Temporada de vacaciones en Estambul: qué está abierto y qué esperar

Istanbul is more than baklava and kebabs — it’s a city where the seasons shape the menu. From wild greens in spring to roasted chestnuts on foggy autumn streets, each season in Istanbul brings its own bounty of fresh, local flavors.

Here’s what to eat — and when — to enjoy Istanbul’s culinary calendar like a local.

🌸 Spring: Fresh, Green & Revitalizing

As tulips bloom and markets fill with sunshine, spring flavors take center stage.

🌿 Wild Greens (Ebegümeci, Cibes, Radika)

Found in local pazar stalls and meze platters. Often sautéed with garlic and olive oil.

🌱 Artichokes (Zeytinyağlı Enginar)

A classic spring meze served chilled in olive oil with carrots and peas.

🍋 Fresh Herbs & Citrus

Mint, parsley, and dill show up in everything — salads, böreks, and yogurt dips.

🧭 CTA:
👉 [Join a springtime meze tasting tour →]
👉 [Explore local markets in April & May with a food guide →]

☀️ Summer: Juicy, Grilled & On-the-Go

Summer in Istanbul is all about refreshing snacks and portable bites.

🍒 Cherries (Kiraz)

Sold by the kilo from street carts — juicy, sweet, and seasonal from June–July.

🌽 Grilled Corn (Mısır)

An iconic street food. Choose boiled or grilled, seasoned with salt or chili.

🍆 Stuffed Eggplants (İmam Bayıldı)

Eggplants filled with onions and tomatoes — perfect cold dish for hot days.

🥒 Cacık (Cold Yogurt-Cucumber Soup)

Think Turkish tzatziki — cool, creamy, and perfect for heatwaves.

🍽️ CTA:
👉 [Book a summer street food tour in Istanbul →]
👉 [Dine on the Bosphorus at sunset with seasonal specials →]

🍂 Autumn: Hearty, Sweet & Earthy

Golden leaves signal rich, comforting flavors.

🌰 Roasted Chestnuts (Kestane)

Find these everywhere — their smoky scent fills the streets.

🫐 Figs (İncir)

Fresh figs are in season until early fall. Look for fig jam, fig-stuffed sweets, or figs wrapped in cured meat.

🍇 Grapes & Pomegranates

Common in juices, salads, and sauces as the weather cools.

🍞 Warm Simit with Cheese or Honey

A fall staple to enjoy while ferry-hopping or walking along the Golden Horn.

🧭 CTA:
👉 [Discover Istanbul’s food history with a seasonal tasting walk →]
👉 [Take an autumn ferry tour + food stop in Üsküdar →]

❄️ Winter: Warming, Comforting & Aromatic

Istanbul’s winters call for hot soups, baked goods, and spiced seasonal drinks.

🍵 Salep (Orchid Root Drink)

A rich, hot milk drink thickened with orchid root and topped with cinnamon. Only sold in winter.

🍲 Lentil Soup (Mercimek Çorbası)

The national comfort food — served with lemon and bread at nearly every lokanta.

🍐 Quince Dishes (Ayva Tatlısı)

Baked quince with clove and syrup — served as a warm dessert.

🍖 Boza (Fermented Millet Drink)

Thick, slightly tangy, topped with cinnamon and roasted chickpeas. A historic winter classic.

🍽️ CTA:
👉 [Warm up with a winter food tour + Turkish delight tasting →]
👉 [Experience a traditional Istanbul hammam + winter lunch combo →]

📅 Istanbul’s Food by Season: Summary Chart

🍽️ Eat with the Seasons in Istanbul

No matter when you visit Istanbul, you’ll find seasonal treasures that locals love. Eating seasonally here isn’t a trend — it’s a tradition. And it makes your trip infinitely more delicious.

👉 [Book a seasonal market tour with tastings →]
👉 [Join a multi-course meze experience matched to the time of year →]
👉 [Download a seasonal Istanbul food calendar PDF →]