Doner is a special Turkish dish loved by many. It can be served in different ways, like in lavash bread, with rice, as a wrap, in a sandwich, or as Bursa kebab. Some places in Istanbul are famous for their doner kebabs because they always taste great, no matter how they’re served.
Keep this list handy to find places with only the best doner Istanbul.
Table of Contents
1. Dönerci Engin Usta , Beyoğlu
At his small place in Şişhane, chef Engin Usta makes a special “Bayburt style” doner. It’s a mix of 20% sheep meat and 80% beef, flavored with carefully used tail fat. He’s famous for marinating his tasty doner kebab really well, adding allspice and a little cinnamon. When you get doner to go, it comes with radish, tomato, and green onion.
Bereketzade, Okçu Musa Cd. No:3, Istanbul | instagram.com/donerci_engin/
2. Bayramoğlu Döner, Kavacık
At Bayramoğlu Döner, they take great care in selecting the best meat for their doner, which they cook expertly over a wood fire. The experience is flavorful, especially when the doner meat is wrapped in lavash bread. This bread is made from a special, natural dough without additives, baked in a tandoor oven over oak wood. With 30 years of experience, the place is known for its delicious doner kebab and excellent service, attracting both locals and visitors.
Rüzgarlıbahçe, Cumhuriyet Cd. No:2, Istabul | instagram.com/bayramogludonerkavacik/
3. Metet Közde Döner, Kuzguncuk – Kadıköy
Metet, with locations in Kuzguncuk, Göztepe, and Suadiye, is committed to using local ingredients to create unique flavors. They use fresh thyme from Balıkesir Kepsut for the meat, and brown flour from Konya for their tandoori lavash. Their ayran and yogurt are made with milk from buffaloes and cows, and they use goat cheese from Çanakkale Ayvacık in their kunefe. Metet is known for its doner cooked over embers. This dedication to local flavors makes it a worthy destination, even if you’re coming from the European side of the city.
Kuzguncuk: İcadiye Cd. No:39
Çiftehavuzlar: Fenerbahçe, Operator Cemil Topuzlu Cd. No:35
Suadiye: Bostancı, Şemsettin Günaltay Cd. No:87 | instagram.com/metetdoner/
4. Ağababa Döner, Ümraniye
Ağababa Döner is known for its tasty kebabs, grills, soups, dishes with olive oil, juicy meals, appetizers, desserts, and especially its delicious doner kebab cooked on a wood fire. This restaurant keeps Ottoman food traditions alive. Over the years, it has attracted guests from near and far, thanks to its long experience and fresh approach. A standout feature is their specially marinated doner.
Ümraniye: Esenşehir, Dudullu, Nato Yolu Cd No:229
Kadıköy: Osmanağa, Söğütlü Çeşme Cd No:20 | instagram.com/agababadoner/
5. Tarihi Karadeniz Döner, Beşiktaş
Karadeniz Dönercisi Asım Usta, a landmark in Beşiktaş, has been a popular destination for delicious food since 1973. This place is known for its huge doner kebabs that often sell out before evening. Asım Usta began his journey in doner kebab making when he moved to Istanbul from his early days as a pharmacist apprentice in Rize. He proudly states that they’ve never had any leftover doner kebabs to date. The preparation of their doner kebab is a closely held family secret. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s worth joining the queue.
Sinanpaşa, Mumcu Bakkal Sokak No:6 | instagram.com/tarihikaradenizdoner1973/
6. Münhasır, Beyoğlu
Münhasır, known for offering some of the most exclusive doner and kebab menus from the rich Turkish cuisine, has quickly become popular for its taste. Today, it’s on the recommendation lists for both local and foreign guests, including tourists. At Münhasır, you’ll enjoy not just a delicious doner meal but also the experience of eating on the largest terrace in Beyoğlu, where it feels like you’re dining close to the sky.
Hüseyinağa, İstiklal Cd. No:62, 34435 Beyoğlu/İstanbul | instagram.com/munhasirdonerkebap/
7. Dönerci Şahin Usta, Fatih
This place is sure to capture your interest with its location. Situated near the Nuruosmaniye Gate of the Grand Bazaar, it offers an opportunity to observe the lively hustle and bustle of Istanbul while you savor your kebab. The space is so compact that after queuing up, you get your doner kebabs and eat them standing. The only item prepared here is doner. Since 1969, the demand for their doner kebab, made from calf ribs sourced from Balıkesir, hasn’t dwindled. A must-try is their ayran, which is slightly sour and perfectly consistent. Be sure to experience the unique taste of doner combined with ayran here.
Mollafenari, Kılıçcılar Sk. No:5, 34120 Fatih/İstanbul
8. Dönerci Celal Usta
Dönerci Celal Usta, holding the internationally recognized EN ISO 22000-2005 Quality Management System Certificate, is a place you can trust, especially in terms of cleanliness. Known for its delicious doner, this establishment has multiple branches across Istanbul: two in Ümraniye Atakent and Şerifali Districts, and others in Koşuyolu, Çağlayan, Kartal, Gaziosmanpaşa, Levent, Kurtköy, Gebze, Sarıgazi, Sirkeci, Çengelköy, Maltepe, Tuzla, Bakırköy, and Beylikdüzü. Make sure to visit the branch nearest to you for a taste of their renowned doner.
Click here to see all branches of Dönerci Celal Usta | instagram.com/donercicelalusta/
