Dinner party with friends - High angle view of people taking pizza slices.
There are plenty of great spots to eat all across Istanbul—it’s arguably one of the best food cities in the world. You could spend your entire trip eating your way across Turkish cuisine, both modern and traditional, but we all know that sometimes a good slice of pizza calls… especially after a couple of glasses of rakı or Turkish wine.
Kadıköy—on the Asian side of the city—has a lot of really good pizza restaurants that’ll quell your craving and then some. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a decadent wood-fired pizza or a quick slice, there’s something that’ll suit every kind of pizza preference here.
Check out five of the best addresses that’ll make you happy you grabbed the ferry to the Asian side of Istanbul:
Salepepe
Salepepe is — wait for it — a Tokyo-inspired Italian pizza joint on the Asian side of Istanbul. And it’s just as special as it sounds. The compact pizza counter only has five stools with one usually occupied by one of the adorable resident street cats but the pizza moves quickly (it takes less than a minute to cook one of these guys) so even if there’s a line to get in, it tends to move fast, and it’s worth the wait.
Uncle’s Pizza House
From Massachusetts Uncle’s Pizza House — or Uncle’s for short — is as close as you’re going to get to a classic American delivery pie. The restaurant itself is super cozy with indoor/outdoor dining that is perfect for people-watching — but Uncle’s Pizza House also offers takeout pizza by the pie.
Pizzeria Il Pellicano
Pizzeria Il Pellicano is another excellent spot if you’re in the mood for a wood-fired pie. This option is still casual but offers a bit more seating and can be a great spot for bringing a group of friends or family without worrying about finding a spot to sit and enjoy your pie. Be sure to save a bit of room for dessert — the tiramisu is a major crowd-pleaser.
La Pitsa
Looking for a spot to grab a quick slice on your way from the Kadıköy Bull Statue? La Pitsa has perfectly paper-thin pizza by the slice that is just the right size for grabbing and snacking on while on the go without ruining your dinner. We recommend grabbing a couple of slices and perching on one of the window seats for prime people-watching.
Sliceguy Pizza
Sliceguy Pizza is another great spot to stop and grab a quick snack. The casual slice spot has both classic points and Detroit-style pizza available by the slice. The Kadıköy location gets pretty busy come evening but there’s both indoor and outdoor seating to choose from and it tends to move pretty quickly.
