Kadikoy Market (Kadıköy Çarşısı)

The working food market on the Asian side, a tangle of pedestrian lanes around Güneşlibahçe Sokak packed with fishmongers, pickle shops, cheese and spice sellers, bakeries and cheap eats. This is where Istanbullus actually shop and snack. Yes, a friend absolutely sends you, ideally with an empty stomach and a ferry ticket.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Is it good for buying spices and tea to take home?

Very. The spice and dried-fruit shops here are excellent and often better value than the Spice Bazaar. Vacuum-packed Turkish coffee, tea and baklava all travel well.

How do I get to Kadıköy?

The most fun way is the passenger ferry from Eminönü, Karaköy or Beşiktaş; it's cheap and scenic. You can also take the M4 metro or Marmaray, but the boat is the move.

Can I combine it with Moda?

Definitely. It's about a 15-minute walk to Moda's seaside promenade, which is lovely for a coffee and sunset after you've eaten your way through the market.

Is it cheaper than the tourist bazaars?

Generally yes. Because it serves locals, prices for food, spices, tea and sweets tend to be fairer and less negotiable-by-necessity than in Sultanahmet's markets.

Is Kadıköy market worth crossing to the Asian side for?

Yes, wholeheartedly. The ferry ride is half the pleasure and the market itself is more real and less touristy than the Grand or Spice Bazaars. It's one of the best eating-and-wandering afternoons in the city.

Is the market open every day?

The food shops and stalls run daily, roughly 9am to 8pm, busiest late morning and on weekends. On Tuesdays there's also the huge Salı Pazarı (a general goods and produce market) a short walk inland.

Do vendors speak English?

Some do, many don't, but pointing and smiling works fine. It's a friendly, everyday-commerce atmosphere, so don't be shy about asking to taste before you buy.

What should I eat here?

Graze: try midye dolma (stuffed mussels), a çiğ köfte wrap, fresh fish at a meyhane, pickles and pickle juice from a turşucu, plus baklava and Turkish delight. Come hungry and go stall to stall.

Nearby in Ask Istanbul

• Ciya Sofrasi (Çiya Sofrası)Restaurant0 km · 0 min walk
• Kadikoy (Kadıköy)Neighborhood0.09 km · 1 min walk
• Kadıköy Çiya KebapRestaurant0.24 km · 3 min walk
• Baylan PastanesiCafé0.31 km · 4 min walk
• Karga BarBar0.35 km · 4 min walk