5 Best Restaurants in Istanbul

Eating out in Istanbul is a fascinating experience, where Eastern tastes mingle with Mediterranean freshness and modern innovation.
We have picked a selection of the 5 best restaurants in Istanbul for the discerning visitor to try out.

From busy street grills to high-class rooftop terrace restaurants, there something for every taste and budget in Istanbul. Whether your taste is for fiery kebabs, delicate mezes or avant-garde fusion dishes, Istanbul’s restaurants can satisfy your hunger.
Here are five of the best venues to experience the city’s gastronomic cuisine.

Here are our 5 Best Restaurants in Istanbul

Mikla

Perched at the top of the Marmara Pera Hotel on Beyoğlu’s skyline, Mikla redefined Istanbul’s fine-dining scene when it opened in 2005. Chef Mehmet Gürs blends Scandinavian technique with Anatolian ingredients including smoked eggplant purée with wild greens or lamb served sous-vide alongside local grains. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Golden Horn at sunset, making dinner here as much about the view as the inventive tasting menu.

Neolokal

Housed in the modernist SALT Galata building, Neolokal champions the revival of traditional Anatolian dishes through contemporary dining. Chef Maksut Aşkar forages seasonal produce across Turkey, then reimagines classics such as stuffed zucchini flowers and heirloom bean stews. Its open kitchen and minimalist interior let the vibrant colors of regional ingredients take center stage.

Asitane

Lurking in the shadow of the Chora Church, Asitane is the go-to spot for authentic Ottoman cuisine. Meticulously researched from 15th- to 19th-century palace archives, dishes like Hüthütü (meatballs in a chickpea-dilmah sauce) and Tangür Bamyası (okra in almond broth) transport diners to the era of sultans. The elegant courtyard garden enhances the feeling of dining beneath imperial skies.

Çiya Sofrası

Located on the Asian side in Kadıköy’s bustling Çiya Bazaar, Çiya Sofrası is a beloved institution known for unearthing Turkey’s lesser-known regional specialties. Owner Musa Dağdeviren rotates a buffet of home-style mezes, slow-cooked stews and vegetable dishes, many from recipes he encountered travelling through Anatolia. The lively, casual atmosphere invites mixing and matching plates until you’re full.

Karaköy Lokantası

In a beautifully restored mid-century townhouse by the Galata Bridge, Karaköy Lokantası serves classic Turkish fare with polished service. Deep blue tiles and checkered tablecloths create a welcoming bistro vibe. Signature dishes include perfectly seared sea bass with seasonal vegetables, buttery lamb shank and a creamy muhallebi (milk pudding) for dessert.

This is just our selection of the best restaurants in Istanbul. There are hundreds of great restaurants in this big city ranging from food stalls to Michelin Star restaurants. We encourage you to try out the local cuisine and get to know the wide variety of tastes of the middle east.