3 Things to Know When Dining Out in Turkey

Dining out in Turkey can be a very pleasurable experience. Turkish food is full of flavor and as varied as the regions of the country itself! There are a couple of things to know ahead of time, though, to get the most out of your experience.

1) Afiyet Olsun!

This expression, similar to the French “Bon Appétit”, can be heard all throughout the dining experience. Literally translated “May you have good health/welfare,” the general intended meaning is a wish for you to “enjoy your meal.” They will say it when they serve your food, when they hand out your drinks, when you pay your bill, and when you walk out the door. The appropriate response is a smile and a “thank you!” (in Turkish: teh-sheh-kur-lehr)

2) Wait for the Tea and Coffee

Once finished with your meal, don’t get up right away—your server will ask if you want tea (chay) or coffee. This is standard fare for dining out here, and really, a nice hot cup of tea goes down well after a hearty Turkish meal! But be advised, Turkish coffee, while delicious, may be a bit strong for the average coffee drinker. Also, keep in mind that it may not always be complimentary.

3) You have to ask for your bill

Servers in Turkey will not bring the bill until you ask for it. In this culture, hospitality is such an important value that it extends even to restaurants and cafes. They would never want their “guests” (or customers) to feel rushed or unwanted in any way. Even on their busiest nights they would not dream of asking you to give up your table. No matter if you have been finished with your meal for hours—the table is yours until you get up. Of course, in such situations, it is your responsibility as the diner to show courtesy and not sit for too long.

Trying out the variety of options available within Turkish cuisine is a favorite past-time of ours—here’s hoping you get the chance to experience it yourself, and if so, well, Afiyet Olsun!