10 best restaurants in Istanbul

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

There are more than 20 thousand restaurants and cafes in Istanbul, offering tourists local and international cuisine. There are places for gourmets from different countries, for lovers of sweet and spicy food, a lot of meat and seafood. We present the rating, which included the 10 best restaurants in Istanbul. The review is based on reviews from tourists and gastronomic travelers.

Rating of the best restaurants in Istanbul

Nomination	a place	a restaurant	rating
Rating of the best restaurants in Istanbul	1	Soho house	5.0
	2	Mikla	4.9
	3	Neolokal	4.8
	4	Mavi Balik	4.7
	5	Roof Mezze 360	4.6
	6	Sur Balik Sarayburnu	4.5
	7	Matbah Ottoman Palace Cuisine	4.4
	8	Ulus 29	4.3
	9	Sunset Grill & Bar	4.2
	10	Hamdi Restaurant	4.1

Soho house

Rating: 5.0

Address: Evliya Çelebi Mahallesi Mesrutiyet, Caddesi No. 56, Beyoglu District.

The first in the rating atmospheric restaurant Soho House, the menu of which includes national and Mediterranean cuisine. The establishment has a closed hall with panoramic windows overlooking the courtyard, and in the open area you can contemplate the Mediterranean Sea. Inside, the restaurant has a cozy ambiance with comfortable wooden furnishings, a mix of traditional Turkish and modern styles.

The dishes served in the restaurant evoke a lot of positive feelings among the guests. In addition to the main menu, which includes an abundance of seafood and meat, you can order snacks, desserts, the bar offers an extensive wine list and a variety of cocktails. In the hall you can hold a banquet, the service is at a high level. The staff are courteous, the meals are not prepared quickly, but the waiting in a relaxing atmosphere goes unnoticed.

Advantages

• One of the best restaurants in Istanbul by critics;
• Traditional Mediterranean cuisine;
• Large wine list and many delicious cocktails;
• Cozy room and terrace overlooking the sea;
• City center.

disadvantages

• Prices are above average.

Mikla

Rating: 4.9

Address: The Marmara Pera Hotel, Mesrutiyet No 15 | Beyoglu.

The second in the ranking is the Mikla restaurant, located in the Marmara Pera Hotel on a hilltop, offering stunning panoramic views of the city and the sea. In the institution you can taste delicious gourmet cuisine and traditional Turkish compositions of seafood, meat, herbs and vegetables. The portions are small, but the more dishes you can try! The bar offers a wide range of soft and alcoholic drinks.

Mikla Restaurant has a set dinner price program. The guest is offered 3 courses. Despite the size of the portions, gourmets stay full – this is how the amount of food on the plate is precisely calculated. Prices are above average, but acceptable for a gourmet restaurant with a wonderful view.

Advantages

• Hall and terrace with panoramic views;
• Dishes from the freshest vegetables, seafood and meat;
• Unusual presentation;
• Vegetarian and gluten-free options on the menu;
• Fixed payment program for dinner;
• Precisely calculated portion sizes despite seeming scarcity.

disadvantages

• Due to high traffic, waiting times are increased;
• The prices are high.

Neolokal

Rating: 4.8

Address: Salt Galata Bankalar Caddesi No 11 Karakoy 34420 | Inside Salt Galata Building.

Bronze rating is awarded to the finedining restaurant Neolokal, which serves Mediterranean, European and Turkish cuisine in a traditional and modern way. The menu also features vegetarian and vegan food. The service is exquisite, the portions are small, but at the same time the prices are reasonable, for which the restaurant has won fame among gastro-tourists. However, not all experts praise the quality of the dishes, but admit that it is at a good level.

The establishment has 2 floors, the halls have panoramic windows overlooking the city, a modern light and cozy interior, a lot of light. The waiters are helpful and the service is relatively fast for a restaurant. However, guests note: water is served without request, then they include it in the check, which must be remembered and, if necessary, refuse it in advance. The restaurant has a bar offering a large selection of wines and spirits.

Advantages

• A large selection of dishes from different cuisines of the world;
• Cozy atmosphere and clean rooms;
• Panoramic view from the windows;
• Fast service.

disadvantages

• Water is included in the bill without a request for supply;
• Not all dishes delight gourmets.

Mavi Balik

Rating: 4.7

Address: Kuruçeşme Mah. Muallim Naci Cad. No: 64 / A | Kurucesme, Besiktas

In the Mavi Balik restaurant, the main focus is on Mediterranean cuisine: the menu has an abundance of seafood dishes, the chefs cook amazingly fish and meat. The sommelier offers suitable wines and alcoholic drinks for different products. The restaurant also serves Turkish and European cuisine. The guests note the interesting presentation, high speed of service and the friendliness of the staff. In addition, the portions of treats are rather large, which is also pleasant for guests, and the prices are very pleasant compared to other restaurants.

There are 2 halls in Mavi Balik: an indoor and an outdoor terrace with a view of the Bosphorus, for which many tourists will certainly include the restaurant in their visit plan upon arrival in Istanbul.

Advantages

• Lots of fish and seafood dishes;
• Large portions;
• Fast service;
• Panoramic view of the Bosphorus;
• Reasonable prices.

disadvantages

• Not defined.

Roof Mezze 360

Rating: 4.6

Address: Hoca Pasa Mahallesi, Hudavendigar Caddesi No: 25 sirkeci | Sirkeci, Seres Old City hotel terras.

