Best Vegan Turkish Dishes To Try In 2025
While it is no secret that Turkish cuisine is renowned for its kebaps and meat-based meals, it can certainly be classified as a vegan's heaven. From olive oil-based meals to colorful vegetable-based stews, Turkish cuisine readily provides several choices to cater to the demands of vegans. This is applicable whether you decide to dine at the cafes of Istanbul or at small eateries in Aegean.
1. Zeytinyagli Sarma
Zeytinyagli sarma is short for “vegetables cooked in olive oil.” This traditional Turkish dish involves the usage of bell peppers, eggplants, or grape leaves stuffed with a rice and pine nut paste flavored with mint and cinnamon. This dish is usually enjoyed cold.
You can easily look for sarmas at most vegan places or even lokantas in Istanbul. It is one of the favorite dishes among vegans in Turkish cuisine. You can try this dish on Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise.
2. Mercimek Koftesi
Mercimek Koftesi consist of soft-spiced lentil patties, with a composition of red lentils, fine bulgur, onions, and tomato paste. These patties can be formed in lettuce leaves and topped with lemon.
These flat breads are light yet satisfying and plant-based. You can find them at homestyle eateries and meze bars in Turkey. Experience them on the Istanbul Street Food Tour: Bosphorus & Kadikoy.
3. Imam Bayildi
This famous Turkish dish means “the imam fainted” because it is so delicious that a religious leader fainted when he tasted it. Imam Bayildi is composed of eggplants that have been stuffed with onions, garlic, and tomatoes that have been slowly cooked in olive oil.
It is enjoyed cold and is often paired with bread. This dish is always vegan. This is regularly enjoyed in Aegean parts of Izmir and Ayvalik. Also you can try it in your Half-Day Istanbul Private Food Tasting Experience.
4. Ezogelin Soup
Ezogelin is a comforting Turkish soup made with red lentils, bulgur, tomato paste, and dried mint. It is easy to prepare, healthy, and vegetarian to begin with.
It is not uncommon to see locals beginning their day with a serving of Ezogelin soup at traditional food venues. This can be enjoyed during Evening Istanbul Food Tour: Best Bites of Taksim.
5. Gozleme
“Gozleme” is a type of Turkish flat bread. It is thin dough rolled with ingredients such as spinach or potatoes and is then griddle-cooked. Although it is possible to find cheese-filled “gozlemes” at food stands or village eateries, vegetarian “gozlemes” can also be found
See women rolling dough manually in local bazaars like the one at Kadikoy Market in Istanbul. Vegan dough varieties can easily be identified there.
FAQ: Vegan Travel in Turkey
Is Turkey vegan-friendly?
Yes, Turkish cuisine naturally includes many vegan dishes, especially olive oil-based foods and vegetable mezes.
Can vegans eat at local restaurants?
Yes. Simply ask for “etsiz” (without meat) or “vegan” options, and most places will understand.
Are vegan desserts available?
Many desserts like lokum (Turkish delight), sherbet, and baklava made with olive oil are suitable for vegans — just confirm no butter is used.
Turkish food goes far beyond kebaps. From zeytinyagli dolma to gozleme, there’s a whole world of vegan Turkish dishes waiting to be discovered. Each region adds its own flavors, herbs, and cooking styles, offering variety for every taste.
Contact us to plan your vegan-friendly Turkey tour and experience local cuisine like never before.