During the first week of work after a long bayram holiday, many of us feel like kids back at school, wishing we could be back at the beach or at that perfect getaway that still lingers in our minds.
Thankfully, there are five amazing foodie events in Istanbul this week to beat the back-to-work blues:
1. Breakfest Istanbul
The first of its kind, this festival is dedicated to all for whom breakfast is like a religion. It’ll be held at Uniq Istanbul on September 24 and 25, and will offer delicious foods from all over Turkey, including olives and olive oil, all sorts of cheese, crepes, omelets, breads, organic and regional picks, alkali options, classic tastes like bal & kaymak, and more – all accompanied by jazz music. Tickets are available here.
2. Pizza Festival
Attention carb lovers! This free pizza festival will be held at Haydarpaşa Garı on September 25 and will feature pizza-making workshops by Italian chefs, 1950s Italian music performed by a live orchestra, Italian folk music and dance shows, tasting stands by numerous restaurants, and lots and lots of pizza! Sign up for the event here.
3. Pasta Festival
Another carb-high event but this one will be at Sirkeci Garı on September 23-25. All you need is an empty stomach and the willingness to try a variety of pasta and attend workshops where you can learn some tricks of the trade. Tickets are available here.
4. Hellmann’s Burger Fest
This festival is dedicated to all burger lovers who will get a chance to indulge in special discounts and tastes at participating burger joints in Istanbul, which include Ayı on Bağdat Caddesi and in Kadıköy and Karaköy, Black Angus in Karaköy, Bosnjak Mutfak in Karaköy, Bubada in Moda, Burger House on Bağdat Caddesi, Burger Jobs in Arnavutköy, Daily Dana Burger & Steak on Bağdat Caddesi, Dobby’s in Kızıltoprak, Draft Gastropub in Selamiçeşme, Finn in Karaköy, Gran in Karaköy, Handmade Burger Company in Kadıköy, Heisenberg in Karaköy, KEV in Kadıköy, Pim in Karaköy, Wom in Karaköy. The festival will take place between September 23 and October 2 with a Burger Fest Party Weekend on October 1 and 2 when Ayhan Sicimoğlu & Latin All Star will be at Zorlu in addition to burger stands and workshops by famous chefs. Tickets are available here.
5. Souq Ziyafet
Street food, local producers, and foodie start-ups will be at Souq Karaköy on September 24-25. Participants include Atelier Raw’s raw snacks, Nova Bite’s salads, Saklı Orman’s wild mushrooms, Hiç’s olive oil and honey, Juico’s juices, and Yasu Baba’s köfte and piyaz. Details are here.
