Lokanta vs Restaurant Savings

Same dish, two formats — savings per week and per person.

What this solves

The Turkish lokanta is one of the world's best-kept food secrets: a working-class canteen where pre-cooked dishes are displayed in trays, you point at what you want, and they weigh your plate. Same food you'd pay €18 for in a sit-down restaurant is €4–6 in a lokanta. This tool calculates the per-week savings if you replace half of your restaurant meals.

Estimate your food savings

Region

Restaurant meals per day

Lokanta meals per day

Trip length (days)

Restaurant total (₺)

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Lokanta total (₺)

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Savings

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Limitations

Some lokanta don't accept cards.
Hours are usually 11:00–20:00; dinner outside these windows needs restaurant or kebab shop.

FAQ

Are lokantas hygienic?

Most long-running ones are very clean — they survive on repeat customers. Look for high turnover; that's the natural freshness test.

How do I order?

Point at the tray; they scoop onto a plate and weigh (sometimes count pieces). Soup is separate, often a fixed ₺30–60.

What if I don't speak Turkish?

Pointing works universally. Most lokanta staff will understand "pilav üstü" (rice on top), "çorba" (soup), "az" (a little).