#1
Manti with Smoked Cream and Tulum Cheese
TURK Fatih TutakBomonti·$$$$
Tiny pasta parcels filled with spiced lamb, served with smoked cream sauce and crumbled aged tulum cheese, with sour cherry garnish.
Tip: This course is a master class in how to honor tradition while innovating. The manti is exactly how a Turkish grandmother would make it, but the presentation and sauce elevate it to fine dining.
#2
Oruk Kebab
Öz Kilis KebapFatih·$$
TRY120.00
Ground lamb kebab with herbs and spices, cooked in a shallow pan until crispy.
Tip: If pan kebab is sold out, this is the next best option. The oregano gives it a slightly different character.
#3
İskender Kebab
Hamdi RestaurantEminönü·$$$
TRY240.00
Thinly sliced döner meat layered over pita bread with yogurt and spiced tomato sauce.
Tip: Sit at the counter to watch the doner spit and kebab grill in action—the visual is part of the experience.
#4
Kadınbudu Köfte
Tarihi Şahin LokantasıBeyoğlu·$
TRY5.50
Ladies' thigh meatballs made with rice, onions, and herbs, pan-fried until golden.
Tip: Order several different dishes for the table to share — the portions are moderate.
#5
Smoked Lamb Loin with Charred Endive
MiklaBeyoğlu·$$$$
TRY10500.00
Slow-smoked lamb loin with charred endive, apple molasses, and a pairing of native Anatolian red wine.
Tip: The tasting menu is for complete tables only — groups of 2-8 work best for the format.
#6
Chickpeas with Meat
Kanaat LokantasıÜsküdar·$$
TRY52.00
Braised chickpeas and lamb in a savory, deeply flavored sauce.
Tip: Chickpeas with meat is one of the best-value mains in Istanbul. Filling, protein-rich, and satisfying for under 60 TL. Pair with bread and you have a complete lunch.
#7
Lamb Chops
Köfteci MustafaSultanahmet·$
TRY280.00
Grilled lamb chops seasoned simply with salt and spices.
Tip: If someone in your group prefers lamb chops to meatballs, this is well-executed — same grill technique as the köfte, different format.
#8
Mutancana (Meat Ragout with Dried Fruit)
Mahkeme LokantasıKaraköy·$$
TRY13.00
Meat ragout cooked with almonds, dried fruit, and warm spices — a dish reflecting Ottoman influences.
Tip: A sweet and savory dish that pairs beautifully with wine.
#9
Yogurt Kebab
BeytiFlorya·$$$$
TRY620.00
Lamb kebab served over yogurt with tomato sauce and butter.
Tip: Good for sharing — the yogurt base makes it feel more like a composed dish than a simple grill. Different from the Beyti Kebab in technique and presentation.
#10
Adana Kebab
KhorasaniSultanahmet·$$$
TRY240.00
Ground lamb kebab heavily spiced with red pepper and herbs, charcoal-grilled.
Tip: This is moderately spicy. If you don't like heat, ask for it milder. The kitchen will adjust.
#11
Lamb Chops
Adana OcakbaşıKurtuluş·$$
TRY120.00
Charred lamb rib chops brushed with butter and herbs, grilled to a smoky crust.
Tip: Lamb chops here are expensive but worth it. The meat is tender enough to eat with a fork, and the charring is refined without being burnt. Order a few and share.
#12
Sadrazam Pilav
Sadrazam MahmutBeyoğlu·$$
TRY12.00
Rice cooked with lamb, vegetables, and house spices — the restaurant's signature rice dish.
Tip: This pairs well with the grilled offal — order it as a side for the table.
#13
Lamb Shish Kebab
Hamdi RestaurantEminönü·$$$
TRY320.00
Tender chunks of lamb threaded on a skewer and charcoal-grilled until caramelized.
Tip: Good choice for shared eating—order two or three skewers per person. Generous portions.
#14
Mixed Dürüm
Aynen DürümBeyoğlu·$
TRY50.00
Combination of lamb and chicken wrapped in lavash.
