Köfte ekmek is a grilled meatball sandwich, and it has been one of Istanbul's most popular street foods for over 100 years. The köfte are made from ground beef or lamb mixed with onions, garlic, parsley, and each shop's own spices, then grilled over charcoal and served in fresh Turkish bread with tomatoes, onions, and spicy peppers. The bread matters as much as the meat: it soaks up the juices from the grill. The best shops have been doing exactly this, and nothing else, for decades.

Istanbul's cooking traces back to the Ottoman palace kitchens. Many recipes have stayed in the same families for generations, and the techniques take years to learn. Eating here is a practical introduction to the city.

Anyone curious about Turkish cooking will eat well here. The dishes follow Ottoman-era recipes, and most portions suit sharing.

First-time visitors and solo travelers both manage easily here. The area is walkable, and staff at most sites are used to tourists.

Food markets nearby sell spices, cheese, and dried fruit. Waterfront restaurants along the Bosphorus have views across the strait to the Asian side.

Nearby bazaars sell Turkish crafts and souvenirs. Tea houses in the side streets are a good place to rest between sights.