48 Hours in Istanbul for Vegan Travellers

Two days, two shores and a few meals planned ahead. The rest of Istanbul can surprise you.

A short visit gives you time for the old city, a ferry crossing and a long walk through Beyoğlu. It does not give you much time to search for dinner when you are already hungry. This route puts the food stops where you need them, while leaving room to linger.

Day one: Sultanahmet to Kadıköy

Morning | Start with the old city 🕌

Begin at the former Hippodrome in Sultanahmet Square. Visit the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, then head down into the Basilica Cistern. They are close together, but queues can stretch the morning. The Blue Mosque pauses visits during prayers, and access at Hagia Sophia can change during restoration work.

Lunch | Sit down near Hagia Sophia 🍛

Dubb Indian Restaurant has dishes such as chana masala and dal tarka that may work for a substantial vegan lunch. Ask for your order without ghee, butter, cream or yogurt. It is a mixed-menu restaurant, so confirm the dish rather than relying on its name.

Afternoon | Give one place your time

Choose Topkapı Palace if this is your first visit. Save the Grand Bazaar for another trip rather than racing through both. Topkapı is closed on Tuesdays; check its official visiting information before you go.

Evening | Dinner across the water ⛴️

Go to Eminönü and take the ferry to Kadıköy. Check the Şehir Hatları timetable for your travel day.

For dinner, Vegan Masa serves wholly vegan lahmacun and pide. Afterwards, walk towards Moda if you still have energy, or head back to the ferry. There is no prize for covering another neighborhood tonight.

Day two: Cihangir, Galata and Karaköy

Breakfast | Ask for the vegan plate 🍅

At Kahve 6, order the vegan breakfast by name. A standard Turkish breakfast may include cheese, eggs, butter and honey alongside the olives, tomatoes and bread. Kahve 6 also serves nonvegan food, so the distinction is useful.

Take a little time in Cihangir and Çukurcuma before joining İstiklal Avenue. These streets have hills; let the walk set the pace.

Lunch | Eat when you’re ready 🥗

If breakfast was early, stop at Vegan Dükkan Lokanta in Cihangir. It is wholly vegan, with mains including tofu katsu curry and spaghetti with vegan meatballs listed on veganistanbul.com. If you are still full, keep walking and leave lunch until later.

Afternoon | Follow the streets downhill 🚶

Continue along İstiklal towards Tünel, pass through Galata and descend to Karaköy’s waterfront. Stop for coffee, spend time around the tower or simply look back across the water towards the old city. Keep this part of the day loose.

Dinner | Return to Galata 🌿

Walk back up to Serdar-ı Ekrem Street for Vegan Community Kitchen. It is a wholly vegan dinner stop near Galata Tower; veganistanbul.com’s neighborhood guide lists dishes including vegan mantı and seitan döner wrap. Check its opening day before going, as the available service-day information differs between sources.

Menus and hours can change. Check the restaurants and your return ferry before setting out, then give yourself permission to miss a sight and stay longer at the table.