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Worried about being Vegan in Istanbul? Don’t be. The city is SUPER vegan friendly, but one neighborhood stands above the rest for plant-based eats. Cihangir, Istanbul’s bohemian neighborhood smooshed between Galata, Taksim, and Karaköy has become the vegan food capital of Istanbul.
There are endless options of restaurants to get great vegan Turkish Food, but I’ve narrowed it down to the best of the best.
To say I love this restaurant is an understatement. Owned and operated by three women, two sisters, and a daughter/niece, Wegain makes delicious homemade Vegan Turkish food. The prices are super affordable, running you about 40TL (Less than $3) for a plate of food.
Plus it’s on one of the best streets in Istanbul in the TomTom district of Cihangir, which is known as the “Design Hood.” It’s where you’ll find Turkish Modern and Miniko Vintage which I talked about in my shopping guide to Cihangir.
If you want vegan Turkish Food, but also the option for international flavors, this is your spot. It’s a fairly new restaurant that’s off on a side street in a tiny, yet super cute little eatery. Their Vegan Manti (Turkish Ravioli) is the best in the city, and the smokey roasted eggplant is a flavor that I still dream of.
A plate will run you about 100-120 TL (less than $8 USD) which is extremely reasonable for the portions, plus they typically give you a little beetroot hummus snack prior to your meal coming, and a carafe of water, which is pretty unusual in Istanbul.
I wrote about this place in The Best Vegan Restaurants in Istanbul article, and of course, I had to mention it here again. To not bore you with the same old same I won’t go too deep into about how delicious this place is.
I will say that they offer the best bang-for-buck with a plate running around 50 TL and the options available are made fresh daily by the brother and sister who run the place— plus the vegan baklava is to die for.
Roka Cafe gets the Ms.Conginality award for Vegan restaurants in Istanbul. The owner was SO friendly and warm. It’s a deli-style restaurant, so he explained each dish to me— although the building says vegan some dishes are vegetarian so be sure to ask.
He offered me Turkish tea at the end of my meal and was very curious about how I was liking Istanbul, and what I was doing there, and even gave some great tips for things to see and do.
The prices are a little high in my opinion because the food is similar to Wegain or Vegan Istanbul but the price is around 100TL, but the ambiance was on point, and it’s in a super popular area so in the end it does even out (realistically that’s still less than $7 for a HUGE plate of food)
Organic me is a lively little cafe on the border of Taksim and Cihangir. It serves more “cafe-style” food, like salads, sandwiches, and soups. It’s a great place to grab a coffee and a quick bite before continuing on with your sightseeing in Istanbul.
They also have incredible smoothies and juices if you’re looking for healthy food in Istanbul, this is a great option. The cafe is not 100% vegan, they do sell fish and eggs — but everything is all clearly marked.
If you’re looking for a restaurant that will please vegans and non-vegans, No.19 Dining is your spot. This Turkish restaurant has an array of vegan-friendly dishes that are mouthwatering good. It’s a home-style restaurant, so there’s no menu. Rather the host will walk you through what’s available for the day, plus they’ll tell you what you need to try.
Every time I go here I leave with a full stomach and a big smile on my face. It’s a warm and welcoming place that makes for a great, no-frills dining experience in Istanbul.
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