Where to Eat Healthy in Istanbul: Best Spots for Fresh & Tasty Food
Those who strive to eat healthily, those who want to stay in shape, or those who are on a diet... If you are tired of the vegetable dishes and salads you prepare at home, or if you don't know what to eat when you are out, it would be useful to make a note of our list. We have researched places where you can find healthy and delicious food, from soups to salads, main courses to desserts and snacks.
İstanbul stands out not only for its traditional cuisine but also for its healthy restaurants, vegan cafes, gluten-free-friendly eateries, organic markets with natural products, and sugar-free treats. Questions such as “Where can I find healthy food in İstanbul?”, “Which places are vegan in İstanbul?” and “Where can I find gluten-free restaurants in Istanbul?” are becoming increasingly popular. Eating out in the city has become more than just a fun experience. It’s now a crucial part of maintaining a healthy eating routine. In the detailed guide below, you'll find İstanbul’s top healthy spots with the latest information!
Plant-Based Cuisine in Istanbul
Bi Nevi Deli (Etiler)
One of Istanbul's most established plant-based dining destinations, Bi Nevi Deli features a menu consisting entirely of ‘whole food plant-based’ dishes, meaning unprocessed, natural, and vegetable-focused recipes. It is particularly known for its fermented foods, grain bowls, seasonal vegetable platters, and desserts free of refined sugar. Since the menu is constantly updated based on seasonal ingredients, you have the chance to discover a new flavour with every visit. The variety offered by the restaurant provides a rare experience in Istanbul for both vegans and those who prioritise healthy eating. Bi Nevi Deli also offers practical solutions for city dwellers with its delivery and takeaway options.
Source: Tripadvisor
Healin Foods (Nişantaşı/Teşvikiye)
Healin Foods is one of Istanbul's best-known restaurants offering functional foods. The menu features gluten-free, sugar-free, paleo-friendly and plant-based options. This makes it a reliable choice for coeliac patients and those following a paleo or vegan diet. Cold-pressed fruit and vegetable juices, immunity-boosting shots, rich bowl options, and soup varieties are among the main items on the menu. Especially the desserts prepared without refined sugar are a go-to spot for those seeking a healthy solution to a sweet craving. Healin Foods' strongest aspect is its philosophy of viewing health not just as a trend but as a lifestyle, and reflecting this philosophy in its kitchen.
Source: Healing Foods
Plus Kitchen (various locations)
With branches in different parts of Istanbul, Plus Kitchen is the go-to place for those looking for quick and practical healthy meals. Operating under the motto ‘eat well,’ this chain offers options such as fresh salads prepared daily, grain bowls, protein-balanced main courses, and soup of the day. It is one of the most popular healthy restaurants for office workers and students during lunchtime. One of the standout features of the venue is that the calorie and nutritional information for every dish on the menu is clearly displayed. This allows everyone aiming to eat healthily to easily manage their portion sizes.
Vegan and Vegetarian Cuisine in Istanbul
Vegan Dükkan Lokanta (Cihangir)
One of Istanbul's most well-known vegan restaurants, Vegan Dükkan Lokanta offers an entirely plant-based menu. Here you can find daily vegetable dishes, vegan mantı, gluten-free pasta varieties, homemade desserts and cold appetisers. The restaurant is open every day from 10:00 to 21:00 and is particularly busy at lunchtime. Vegan Dükkan Restaurant's strongest point is that even non-vegans feel at home thanks to its home-style menu. It is an ideal stop for those looking for healthy, home-made flavoured food.
Source: Vegan Dükkan Lokanta
Kumin Vegan Lezzetler (Kadıköy)
Located on a quiet street in Kadıköy, Kumin Vegan Lezzetler is known for its homemade vegan dishes. With its garden setting, cosy decor and entirely plant-based menu, it offers visitors a peaceful experience. All dishes on the menu, from soups to main courses, desserts to drinks, are 100% vegan. Gluten-free alternatives are also available. It is one of the most reliable addresses for those seeking vegan cuisine in Kadıköy.
Source: Happy Cow
Vegan Istanbul (Cihangir) and other options
The Cihangir and Kadıköy neighbourhoods are considered the heart of vegan food culture in Istanbul. Many restaurants and cafés here cater not only to vegans but also to anyone who wants to eat healthy food. Places like Vegan Istanbul Restaurant offer affordable, home-style vegan meals. Additionally, small vegan bakeries and cafes opening in the neighbourhoods are rapidly expanding the availability of vegan desserts and plant-based coffee options.
