Kofte (Meatball)
Istanbul Travel Guide / March 17, 2017 
Image credit: Kirk K Kofte, just like pretty much any food in Istanbul, is a big deal in this city, so much so that it is almost as sacred as religion. You’ll find restaurants claiming to have the best kofte in town, and you can’t find it in you to disagree because it’s practically impossible to find Turkish meatballs in Istanbul that you wouldn’t end up loving.
Historically made with scrap meat, onions, and spices, kofte was invented as a means of stretching a Turkish family’s food budget. Nowadays, choices for meat are beef, lamb, pork, and chicken. These are then grilled atop hot coals which render a deep, smoky flavor that make it distinctly Turkish in nature.
Here are the best places to have kofte in Istanbul:
- FINDIK KABUGU RESTORAN | Fatih
For an assortment of mouthwatering kofte
What to order: Kofte, Liver kebab, Manti
Price range: 10 to 20 TRY ($2.85 to $5.69)
When: 09:00 – 23:00 Daily
Where: Balat Mahallesi, Murselpasa, Caddesi, No. 91, Fatih, Istanbul - KOFTECI ARNAVUT | Fatih
For kofte with the locals’ seal of approval
What to order: Kofte, Kebab, Moussaka
Price range: 6 to 14 TRY ($1.71 to $3.99)
When: 06:00 – 16:00 Daily
Where: Balat Mahallesi, Murselpasa, Caddesi, No. 139, Fatih, Istanbul - TARIHI SULTANAHMET KOFTECISI | Fatih
For kofte made of 100% pure beef
What to order: Lamb shish kebab, Kofte, Cheese kofte
Price range: 14 to 26 TRY ($3.99 to $7.40)
When: 11:00 – 23:00 Daily
Where: Alemdar Mahallesi, Divanyolu, Caddesi, No. 12, Fatih, Istanbul
