City: Istanbul
Top Restaurants in Istanbul
Top 10 restaurants in Istanbul, Turkey
The mosques, bazaars, and Turkish baths of Istanbul could keep you happily occupied for your entire trip: an eyeful of breathtaking architecture here, a good-natured haggle over a carpet there. Kick your trip off at the awe-inspiring Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque), which is visible from many points of the city. Stroll the Galata Bridge and stop by the Miniaturk Park to see its tiny artifacts. The Grand Bazaar has thousands of shops to browse, while the Egyptian Bazaar is a fragrant trove of spices and fruits.
Things to do in Istanbul
1. Olive Anatolian Restaurant
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Our name comes from Olive and it inspires our culinary. Here at Olive Anatolian Restaurant, along with the magnificent panoramic view of ancient Istanbul, from Galata Tower to Bosphorus, from Topkapı Palace to Hagia Sophia Mosque we are hosting our guests with our carefully chosen flavors.
Reviewed By coppinpr - east sussex
This restaurant must rate as one of the best in Istanbul, great food ,great service and a great view to go with it. Very similar to the nearby Roof Mezze 360 which rates 3rd on trip adviser but the Olive is ,in fact, far better.
The menu is Turkish and much like all the others but there are a few unusual dishes and all are perfectly cooked.
The view from this roof top restaurant is off course one of the best in the world and speaks for its self but the olive sets it off better than any other Ive visited (I am a regular visitor to this amazing city).
The decor is modern and bright ,the table layout well organised and the service very good.
Where this restaurant scores over others such as the Mezze 360 is that it has a separate bar area on the same roof top level but totally separate so those just using the bar do not interfere with the diners,something which is a constant problem at the 360. Added to that the bar is ,perhaps, one of the best in the old town, nicely set up and with a great view,the perfect place for a per diner drink in fact.
This visit we had the shepherds special dish which was first class, The Deserts were Turkish style which is fine by me. The wines are best avoided,they are very expensive and not great quality,we had the Turkish Effes beer which was perfect with the meal.
The price was very reasonable especially considering the great location. Ill eat here again,any time.
2. Buhara Ocakbasi Restaurant
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Since From 1979 We Are Here To Serve You The Tasteof East And Southeast Food With Our New Decoration And Serving Quality Waiting For Our Respectable Customers
Reviewed By Michael S
This place serves a great kebab with lamb and beef. The service is great and the food was even better. You can see the chef cooking over charcoal and the food comes out hot.
3. Gulhane Sark Sofrasi
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Ellen25601 - Sydney, Australia
Came here after Reading lots of good reviews at TA.
Initially I was a little skeptical since other restaurants around Sultanahmet are very aggressively trying to get me in the restaurant, but I was pleasantly surprised.
I walked over to look at the menu, I was greeted with a Hi, I was expecting to get some aggressive persuasion - but nothing. I was left to flick over the menu myself, which is great.
The staffs are very friendly and well spoken, no miscommunication at all, I can see they are friendly to other patrons as well.
The mains ranged from 35-50 liras, which is moderate.
I ordered a lamb kebab wrapped in aubergine and cheese and a cup of apple tea. It was delicious. After I finished, they offered complimentary Baklava, Raki (traditional hard drinks), and tea.
The baklava is just amazing, it is way better than the ones I bought in sweets store specialising in baklava earlier in the day. It’s not as sweet as the others I’ve tried.
They also offered a Meze while I was waiting for my meal, which I thought would be chargeable. But no, neither Meze, baklava, tea, or Raki was charged (maybe it’s included in the main’s price anyhow ;) ).
While the food is great, the highlight must go to the service. You can feel they genuinely care about your experience whilst respecting your privacy at the same time. Very helpful and friendly.
After all, what’s the point of having great food and sour mood in your holiday? Service’s what makes the difference!
4. Byzantion Bistro Restaurant
Overall Ratings
5 based on 366 reviews
Byzantion bistro restaurant presents our guests relish of ottoman palace cuisine with years of experiences. we serve the unique tastes which were presented between 14th & 18th Century what had almost forgotten. We are ready to host you with a kitchen where fruits are used instead of tomato, corn, potato to flavor all foods. As well as we are serving Turkish and International special dishes which most popular in the world Pomegranate flower sherbet, stuffed melon, stuffed vine leaves with sour cherry and levzine are only a few option of ottoman palace cuisine. Byzantion Restaurant Turks and Ottoman Restaurant is a delight station in Aksaray with capability of 100 per indoor, 30per garden side Byzantion Restaurant is a good option to purify from stress of the day, Quality and service priority became together to be your hosts with proud and pleasure. We would like dine you with our pleasently service & food <Good Food & Good Dine Kind regards
Reviewed By Arlin F
We had a late lunch at the restaurant and it was excellent. As this was our first dining experience in Turkey we asked for their recommendation and they did not disappoint. I would highly recommend the chicken in the clay pot - amazing. If you are in the area or even if you have to travel a bit give it a try - you will not be disappointed.
