I compiled this list of my favorite restaurants in Istanbul after several trips over the past years. The reason for my occasional visits is always people: my Turkish friend Berna lives in Istanbul, my oldest friend Masha got married there, and most recently my kind friend Katya took a 5-hour flight to meet with me on neutral territory, so to say (my flight took 3 hours.)
What seals the deal, though, is Turkish food. I never tire of the grandiose Turkish breakfast spread, the freshly baked simits, and deeply flavorful tea, so much tea. When asked what cuisine is my favorite in the world, I can never give one answer, but Turkish always makes it to my top 3 (along with Italian, the third one is subject to my moods: Georgian most often, sometimes Sri Lankan, occasionally Russian.)
So if you are planning your trip to Turkey right now, I am equal parts jealous of and excited for you. Below, I will share my favorites restaurants in Istanbul or maybe better said best places to eat in Istanbul as my recommendations include not only restaurants, but also cafes and dessert spots.
I divided the places into categories, so it’s easier for you to find exactly what you are looking for at the moment. I also added a note after each place on what popular (and lesser-known) attractions you can visit nearby. I hope it makes your travel planning a bit easier.
A note on breakfast: I have a post with all of my favorite restaurants in Istanbul that serve breakfast here. Below I only mention 5 of my absolute favorites.
Boris‘in Yeri is a little unassuming spot off-the-beaten track that’s been around since 1936. The reason you should come here is their exceptional kaymak, a kind of clotted cream made of buffalo milk traditionally served with honey. You will find it on the menu of many breakfast places, but kaymak at Boris‘in Yeri is considered to be cream of the crop (pun intended).
If you want to go as traditional as it gets, may I suggest ordering a glass of milk? Not the most conventional choice of drink, but that is the way, as per my Turkish friend Berna who brought me here. You can ask them to add honey to the bottom of the milk glass, too.
Apart from kaymak, you will find all the other breakfast favorites, like eggs, olives, white bread, local sausage, and a variety of cheese. You can order each item separately instead of ordering a set breakfast (as is usually the case). It’s more affordable, but most importantly, you don’t waste food.
The interior is quite simple, with white tiled walls, plastic tables, and wooden stools. If the weather is nice, it’s best to get a table outside.
Tip: their current Google rating is 3.9. Do not pay attention to the amount of stars, I promise the food is top-notch. As I mentioned in my guide on how to find good food when you travel, Google reviews (along with Yelp and Tripadvisor) are not always helpful.
What to see nearby: Sultanahmet Mosque is about 20 minutes away on foot. But if you go in the opposite direction, you can discover some of the lesser-known sites, like the Uzbek neighborhood and still further away Bulgur Palas, a historical mansion turned into a cultural center.
Boris‘in Yeri — Åžehsuvar Bey, Ördekli Bakkal Sk. No:9, Fatih
One of the most popular breakfast restaurants in Istanbul is Cafe Privato. It is one of those rare cases where lots of tourists doesn’t mean the food is going to be mediocre. In fact, it is one of my top choices for the most authentic, fresh, delicious breakfast in the city.
The food comes in two rounds. First, all the cheese, olives, vegetables, and jams. Then all the hot dishes, like fried eggs, menemen, gözleme, and pancakes. Tea is bottomless, which means I had about 7 cups, possibly more.
If the weather allows, grab a table outside. Inside, it’s cozy, described on Google as “rustic chic”. The prices are a bit higher than in other restaurants in Istanbul, but the food is well worth it.
What to see nearby: Galata Tower is steps away, as well as Galata Bridge. Karaköy neighborhood where the cafe is located is great to explore.
Cafe Privato — Åžahkulu, Tımarcı Sk. No:3b, BeyoÄŸlu
Van Kahvalti Evi offers breakfast inspired by Kurdish cuisine. “Van” in the name refers to the city of Van located on the Turkish-Iranian border with predominantly Kurdish population.
The menu features both popular items like eggs with sucuk (local sausage), kaymak with honey, and homemade hazelnut paste, as well as Kurdish specialties like otlu peyniri, salty white cheese brined with herbs, and murtuga, eggs scrambled with butter and flour.
Van Kahvalti Evi is widely considered one of the best restaurants in Istanbul when it comes to traditional Turkish breakfast.
What to see nearby: the cafe is located in Cihangir neighborhood famous for its many boutique shops and art galleries. A few minutes away is the Museum of Innocence, which is a must if you read Orhan Pamuk’s novel with the same name. If not, I highly recommend reading it before your trip.
Van Kahvalti Evi — Kılıçali PaÅŸa, Defterdar YokuÅŸu Sok. 52/A, BeyoÄŸlu
I know it seems like a strange category and it only features two places, but bear with me. Breakfast in Turkey is a serious affair. There’s so much food it will easily sustain you until dinner. So in case you want a lighter breakfast or a quick snack in between meals, the following places are perfect.
