No trip to Istanbul is complete without indulging in the city’s incredible food scene. From traditional Turkish dishes to international favourites, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Istanbul has a rich and varied history and equally diverse and delicious cuisine. If you’re looking for a unique culinary experience while in Istanbul, be sure to check out the best restaurants in Istanbul.
Here I have compiled a list of some of the best places to eat in Istanbul, Turkiye based on Google customer reviews.
- Last Ottoman Cafe Restaurant
- Istanbul Anatolian Cusine
- Sirvan Sofrasi Restaurant
- Old Ottoman Cafe (Istanbul Cafe)
- Gulhane Sark Sofrasi
- Hanzade Terrace Restaurant
- Mivan Restaurant & Cafe
- Saltanat Fish & Kebab House
Last Ottoman Cafe Restaurant
The Last Ottoman cafe Restaurant is located in Gülhane Sirkeci, the historical centre of Istanbul, and offers unique flavours of Ottoman cuisine amid history.
If you’re looking for a unique and culturally-enriching dining experience while in Istanbul, be sure to check out the Last Ottoman Cafe Restaurant. This charming eatery has served up authentic Turkish cuisine in a traditional setting since 1962, complete with decor that pays homage to the Ottoman Empire. Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for something new to try, this restaurant is worth checking out.
Their most famous speciality dish is pottery kebabs, usually served with complementary bread, tea, soup and salad. The food portions are big, and the prices are amazing.
- Fine dining
- Cozy atmosphere
- Indoor Dining
- Outdoor dining
- Beautiful Music
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Istanbul Anatolian Cuisine
If you’re seeking exceptional hospitality and eating experience in Istanbul, then this family-owned Istanbul Anatolian cuisine wouldn’t disappoint you at all. Unlike the other well-known Turkish dishes, Anatolian cuisine is also influenced by Central Asian and Middle Eastern flavors.
So be prepared for a real taste explosion! Some of the must-try dishes include grilled fish, İskender kebap (a dish of grilled lamb served on pita bread with tomato sauce and yogurt), mantı (Turkish dumplings filled with spiced beef), and their amazing freshly made baklava (a sweet pastry made from layers of filo dough filled with chopped nuts and syrup). Trust me, and you won’t regret this cute restaurant.
- Fine dining
- Large portions
- Cozy atmosphere
- Indoor Dining
- Outdoor dining
- Amazing staff & hospitality
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Sirvan Sofrasi Restaurant
Sirvan is an established family business with decades of restaurant experience. The restaurant is located in Sultanahmet, the ancient section of Istanbul, home to many historical sights (near the Cataldi Kapi entrance). The small Hagia Sophia mosque, Arasta bazaar, and Blue Mosque are close by. The characteristic Sehzade Mustafa Agha Mosque is 100 meters from here.
They offer traditional pancakes that are prepared right in front of you. First, they’ll serve balloon bread (fresh warm pita) or lavash with some sauce, followed by their famous mezes and warm starters. After you’ve made your order, the staff will provide you with some of the following: kebab (lamb, beef, or chicken), Ottoman Anatolian meals, grilled and fried fish, steaks, Turkish pizzas. They also have a ‘nargile’ (water pipe) bar on the back terrace.
- Fine dining
- Traditional Turkish Indoor Seating
- Cosy atmosphere
- Lovely Indoor Dining
- Lovely Outdoor Dining
- Amazing staff
Old Ottoman Cafe
The old Ottoman ottoman restaurant is one of Istanbul’s most popular and must-try eateries. The staff goes above and beyond to make your dining experience special. It was all delicious, as we could tell by the fact that everything we ate melted in our mouths.
Their mixed kebab platter was mouthwatering tasty and sizzling. The portion was large, and mezes and ayrans as a starter were beyond expectations.
The indoor dining is very soft, cozy typical Turkish interior and the outdoor dining is located along the quiet little cute street. The cafe is located about a 5-minute walk from Ayasofiya Camii.
