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If you’re planning a trip to Turkey, one of the first questions you might ask is: How much do food and drinks cost?
I still remember visiting Turkey for the first time (back in 2015…) when 1 Turkish lira was worth about 3$ / 4 £ . Prices seems to be much lower then. Over the last ten years, inflation and economic changes have pushed prices up, and the Turkish Lira has depreciated significantly. But don’t be intimidated by high numbers prices ! Turkey remains a very affordable country. Let’s dive in.
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🪙 Context: Inflation & Currency
Turkey has experienced high inflation, making prices look higher in lira, but conversion to USD/GBP shows that meals and groceries are still reasonable compared to Western Europe or the US.
📌 Key point: When you see a price in Turkish lira (TRY), remember (Last Update January 2026):
- 1 USD = ~43 TRY
- 1 EUR = ~50 TRY
- 1 GBP = ~58 TRY
This means a 100 TRY meal is only ~$2.5 USD or €2 EUR or £1.7 GBP. See ? As I said, don’t be intimidate by high numbers. Specially if you’ve been to Turkey a few years ago.
Restaurants remain cheaper than Europe or North America. Updated averages for 2026:
| Type of Meal | Price in TRY | USD | EUR | GBP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget meal (inexpensive restaurant) | ~350 TL | ~$8 | ~€7 | ~£6 |
| Fast food combo (McMeal) | ~250–300 TL | ~$6 –$7 | ~€5–€6 | ~£4–£5 |
| Mid-range meal for two (three courses, no drinks) | ~1,200–1,600 TL | ~$28–$37 | ~€24–€32 | ~£20.–£27 |
| Street snacks (döner, simit, etc.) | ~50–100 TL | ~$1.25–$2.5 | ~€1–€2 | ~£0.9–£1.8 |
💡 My Tip: Tourist areas often charge 30-50% more. Look for local-frequented restaurants (where you see Turkish families eating) for better value… and better taste !
🛒 Grocery Prices – Cooking for Yourself (Updated 2026)
For my first trip to Istanbul, I spent eight days in an Airbnb just steps away from the vibrant Taksim Square. A perfect spot. I was also close to the famous Istiklal Street (which sees more than 1 million visitors every day) and right next to the metro, making it super easy to get around. Staying in Taksim (Beyoğlu municipality) means being in the heart of the city, with buzzing cafés, restaurants, nightlife, and cultural spots all within reach. It was the perfect base to explore Istanbul and really enjoy its unique energy.
And for me, Airbnb always means… a kitchen! Even though I’m a huge fan of street food and tried countless restaurants, I also cooked sometimes or grabbed something to snack on at home in the evening. To do that, I visited small local grocery stores or mini markets. Here’s a quick overview of the prices for the most common food items.
| Product | Price in TRY | USD | EUR | GBP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bread (1 kg) | 35 TRY | ~$0.70 | ~€0.65 | ~£0.55 |
| Milk (1 L) | 48 TRY | ~$1.00 | ~€0.95 | ~£0.85 |
| Rice (1 kg) | 100 TRY | ~$2.00 | ~€1.90 | ~£1.60 |
| Eggs (12) | 108 TRY | ~$2.20 | ~€2.10 | ~£1.80 |
| Chicken (1 kg) | 250 TRY | ~$5.00 | ~€4.75 | ~£4.00 |
| Beef (1 kg) | 890 TRY | ~$18.00 | ~€17.00 | ~£14.50 |
| Apples (1 kg) | 94 TRY | ~$1.90 | ~€1.80 | ~£1.50 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | 64 TRY | ~$1.30 | ~€1.20 | ~£1.00 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | 25 TRY | ~$0.50 | ~€0.45 | ~£0.35 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | 55 TRY | ~$1.10 | ~€1.00 | ~£0.80 |
| Cheese (1 kg) | 410 TRY | ~$8.00 | ~€7.50 | ~£6.50 |
💡 Tip: Local markets (pazar) are cheaper than supermarkets, especially for fresh produce.
