As I'm sitting here in IST as I type I guess I'm qualified to make a suggestion or two.
Street vendors. Shish, pretzel-things I can't remember the name of, great sandwiches, all cheap and very very good. The four or five restaurants I have been to have been mediocre at best. Small portions, pretty expensive for IST, and, like everything in this city, and absolute nightmare to get to from the airport.
After five days, I am looking forward to heading back to BCN tomorrow.