When most people think of Turkish cuisine, their minds immediately go to kebabs, but the true heart of Turkey’s food culture is an absolute paradise for meat-free eaters. From flaky street pastries and rich, artisanal cheeses to sun-ripened produce and decadent, centuries-old sweets, the flavors here are incredibly diverse, vibrant, and delicious comfort food. To prove just how spectacular the non-meat side of the menu is, this curated guide offers a completely vegetarian look at the 20 absolute must-try dishes, street foods, drinks, and desserts you need to experience. The pictures are all from my solo trip to Istanbul last month, my third time to Turkey. 

Choosing not to drink alcohol on weeknights shouldn’t mean you're stuck with plain tap water or sad flavored sparkling water. I love saving my alcohol consumption for the weekends, but I still crave the ritual of a weeknight wind-down. There is something so satisfying about the process, shaking up a beautiful blend of flavors and pouring a gorgeous drink into a fancy glass after a long day.

If you are looking to enjoy the complex flavors and elevated experience of a cocktail without the alcohol, you don’t have to settle for less. Mocktails aren't boring. With the right ingredients, you can make them incredibly fun, delicious, and deeply satisfying.

Before we dive into the recipes, let’s talk about building your alcohol-free home bar. Here are the tools, fresh staples, non-alcoholic spirits, and craft syrups I always keep on hand to mix things up.