The Roof Mezze 360 ​​restaurant got its name for a reason – there are panoramic views along the perimeter of the hall, from where you can see a circular view of Istanbul. For dinner, you can try national Turkish, healthy Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and everyone's favorite European cuisine. The menu contains many items from seafood and meat, vegetables, fruits and their combinations. However, gourmets note not the best cooking technique, but this disadvantage is not tangible and significant for all guests.

The price range of the dishes at the Roof Mezze 360 ​​restaurant is average and higher, but the size of the portion, which justifies the cost, is encouraging. The luxurious view of 3600 attracts tourists, because in most cases the seats are occupied, you need to book a table in advance. The courteous staff speaks different languages.

Advantages

• 360-degree view of the surroundings;
• Varied traditional cuisine;
• Fast service;
• Courteous staff;
• Interesting presentation.

disadvantages

• Imperfect cooking technique (periodically).

Sur Balik Sarayburnu

Rating: 4.5

Address: Kennedy Sreet Coastal road No: 38/1 | Eminonu.

Sur Balik Sarayburnu restaurant is located almost at the very seaside, which specializes in Mediterranean, traditional Turkish cuisine and seafood. This establishment is not suitable for lovers of meat – it is not on the menu, but there is an abundance of vegetables, fish and seafood. Guests and gourmets have practically no questions about the quality of cooking – all dishes are praised for their portion size and excellent taste.

There are several halls in the restaurant: an indoor, a covered terrace and an open area under the sky. All offer views of the sea and coastal area. Service at Sur Balik Sarayburnu is prompt, guests do not need to wait long for their order, prices are average. From time to time, the institution broadcasts sports events.

Advantages

• Specialized seafood restaurant;
• Large portions and unusual presentation of dishes;
• European level of service;
• Location by the sea.

disadvantages

• No meat dishes.

Matbah Ottoman Palace Cuisine

Rating: 4.4

Address: Caferiye Sokak No: 6/1 | Sultanahmet.

The next in the ranking restaurant Matbah Ottoman Palace Cuisine specializes in oriental cuisine, the menu also contains universal treats from the 'healthy food' series. The chefs skillfully combine meat or seafood with vegetables, fruits, grape leaves, skillfully decorating each masterpiece. The waiters offer a suitable wine for each meal, including local wine.

Guests note the convenient location of the restaurant – it is close to the main attractions of Istanbul, an excellent view of the city and an interesting serving of dishes. The waiters are courteous, serve guests quickly, tips are already included in the bill.

Advantages

• Real traditional Turkish cuisine;
• Moderate prices;
• They often delight guests with gifts or compliments from the chef;
• Delicious food with beautiful presentation.

disadvantages

• Not a wide menu.

Ulus 29

Rating: 4.3

Address: Ulus Mahallesi, Ahmet Adnan Saygun Caddesi No: 71/1 | Besiktas, Ulus Parkı Ici.

Ulus 29 restaurant attracts tourists not only with delicious food of Mediterranean, European, Turkish cuisines and unusual Fusion dishes – its terrace offers a stunning view of the city center and park area, bridges over the Bosphorus. It is no less interesting inside the closed hall – there is an open kitchen in the restaurant, you can see with your own eyes how the chefs prepare culinary masterpieces! At the same time, a good hood works over their working area, there is no abundance of aromas in the room.

Dishes of different cuisines are served in large portions, which leaves guests very pleased. Moreover, the price for them is relatively low. Serving common, but quite appealing to whet your appetite.

Advantages

• Great views of the city and the Bosphorus;
• Delicious food of different cuisines;
• Moderate prices;
• Service at a high level.

disadvantages

• Slightly dated interior;
• Local menu for a variety of cuisines.

Sunset Grill & Bar

Rating: 4.2

Address: Kurucesme Mahallesi Yol Sokak No: 2 | Ulus.

The next in the ranking restaurant Sunset Grill & Bar offers guests Japanese and international cuisine. The chefs prepare the best culinary masterpieces from different countries, as well as create unusual compositions in the fusion style. The serving of the dishes is interesting, worthy of the haute cuisine and the stated prices, which, however, do not always meet the expectations of the guests. Nevertheless, the cooking technique remains at a high level; most of the visitors to the Sunset Grill & Bar rate it highly. The menu is dominated by meat dishes, there are many variations of fish and vegetables.

The restaurant hall is one of the factors determining the high flow of tourists; panoramic windows are installed around the perimeter, opening a view of the Bosphorus and Istanbul. The establishment has an open terrace from which you can admire the picturesque green part of the city. The restaurant has a bar where you can order a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at decent prices.

Advantages

• International menu;
• Great view from the closed hall and terrace;
• Large portions;
• Rich bar.

disadvantages

• High prices;
• Doesn't work during the day.

Hamdi Restaurant

Rating: 4.1

Address: Tahmis Cad Kalcin Sok No.17 Eminonu.

The rating review is completed by the restaurant of Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine Hamdi Restaurant. It is located in the tourist center of Istanbul next to the Egyptian Bazaar, which is almost always crowded in the establishment, from which the service suffers – waiters do not always have time to serve the guest in a timely manner. However, the wait is worth it: the dishes offered by the chefs are always of the highest quality. The menu is dominated by meat dishes, seafood and an abundance of vegetable compositions, including those suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Barbecued sausages are in high demand – according to guests, they always taste great.

The restaurant hall overlooks the Bosphorus and Istanbul.

Advantages

• Lots of lamb and chicken dishes, but little beef;
• Great views of the Bosphorus;
• Fast service;
• Own pastry shop on the 1st floor.

disadvantages

• Mediocre attitude of the waiters with fast service (due to the high flow of guests);
• Few beef dishes, little meat selection.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.