What are the best eggplant dishes in Istanbul?

Based on diner recommendations, the best eggplant dish in Istanbul is at Adem Baba. We compared 7 restaurants serving eggplant dishes.

How much do eggplant dishes cost in Istanbul?

Eggplant dish prices in Istanbul range from TRY6.50 to TRY160.00 across 7 restaurants.

All Ingredients in Istanbul

Best Eggplant Dishes in Istanbul

7 restaurants compared

Price range: TRY6.50 – TRY160.00

Avg recommendation: 90%

Top 5 Eggplant Dishes in Istanbul (Quick Answer)

Based on diner recommendations across 7 restaurants:

Eggplant Salad at Adem Baba, TRY80.00 (Arnavutköy)
Eggplant Salad at Asmalı Cavit, TRY48.00 (Asmalımescit)
Stuffed Dried Eggplant at Öz Kilis Kebap, TRY95.00 (Fatih)
Karnıyarık at Tarihi Şahin Lokantası — 95% recommended, TRY6.50 (Beyoğlu)
Hünkar Beğendi at Hünkâr Lokantası — 94% recommended, TRY125.00 (Nişantaşı)

Scroll down for detailed comparisons, prices, and diner tips for each restaurant.

All 7 Eggplant Dishes

Eggplant Salad

Adem Baba

Arnavutköy·$$$

TRY80.00

Charred eggplant blended with tahini, lemon, and garlic.

Tip: Order this as a side to any grilled fish — it balances the richness and shows the restaurant's meze technique.

Eggplant Salad

Asmalı Cavit

Asmalımescit·$$$

TRY48.00

Charred eggplant puree with tahini, garlic, and lemon, a creamy and smoky dip.

Tip: Eggplant salad is one of the best mezes for vegetarians. Order this, tarama (fish roe), the fava bean meze, and you have a vegetarian mezze spread.

Stuffed Dried Eggplant

Öz Kilis Kebap

Fatih·$$

TRY95.00

Hollowed dried eggplant stuffed with spiced ground meat and tomato.

Tip: Try this if you're looking for something different. It's less greasy than pan kebab and has interesting texture.

#495% recommend

Karnıyarık

Tarihi Şahin Lokantası

Beyoğlu·$

TRY6.50

Eggplant halves hollowed and filled with spiced ground meat, tomato, and onions, baked until soft.

Tip: Order this with rice pilaf and a soup for under 400 TL total — it's the best value meal in Beyoğlu.

#594% recommend

Hünkar Beğendi

Hünkâr Lokantası

Nişantaşı·$$$

TRY125.00

Tender lamb ragout served on a bed of roasted eggplant purée and béchamel sauce.

Tip: This is an elegant dish to share — it looks as good as it tastes. The eggplant base is smooth, the lamb is tender, and the presentation is refined without being fussy. Perfect for impressing a dinner date.

#687% recommend

Eggplant Pie with Döner

Pandeli

Eminönü·$$$

TRY160.00

Layered eggplant pastry topped with a leaf of thinly sliced döner meat.

Tip: This is lighter than the heavy mains like hünkar beğendi. Good choice if you want to sample multiple dishes.

#785% recommend

Zucchini and Eggplant Fritter

Elde Börek

Beşiktaş·$

TRY38.00

Grated zucchini and eggplant mixed with herbs and flour, pan-fried until golden, served with yogurt.

Tip: One of the best vegetable mains in Istanbul. Light, flavorful, and not heavy despite being fried. Pair with a simple salad.