Adana Kebab

Adana kebab is named after the city of Adana, one of the famous “kebab cities” of Turkey. Adana kebab is minced lamb meat on a skewer. It might look like just another skewer of meat, but the preparation it entails is nothing short of remarkable.

Traditional adana kebab is made from young male lamb, carefully minced and mixed with tail fat and red peppers. The addition of tail fat guarantees that the meat doesn’t dry up as it cooks; the red peppers, on the other hand, lend a welcome kick to the kebab. Have your yogurt shake ready to cool off your tongue!

Here are the best places to have adana kebab in Istanbul:

• ZUBAYIR OCAKBASI | Beyoglu
  For adana kebab you will never forget
  What to order: Adana kebab, Pirzola (Lamb chops), Kanat (Chicken wings)
  Price range: 10 to 60 TRY ($2.90 to $17.41)
  When: 10:00 – 01:00 Daily
  Where: Sehit Muhtar Mahallesi, Istiklal Caddesi, Bekar Sokak, No. 28, Beyoglu, Istanbul
• ADANA YUZEVLER | Besiktas
  For authentic adana kebab
  What to order: Adana kebab, Ustam kebab, Doner durum
  Price range: 16 to 30 TRY ($4.56 to $8.56)
  When: 12:00 – 23:00 Daily
  Where: Etiler Merkez Mahallesi, Nispetiye, Caddesi, No. 70, Besiktas, Istanbul
• ADANA OCAKBASI | Sisli
  For adana that’s often imitated all over the city
  What to order: Adana kebab, Chicken wings, Liver kebab
  Price range: 14 to 30 TRY ($3.99 to $8.56)
  When: 12:00 – 01:00 Daily
  Where: Bozkurt Mahallesi, Ergenekon Caddesi, Baysungur Sokak, No. 2/D, Sisli, Istanbul