Translated word for word, the name means Historic Cihangir Simit Bakery. This tiny hole-in-the-wall type of place located in Cihangir specializes in all kinds of simits and other baked goods. The shop itself has enough space for a wood-fired oven and a counter where all the freshly baked goods are laid out, and that’s about it.
The only tables are located outside. Don’t let that deter you if you are visiting during colder months. I was perfectly comfortable having my tea and simit in the street mid-December. And those simits are nothing short of incredible. Some come with fillings in the middle, a kind of simit pizza, if you will. You’ll also find açik pide here.
What to see nearby: Cihangir in the name stands for the neighborhood of Cihangir where you’ll find many boutique shops and art galleries. A few minutes away is the Museum of Innocence.
Tarihi Cihangir Simit Firini — FiruzaÄŸa, Türkgücü Cd. 59/A, BeyoÄŸlu
This cute colorful cafe, like quite a few places on this list, was recommended to me by my friend Berna who lives in Istanbul. ÇiÇi serves something called çi börek. It took me a while to realize that I know this pastry all too well, only under the name of cheburek.
Cheburek (or çi börek) is a traditional dish of Crimea Tatar people that has become a staple in many Soviet countries. It’s one of the most delicious memories of my childhood: a flat deep-fried pastry filled with ground meat my mom would make on the weekend. And so it was so exciting to find it in Istanbul.
Cheburek makes for a perfect breakfast or a snack between meals (in all honesty, two chebureks can be a proper lunch, too) and ÇiÇi is one of the best places in the city to try one. The pastries are made to order. You can choose between meat, cheese, and veggie filling. Add a cup of freshly brewed tea to your order — absolute perfection.
What to see nearby: ÇiÇi is located in BeÅŸiktaÅŸ neighborhood. Dolmabahçe Palace is about 15 minutes away on foot. You will also find the ferry terminal nearby from where you can take a ferry to the neighborhoods on the other side of Bosphorus (and feed seagulls if you buy a simit beforehand).
ÇiÇi — ViÅŸnezade, Özgür Sokağı 13 B, BeÅŸiktaÅŸ
Çiya Sofrası is somewhat of a local legend located on the asian side, in the neighborhood of Kadıköy. It’s a casual spot with a focus on highly-seasonal homestyle food. The way it works is that you order at the counter. On the one side you will see all the cold dishes that are served (and paid for) by weight. On the opposite side are the warm dishes that you can order either as a portion or half a portion (go for half a portion, that way you can try more dishes.)
As I visited mid-December, I was able to try a few of the ever-changing due to seasonality dishes, including Jerusalem artichokes, lamb and chestnut stew, and lamb slowly cooked with quinces. If you’d like to learn more about the story behind Çiya Sofrası, check out this review.
What to see nearby: explore Kadıköy neighborhood, walk on Moda Pier and take in incredible views.
Çiya Sofrası —CaferaÄŸa, GüneÅŸlibahçe Sok., Kadıköy
Antiochia was located approximately 3 steps away from the hotel where I stayed, so choosing a place for my first meal right after checking in was a non-brainer.
What I didn’t realize until I did some research well after my trip is that Antiochia is the ancient name of the city Antakya, located in the southernmost region of Turkey. The chefs, brothers Bülent and Ali Özkurt who grew up in Antakya, bring the flavors of their home to Istanbul.
The ingredients play a central role in the food Antiochia offers. Many are sourced from producers in villages, like olive oil and pomegranate molasses.
I had meze (warm and cold starters) with fresh simits. They are apparently famous for their grilled meat, which unfortunately I couldn’t try.
Antiochia is located in Asmalımescit, a smaller neighborhood within BeyoÄŸlu, which comes alive at night. There are plenty of bars with outside seating, it’s loud and fun.
What to see nearby: Istiklal street is 5 minutes away, Galata Tower is 7 minutes away, Karaköy neighborhood and the Galataport promenade are 20 minutes away.
Antiochia — Asmalı Mescit, General Yazgan Sk. No:3, BeyoÄŸlu
Widely considered one of the best restaurants in Istanbul, Mürver is located on the top floor of Novotel Hotel and offers incredible views of Bosphorus. It’s great for a romantic dinner or a special occasion (or a regular dinner, but keep in mind the prices are quite high). I wish I had good pictures of the view, but my phone camera is not cooperative at night time, so you’ll have to take my word for it.
On their own website, Mürver is described as a live fire restaurant:
“We grill, smoke, bake and stew our food using a variety of wood, charcoal, nut shells and aromatic plants as our source of heat. We try to keep it honest, straight forward, contemporary, non-gimmicky and, above all, tasty.”
