Where to Eat? The Best Restaurants in Istanbul
Istanbul offers a wide variety of Turkish cuisine across its many well-established, fine, and luxury restaurants. The city also features a rich selection of international cuisines, including Mediterranean, Japanese, Italian, French, Turkish, Indian, Chinese, Portuguese, and Thai. No matter which district or neighborhood you’re in, you’ll find top-quality dining options throughout the city.
Mikla Restaurant
Neolokal
Neolokal Restaurant
Neolokal is a fantastic restaurant located in Karaköy. The Neolokal team aims to serve guests genuine food inspired by Mother Earth, shaped and designed by traditions.
Main dishes include: Katmer & Tirit (beef in duck jus, pistachio filo, colorful yogurts, tarhana cream), grilled sea bass (seafood sausage, potatoes, celery cream, wild mustard leaves), and Lamb & Chard Sarma (apple and ‘uveyik’ wheat, lamb jus, pickled rose apples).
Asitane Restaurant
Asitane Restaurant
Asitane Restaurant invites you to dine like a sultan. The recipes here are truly authentic and based on findings by food historians who have studied how Ottoman sultans feasted.
Some dishes come from documents found in the Beyazit and Millet libraries, others from the book “A Book of Feasts” about Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent’s sons’ circumcision festival, and even from palace kitchen records!
Asitane brings forgotten Ottoman flavors to the present day with its special summer and winter menus, adding over 200 historical recipes to its collection.
To keep these authentic flavors alive, Asitane regularly organizes themed weeks such as “Food from the Era of Fatih Sultan Mehmet,” “Aphrodisiac Dishes of the Ottoman Palaces,” and “Fish and Seafood in the Ottoman Palaces.”
Aheste
Aheste
Also located in Asmalimescit — an area full of great restaurants — Aheste (meaning “unhurried”) serves traditional mezes with a creative twist.
A modern take on the traditional Turkish meyhane (tavern), Aheste celebrates slow food and offers small plates made from organic ingredients.
Vegetarians can enjoy a variety of plant-based options, including confit artichoke and caramelized roasted eggplant. If you’re not sure what to order, go for the three-course tasting menu.
Cozy seating, dim lighting, excellent acoustics, and a great playlist make it the perfect spot for dining and conversation.
Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi)
Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi)
The iconic Maiden’s Tower stands proudly at the intersection of the Bosphorus, where the continents of Asia and Europe meet.
Its history dates back 2,500 years and is surrounded by fascinating legends about its place in this extraordinary city.
Today, the tower serves as a café and restaurant, attracting guests from near and far for romantic dinners, business meetings, and even weddings.
With delicious breakfast options and international lunch and dinner menus, Maiden’s Tower can be enjoyed any time of day.
Live music and a friendly atmosphere accompany your meal, and with the Bosphorus all around, the views are simply magical.
Antiochia
Antiochia
Always busy thanks to its delicious food and reasonable prices, Antiochia in Beyoğlu’s Asmalimescit area serves cuisine from southeastern Turkey, featuring a variety of hot and cold mezes and kebab dishes.
Inspired by the cuisine of ancient Antakya in the Hatay province, this restaurant blends Turkish flavors with Lebanese, Syrian, and French influences.
Try to beat the dinner crowds by visiting in the early afternoon—although seating is plentiful, the restaurant fills up fast.
St. Regis Brasserie
St. Regis Brasserie
For expertly prepared French cuisine in Istanbul, look no further than St. Regis Brasserie.
Located inside the luxurious St. Regis Istanbul Hotel, this intimate restaurant features both indoor and outdoor dining areas.
The menu changes seasonally and includes contemporary French-inspired dishes with a Turkish twist. A wide selection of salads, handmade pasta, and gourmet sandwiches complement the main courses.
Try the St. Regis Brasserie meatballs or the pan-fried black bream, paired with a signature Bloody Mary cocktail.
Be sure to save room for dessert — the restaurant offers raspberry tart, rice pudding, tiramisu, and mascarpone cheesecake.
Calipso Fish Restaurant
Calipso Fish Restaurant
Located on the coastal road of Küçükyalı, on Istanbul’s Asian side, Calipso Fish Restaurant is an outstanding seafood establishment whose partners have over 30 years of experience in seafood gastronomy.
The restaurant is famous for its unique flavors, including carefully prepared Aegean herbs, cold and hot appetizers, freshly selected fish, seafood specialties, and delicious desserts and wines.
Calipso Fish won the “Best 50 Restaurant Oscars” after its first year, voted by food lovers and gourmet experts.
A Feast of Flavor and Tradition in Every Bite
Dining in Istanbul is more than just enjoying a meal — it’s an experience that blends history, culture, and passion. From timeless Ottoman recipes to contemporary reinterpretations, every restaurant offers a taste of the city’s rich culinary heritage. Whether you’re savoring freshly caught seafood by the Bosphorus, indulging in traditional mezes in a cozy tavern, or experiencing fine dining with a modern twist, Istanbul promises to delight every palate.
Here, food tells the story of a city that bridges continents and cultures — a place where every dish is made with heart and served with warmth.