Tip: If your group can't decide between lamb and chicken, order this — lets you taste both in one wrap.
#15
Lamb Shish Kebab
Tarihi Sultanahmet KöftecisiSultanahmet·$
TRY130.00
Tender chunks of lamb on a metal skewer, charcoal-grilled with peppers and tomato.
Tip: Try this if you want something different from the famous köfte. Slightly pricier but the meat quality is excellent.
#16
Lamb Chops
BeytiFlorya·$$$$
TRY720.00
Grilled lamb chops from premium cuts, charred and simple.
Tip: A good alternative if someone in your party doesn't want kebab — cooked to the same standard as the Beyti Kebab but in a simpler form.
#17
Lamb Shoulder
Hünkâr LokantasıNişantaşı·$$$
TRY145.00
Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with seasonal vegetables and warming spices.
Tip: Lamb shoulder is best ordered for two people — ask the server if you can share and they'll likely bring an extra plate. The meat is fatty and rich, perfect for sharing and savoring.
#18
Pistachio Kebab
Çiya SofrasıKadıköy·$$
TRY82.00
Minced lamb kebab studded with crushed pistachio nuts for crunch and richness.
Tip: The pistachio kebab runs out by mid-afternoon. It's usually available but quantities are limited, so arrive before 1 PM if you specifically want it.
#19
Adana Kebab
BeytiFlorya·$$$$
TRY580.00
Spiced ground lamb kebab formed onto a flat skewer and grilled.
Tip: This is more casual than other items on the menu — good if you want kebab but prefer something with more obvious seasoning and a DIY-style service.
#20
Hünkar Beğendi with Braised Lamb
Mahkeme LokantasıKaraköy·$$
TRY14.00
Silky eggplant puree topped with tender braised lamb and tomato sauce.
Tip: A romantic dish served on a quiet evening — the historic setting and food make it special.
#21
Turkish Green Plum Stew
Çiya SofrasıKadıköy·$$
TRY80.00
Spring lamb with tender garlic and green plums in a light, acidic braise.
Tip: This appears on the menu in spring (April-May). Go for lunch in late April if you want to catch the green plums while supplies last.
#22
Kuzu Şiş (Lamb Skewer)
Zübeyir OcakbaşıBeyoğlu·$$$
TRY27.00
Cubed lamb marinated and threaded onto metal skewers, cooked over the open coal fire.
Tip: Ask for two skewers — a single one goes fast once you start eating.
#23
Adana Kebab
Zübeyir OcakbaşıBeyoğlu·$$$
TRY18.00
Spiced minced lamb kneaded with onions, garlic, and chili, molded onto flat metal skewers and cooked over charcoal.
Tip: Ask for the spicy version — the default is quite mild.
#24
Lamb Kofta with Pomegranate
AhesteGalata·$$$
TRY320.00
Ground lamb kofta served with pomegranate molasses and fresh herbs.
Tip: Pair this with a glass of natural wine from their list — the acidity in both the wine and the pomegranate create a beautiful complement.
#25
Lamb Shish Kebab
KhorasaniSultanahmet·$$$
TRY280.00
Tender lamb chunks threaded on a skewer, charcoal-grilled until caramelized.
Tip: Excellent choice if you don't want the theater of the Testi Kebab. The lamb quality is the same, just simpler.
#26
Kadınbudu Köfte
Bankalar LokantasıKaraköy·$$
TRY85.00
Rice and meat meatballs pan-fried until golden, a delicate dish requiring skill.
Tip: These are fragile and require good technique. If Bankalar is making them, they're worth the order. Not all lokantas do them well.
#27
Braised Lamb with Fresh Almond, Camel Sausage, and Charred Chard
MiklaBeyoğlu·$$$$
TRY10500.00
Slowly braised Trakya lamb served with crispy camel sausage, fresh almonds, charred greens, and sultani peas.
Tip: Book 3-4 weeks ahead for weekend tables — this is Istanbul's top special-occasion restaurant.
