Top 7 Restaurants to Eat Vegan in Istanbul

Turkey has an amazing kitchen with countless delicious dishes, desserts, pastries, and much more, so much so that you can reserve a couple of days just for a Turkish Food Tour. Since Istanbul is the biggest city in the country, you can find dishes from all around Turkey here. However, enjoying everything the Turkish kitchen has may seem like a challenge for vegans since so many Turkish dishes revolve around meat and other animal products. But do not worry, there are many vegan-friendly restaurants in Istanbul, and if you are a vegan looking to learn about them, here are the best ways to eat vegan in Istanbul.

Vegan Dukkan

Vegan Dukkan (dukkan means “store” in Turkish) is not only one of the first vegan stores in Istanbul but in Turkey as a whole as well. If you want to prepare your vegan meals or are just looking for some quick vegan snacks, this is the place to go. Inside, you can find almost everything vegan-related, like plant-based milk, tofu, nut butter, many Veggy products (A local vegan products company), various fruits, grains and vegetables, and more.

It is located in the Beyoglu district and you can get to it by getting off at the Mimar Sinan Universitesi stop of the T1 Kabatas – Bagcilar tramway line.

Mahatma Café

Kadikoy is home to many vegan cafés in Istanbul, and Mahatma Café is one of the coziest and friendliest among them. Its staff and owner are really friendly people and the café itself has a very chic, elegant and cozy atmosphere. Its menu is %100 vegan with various local and delicious options such as borek, lentils, falafel, dolma (stuffed vegetables), pilaf, beans, potatoes, bulgur, and much more. The true highlights of the place are its vegan desserts, though. Be sure to sit on one of its outdoor tables and enjoy one of its vegan desserts like cakes, cookies, tarts, or tahini while drinking a tea or coffee of your choice, all while enjoying the view of its modest street.

From the European side, you can easily reach it by using either the ferries from Eminonu to Kadikoy or getting off at the Ayrilik Cesmesi in Marmaray as it is close to both locations.

[widget include='prices']

Vegan Istanbul

Vegan Istanbul is a vegan café and restaurant situated in the Beyoglu district of Istanbul, near the Tophane neighborhood. It is run by a local couple who also speak English. They make great vegan versions of many Turkish dishes like vegan lahmacun (Turkish pizza), meatballs, borek, dolma (stuffed vegetables), halva, and more. There are also more traditional vegan dishes like peas, lentils, beans, various vegetables, and a delicious kombucha, all for affordable prices. Vegan Istanbul also sells many vegan ingredients in their Vegan Market, ranging from various grains, bread, and plant-based milk to vegan cheese, pasta, jam, gluten-free products, and other specials.

The closest public transportation option is the Tophane stop of the T1 Kabatas – Bagcilar tramway line.

Bi Nevi Deli

Bi Nevi Deli is one of the first vegan restaurants in Istanbul, and they show their experience in vegan food in every way possible. Though it started as a vegetarian restaurant at first, it changed to vegan shortly after its founding in 2014. It was founded by 2 aspiring women: Belkis, an America-born Turkish cook specializing in plant-based nutrition, and Ozge, a Middle East Technical University graduate entrepreneur.

Though their menu is a bit pricier than our other choices, it is worth it since their menu is one of the most extensive vegan menus in Istanbul and their dishes are top-notch. They have muffins, toasts, granola, and pancakes for breakfast, guacamole, rolls, tartines, hummus, and other additions for starters, and various vegan burgers, falafels, toasts, and special plates for the main dishes. You can also get various macro bowls and smoothie bowls. To finish it off, there are also many hot & cold drinks and desserts like various coffees, teas, lemonades, kombucha, cookies, cakes, bars, and tarts.

Bi Nevi Deli is located in the elite Etiler neighborhood of the Besiktas district, which you can easily access by getting off at the Etiler stop of the M6 Levent – Bogazici Universitesi metro line. You can transfer to this metro line at the Levent stop of the M2 Yenikapi – Haciosman.

Community Kitchen

Another great vegan restaurant in Beyoglu is the Community Kitchen. Like many other vegan places in Istanbul, their staff is extremely friendly. They have all the classic vegan dishes like veggies, hummus, lentils, peas, beans, vegan burgers, and wraps, but their highlights are the vegan versions of famous Turkish foods like iskender kebab, stuffed peppers and eggplant, meatballs, and baklava (thin layers of pastry with syrup). The place itself is very cozy and comfortable and you can often find cute stray cats just sitting around the place, watching the visitors or sleeping.

Community Kitchen is easily accessible via the M2 Yenikapi – Haciosman metro line. It is very close to the Sishane stop.

Falafel Zone

Despite what its name may make you believe, there are many more vegan options in the Falafel Zone other than falafel. The menu includes many options ranging from various falafels, mushroom-based dishes, and wraps to salads, vegan burgers, hummus, soups, and various drinks like coffee variations and lemonade. Its affordable prices, friendly staff, and quick service are also among its strong points. If you are a vegan looking for a place to eat on Istiklal Avenue, give Falafel Zone a try!

You can go to Falafel Zone quickly by going to the Taksim Square via the M2 Yenikapi – Haciosman metro line and getting off at the Taksim stop.

Muhtelif Mekan

Located in Kadikoy, Muhtelif Mekan is another highlighted vegan restaurant with a cozy interior, friendly staff, and delicious dishes. They have many options prepared with fully vegan ingredients, even some traditional Turkish foods like lahmacun, Iskander kebab, meatballs, and cacik (watery vegan yogurt with cucumbers and mint). More common vegan food like various grains and smoothie bowls are also present on the menu on top of numerous vegan drinks and desserts like coffee variations, teas, cakes, and cookies. You can also try out Turkish coffee here. If you like it, you can always learn how to make Turkish Coffee yourself. Those that are looking to try a traditional Turkish breakfast but can’t do so because of animal products can come to Muhtelif Mekan and try their vegan Turkish breakfast.

Muhtelif Mekan is located near the Kadikoy pier, so you can reach it by either ferry from Eminonu or Besiktas, or the Kadikoy – Tavsantepe metro line.