Ordering Food Online in Eskisehir

Foreigners in Eskişehir can easily order food online through various apps and websites that offer a wide range of restaurant options. Although many platforms are in Turkish, some have user-friendly interfaces and options for non-Turkish speakers, making it relatively straightforward for foreigners to use. Another important fact to bear in mind is that you will need a Turkish phone number to register with food delivery apps. Here’s a guide to help foreigners order food online in Eskişehir:

1. Popular Food Delivery Apps in Eskişehir:

The most popular food delivery platforms in Eskişehir include:

• Yemeksepeti: This is the most widely used food delivery platform in Turkey. It has an extensive list of restaurants, covering everything from local Turkish cuisine to international options like pizza, sushi, and fast food.
  • Language support: They offer their app in English.
  • Payment methods: Users can pay via credit card, debit card, or cash on delivery.
  • How to use it:
    1. Download the app (Google Playstore or Apple Appstore) or visit the website yemeksepeti.com.
    2. Register with a Turkish phone number and create an account.
    3. Enter your address to see available restaurants.
    4. Browse the menu, add items to your cart, and place your order.
  • Tip: You can use Google Chrome to automatically translate the website to your preferred language if needed.
• Getir: This app is known for grocery delivery but also offers food delivery from local restaurants under its “GetirYemek” section.
  • Language support: The app is available in English, which makes it very convenient for foreigners.
  • Payment methods: It supports payment via credit or debit cards linked to the app.
  • How to use it:
    1. Download the Getir app (available on Google Playstore and Apple Appstore).
    2. Choose GetirYemek from the main menu.
    3. Register with your Turkish phone number.
    4. Browse restaurants based on your location, add items to your cart, and order.
• Trendyol Go – Yemek: Another popular platform, Trendyol Yemek, is a part of the larger Trendyol app, which is known for online shopping but also has a food delivery section.
  • Language support: The app is mainly in Turkish it can be used with Google Translate or by following the icons.
  • Payment methods: Supports credit and debit card payments.
  • How to use it:
    1. Download the Trendyol Go app (Google Playstore or Apple Appstore).
    2. Select the Yemek section.
    3. Register and enter your address.
    4. Browse the menus and order your desired food.

2. Using the Apps Without Turkish:

• Google Translate: If the app or website doesn’t support English, Google Translate’s app can help translate menus in real-time. You can use the camera feature to scan the menu, or the “translate” function on the browser.
• Chrome Translation: If you are using a website like Yemeksepeti, use Google Chrome as your browser. It automatically detects non-English content and offers to translate the page to your preferred language.

3. Payment Methods:

Most platforms support various payment methods, including:

• Credit/Debit Card: You can link your international or Turkish cards to the apps and pay directly online.
• Cash on Delivery: This is an option for those who prefer paying in cash when the food arrives. However, it’s useful to have Turkish Lira on hand for this.
• Mobile Wallets: Some apps may allow mobile wallet payments like Masterpass or Papara.

4. Common Food Choices:

Eskişehir offers a variety of cuisines, and through these apps, you can easily access:

• Turkish Cuisine: Kebabs, pide (Turkish pizza), lahmacun, baklava, and more.
• Fast Food: McDonald’s, Burger King, Domino’s, KFC, etc., are widely available.
• International Options: Sushi, Italian food, and other international cuisines.
• Vegetarian/Vegan Options: Many restaurants on these platforms also offer vegetarian and vegan dishes.

5. Tips for a Smoother Experience:

• Address Setup: Make sure to input your address correctly (in Turkish or with the help of a local) since the apps rely heavily on location accuracy.
• Special Instructions: If you have specific requests (e.g., “no onions,” “extra sauce”), these can often be added in a “special instructions” field. You can write this in English or better use a translation tool for Turkish.
• Delivery Time: Be aware that during busy times (like weekends or evenings), delivery times may be longer. Always check the estimated delivery time on the app.
• Support: Most platforms have customer support available, though often in Turkish. You may need to use a translation tool for communication.

6. Other Options:

• Direct Restaurant Orders: Some restaurants have their own websites or WhatsApp-based ordering systems. If you know specific restaurants, you can check their social media pages, where they often list ways to order directly (sometimes available in English). It may be easier to communicate with them in writing by using translation tools like Google translate. If you have access to Chatgpt 4o, you can have real-time conversation with the shop owners on the phone. Here is more on that.