The ingredients are mostly local and seasonal, with many, for example sucuk, cured beef, and pickles, made in-house. I tried a few dishes, including pide with fresh corn and pomegranate molasses and grilled octopus. All but one dish (roasted vegetables) were excellent.
What to see nearby: Galataport promenade is located steps away, so is Istanbul Modern museum. You are in Karaköy which is a great neighborhood to explore.
Mürver — inside Novotel Ä°stanbul Bosphorus
You will see Hodan on pretty much every possible list of best restaurants in Istanbul, and mine is no exception. The restaurant is temporarily closed, but I am going to recommend it anyways, because this was the best meal I had in Istanbul on my last trip. They are currently relocating and I hope you will have a chance to try out chef ÇiÄŸdem SeferoÄŸlu’s food in a new space.
I first learned about Hodan from Die Zeit, a German magazine that had a feature article about the Turkish female chefs making history. ÇiÄŸdem SeferoÄŸlu, who is at the helm of Hodan and received The Best Chef Award in 2025, surely blew my mind. The pomegranate salad with cherry sorbet alone was so impressive I recreated it for Christmas (you can find my recipe here) upon coming home.
Hodan offers contemporary Turkish cuisine prepared with the highest-quality ingredients. Some of my favorites were local Brie served with honeycomb, almonds from Datça (a port city in Turkey), and simit crisps (talk about attention to detail) and deconstructed tiramisu for dessert.
Hodan — temporarily closed, currently relocating
Foxy is a relaxed wine bar that takes its name from the Concord grapes, whose musky flavor is often described as foxy. There is, however, a fox with a wine glass in hand (in paw?) on the logo and the vibe of the place is rather playful.
Foxy brings together contemporary Turkish cuisine and locally-made wines, both natural and classic. It was founded in 2019 by chef Maksut AÅŸkar, whose other restaurant Neolokal boasts a Michelin star.
While Neolokal is on my list of restaurants in Istanbul to try, I didn’t just yet. The experience is most definitely pricey. Foxy, however, offers food that is as delicious, but at a better price point. There’s a resident cat, too — all the more reasons to visit!
The menu is focused on small plates inspired by the region of Anatolia. I highly recommend leeks with orange sauce and hazelnuts and fennel salad.
What to see nearby: PaÅŸabahçe store that sells some of Turkey’s best glassware is steps away. Their traditional Turkish tea cups are excuisite!
Foxy NiÅŸantaşı — Harbiye, Mim Kemal Öke Cd. No:1 D, ÅžiÅŸli
One of the cardinal rules of choosing great places to eat when traveling is to avoid touristy areas. However, as with any rule, there are exceptions. Yeni Lokanta, located steps away from Istiklal street, is one.
Hidden in one of the little streets that cross Istiklal, this Istanbul restaurant is perfect for an elevated dinner, a special occasion, or a date night. Tiled tables, tiled floors and green lamp shades create a cozy atmosphere. The space is quite small, so book a table in advance.
A la carte menu is short and sweet, just as I like it, with 5 starters and 4 mains to choose from. On recommendation of my friend Berna who I shared dinner with, we tried çiÄŸ köfte tartare, olive oil braised beetroot with hazelnuts, prawn and vine leaves tempura, goat cheese with beef pastırma, and oven roasted lamb.
I loved their attention to detail. When we asked for traditional Turkish tea at the end of the meal, it came in PaÅŸabahçe tea cups made of the thinnest glass. PaÅŸabahçe is probably the most well-known glass brand in Turkey. Their products make for the best gifts to bring home.
What to see nearby: Istiklal Street is steps away.
Yeni Lokanta — inside The Story Hotel Pera
Karaköy Lokantasi is one of the most iconic restaurants in Istanbul, established way before Karaköy has become trendy. The word lokanta means “casual eatery” in Turkey, the kind that’s popular with the working crowd. The dishes are often displayed in trays behind the counter, so one can pick and choose what they want to have. That is still the case at Karaköy Lokantasi. The dishes change daily to follow the seasons and offer the freshest ingredients.
While originally lokanta means a diner or even a canteen, Karaköy Lokantasi certainly provides a more elevated setting. Think: homely dishes served in a stylish space. The tiled interior alone is worth making a stop here. For dinner, you will find a variety of meze, tiny plates of appetizers that can be shared (preferably accompanied by a glass of raki.)
What to see nearby: Galataport promenade is right outside, so is Istanbul Modern museum. Karaköy neighborhood where the restaurant is located is great to explore.
