Istanbul’s Best “Meat” Doner Kebab Restaurants
Turkey is a doner country surrounded by sea on three sides. Doner Kebab, or “meat,” is our red line. Almost everyone knows where to eat ‘good doner’ and how to make it.
Some people like buffet doners (piece donors), while others are fans of leaf donors, which have become popular in the last two decades. Some people like to eat doner on the go, between bread/bread, while others prefer to sit and eat in doner parlors. Whatever the case, doner is a delicacy that the Turkish nation will eat without objection as soon as it is placed in front of them twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Doner = The national food of Turks.
In Turkey, a new player enters the doner market almost every day. Therefore, it is also essential for us to update the best meat doner restaurants in Istanbul.
That’s why we decided to keep this list updated and improve it.
Based on your feedback and visits, we present the best meat doner places in Istanbul below.
Meat Doner Schools According to Cutting and Presentation
However, to clarify the issue, we would first like to mention the two schools that we have already mentioned in our articles in terms of the cutting and presentation of doner kebab;
- Leaf Doner School (The salon-type doner that covers the plate like a sheet when cut. Bayramoğlu and Tatar Salim fall into this category).
- Piece Doner School (A doner that we mostly see in the Black Sea Region, allegedly originating from Kastamonu, which is presented in finger-sized pieces when cut and is more prone to buffet style. Dönerci Asım Usta, places serving night doner)
Those who generally like “Yaprak Döner” do not want “Parça Döner.” While some prefer only beef meat in doner, others avoid lamb-mixed doner because lamb is used. However, both presentations have their fans.
In light of this information, here are the top 10 best meat doner restaurants in Istanbul, based on the public’s votes and our synthesis.
Istanbul’s Best Doner Kebabs
This ranking can change frequently. Istanbul is now a metropolis. As a result of the information we receive and the surveys we conduct from time to time, we can expand this list and remove some places from the list. (Some of them close down, of course) From now on, if you have any suggestions for our list of the best meat doner restaurants, which we try to update twice a year, we welcome you in the comments.
Here are the best doner restaurants…
1- Lokanta 1973, Maltepe
Suppose you want to eat a greasy and delicious doner in the Black Sea style, which is made in the most similar way to when doner was first invented in Kastamonu. In that case, you should include Lokanta 1973, a family-run restaurant that is very successful in pot dishes and meat doner, in your list of doner restaurants. It is the oldest and most successful representative of artisan doner on the Anatolian side. Mr. Arda, the new generation manager, continues to apply the recipe he learned from his father. Pay attention. Doner kebab at noon doesn’t last long and runs out. Try to get there on time.
Lokanta 1973
Cevizli Mah. 30 Agustos cad. Vazo Kule 15/BC B Blok, 34000 Maltepe/Istanbul
+902164411661
2- Bayramoglu Doner, Kavacik
A doner restaurant that has made a throne in the hearts of Istanbulites. We don’t love their doner, but Bayramoglu Doner has undoubtedly started a new school in doner kebab. Bayramoglu Doner, which makes leaf doner style doner, has mixed beef and sheep meat. They spread the doner on tandoori bread like a sheet and serve it that way. For more than 30 years, it has been serving as a single branch in the same place in Beykoz Kavacik.
Bayramoglu Doner
Ruzgarlıbahce, Cumhuriyet Cd. No:2, 34805 Beykoz/Istanbul
+902164130045
3- Karadeniz Doner, Besiktas
Karadeniz Doner Asim Usta is a legendary doner maker who has made a name for himself in Istanbul and Turkey. He is a Black Sea doner with a lamb-intensive “Piece Doner School.” Asım Usta is the mascot of Besiktas and the fertility symbol of that region. He is also an excellent tradesman. If he is at the counter and there is a line in front of the shop, you can understand that all the shopkeepers in Besiktas Bazaar are doing well that day.
Karadeniz Doner
Sinanpasa, Mumcu Bakkal Sokak No:6, 34353 Besiktas/Istanbul
+902122617693
4- Tatar Salim, Atasehir
Tatar Salim is one of the top döner restaurants in Istanbul for saloon döner. It currently has two branches in Ataşehir and Kadıköy Bazaar, and the center is in Ataşehir. In my opinion, it is one of the best representatives of Salon döner. With its leaf-cut doner, quality understanding, and the treats it offers with the doner, it puts forward a service and flavor performance that will set an example for Istanbul and Turkey.
