Eats around Grand Bazaar

My Istanbul Guide
May 30
3 min read

Grand Bazaar attracts not only eager shoppers but also food enthusiasts from all around the city!

If you're planning to visit Istanbul, there's a good chance the Grand Bazaar is already on your bucket list. But what many visitors don't realize is that it's not just a shopping paradise—it's also a hidden gem for food lovers from all over Turkey. The Bazaar is home to some of the best food stalls and restaurants in the city! Let me explain why.

The Grand Bazaar is one of the world's most visited tourist attractions, drawing between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. On top of that, around 20,000 people work inside the Bazaar itself. If you count the surrounding commercial zone—Mahmutpaşa, Tahtakale, and Beyazıt included—that number climbs to nearly 50,000 workers. And all of them need to eat!

Shopkeepers here know good food, and a low-quality restaurant wouldn't last a day. The competition is fierce. That’s why the Grand Bazaar area is home to some of the best local restaurants in the city—tried, tested, and approved by the people who eat there every single day.

Now, let's go over some of the hidden secret food stalls and shops in and around the Grand Bazaar!

1. Bahar Lokantası

Situated inside a historic inn right next to the Grand Bazaar, Bahar Lokantası serves up traditional Turkish soups and stews. It’s a humble, no-frills spot where you can enjoy classic precooked dishes — just like the shopkeepers do! Click to go.

2. Dürümcü Mustafa

Located beneath the magnificent Nuruosmaniye Mosque on Vezirhan Street, this Turkish kebab eatery is one of the best—and fastest—in the city. Just order your wrap and wait no more than five minutes! Click to go.

3. Dönerbank

As the name suggests, it’s a tiny shop tucked away on one of the outer streets of the Grand Bazaar area, often surrounded by crowds enjoying their food right outside. No need to wait in long lines like at some of the more touristy döner spots! Click to go.

4. Tostçu Kamil

Literally meaning “Kamil the Toast Guy,” this tiny toastery is tucked away in the Leather Market section of the Grand Bazaar. The prices are incredibly low and staff is super nice! Click to go.

5. Mardin Et ve Kebap Salonu

Once you're in the Leather Market, slip past the persistent leather jacket sellers and head outside using the staircase you’ll see in the corner. On your right, you will find one of the best Kebap restaurants in the area. Click to go.

6. Dayday Patisserie

Quite literally packed with people patiently waiting to place their orders, Dayday is one of the best patisseries in Istanbul. The wait is totally worth it—they make the most delicious apple-cinnamon cookies and Easter sweet bread. Be quick though—by early afternoon, they often sell out, close up shop, and head home! Click to go.

7. Bonus Eatery

This one is hands-down my favorite spot in the Grand Bazaar. Run by third-generation family members, this humble little restaurant has been around for at least 80 years! If you walk past it after lunchtime, you might not even realize it's a restaurant at all, as there is not even a sign! But come lunchtime, it's a different story—this tiny eatery is a favorite among shopkeepers, and it gets packed. With only four tables, don’t be surprised if you end up sharing your meal with strangers.

They cook just one dish per day, and that’s it. Prices are incredibly low, and the flavor is out of this world. Just one tip: if you complain about the slow service, you might get a death stare—or even be shown the door—by the delightfully grumpy old owners! Let's see if you can find it!

Hungry for more than just shopping? Contact us to arrange your private Grand Bazaar tour with delicious food tastings and stops at our favorite local eateries.