10 Great Restaurants in Istanbul

Çiya Sofrası offers home-style Turkish dishes with bold and vibrant flavours in a laidback setting. Guests can sit outdoors on one of 3 floors or the rooftop terrace. Menu favourites include starters such as mezze and salads and mains like seasonal stews and charcoal-grilled lamb kebabs.

If you want a table on the rooftop or by a window, we recommend booking Çiya Sofrası in advance. You might have to wait around 30 minutes to be seated in the evening on weekends. You can avoid jostling with crowds by heading to the restaurant for lunch.

Beyti has been a local favourite since 1945. The restaurant occupies an Ottoman-style building with traditional decor. While relaxing indoors or on the terrace, you can dig into juicy mixed grills and lamb racks paired with a glass of fine wine. Don't forget to try the famous Beyti kebab, which is great for lunch or dinner.

Beyti is usually in high demand, so it’s worth booking a table in advance regardless of which day you intend to visit. Making travel plans ahead of time also comes highly recommended – the restaurant is around 20 km from the centre of Istanbul.

Ulus 29 is an upscale restaurant that offers views of the Bosphorus and Istanbul’s bridges from its hilltop terrace. On top of being a restaurant that serves signature regional dishes with seasonal ingredients, it boasts a trendy bar and a nightclub that hosts international DJs on weekends.

We recommend trying the dry-aged meats with homemade pasta, followed by homemade ice cream. There are around 4,500 wine labels to choose from, though the cocktails always go down a treat. Book a table in advance if you want to dine on the rooftop in time for sunset.

The Asian-fusion fare at Banyan Restaurant takes influence from Western and Eastern cultures, which captures the soul of Istanbul. Tables are situated on the terrace of a historical building by the Bosphorus. For food, courses include Sichuan pepper steak, dim sum, and duck satay are just a few menu favourites.

In line with its focus on healthy cuisine, Banyan Restaurant serves a variety of creative fresh fruit juices and teas. There are also plenty of cocktails and alcoholic beverages on offer if you want to let your hair down. While you’re here, check out the Ortaköy Mosque, which is a 3-minute walk away.

At Feriye Lokantasi, you can enjoy classic Turkish dishes inside a rare example of 19^th-century classical Ottoman architecture. The restaurant uses cooking techniques from the 12^th century onwards to celebrate Ottoman cuisine. Popular dishes include manti (filled dough pockets) and spicy cured beef. Don’t be afraid to ask for the perfect wine pairing.

Feriye Lokantasi can be especially busy during summer when its terrace attracts up to 2,000 guests. Thanks to its size, there’s usually no wait for a table, except for on Saturday evenings. If you enjoy a quiet atmosphere, we recommend heading to Feriye Lokantasi for lunch.

Giritli Restaurant serves Cretan cuisine and offers guests the choice of elegant indoor or courtyard dining. Cold mezze plates are a popular starter, followed by a delight such as grilled octopus or denizci pilavı, which is a rice-based seafood dish. For a refreshing side, try the fried vegetables topped with köpoğlu (garlic yoghurt).

Giritli Restaurant offers a fixed-price menu on weekends and an a-la-carte menu throughout the week. Both menus change according to the season, but there are always plenty of delicious seafood and meat dishes available. After dinner, add a touch of romance to the night by heading to the iconic Blue Mosque, which is about 700 metres away.

The Sunset Grill & Bar is a great place to dig into Japanese and Mediterranean cuisine on a terrace overlooking the Bosphorus. It’s one of Istanbul’s top-rated restaurants for couples. The cellar contains some of the world’s rarest fine wines, such as Château Latour and Sassicaia.

Sunset Grill & Bar is usually busiest after 8 pm, with lunch being the quietest time to visit. You might want to book in advance if you're planning to visit on a weekend evening.

Mikla serves what it describes as ‘New Anatolian Cuisine’ using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a blend of modern and ancient cooking techniques. It’s situated on the rooftop terrace of a hotel, complete with panoramic city views and a swimming pool. For a bit of everything, order the tasting menu with a Turkish wine pairing.

Mikla is an award-winning restaurant and tables are often in high demand daily, so it’s worth booking in advance. It opens every day (except Sunday) from 6 pm until late.

Yeni Lokanta is one of Istanbul’s best restaurants for modern Turkish cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. Seasonal menus vary, but popular dishes include paçanga (a local stuffed pastry), dried eggplant ravioli and hummus. We highly recommend the sucuk (sausage) with bean puree.

The cosy setting of Yeni Lokanta makes it an ideal eatery for a weekday dinner. Regardless of when you visit, you won’t usually need to wait for a table. Just remember that the restaurant closes 4 pm or 6 pm on most days.

Mürver Restaurant at Novotel Istanbul Bosphorus has a menu that features just about every ingredient – from veggies to calamari and steaks – grilled over an open fire. The popular octopus dish makes for a tasty starter, especially when followed by the restaurant's delicious Thracian lamb. You can wash your meal down with a signature cocktail or 2.

You don’t usually need to book a table in advance, but be prepared to jostle with crowds in the evenings. Mürver Restaurant tends to get busiest after 8 pm, but it’s worth sitting down in time for sunset for romantic views of the peninsula.