Simit Sarayi

Gate-side in T1, Simit Sarayi is the Turkish carb stop.

This outpost sits in Terminal T1, post-security, so you can grab something after passport control without hunting the whole concourse. It’s a standard Simit Sarayi menu: simit rings, gözleme, sandwiches, pastries and Turkish tea and coffee. Expect typical Turkish bakery pricing rather than premium lounge levels; think single-digit euro equivalents for a simit and drink combo instead of a sit-down restaurant bill.

Food skews quick: sesame simit, cheese or olive-filled pastries, simple toasties, and the usual Turkish sweets. You’ll see industrial trays coming out every so often, so timing matters; a simit that’s been under the heat lamp for 20 minutes is very different from one that came out 5 minutes ago. If you want more than a snack, stack two items and a drink and you’re still likely under €10–12 at airport rates.

Drinks cover the basics: small tulip glasses of Turkish tea, machine espresso drinks, bottled water and soft drinks. Coffee quality is fine for an early-morning 06:00 departure but won’t impress third-wave fans. If you care more about sugar and caffeine than nuance, grab a latte and something sweet and you’ll be through the line in under 10 minutes outside absolute peak charter times.

Seating is the usual mix of small café tables right in the T1 flow, so you’re eating in full view of foot traffic from Schengen and non-Schengen gates. Power outlets are hit-or-miss, so don’t bank on charging your laptop while you eat. Noise is constant thanks to boarding calls for multiple T1 gates in the area, but turning up headphones solves most of it.

Practical tip: order, pay, and take your tray to a quieter gate area in T1 if you have more than 30 minutes before boarding; it beats guarding a tiny table next to the queue.