Out of all the places I’ve visited on my RTW trip, the Middle East earns my vote for best culinary offerings. Jordan was at the top of its game and Israel wasn’t too shabby — and Turkey gives both a run for their money.
My favorite spot in Istanbul is the rooftop restaurant at Seven Hills Hotel, which offers spectacular views in every direction along with fresh fish, coffee, and an excellent sample of Turkey’s famous Apple Tea.
Sunset Bar & Grill raises the bar. It’s way out of the backpacker price range, but I’m thrilled to try its delicious menu.
Our dinner at the Conrad Hotel‘s rooftop restaurants is also pretty tasty, as evidenced by these dishes.
The Sur Balik Restaurant is another favorite spot for seafood:
After extensive research, the award for Erica’s favorite baklava in Istanbul goes to Baklavaci Muhammed Said.
A sample of Istanbul street food: milk tea with spices, grilled corn, and colorful hard candies.
The expansive breakfast spread at Artemis Hostel in Selcuk, near the ruins of Ephesus.
And a delicious dinner at Kaya’s Bar & Restaurant in Pamukkale:
A sample of other means I enjoyed during my Turkey travels… lots of meat, veggies, and puffed up bread:
I’m drooling at the memory of these simple but delicious meals.
And this mocha latte at Coffedocia…!
Over-the-top breakfast spread at the Taskonaklar Hotel in Cappadocia:
Cous cpus with veggies and a side of spiced cake, another lovely meal at the Taskonaklar Hotel. I kind of want to move in permanently.
My favorite part of any meal is dessert, and Turkey easily steals the number one spot in all of my travels.
May I present — Turkish delight, various honey sweets, truffles, mashmallow fruit-and-nut blends, and a variety of candy bars.
But baklava will always be my favorite.
AND I was thrilled to reunite with Starbucks in Turkey. It was my first ‘bucks since traveling in Japan months earlier, and my first red cup of the holiday season. Bonus: the dessert offerings at Turkish Starbucks are significantly better than those in America. That bar below has peanut butter and caramel and I’m salivating now just remembering it.
Bottom line: come to Turkey with an empty stomach and prepare for mouth-watering food and dessert. Turkish delight, indeed!