Sometimes, we even go there for the lentil soup they make with bone broth instead of eating doner kebab.
Tatar Salim
Kucukbakkalkoy Atilla Ilhan Cd &, Efe Sk. No:4, 34750 Atasehir/Istanbul
+902164082626
5- Surmene Doner, Kucukcekmece
Here is another one of Istanbul’s most popular doner shops. Surmene Doner is a very popular doner shop in Kucukcekmece. They make meat doners of the “Parça Doner” school. Looking closer, you can see that people eat this meat doner by adding sumac onions, just like those from Kastamonu.
Surmene Doner
Cennet, Alparslan Cd. No:68, 34290 Kucukcekmece/Istanbul
+902124241261
6- Sahin Usta, Kapalicarsi
It remains the most expensive doner in Turkey, a testament to its enduring popularity. The price increase, often attributed to the influence of foreign influencers and Youtubers, has kept its loyal customers. The fact that it can sell doner at such high prices in the bustling Grand Bazaar, amidst numerous shopkeepers, is nothing short of a miracle. Founded in 1969, it has stood the test of time.
One of the most controversial döner restaurants in Istanbul, this establishment’s unique selling point is its minced meat döner, a feature many criticize but also draws in curious diners.
We always make sure to eat the doner served with sumac onions between pita bread during our occasional visits to the Grand Bazaar.
Sahin Usta
Mollafenari, Kilicilar Sk. No:5, 34120 Fatih/Istanbul
+902125265297
7- Metet Doner, Kuzguncuk
Metet Doner is a restaurant that became famous for serving “Yaprak Doner” in Kuzguncuk, an Istanbul neighborhood that keeps the neighborhood culture alive to the fullest. The restaurant is a charming corner shop. Their meat comes from Balikesir Kepsut. Metet thought that Kuzguncuk was far from the city and opened its new branch close to Goztepe Bagdat Street.
The owner, Mehmet Altunbulan, draws attention with his resemblance to Derya Koroğlu, the lead singer of Yeni Turku. Since his face is quite striking, the logo of Metet Doner is directly named after Mr. Mehmet himself.
The most common criticism he has received recently is that the prices are too high.
Metet Doner
Kuzguncuk Mah, Icadiye Cd. No:39, 34674 Uskudar/Istanbul
+90 216 5533333
8- Donerci Sadık Usta, Aksaray
Donerci Sadik Usta in Aksaray is a perfect example of a buffet doner. He has many regulars: Pita doner, half-bread, or lavash wrap. If you choose one of these, you will be happy with plenty of foamy open ayran, the ideal duo.
Donerci Sadik Usta
Haseki Sultan, Tutuncu Hasan Sk. 1/A, 34096 Fatih/Istanbul
+90 555 9853603
9- Enbey Doner, Beylikduzu
Enbey Doner is one of the representatives of the Piece Doner School in Istanbul. Although it was a boutique restaurant before it was branched out, it still has not lost its flavor. The best Enbey Doner presentation for us to fully enjoy the delicious and fatty doner is 200 grams of meat wrapped without potatoes. After you eat it, the smell of it stays in your mouth and nose (and that’s something we like). If you like the doner of Karadeniz Doner Asım Usta and Liman Lokantası in Rize, you will also like Enbey’s doner.
Enbey Doner
Cumhuriyet, Camlik Caddesi Cumhuriyet Caddesi 1 D D:1/5, 34520 Beylikduzu/İstanbul
+9002128712423
10- Zumrut Bufe, Fatih
Zumrut Bufe is a doner buffet whose meat comes from Biga, Canakkale. It is very popular and well-known among Eminonu shopkeepers. There is also a family lounge in the arcade across Zumrut Bufe for those who don’t know. So, if you don’t want to eat on foot, you can head to the family lounge.
While many doner restaurants serve fried potatoes with their doner, Zumrut Bufe serves mashed potatoes seasoned with milk. This tiny detail is another element that differentiates the place. I’ve never been a fan of fried potatoes with meat doners.
Zumrut Bufe
Tahtakale, Sabuncu Inn Sk. No:12, 34116 Fatih/Istanbul
+90 212 5228979
