Turkey is a Muslim-majority country, both Muslim and non-Muslim tourists wonder how is Ramadan in Turkey? How is Ramadan in Istanbul? And so, Ramadan has arrived, the holiest of all months in Islam. Ramadan is the month of fasting, no food or drinks from sunrise to sunset. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with Shahada, Salah, Zakat, and Hajj. Since
If you’re fasting: Where can I have Iftar during Ramadan in Istanbul?
Most restaurants and even some fast food chains will have Ramadan menus for Iftar in Turkey. This can vary from a simple soup and main dish to a rich, multiple-course iftar. Restaurants tend to be packed at Iftar since Istanbul is very crowded. Reserving a place for Iftar in a quality restaurant might be a good idea. Don’t know where to have an authentic iftar in Istanbul? Read our article on Best Places to Have Iftar in Istanbul during Ramadan.
Iftar Tent
If you’d like to experience a more communal and social Iftar, consider going to an Iftar tent (iftar çadırı). İftar Çadırı, (iftar tent) is a communal service that municipalities provide every Ramadan in Turkey. In certain central districts of Istanbul, the municipality will install communal Iftar tents daily throughout the holy month of Ramadan and provide free iftar food to anyone who’d like to participate. This service aims to help the poor, but many people go to iftar tents to experience the communal spirit of Ramadan. The food is good quality and free, and there will also be seats and tables around. So you line up, get food, sit with other people, and break fast together. Iftar tent is also a great way to immerse yourself in Turkish culture and modestly experience the Ramadan spirit. Although you should know that food lines can be very long.
Related: Best Places to Have Iftar during Ramadan in Istanbul
If you’re not fasting: Can I find an open restaurant during Ramadan in Turkey?
The short answer is yes, absolutely. Although some restaurants might close during the daytime, you won’t have trouble finding an open one. Especially in Istanbul, the vast majority of the restaurants will serve throughout the day. If you travel to less touristic parts of Turkey, you will find that closed businesses are more common during Ramadan. However, this is not an issue in Istanbul. After all, Istanbul is Turkey’s most touristic city. Although restaurants might be packed at Iftar, the time of breaking the fast at sunset. So keep that in mind when you go to dinner during Ramadan in Istanbul.
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