5. Old Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Jasmin A - Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Croatia
What a fantastic restaurant! Amazing service- friendly, kind and professional staff, with great sense of a humor. Food was excellent of course also- must try "Hurem´s chicken favorite". Four of us eat there, two days in row, different meals, and all meals were excellent.
Must visit in Istanbul!
Overall Ratings
5 based on 216 reviews
Facing opposite to the serene sea of Marmara, a short walking distance from historic Sultan Ahmet square, Marbella Cafe Restaurant is young at heart, relaxing atmosphere, and with pleasant service that serves in a romantic ambiance. It is a place where one can experience a spectrum of elegantly designed, rich and fresh home cooked meals that fulfills the appetite. Flavors tickling the smallest corners of the mouth, delight in wholesome main dishes; meat, poultry and fish to delicately sweet turkish desserts made with high quality ingredients that are prepared fresh right to your table. Sip velvety local wine from the menu. Breath in the soul of the sea of Marmara with a water pipe (Nargile) at Marbella Cafe Restaurant.
Reviewed By ChristyCc13 - The Hague, The Netherlands
Perfect evening and best service experience in Istanbul. We had mix seafood platter and mix Meze starter, it is fresh with good presentation. Very attentive waiters and also able to recommend a good bottle of wine to pair with the food. Complimentary dessert and orange...MoreThank you for choosing Marbella Terrace cafe restaurant. for your recent stay in Istanbul. Thanks again, and we hope to see you again soon
7. Sirevi Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 742 reviews
Reviewed By Ben L - Lichfield, United Kingdom
Came here with 9 lads whilst away on a holiday. The staff were very friendly and welcoming; they couldn't do enough to help us and make sure we enjoyed our night. The food was really really good and well presented. The price was really reasonable as well - such good value for money! 5*.
8. Constantine's Ark
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Hello dear guests, We are proud of ourselves to introduce you Constantine's Ark restaurant. We are just recently opened to serve the best Turkish, Turkish ethnics and international cuisine. In our menus all kind of alcoholic drinks, house specialty cocktails, local and international wines. Home made desserts, all kind of coffees, herbal teas and Turkish teas... Looking forward to seeing you . Kind regards. Can Bolek
Reviewed By David L
A weekend lunch here. We were the only ones in (which might be relevant). The decor is pretty cosy, with upholstered ‘booths’. The menu is wide ranging, but stays within the usual parameters for local restaurants around here. A good choice of vegetarian options. The food was only OK for me - my vegetable cous cous was nice enough but not memorable. To be fair, the owner did ask me as it was “different to the usual cous cous” and offered to change it if I didn’t like it, but I didn’t dislike it and didn’t want to wait for another dish. Dining companions Ottoman style beef fared better, although not spectacular.
What was spectacular was the service. Aforementioned owner couldn’t have been friendlier, and we got a complementary fruit plate at the end which was very nice. Our server too was very attentive, almost too much. I’m someone who mostly likes to be left alone and dislikes constant hovering and topping up of drinks etc. If you like that kind of stuff you’ll love Constantine’s Ark, but it’s not for me.
It may be harsh to dock a star for service that was not bad, but this is my personal opinion, and alongside fairly average food three stars is consistent with my usual rating method. Perhaps on a busier day the service would be less full on and more relaxed. Your experience may vary.
9. Beso Restaurant Bistro
Overall Ratings
5 based on 625 reviews
Beso Bistro Restaurant In order to keep the forgotten tastes of Ottomans alive we serve the unique tastes which were presented between 14th & 18th Century what had almost forgotten please come experience our friendly service in our plesant atmosphere with fireplace. local gavorment's hygiene inspections showed that we are one of the best restaurant in the town Traditional fusion Ottoman kitchen Our chef revives the dishes which were served to the Sultans, their families and their guests We are ready to host you with a kitchen where fruits are used instead of tomato, corn, potato to flavor all foods. As well as we are serving Turkish and International special dishes which most popular in the world Pomegranate flower sherbet, stuffed melon, mutancana are only a few option of ottoman palace cuisine. Beso restaurant Turks and Ottoman cuisine is near by Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet) tram station with capacity of 70 per indoor 30 per garden side. Good Food & Good Dine
Reviewed By Michael S - Willisau, Switzerland
Nice looking interior! But that’s the only nice point about this restaurant, the food was not satisfying at all. We had the mixed grill plate, which consisted of dry and not tender beef and chicken cubes, a piece of lamb kebab and burnt chicken wings. The mezze plate was not appealing as well, consisting of 6 different mezze which felt like coming straight out of food cans. Lovely interior, but the love for food was missing unfortunately.
10. Bitlisli
Overall Ratings
5 based on 783 reviews
Reviewed By Sara A
Delicious food and nice hospitality with very reasonable prices. My favorite is soft meat and meat pizza or you can order mixed grill and you can try everything.çok çok teşekkür ederiz içtenlikle yaptığınız bu güzel yorum için. harika yazmışsınız tekrar görüşmek dileğiyle saygılarımızla efendim.??
