Istanbul News

The Best Places to Eat at Istanbul Airport

Condé Nast Traveler readers named Istanbul Airport the best international airport for 2024, in no small part because of its reputation for world-class dining. Whether you’re transiting through or you’ve just left the shores of the Bosphorus and need one last kebab, this sprawling hub with its glitzy, mall-like atmosphere features well over 100 pit stops, most offering Turkish specialties. While the domestic gates are separated from the massive international section, everything here is in one large building, so you don’t have to worry about hopping on an air train or navigating between terminals—you just have to walk a lot, passing temptations galore as you go. Think of the hike as a way to work off that gözleme you couldn't resist.

Below, our Istanbul Airport food guide for the best places to eat at the new $12 billion hub (opened in 2018, it's often abbreviated as IST or IGA). Whether you’re here on a five-hour layover or only have 15 minutes to grab a quick meal or souvenir to-go, there's an array of delicious options—the only challenge lies in making a choice.