#2898% recommend
Beyti Kebab
BeytiFlorya·$$$$
TRY680.00
Aged lamb loin wrapped in flatbread — the dish that gave Beyti its name.
Tip: This is the only dish you need to order — the menu is large but Beyti Kebab is why the restaurant exists. Order it and nothing else to fully understand what 80 years of refinement looks like.
#2996% recommend
Lamb Dürüm
Aynen DürümBeyoğlu·$
TRY45.00
Grilled lamb meat wrapped in fresh lavash with vegetables and herbs.
Tip: This is what to order — nothing else needed. Choose the thin lavash for authenticity, or thick if you prefer more bread. Ask for extra pickles if you like acid and salt.
#3096% recommend
Adana Kebab
Adana OcakbaşıKurtuluş·$$
TRY95.00
Minced lamb with tail fat and spices, grilled over charcoal until the edges char and the inside stays pink.
Tip: Order pink — Ayhan will cook it until it's warm throughout but still rosy inside. This is the ideal doneness for this meat and fat ratio. If you prefer well-done, specify, but the staff will likely gently redirect you.
#3195% recommend
Flat Köfte
Tarihi Sultanahmet KöftecisiSultanahmet·$
TRY80.00
Hand-flattened lamb meatball grilled over charcoal, with a chewy texture and light spice.
Tip: Arrive at 11:45 AM or after 14:00 to avoid the worst of the lunch crush. The restaurant has 30+ tables but fills completely from 12:00–13:30.
#3295% recommend
Yanya Köfte
Yanyalı Fehmi LokantasıKadıköy·$$
TRY65.00
Signature meatballs with fried eggplant and tomato, a 100-year family recipe.
Tip: Arrive between 12 and 1:30 PM for the widest selection. The kitchen prepares daily specials in the morning, and by mid-afternoon some dishes sell out.
#3395% recommend
Pirzola (Lamb Chops)
Zübeyir OcakbaşıBeyoğlu·$$$
TRY24.00
Thick-cut lamb chops grilled over charcoal until the surface chars and the meat stays tender inside.
Tip: Book at least a week in advance — this place fills up fast and walk-ins rarely get a table within hours.
#3494% recommend
Hünkâr Beğendi
Karaköy LokantasıKaraköy·$$$
TRY245.00
Slow-cooked lamb chunks on a bed of charred eggplant mash with savory gravy reduction.
Tip: Order this at lunch when it's a daily special. Come between 12-1 PM to avoid crowds. It often sells out by late afternoon.
#3594% recommend
Grilled Meatballs
Köfteci MustafaSultanahmet·$
TRY100.00
Hand-formed meatballs made from veal and lamb, grilled until caramelized.
Tip: Order a portion of four meatballs as your main — that's the only thing you really need. The quality and preparation are unadorned but honest.
#3694% recommend
Hünkar Beğendi
Hünkâr LokantasıNişantaşı·$$$
TRY125.00
Tender lamb ragout served on a bed of roasted eggplant purée and béchamel sauce.
Tip: Order Hünkar Beğendi without hesitation. It's the reason the restaurant is famous and the reason to visit. Every table seems to order it, and for good reason.
#3794% recommend
Hünkar Beğendi
PandeliEminönü·$$$
TRY220.00
Slow-cooked lamb served on a bed of charred eggplant puree.
Tip: Pair with raki or a Turkish red wine, not beer. The eggplant's smokiness opens up with spirits.
#3893% recommend
Testi Kebab
KhorasaniSultanahmet·$$$
TRY340.00
Sealed clay pot of lamb, vegetables, and spices cooked over charcoal, cracked open at your table.
Tip: This is the reason to come. The cracking-open tableside is half the experience. Arrive hungry—it's substantial.
#3992% recommend
Döner Kebab
NATO LokantasıKaraköy·$$
TRY140.00
Seasoned lamb and beef roasted on a vertical spit daily, sliced and served on a plate with rice or bread.