- Fine Turkish dining
- Traditional Turkish Interior
- Cozy & peaceful atmosphere
- Lovely Indoor and outdoor dining
- The best staff and customer care
Gulhane Sark Sofrasi
I have no words, honestly another great authentic Turkish cuisine on our list. Everything was marvelous, the food was heavenly good, the customer service was extraordinary, the shisha was great, and even the music was just about right.
I would come here every day for the rest of my life if I could. The waiters are extremely friendly and hospitable, to the point that it feels like home. They provided us with complimentary salads, tea, and even baklava.
There were no other restaurants that we ate at in Istanbul that were as great as this one, and I felt comfortable there, so I returned for my final meal. This time, I had the lamb chops, which were delicious with the cream sauce, and the sultan stuffed chicken, which was very flavorful, especially with the cream sauce.
The grilled halibut was excellent, and the sauteed shrimp in butter was delicious. When I mentioned how much I liked the buttery mushrooms to the staff last time, they included some. Their fresh lemonade is prepared by hand and refreshed on a hot day.
I strongly advise you to visit this place for a unique Turkish experience.
- Fine Turkish dining
- Traditional Turkish Interior
- Cozy & peaceful atmosphere
- Lovely Indoor and outdoor dinings
- The best staff and customer care
Hanzade Terrace Restaurant
Cool venue with a great view of Bosphorus, and prices are affordable. We ordered the grilled meat platter and dessert, which was wonderful. The platter came with Grilled lamb, beef, Adana kebab, potato wedges, red cabbage salad and a sauce. Everything was very fresh and sizzling.
The staff and customer service were friendly. At the end of our dinner, the waitress brought us complimentary Turkish tea with awesome baklava, which added five stars to the entire meal. The only thing little bothered us was getting to the restaurant up the spiral staircase with bad knees, but that’s a personal thing. Other than that I recommend this restaurant.
- Great view of the Bosphorus sea
- Traditional Turkish Interior
- Cosy & peaceful atmosphere
- Lovely Indoor and outdoor dining on the terrace
- The best staff and customer service
Mivan Restaurant & Cafe
Here is another fantastic restaurant with a great food catalog. I can’t emphasize enough how wonderful the staff was there or how much I loved this location.
We had breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Mivan in our two weeks in Istanbul. We tried most of the dishes on the menu, and each one was better than the previous. The food portions were big. Some platters can even serve two if you are not very starving.
It sounds crazy, but here we have tried the following items in a few visits to the restaurant Huge Turkish breakfast, also tried amazin meat dishes Meatballs, Grilled sea bass fish, Lambd chops, Stakes Salads, pasta and desserts.
- Modern Turkish Interior
- Cozy & peaceful atmosphere with lovely music
- Indoor and outdoor dining
- Amazing customer service
- Top quality overall
Saltanat Fish & Kebab House
When you crave seafood, Saltanat Fish is your place in Istanbul’s Faithe area. This little cozy restaurant offer friendly and welcoming staff. We ordered the mixed maze, and the seafood platter was just perfect.
The portion was big compared to the price. I loved the way they set up the entire seafood platter. The seafood was served over the salad bed with bulgur pilaf and a few different kinds of sauces. Finally ended up the day with complimentary baklava and tea.
Conclusion
Istanbul is a city known for its food. From Turkish coffee and bread to kebabs and sweets, something to suit everyone’s taste. If you’re looking for some of the best places to eat in Istanbul, look no further. These restaurants are surely tried and tested by thousands of visitors. We have picked restaurants that our friends have visited; whether you’re visiting Istanbul or live in the city, be sure to check them out.
FAQ’s
What is the famous food in Istanbul?
- Simit A famous street food
- Lahmacun A meat & herbs topped baked flatbread
- Pide Turkish-style pizza
- Icli kofte
- Kofte
- Menemen Turkish-style egg omelette
- Sis Kebab Meat on a stick
- Grilled fish sandwich
- Seafood
Is food expensive in Istanbul, Turkey?
The answer, however, depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to eat like a local, you can find some affordable options. But if you’re looking for upscale dining experiences, you’ll likely find that food is less expensive in Istanbul than in other major cities worldwide.
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