Türkiye · month by month
Istanbul food calendar
What is in season in Istanbul, what to eat right now, the food festivals worth planning around and the months to be careful with. Tap a month.
January in Istanbul
The best of January: Boza and salep, Hamsi.
In season
- Boza and salep
The fermented millet drink and the hot orchid-root drink are winter only.
Nov–Feb - Hamsi (Black Sea anchovies)
Fried, in pilaf and baked in bread; the season starts with the first cold.
Oct–Feb
Nothing of this kind in January. Try Everything.
February in Istanbul
The best of February: Ramazan pidesi and güllaç, Boza and salep, Iftar in the courtyards.
In season
- Boza and salep
The fermented millet drink and the hot orchid-root drink are winter only.
Nov–Feb - Hamsi (Black Sea anchovies)
Fried, in pilaf and baked in bread; the season starts with the first cold.
Oct–Feb
Eat it now
- Ramazan pidesi and güllaçRamadan (moves about 11 days earlier each year; Feb-Mar in 2027)
The round flatbread sold before iftar, and the rosewater pastry made only for Ramadan.
Feb–Mar
On the calendar
- Iftar in the courtyardsRamadan
Public iftar tables in Sultanahmet and Eyüp; restaurants serve special fast-breaking menus.
Feb–Mar - One of the world’s 100 best food eventsRamadan nightsExpected 8 February to 9 March 2027 · The National, subject to moon sighting
The streets wake at sunset with iftar tables, night markets and the sweets made only this month: güllaç, qatayef, chebakia.
How to go: Book iftar tables ahead; some restaurants close at lunch, and alcohol is harder to find.
Feb–Mar
Plan around
- Ramadan hoursRamadan
Most restaurants stay open, but some close at lunch; iftar tables must be booked.
Feb–Mar
Nothing of this kind in February. Try Everything.
March in Istanbul
Shoulder seasonThe best of March: Baklava for Şeker Bayramı, Ramazan pidesi and güllaç, Iftar in the courtyards.
In season
- Cagla (green almonds)Mar–Apr
Eat it now
- Baklava for Şeker Bayramıend of Ramadan
The sugar holiday; baklava shops have lines out the door.
- Ramazan pidesi and güllaçRamadan (moves about 11 days earlier each year; Feb-Mar in 2027)
The round flatbread sold before iftar, and the rosewater pastry made only for Ramadan.
Feb–Mar
On the calendar
- Iftar in the courtyardsRamadan
Public iftar tables in Sultanahmet and Eyüp; restaurants serve special fast-breaking menus.
Feb–Mar - One of the world’s 100 best food eventsRamadan nightsExpected 8 February to 9 March 2027 · The National, subject to moon sighting
The streets wake at sunset with iftar tables, night markets and the sweets made only this month: güllaç, qatayef, chebakia.
How to go: Book iftar tables ahead; some restaurants close at lunch, and alcohol is harder to find.
Feb–Mar
Plan around
- Ramadan hoursRamadan
Most restaurants stay open, but some close at lunch; iftar tables must be booked.
Feb–Mar
Nothing of this kind in March. Try Everything.
April in Istanbul
Peak seasonThe best of April: Cagla, Enginar braised with broad beans and Istanbul Tulip Festival.
In season
- Cagla (green almonds)Mar–Apr
- Enginar (artichoke) braised with broad beans
Kadikoy market
Apr–May - Strawberries, green almonds and erik
Sour green plums and almonds sold with salt from street carts.
Apr–Jun
On the calendar
- Istanbul Tulip Festival (food-friendly)
Nothing of this kind in April. Try Everything.
May in Istanbul
Peak seasonThe best of May: Enginar braised with broad beans, Strawberries, green almonds and erik.
In season
- Enginar (artichoke) braised with broad beans
Kadikoy market
Apr–May - Strawberries, green almonds and erik
Sour green plums and almonds sold with salt from street carts.
Apr–Jun
Nothing of this kind in May. Try Everything.
June in Istanbul
The best of June: Strawberries, green almonds and erik, Aegean tomatoes.
In season
- Strawberries, green almonds and erik
Sour green plums and almonds sold with salt from street carts.
Apr–Jun - Aegean tomatoes
Late June through August
Jun–Aug - Summer fish and mezze
Lüfer (bluefish) and sardines along the Bosphorus.
Jun–Sep
Nothing of this kind in June. Try Everything.
July in Istanbul
The best of July: Watermelon with white cheese and Aegean tomatoes.
In season
- Watermelon with white cheese
From July; meyhane staple
Jul–Aug - Aegean tomatoes
Late June through August
Jun–Aug - Summer fish and mezze
Lüfer (bluefish) and sardines along the Bosphorus.
Jun–Sep
Nothing of this kind in July. Try Everything.
August in Istanbul
The best of August: Watermelon with white cheese and Aegean tomatoes.
In season
- Watermelon with white cheese
From July; meyhane staple
Jul–Aug - Aegean tomatoes
Late June through August
Jun–Aug - Summer fish and mezze
Lüfer (bluefish) and sardines along the Bosphorus.
Jun–Sep
Nothing of this kind in August. Try Everything.
September in Istanbul
Peak seasonThe best of September: Fresh figs, Pomegranates and quinces, Istanbul Coffee Festival.
In season
- Fresh figs
September, served with kaymak
- Pomegranates and quinces
Ayva tatlısı, poached quince with kaymak.
Sep–Nov - Palamut (bonito) / lakerda
September through November
Sep–Nov - Summer fish and mezze
Lüfer (bluefish) and sardines along the Bosphorus.
Jun–Sep
On the calendar
- Istanbul Coffee Festival
Nothing of this kind in September. Try Everything.
October in Istanbul
Peak seasonThe best of October: Pomegranates and quinces, Palamut / lakerda.
In season
- Pomegranates and quinces
Ayva tatlısı, poached quince with kaymak.
Sep–Nov - Palamut (bonito) / lakerda
September through November
Sep–Nov - Hamsi (Black Sea anchovies)
Fried, in pilaf and baked in bread; the season starts with the first cold.
Oct–Feb
Nothing of this kind in October. Try Everything.
November in Istanbul
Shoulder seasonThe best of November: Pomegranates and quinces, Palamut / lakerda.
In season
- Pomegranates and quinces
Ayva tatlısı, poached quince with kaymak.
Sep–Nov - Palamut (bonito) / lakerda
September through November
Sep–Nov - Boza and salep
The fermented millet drink and the hot orchid-root drink are winter only.
Nov–Feb - Hamsi (Black Sea anchovies)
Fried, in pilaf and baked in bread; the season starts with the first cold.
Oct–Feb
Nothing of this kind in November. Try Everything.
December in Istanbul
The best of December: Boza and salep, Hamsi, International Istanbul Gastronomy Festival.
In season
- Boza and salep
The fermented millet drink and the hot orchid-root drink are winter only.
Nov–Feb - Hamsi (Black Sea anchovies)
Fried, in pilaf and baked in bread; the season starts with the first cold.
Oct–Feb
On the calendar
- International Istanbul Gastronomy Festival
Chefs' federation competition; expected 17-20 Dec 2026 (2025 edition 17-20 Dec); ticketed
- WorldFood Istanbul
Industry/trade fair 15-18 Dec 2026 at Tuyap; ticketed
Nothing of this kind in December. Try Everything.
Festival dates move from year to year, so check this year's dates before you book. Seasons are how growers, markets and local guides describe them; edges vary with the weather. Know something we missed? Tell us.