☕ Drinks (Updated 2026)
| Item | Price in TRY | USD | EUR | GBP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottled water (0.33 L) | 20–30 TL | ~$0.40–$0.70 | ~€0.35–€0.60 | ~£0.30–£0.55 |
| Soft drink (0.33 L, e.g., Coke/Pepsi) | 45–70 TL | ~$0.90–$1.40 | ~€0.80–€1.25 | ~£0.70–£1.10 |
| Turkish tea (çay, glass) | 10–25 TL | ~$0.20–$0.50 | ~€0.20–€0.45 | ~£0.15–£0.40 |
| Turkish coffee (small) | 40–70 TL | ~$0.80–$1.40 | ~€0.70–€1.25 | ~£0.60–£1.10 |
| Cappuccino / coffee (café) | 100–160 TL | ~$2.00–$3.20 | ~€1.80–€3.00 | ~£1.60–£2.50 |
| Fruit juice (fresh 0.25–0.33 L, typical café) | 60–90 TL | ~$1.20–$1.80 | ~€1.10–€1.60 | ~£1.00–£1.40 |
💰 Budget Breakdown: Daily Food Cost
Here’s what a realistic daily food budget looks like:
Budget Traveler (eating street food + local markets)
- Breakfast: 80 TRY (~$2 USD / €1.60 / £1.30)
- Lunch: 200 TRY (~$4.50 USD / €4 / £3.30)
- Dinner: 300 TRY (~$6.50 USD / €6 / £5)
- Snacks / drinks: 120 TRY (~$2.50 USD / €2.40 / £2)
- Daily total: 700 TRY (~$16 USD / €14 / £12)
Mid-Range Traveler (mix of restaurants + markets)
- Breakfast: 150 TRY (~$3.50 USD / €3 / £2.50)
- Lunch (restaurant): 450 TRY (~$10 USD / €9 / £7.50)
- Dinner (restaurant): 650 TRY (~$14.50 USD / €13 / £11)
- Snacks / drinks: 200 TRY (~$4.50 USD / €4 / £3.30)
- Daily total: 1,450 TRY (~$32 USD / €29 / £24)
Comfortable Traveler (nice restaurants, no budget constraints)
- Breakfast: 250 TRY (~$5.50 USD / €5 / £4)
- Lunch (nice restaurant): 900 TRY (~$20 USD / €18 / £15)
- Dinner (nice restaurant): 1,200 TRY (~$27 USD / €24 / £20)
- Snacks / drinks: 300 TRY (~$6.50 USD / €6 / £5)
- Daily total: 2,650 TRY (~$59 USD / €53 / £44)
🧠 Smart Tips for Eating in Turkey
- Expect higher prices in tourist hotspots (Grand Bazaar, Taksim, Sultanahmet). Eat where locals eat.
- Shop at local markets for fresh produce and bread — much cheaper than supermarkets.
- Remember that numbers in lira look high, but converted to USD or GBP, Turkey is still affordable.
- Use this 2025 data as a benchmark for early 2026 trips — inflation will be minimal.
- Ask for the menu price before ordering at street food stalls to avoid surprises.
- Breakfast is the cheapest meal — take advantage of it!
- Restaurants often offer “set menus” (menü) at lunch for better value than à la carte.
🧾 FAQ — Turkey Food & Drink Prices (2026)
1. Is food expensive in Turkey in 2026?
Not really. While prices in Turkish Lira have risen, converted to USD or GBP, meals remain affordable compared to Europe or the US.
A three-course meal for two can be had for $38–$51 USD (~£29–£39 GBP).
2. How much should I budget per day for food in Turkey?
- Budget traveler: ~$16 USD / €14 / £12 per day
- Mid-range traveler: ~$32 USD / €29 / £24 per day
- Comfortable traveler: ~$59 USD / €53 / £44 per day
3. Where can I eat cheaply in Turkey?
Local-frequented restaurants, markets, and street vendors are best. Avoid tourist hotspots like Grand Bazaar, Sultanahmet or Taksim establishments — they can charge up to 2x more.
4. How much do groceries cost?
- Bread: 45 TL (~$1.05 USD / €0.90 / £0.78)
- Milk: 50 TL (~$1.16 USD / €1 / £0.86)
- Chicken: 240 TL (~$5.58 USD / €4.80 / £4.14)
- Beef: 495 TL (~$11.51 USD / €9.90 / £8.53)
- Fruits & veggies: 30–60 TL (~$0.70–$1.40 USD / €0.60–€1.20 / £0.52–£1.03)
5. Should I worry about Lira depreciation?
Not for travelers — your dollars/pounds go further than the lira numbers suggest. In fact, weak lira = better deals for you!
6. Are restaurants safe and clean?
Generally yes. Look for restaurants where locals eat — that’s always a good sign of quality and cleanliness.
7. What’s the tipping culture in Turkey?
Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated. 5-10% is standard in restaurants if service was good.
