Turkey is one of my favorite destinations for its intriguing history, lifestyle, culture, and of course its exquisite cuisine. During one of our visits to Istanbul and as we were exploring the beautiful neighborhoods of the city, we were determined to discover the best places to eat in Balat Istanbul.
Balat has become extremely popular during the last few years. This incredibly lovely and vibrant part of Istanbul is attracting many visitors who want to explore its picturesque alleys and colorful buildings. Although most people come to Balat for their chance to see in person those wonderful buildings, we’re here to talk about the best places to eat in Balat, Istanbul. As fascinating as it is to explore a new place, we all want a good meal at the end of the day. If you’re like us and food is a big part of the experience when you visit a new place, then continue reading to find out which are the best places to eat in Balat, Istanbul.
Below, we have included our top 5 best places to eat in Balat Istanbul. We are including the best restaurants in Balat, the best bakeries, and a variety of other places to cover any type of places in Balat to eat that you may be looking for. If you’re a foodie like us, we’d highly recommend this food tour in Balat Istanbul which includes a private guide, food tasting, and beverages.
Whether it is a hearty meal you’re after or a quick Turkish coffee and baklava, here you’ll find some of the best places to eat in Balat, Istanbul.
5 BEST PLACES TO EAT IN BALAT ISTANBUL
1. OLD BALAT CAFE
Old Balat Cafe is located on one of the main streets of the neighborhood and it is one of our favorite places to eat in Balat, Istanbul. It may look somewhat touristy on the outside but don’t let that discourage you from trying it out. This traditional Turkish restaurant serves excellent local dishes and fantastic service. You MUST try their clay pot kebab. Literally drooling as I’m writing this!
2. BALAT ANTIK CAFE
If you’re looking for a place to have a quick coffee break and a Turkish delight, then this is the perfect place. Balat Antik Cafe is one of the most Instagrammable places in Balat, Istanbul. As soon as you walk next to it, there is no chance that you will miss it. The decor is incredibly photogenic and vibrant reflecting perfectly the overall vibe of Balat. Although this list is focused on the best places to eat in Balat Istanbul, we believe that this cute cafe deserves a spot because it is undeniably one of those places that you simply should not miss during your visit to Balat.
3. FORNO BALAT ISTANBUL
What makes Forno so special, it’s its commitment to using the freshest ingredients and shopping for locally sourced products. The first thing you will notice as you walk in is the cozy interior. It almost feels as if you’re going to your best friend’s house to share a bite over a glass of wine. They serve excellent pizza but if I were you, I’d focus more on trying local recipes, such as their mouthwatering lahmacun. The service (like in most places in Istanbul) is lovely and the prices are very affordable. This is truly one of the best places to eat in Balat, Istanbul.
READ ALSO: HOW TO SPEND A DAY IN BALAT ISTANBUL
4. TARIHI TAS FIRIN EVIN UNLU MAMULLERI
We have a weakness for Turkish desserts so, wherever we went in Istanbul, we made it a point to try as many as our stomachs could take. By the time we visited Balat, our tastebuds were trained to recognize when a dessert was exceptional. That is exactly what you should expect from Tarihi Taş Fırın Evin Unlu Mamulleri, nothing but the freshest desserts and pastries. This place was so good, that we tried desperately to make space in our luggage so we could squeeze in as many baklavas as possible. Their spinach pie is wonderful too so don’t miss out on that!
5. BARBA VASILIS TAVERN
Balat was once inhabited by different ethnicities, Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Even after the passing of so many years, the Greek community has left its mark and that is reflected in many parts of Balat. One of the things that are most vividly reflected, is the cuisine. Turkish and Greek cuisine are very similar and that is something that you will notice as soon as you glance at the menu of Barba Vasilis Tavern.
At Barba Vasilis Tavern, you will find scrumptious homemade traditional dishes, making this one of the best places to eat in Balat Istanbul. Some of our favorites are the stuffed artichoke, the octopus, and the stuffed vine leaves.
5 BEST PLACES TO EAT IN BALAT ISTANBUL – CONCLUSION
Balat Istanbul has many great options if you’re looking for a good place to eat. These are just our top 5 best places to eat in Balat, Istanbul. We love to explore destinations that offer us the opportunity to put our photography skills to use. With that said, we’re incurable foodies and we’ve always believed that one of the best ways to experience a country is through its cuisine. In Balat you’ll have no problem finding wonderful eateries where you can indulge in the local cuisine. Have you ever been to Balat? What are some of your recommendations for the best places to eat in Balat, Istanbul?