Source: Happy Cow
Galata Kitchen (Galata/Beyoğlu)
This small restaurant, tucked away in the side streets of Galata, reinterprets traditional home-style dishes with a vegetable-focused twist. The menu features olive oil-based dishes, grain plates, soups, and daily changing vegetable dishes. It is a popular choice for a healthy and affordable lunch. Galata Kitchen's philosophy is ‘to find healthy home-cooked meals outside the home.’ This makes it a popular option, especially for tourists and office workers.
Source: Quandoo
Locality, Seasonality and Sustainable Cuisine in Istanbul
Neolokal (Karaköy – Salt Galata)
Neolokal interprets traditional recipes from Anatolian cuisine with a modern and sustainable approach, and is one of the most ambitious addresses for healthy eating in Istanbul's ‘fine dining’ concept. The restaurant has been awarded the MICHELIN Green Star, which is the most concrete demonstration of its commitment to a sustainable supply chain. The menu features seasonal vegetables, products sourced from local producers, and healthy interpretations of traditional recipes. It offers a cultural and healthy experience for gastronomy enthusiasts.
Source: MICHELIN Guide
Çiya Sofrası (Kadıköy)
One of the most famous restaurants in Kadıköy Market, Çiya Sofrası, offers a veritable archive of Anatolian cuisine with its daily changing menu. It is a unique option for those seeking healthy food, especially with its olive oil dishes, seasonal vegetable dishes, herb-based appetisers and salads. Although the menu includes meat dishes, it stands out for its variety of vegetables and healthy cooking methods. Here, you can discover a different dish every day.
Source: Tripadvisor
Healthy Dessert and Snack Options in Istanbul
Special Desserts for Healthy Eating at Karaköy Güllüoğlu
Karaköy Güllüoğlu, one of Turkey's most famous baklava shops, now offers special options for those who are conscious about healthy eating, in addition to its classic desserts. The ‘Diabetic Baklava’ series, prepared with stevia and prebiotic fibre instead of sugar, was developed for those who do not consume sugar. Vegan baklava varieties are also available. However, it is important to remember that these products also contain calories and portion control is necessary. This innovation comes to the rescue of those in Istanbul seeking ‘sweet but healthy’ options.
Source: Dig in Istanbul
Market Culture for Organic and Natural Products in Istanbul
Feriköy 100% Ecological Market (Şişli)
The most reliable way to find organic and natural products in Istanbul is at the 100% Ecological Market, held every Saturday in Feriköy. Only certified organic producers sell their products here. The market offers a wide range of products, from seasonal fruits and vegetables to organic dairy products, natural legumes, and fermented foods. Open from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the market is Istanbul's largest ecological gathering point. It is a must-visit destination for those who prioritise healthy eating in their lives.
Source: Buğday.org
Healthy Routes for a Healthy Day in Istanbul
European Side (Karaköy–Galata–Cihangir)
You can start your day with a light breakfast or plant-based snack in Karaköy. At lunchtime, you can try modern Anatolian dishes prepared with seasonal vegetables at Neolokal. For those who prefer something simpler, Galata Kitchen offers vegetable-based home-cooked meals as a good alternative. For dessert, you can stop by Karaköy Güllüoğlu and try their sugar-free or vegan desserts. At the end of the day, you can head to Cihangir and finish off the day with a light dinner at Vegan Dükkan Lokanta.
Anatolian Side (Kadıköy and surroundings)
You can start your day with seasonal shopping at Kadıköy Market in the morning. For lunch, you can choose a balanced plate at Kumin Vegan Lezzetler. In the afternoon, you can stop by Çiya Sofrası for a healthy dinner with different herb dishes, olive oil dishes, and vegetable varieties. If your day falls on a Saturday, you can also do your weekly organic shopping at the Feriköy Ecological Market in Şişli.
Frequently Asked Questions About Healthy Eating in Istanbul
Where are vegan restaurants concentrated in Istanbul?
Vegan restaurants are concentrated mainly in the Cihangir, Kadıköy, Galata and Nişantaşı districts. Vegan Dükkan Lokanta, Kumin Vegan Lezzetler and Galata Kitchen are particularly notable examples of vegan cuisine.
Where can I eat gluten-free food?
Healin Foods stands out for its gluten-free food options. Some vegan restaurants also offer gluten-free desserts. However, it is important for coeliac patients to contact the kitchen in advance.
Where can I buy organic products in Istanbul?
The most well-known place for organic shopping in Istanbul is the Feriköy %100 Ekolojik Pazarı in Şişli. It is held every Saturday and sells products from certified producers.
Where can you find local and seasonal dishes?
Neolokal stands out with its modern and sustainable interpretations of Anatolian cuisine, while Çiya Sofrası offers local and seasonal dishes with a menu that changes daily.
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