Karaköy Lokantasi — KemankeÅŸ Mahallesi, KemankeÅŸ Caddesi No:57 Karaköy, BeyoÄŸlu
Forno in Istanbul’s neighborhood of Balat is where you try some of the best traditional pide and lahmaçun, among many other freshly-prepared delicious things. The food (and vibe) at Forno has clear Turkish and Italian influences. In fact, the name Forno stands for oven in Italian and refers to the stone oven used at the restaurant.
Apart from Turkish pide (a boat-shaped flatbread with a filling like cheese or minced meat), and lahmaçun (thin crispy flat bread topped with a variety of ingredients and often referred to as Turkish pizza), you will find actual Italian pizza here, too, as well as abundant breakfast buffet on the weekends.
The space has a modern, clean look: tiled walls, wood furniture, open kitchen concept.
What to see nearby: Balat is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Istanbul, known for its colorful historic houses, cobbled streets, churches, mosques, and synagogues. Today, the streets are filled with cafes, antique shops, and art galleries.
Forno Balat — Vodina Caddesi, Fener Kireçhane Sk. No:13/A, Fatih
There are hundreds (if not thousands) of kebab shops in Istanbul. I am only going to share the two I tried and loved. Each one offers a special variety of kebab.
When it comes to kebab, the most popular version in the world is, without a doubt, döner kebab. In Germany, it has surpassed currywurst as the nations’s favorite fast food. Now, caÄŸ kebab is a variety that is similar to döner in that the meat is stacked on a rotisserie spit. But where döner kebab is made on a vertical spit, caÄŸ kebab is prepared on a horizontal one.
There aren’t too many places that make caÄŸ kebab in Istanbul, but, luckily, the most popular one of all is located in Fatih, close to major attractions. You might have to wait in line a bit, as the place is rather crowded, but the wait is worth it. Pair a plate of kebab with ayran and a satisfying lunch or dinner is guaranteed.
What to see nearby: Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace are all not too far away.
Åžehzade CaÄŸ Kebap — Hoca PaÅŸa, HocapaÅŸa Camii Sok. No:6 D:4, Fatih
Metet Közde Döner located in Kuzguncuk neighborhood is one of the most famous spots to try döner in Istanbul. Their specialty is iskender kebab, which is made by layering thin slices of döner kebab meat on top of pita bread pieces. The whole thing is then drowned in rich tomato sauce; a dollop of yogurt and a drizzle of melted butter are added right before serving. The result is hearty, messy, and indulgent.
Apart from iskender kebab, you should also try kibbeh, a deep-fried pastry made of bulgur and ground meat, that is ridiculously good here.
What to see nearby: Kuzguncuk neighborhood with its colorful houses and cute cafes.
Metet Közde Döner — Kuzguncuk, Ä°cadiye Cd. No:10, Üsküdar
When I think of Istanbul, and Turkey in general, two desserts usually spring to mind: baklava and Turkish delight. There are many-many more, but these two got better marketing I guess. So let’s start with baklava. The best place to try it in Istanbul is Karaköy GüllüoÄŸlu. The Güllü family has been making baklava in their home town of Gaziantep since the 1800s. But it was in 1949 that they opened a little shop in the Karaköy neighborhood of Istanbul.
You’ll be spoiled for choice at this place, but I always suggest to try the classic baklava with pistachios and then whatever your heart desires. You really can’t go wrong. Pair the sweets with Turkish coffee or tea (no sugar! baklava is sweet enough.)
What to see nearby: Karaköy neighborhood is full of cute cafes, boutique shops, and historic buildings. Salt Galata and Kamondo stairs are not too far.
Karaköy GüllüoÄŸlu — KemankeÅŸ Karamustafa PaÅŸa, KemankeÅŸ Cd. No:67 BeyoÄŸlu
Another popular cafe that offers an array of Turkish sweets is Hafız Mustafa 1864. Unlike Karaköy GüllüoÄŸlu, they have multiple locations in Istanbul, but the most popular one is probably the one in Fatih neighborhood. It’s the closest to the original location of the shop where it all started almost two centuries ago, not to mention steps away from major attractions in Istanbul, like Grand Bazaar and Topkapi palace.
The shop is famous for a variety of sweets, including baklava, Turkish delight, and milk-based desserts, like sütlaç (milky rice pudding) and kazandibi (a creamy pudding with caramelized layer on top). If you are at the Fatih location, get a table upstairs: a perfect spot to people-watch while you are having dessert.
What to see nearby: all major attractions like Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace are nearby. Spice Bazaar is only 5 minutes away.
Hafiz Mustafa 1864 — multiple stores in Istanbul. Fatih location is the one near major tourist attractions.
I write stories about food, travel, and my life as a mom of two boys. Home is Russia, but somehow also Sri Lanka and Hamburg, Germany. Go figure.
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