exploring. Summer (July and August) can be hot, humid.
Local tips
- Purchase an Istanbulkart for seamless and discounted access to all public transportation, including the iconic Bosphorus ferries.
- Always remove your shoes before entering a Turkish home or a mosque to show respect for local cleanliness and traditions.
- Accepting an offer of tea is a significant sign of hospitality and a key way to build rapport with local shopkeepers and residents.
- Verify that the taxi meter is turned on before starting your journey or use reputable ride-hailing apps to avoid common overcharging scams.
What travelers are noticing
- Panorama: Dreams and Places exhibition at the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art
- Soundscape Festival 2026 at Life Park
- The 'CANNES!' photography exhibition at the Ara Güler Museum
Official tourism resource
The official travel guide of Türkiye, providing comprehensive information on the vibrant seaside district of Kadıköy on Istanbul's Anatolian side.
Planning questions
Where did Ayaküstü Lezzetler eat in İstanbul?
This guide maps all 3 spots featured in the video, with names, addresses, and neighborhoods, so you can plan where to eat in İstanbul.
What are the must-try foods in İstanbul?
Creator picks from the video include 150g portion of 100% lamb doner, Fatty and salty doner, Wood-fired doner. 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.