Dining etiquette in Turkey

It is worth noting that Turks never eat alone and do not snack on the go. They typically eat three times per day, preferring to do so as a family. Bread, cheese, olives, and tea are typical Turkish breakfast items. Lunch is usually served late in the afternoon, after all family members have gathered. The lunch menu typically consists of three or more meals eaten in succession, with each dish served with lettuce or other greens. It is customary to invite guests, neighbors, and friends to dinner, but in this case, the meal and time are pre-arranged.

Despite Islamic prohibitions on drinking alcohol at dinner, raki (anisette), wine, or beer are frequently served (in most of the country it is not considered as an alcoholic beverage). In this case, meze - a variety of snacks (fruit, vegetables, fish, cheese, meats, sauces, and fresh bread) served on small plates - is a must-serve meal. Turkish meze is usually followed by the main course, which is chosen to complement the variety of snacks - a kebab is served with vegetable salads, fish or chicken is served with rice or hummus, and tortillas with meat, cheese, and pickles are served with soup.

It is considered impolite to consume alcoholic beverages, even beer, in public. In Turkey, it is illegal to sell alcohol in public places. At the same time, alcohol beverages are sold almost freely in many shops, with the exception of Ramadan, when shelves with them are closed or blocked.