Every morning, throughout the restaurants and kitchens of every Turkish home, Turks break their fast with “kahvalti”, a traditional Turkish breakfast. Traditionally, Turks love to take their time during breakfast, and during the hours spent at the table for other meals. Whether at a seaside restaurant or on a secret hill with views of greenery, they love to share their breakfast moments with their friends, family, and business partners.

Consisting of olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, cured meats, eggs, fresh cheeses, fruit preserves, honey, pastries, and freshly baked bread, breakfast is a massive spread that offers delicious options for all palates. The myth of breakfast being the “most important meal of the day” is definitely taken seriously by Turks. Participating in a traditional Turkish breakfast is a great way to connect with a major part of Turkish culture and set the tone for a day of exploring this beautiful country. Kahvalti is the perfect reminder to take it slow and savor every experience.

Meyhanes are traditional taverns and the entire meyhane experience is a part of the Turkish culture that involves having various tasteful and light appetizers, also known as “mezes,” complementing them with the Turkish alcoholic beverage of raki, and hunkering down for deep conversations and meaningful connection as the night rolls on. The whole experience revolves around sharing, as the group selects which mezes they want to sample together, rallies around another round of raki, and enjoys each other’s company.

On any given night, you can find locals getting together with friends and family, putting work aside for the night, and recalling the old and terrific times. In Turkish culture, subjects get more emotional and aspirational as the night progresses, and the whole experience serves as a getaway and detox for many. While you’ll find tourists participating in meyhane, it is largely a local pastime, rather than a touristy one, which will guarantee you an authentic experience.

Turkish cuisine is most famous for its intensive labor and variety of niche dishes so everyone can find their favorite; whether it’s pastries, meat-oriented dishes, desserts, or vegan food, there is an option for every appetite in Turkish cuisine. Prioritizing fresh ingredients and bold flavor, Turkish food takes influence from Central Asia, the Mediterranean, Anatolia, and Iran and varies in each region depending on the available ingredients. During a cooking class experience, you’ll fall in love with Turkish cuisine and learn recipes to take back home with you.

Some of the most famous dishes are the Turkish stuffed grape leaves with olive oil for vegetable-heavy cravings, the famous Turkish baklava for dessert lovers, manti, also known as the Turkish dumplings or pasta, or borek, which comes in many shapes and forms and are made out of thin layers of dough which are hand-made and harmoniously stuffed around your choice of meat, cheese or even potatoes. As intensive as the labor is, the final product will make you return and cook even more.

Turkish cuisine is a fusion of Mediterranean, Balkan, Middle Eastern, Central Asian, Eastern European, Armenian and Georgian cuisines, and there is a delicious dish for every appetite. For meat lovers, there are kebap, doner, lamb chops, and Turkish meatballs, which are made using different ingredients and cooking techniques in almost every city. Cheese is also an important part of Turkish cuisine, with cheesemaking being commonplace in many rural areas and cheese being an important part of a traditional Turkish breakfast.

As for dessert, there is the famous baklava, kunefe, a sweet cheese pastry, and sutlac, which is the Turkish interpretation of baked rice pudding. Regarding vegan or vegetable-heavy dishes, Turkish cuisine is highly varied and olive oil is one of the essential ingredients. Some of the most popular vegan dishes you must try are: stuffed vine leaves, filled with rice and vegetables; cig kofte, vegetarian meatballs made from bulgur; and kisir, a flavorful bulgur salad reminiscent of Tabbouleh.

If you are seeking memorable experiences while in Istanbul, look no further than a magical dining experience along the Bosphorus Strait. As one of the most iconic waterways in the world, it is no surprise that Istanbul has a number of great restaurants along the Bosphorus. Sit right by the water where you can hear the sounds of the waves and create cherished memories during your time in Istanbul. Observe the city’s bustle from across the water during the day and at night, watch Istanbul transform before your eyes as you dine in beneath the city’s glow.

Flavors from both sides of this incredible country come together to form extensive menus serving contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, modern and traditional Turkish cuisine and a wide variety of international flavors from sushi bars to Italian. No matter your taste or dietary preferences, you are sure to find the meal of your dreams along the Bosphorus.