Continuing our Turkey recommendations journey, today’s excursion took place on a day trip to the Prince’s Islands.
If you’re unfamiliar, the Prince’s Islands are an archipelago of Istanbul. Located an hour and a half ferry ride away, they’re a string of islands oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Car-free streets and ocean-lined mansions cover the beaches. Boutique shops and restaurants with a view offer plenty of activity in the non-summer months. Büyükada is the largest of the islands and most definitely worth a visit if you’re spending a week or more in Istanbul.
But like with everything that goes to the tourists, prices have gone way up and quality has taken a dive. While the seafood restaurants right off the port and on the water hover in the 3.9 median rating, taking a bit of a step away can get you some tastier grubs. So this is my advice here, walk away!
We did this and walked straight to Antep Kuzu Lahmacun Büyükada.
There are about a dozen street foods every tourist in Turkey must try. Lahmacun will be on every list. And while seafood was our original thought for an island lunch, a restaurant bearing the name and the need for something more quick to have time to explore before the last returning ferry, made lahmacun what was on the menu for lunch.
There was just one on the menu so it had to be good:
And low and behold, it was! Just like I remember from a trip prior, that sweet zing from all of the ingredients rolled up into a crisp, snackable wrap.
Meat, vegetables, and a fragrant blend of spices that include cumin, paprika, and sumac are baked on a homemade dough. The dough is stretched thin, creating a crisp and chewy base that contrasts beautifully with the juicy, seasoned topping.
Lahmacun’s origins trace back centuries across the Middle East and the Levant, with roots in regions that now span Turkey, Syria, and Armenia. Its name is derived from the Arabic words lahm (meat) and ma’jun (kneaded or dough). Today, lahmacun remains a staple of Turkish street food culture and is also enjoyed throughout the Mediterranean, sometimes even the star of the show, like at Antep Kuzu Lahmacun.
This variation was all about balance: the meat adds savory richness, while the fresh herbs and spices bring in layers of brightness and warmth. It is served fresh out of the oven, with a few garnishes and pickled vegetables. Rolling it up with these garnishes adds a zesty kick and a touch of acidity, making every bite a mix of crispy, tangy, and flavorful goodness.
This isn’t a meal though, more of a snack. And the rest of the 1-pager menu was primed for filling any hunger gaps with an offering of another traditional Turkish street food, pide. We went with the Kaşarli Sucuklu Pide:
Pide is a boat-shaped, oven-baked flatbread topped with a variety of ingredients, and this version combines two classic Turkish favorites: kaşar cheese and sucuk.
Kaşar is a Turkish cheese similar to mild cheddar or mozzarella, known for its creamy texture and excellent melting qualities, creating a gooey, stretchy layer of cheese on the pide. Sucuk is a spicy, garlicky Turkish sausage made from beef, with a deep, savory flavor and a hint of smokiness.. It’s a staple meat in the Balkan kitchen, so I’m quite familiar with it. (PS if you haven’t tried Mina’s pizza with sudjuk, you are missing out.) When combined, kaşar and sucuk make for a rich and flavorful topping that’s slightly salty, spicy, and deeply satisfying. The dough itself is soft and chewy on the inside with crispy edges, perfectly complementing the melted cheese and spicy sausage.
I absolutely loved this pide. Another food that will be on all the must try lists, pide might just be my favorite Turkish street foods. Not quite a pizza, but more filling than a flatbread, it’s a carb lovers dream. There are always so many kinds to try too! In case you didn’t know, Turkey has some of the most amazing cheeses. It’s part of why the Turkish breakfasts and spreads are so incredible. From mozzarella to beyaz peynir to traditional Turkish lor- you must take advantage and try them all. The kaşar on this pide strung out with every bite and made you do that little shoulder happy dance.
And with that, we had the energy to make the hour long hike to the crown jewel of the island, the St. George Church. Located at the top of the mountain, if you can make it up the seemingly vertical streets, you can take in all the beauty of the Prince’s Islands. A 10/10 rec for your Istanbul itinerary and a lahmacun cheers to that!
