The gourmet version of Istanbul's most iconic street food: the simit (sesame-crusted ring bread). Simit Sarayi chain elevates this beloved snack with artisan baking, quality fillings, and cafe-style seating. Found throughout Istanbul, it represents the city's most democratic food experience.
Simit Sarayi — Palace of the Simit — is the Istanbul cafe chain that elevated Turkey's most ubiquitous street food into a branded artisan bakery experience. The simit, a ring-shaped bread encrusted with sesame seeds and traditionally sold from street carts, is the democratic foundation of Istanbul street life and one of the most recognizable foods of Turkish culture. Simit Sarayi takes this foundation and extends it: the chain bakes its simits fresh in open ovens, serves them with quality fillings including cheese, pastirma, honey and cream, or simply fresh from the oven with tea, and offers a broader menu of pastries, sandwiches, soups, and Turkish breakfast items in a cafe environment. The chain's dozens of Istanbul locations make it genuinely ubiquitous — accessible in every neighborhood from Sultanahmet to the Asian shore — and its consistent quality and low prices make it a reliable choice for visitors seeking a quick, authentically Turkish meal without language barriers. The Istiklal branch on the European side is the most visited, seeing thousands of customers daily. Simit Sarayi represents Turkey's most successful gourmet reimagining of a beloved street classic, maintaining the original's democratic pricing while adding comfort and consistency.
Good to know
- Hours
- Daily 7am-10pm
Location
Istiklal Cd., Beyoglu/Istanbul (main branch)
Highlights
- Artisan cafe version of Istanbul's most iconic street food — the sesame-crusted simit ring bread
- Fresh-baked simits served warm with quality fillings including cheese, pastirma, and honey
- Dozens of Istanbul branches ensuring availability across all neighborhoods and transport hubs
- Among the most affordable and authentically Turkish quick-meal options for visitors
Tips for visiting
- Ask for a simit fresh from the oven — the chain bakes throughout the day and fresh batches are noticeably superior
- The classic combination of simit with white cheese (beyaz peynir) and tea is the definitive order
- Simit Sarayi's pastry display changes daily and often includes seasonal Turkish bakes worth exploring
- For a full Turkish breakfast in miniature, order a simit with cheese, olive, tomato, and a tea glass
Accessibility
Simit Sarayi branches are typically located in commercial ground-floor units with step-free access from the street. The cafe format offers straightforward wheelchair access. Individual branch layouts vary; the Istiklal Caddesi branch is on the pavement level of the pedestrian street.
Frequently asked questions
What is a simit?
A simit is a circular bread encrusted with sesame seeds, baked crispy on the outside and soft within. It has been a staple of Turkish street food for centuries and is typically eaten for breakfast or as a snack.
Is Simit Sarayi different from street cart simits?
Simit Sarayi bakes its own bread and serves it in a cafe setting with quality accompaniments. The product is comparable in quality to the best street simits but with the added option of fillings and cafe drinks.
How much does a simit cost at Simit Sarayi?
A plain simit with tea costs approximately 80–150 TL; filled options and breakfast sets are higher but remain affordable.
Where can I find Simit Sarayi branches?
The chain operates throughout Istanbul in major commercial streets, transport hubs, and shopping centers.