TurkeyRestaurants

The definitive dining guide to Turkey: Michelin-starred culinary institutions, iconic local bistros, reservation secrets, and must-order signature dishes.

01

Nusr Et Istanbul

CUISINE:TURKISH STEAKHOUSE
SETTING:STREET-SIDE
ATMOSPHERE:SOCIAL-HUB
SPECIALTY:TABLE-SIDE SALT RITUAL

Must Try:Table-side salt ritual
02

Mikla

CUISINE:NEW ANATOLIAN
SETTING:ROOFTOP
ATMOSPHERE:FINE-DINING
SPECIALTY:TASTING MENU

Must Try:Tasting Menu
03

Turk Fatih Tutak

CUISINE:TURKISH
SETTING:INDOOR-MALL
ATMOSPHERE:FINE-DINING
SPECIALTY:TASTING MENU

Türk Fatih Tutak occupies a sleek, intimate space in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district, where the dining room feels deliberately restrained — dark tones, sculptural plating, and an open kitchen that commands attention. Chef Fatih Tutak treats the table as a laboratory, building each course around Anatolian ingredients sourced from specific Turkish regions and seasons. The atmosphere is quiet and focused, designed for people who eat with intent.

Must Try:Tasting Menu
04

Pandeli

CUISINE:OTTOMAN
SETTING:INDOOR-MALL
ATMOSPHERE:HERITAGE
SPECIALTY:EGGPLANT BÖREK

Pandeli sits above the Mısır Çarşısı entrance, reached by a staircase that climbs through spice-scented air. Inside, walls of hand-painted turquoise İznik tiles give the room a cool, composed glow. The white tablecloths and unhurried service carry the quiet authority of a kitchen unchanged for generations.

Must Try:Eggplant Börek
05

Ciya Sofrasi

CUISINE:TURKISH
SETTING:STREET-SIDE
ATMOSPHERE:HERITAGE
SPECIALTY:LAMB WITH QUINCE

Ciya Sofrasi sits in Kadikoy with market noise at its door. The room feels plain, busy, and deeply focused on the kitchen. Counters show bright herb salads, stuffed vegetables, and simmering Anatolian dishes.

Must Try:Lamb with Quince
06

Beyti

CUISINE:TURKISH
SETTING:STREET-SIDE
ATMOSPHERE:HERITAGE
SPECIALTY:BEYTI KEBAB

Must Try:Beyti Kebab
07

Sultanahmet Koftecisi

CUISINE:TURKISH
SETTING:STREET-SIDE
ATMOSPHERE:HERITAGE
SPECIALTY:PIYAZ

Must Try:Piyaz
08

Hamdi Restaurant

CUISINE:TURKISH
SETTING:ROOFTOP
ATMOSPHERE:HERITAGE
SPECIALTY:PISTACHIO KEBAB

Must Try:Pistachio Kebab
09

Karaköy Lokantası

CUISINE:TURKISH
SETTING:STREET-SIDE
ATMOSPHERE:HERITAGE
SPECIALTY:HÜNKAR BEĞENDI

Karaköy Lokantası feels polished without losing its neighborhood rhythm. Turquoise tiles, white tablecloths, and brass details frame a room built for long lunches. The mood is calm, bright, and distinctly Istanbul.

Must Try:Hünkar Beğendi
10

Neolokal

CUISINE:TURKISH
SETTING:ROOFTOP
ATMOSPHERE:FINE-DINING
SPECIALTY:ANATOLIAN TASTING MENU

Neolokal sits inside SALT Galata, with clean lines, old bank architecture, and wide city views. The room feels calm and exact, built for slow attention rather than display. Plates arrive like small studies of Anatolia, shaped with restraint and precision.

Must Try:Anatolian Tasting Menu
11

Sunset Grill And Bar

SETTING:ROOFTOP
DRESS:SOPHISTICATED
VENUE:ROOFTOP-BAR
MUSIC:OPEN-FORMAT
ENERGY LEVEL:SOPHISTICATED

12

360 Istanbul

CUISINE:MODERN TURKISH
SETTING:ROOFTOP
ATMOSPHERE:SOCIAL-HUB
SPECIALTY:SUSHI AND MEZE

Must Try:Sushi and Meze
13

Uludag Kebapcisi Cemal Cemil Usta

CUISINE:TURKISH
SETTING:STREET-SIDE
ATMOSPHERE:HERITAGE
SPECIALTY:ŞIRA PAIRING

Must Try:Şıra Pairing
14

Iskender Iskenderoglu

CUISINE:TURKISH
SETTING:INDOOR-MALL
ATMOSPHERE:HERITAGE
SPECIALTY:CHARCOAL LAMB KEBAB

Must Try:Charcoal Lamb Kebab
15

Kiyi Restaurant

CUISINE:TURKISH SEAFOOD
SETTING:WATERFRONT
ATMOSPHERE:HERITAGE
SPECIALTY:SEASONAL GRILLED TURBOT

Must Try:Seasonal Grilled Turbot
16

Haci Abdullah Lokantasi

CUISINE:TURKISH
SETTING:STREET-SIDE
ATMOSPHERE:HERITAGE
SPECIALTY:OTTOMAN PALACE CUISINE

Must Try:Ottoman Palace Cuisine
17

Kosebasi

CUISINE:TURKISH
SETTING:STREET-SIDE
ATMOSPHERE:SOCIAL-HUB
SPECIALTY:ADANA KEBAB

Must Try:Adana Kebab
18

Yanyali Fehmi Lokantasi

CUISINE:TURKISH
SETTING:STREET-SIDE
ATMOSPHERE:HERITAGE
SPECIALTY:PISTACHIO KADAYIF

Must Try:Pistachio Kadayıf
19

Asmali Cavit

CUISINE:TURKISH
SETTING:STREET-SIDE
ATMOSPHERE:HERITAGE
SPECIALTY:SEASONAL MEZE

Must Try:Seasonal Meze
20

Kanaat Lokantasi

CUISINE:TURKISH
SETTING:STREET-SIDE
ATMOSPHERE:HERITAGE
SPECIALTY:HÜNKAR BEĞENDI

Kanaat Lokantasi feels like old Uskudar at lunch hour. The room is bright, tiled, and practical, with trays of stews, rice, vegetables, and desserts moving fast. The mood is local, disciplined, and quietly proud.

Must Try:Hünkar Beğendi