Tip: Order on a plate, not in bread—you'll taste the meat better. Ask for it with rice on the side if you want.
#4092% recommend
Alinazik Kebab
Hamdi RestaurantEminönü·$$$
TRY320.00
Charcoal-grilled lamb kebab served on a bed of creamy burnt eggplant puree.
Tip: Order this before anything else—it's the dish that made Hamdi famous. The burnt eggplant is essential to the experience.
#4192% recommend
Lamb with Quince
Çiya SofrasıKadıköy·$$
TRY85.00
Slow-cooked lamb paired with sweet quince in a dish that exemplifies Musa's philosophy of fruit-meat combinations.
Tip: Arrive at noon to avoid the crowd that starts building after 12:30. Go straight to the steam trays at the counter and point to anything labeled with fruit — lamb with quince, sour cherry kebab, and green plum stew are the Musa signatures.
#4291% recommend
Pan Kebab (Kilis Tava)
Öz Kilis KebapFatih·$$
TRY110.00
Thin disc of ground lamb cooked in a shallow metal dish in a wood-fired oven until crispy.
Tip: Order this—it's unique to Kilis and you won't find it everywhere. The crispy edges are the best part.
#4390% recommend
Rack of Lamb
FeriyeOrtaköy, Beşiktaş·$$$$
TRY380.00
Perfectly cooked lamb ribs with aromatic spices, tender and flavorful with a crispy exterior.
Tip: Order medium-rare and trust the kitchen. The lamb is sourced well and the cooking is reliable.
#4489% recommend
Uzbek Pilaf with Lamb and Carrot
Kanaat LokantasıÜsküdar·$$
TRY58.00
Rice pilaf layered with shredded carrot and tender lamb, a Central Asian specialty on the Istanbul menu daily.
Tip: The pilaf is hearty and rich. One order can serve two people if you're sharing multiple dishes. Don't feel obligated to finish if you're also ordering meatballs or other mains.
#4589% recommend
Lahmacun (Turkish Flatbread Pizza)
Öz Kilis KebapFatih·$$
TRY65.00
Thin crispy dough topped with spiced ground lamb, tomato, and parsley.
Tip: One of the cheapest filling meals in Istanbul. Order two lahmacun per person and you have a full meal for under 150 TRY.
#4688% recommend
Sour Cherry Meatballs
Çiya SofrasıKadıköy·$$
TRY78.00
Lamb meatballs cooked in a tart sour cherry sauce, balancing savory meat with bright acidity.
Tip: This dish is usually available mid-June through August when sour cherries are in season. If you visit outside these months, ask the staff what fruit-based lamb dishes are available that day.
#4788% recommend
Papaz Yahni
Yanyalı Fehmi LokantasıKadıköy·$$
TRY72.00
Ottoman stew of lamb and shallots braised in garlic and thyme.
Tip: The papaz yahni is hearty enough for a winter dinner and light enough for spring. Ask the server if it was prepared fresh that day — Yanyalı Fehmi makes it fresh each morning.
#4888% recommend
Urfa Kebab
Hamdi RestaurantEminönü·$$$
TRY280.00
Ground lamb kebab seasoned with spices and charcoal-grilled until crispy on the outside.
Tip: This is cheaper than Alinazik but equally satisfying. Pair it with the fresh yogurt bread from their bakery counter.
#4988% recommend
Lamb Ragu Pasta
FaunaAtaşehir·$$$
TRY70.00
Long pasta cooked al dente, tossed with a slow-cooked lamb ragu seasoned with fragrant spices.
Tip: One of the regular menu items. Pairs beautifully with the daily salad and a simple drink.
#5085% recommend
Çiğ Köfte
Adana OcakbaşıKurtuluş·$$
TRY52.00
Raw or lightly warmed minced lamb with bulgur, spices, and herbs, rolled in lettuce and eaten as an appetizer.
Tip: Start with çiğ köfte. It's the lightest and most interactive dish on the menu — you build your own wraps. This prepares your palate for the heavy grilled meats to come.