Beyoğlu
A perfect example of the sort of design-driven eatery that has been trending in İstanbul over the past few years, Aheste is known for its attractive, mood…
Must-see restaurants in Istanbul
Sultanahmet
This much-loved place has been serving piping-hot pides straight from its oven since 1964. Accompanied by pickles, they can be eaten at one of the outdoor…
Beyoğlu
Students, expats and İstanbullus with a literary bent are regular fixtures at this cafe on the 1st floor of the Turkish-German Bookshop on İstiklal…
Sultanahmet
Making locals happy since 1864, this şekerlemeleri (sweets shop) sells lokum (Turkish Delight), milk puddings and spinach or cheese börek (filled pastry)…
Princes’ Islands
Overlooking Büyükada's longest beach, Teras is a popular spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner (if coming for dinner arrive before sunset to take advantage…
Beyoğlu
One of only two Turkish restaurants to feature on San Pellegrino's 'World's Best Restaurants' list, Mikla is fronted by local celebrity chef Mehmet Gürs…
Princes’ Islands
This simple place has benches and chairs on a terrace overlooking the sea and İstanbul. Dishes are simple but good – the köfte (meatballs) and böreğı …
Istanbul
A barnlike place near the iskele, Kanaat has been serving up competent hazar yemek (ready-made food) since 1933. It is known for its wide range of…
Istanbul
Unsigned and unassuming, this famous köftecisi first opened in 1947. It is known for its köfte (meatballs) and its işkembe çorbaşı (tripe soup). Look for…
Beyoğlu
Once a no-frills lokanta (eatery serving ready-made food), Güney has been spruced up and morphed into a bistro in recent years but has retained its loyal…
Beyoğlu
Armenian specialities such as topik (a cold meze made with chickpeas, pistachios, onion, flour, currants, cumin and salt) make an appearance on the menu…
Istanbul
Dating from 1901, this restaurant has three salons that are encrusted with stunning turquoise-coloured İznik tiles and also feature painted ceilings and…
Beyoğlu
A hipster vibe, mellow jazz soundtrack and vaguely Italian-style pizzas are the drawcards at this neighbourhood favourite. We're fans of the ambience and…
Beyoğlu
Decorated in art deco style (as befits its location in a building that originally housed the swish Bristol Hotel), this ground-floor cafe in the Pera…
Istanbul
This perennially busy place is located just inside the Grand Bazaar's Kılıççılar Gate, near where the currency dealers ply their bustling trade. Patrons…
Sultanahmet
Popular with tourists from the Gulf States, many of whom stay at the nearby Sura Hotel, this ocakbaşı (grill house) specialises in mezes and classic…
Beyoğlu
The quality of the food served here is adequate rather than inspired, but this tends to be forgiven by those who manage to snaffle a table on the summer…
Istanbul
After a morning spent in the Grand Bazaar, many visitors choose to park their shopping bags at this well-known lokanta. A lovely space with a vaulted…
Beyoğlu
Established in 1888, this local institution serves a good, albeit pricey, range of hazır yemek (ready-made food). There's no alcohol, but the range of…
Sultanahmet
Palatium is built atop part of the Great Palace of Byzantium, which you can see through its glass floor, between the rugs, beanbag seats at low tables and…
Princes’ Islands
Set one street back from the waterfront promenade, this simple place serves the daily seafood catch, with yesterday's leftovers used in the tasty fish…
Istanbul
There's inevitably an afternoon queue in front of this tiny dondurma (Turkish ice cream) shop in the courtyard of the Atik Ali Paşa Camii. Though the…
Princes’ Islands
Operated by local character Fıstık Ahmet, this long-standing meyhane near the port is known for its lavish pourings of alcohol (it's not the type of place…
Sultanahmet
Part of a small local chain, this is a convenient place to grab a pide or kebap en route between the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar. The open kitchen and…
Beyoğlu
This neighbourhood meyhane (tavern) has a friendly feel and simple but stylish decor. It serves stock-standard, good-quality mezes and grills…
Istanbul
In the midst of the Eminönü action, this branch of a popular local sweets chain has a small upstairs cafe where you can enjoy baklava or cakes with a tea…
Istanbul
This popular hole-in-the-wall bakery is known for its lahmacun (thin Arabic-style pizza). The standard version is topped with tomato, herbs and minced…
Sultanahmet
In the residential neighbourhood of Küçük Ayasofya, this eatery – named in honour of the Ottoman fountain next to its streetside terrace – serves well…
Beyoğlu
An expat haven in Cihangir, Kahve Altı (Coffee 6) has a pretty interior salon and a sunny rear courtyard. The menu is simple, but deserves kudos for its…
Princes’ Islands
This unassuming bakery has a small streetside terrace that catches the morning sun and is a popular local meeting spot. Settle in with a glass of çay and…
Princes’ Islands
Opposite the İDO ferry dock, this busy place offers its customers a generous array of vegetable, yoghurt and seafood mezes, and a range of seafood mains…
Istanbul
Devotees of offal flock here for the seasoned lamb intestines stuffed with sweetbreads or other offal, seasoned with red pepper and oregano, wrapped…
Nişantaşi, Bomonti & Harbiye
Always busy, this branch of one of the city's most popular cafe chains serves burgers, pastas and other global cafe standards. Sit on the streetside…
Sultanahmet
The food here is relatively cheap, the glasses of wine are generous, and the Efes is cold – all can be accompanied by some people-watching at the pavement…
Sultanahmet
A branch of a well-known local chain, this şekerlemeleri sells lokum (Turkish Delight), baklava, milk puddings and börek (filled pastry).
Kadıköy
To sample one of the market’s greatest treats, stop at this honey shop and ask for a serve of yoghurt with a generous swirl of honey from the comb on top.
Istanbul
Stop at this neighbourhood bakery cafe for a quick lunch of meat or cheese börek (filled pastry), followed by a cake or Turkish dessert.
Beyoğlu
One of the two branches of this much-loved dondurma (Turkish ice cream) chain that are on İstiklal Caddesi.
Istanbul
Fight your way through the crowds of shoppers that jam Hasırcılar Caddesi and you'll eventually come to this tiny pideci on the corner of Limoncu Sokak,…
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