Istanbul is famous for its sophisticated and elaborately-cooked dishes of the Ottoman cuisine. Following the influx of immigrants from southeastern and eastern Turkey, which began in the 1960s, the foodscape of the city has drastically changed by the end of the century; with influences of Middle Eastern cuisine such as kebab taking an important place in the food scene. Restaurants featuring foreign cuisines are mainly concentrated in the Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş, Şişli, and Kadıköydistricts.
1. Asitane Restaurant
This is not traditional Turkish cuisine – it is Ottoman food, so only worth a visit if you’re in Istanbul for several days in my opinion. The food is really quite good and not something you’ll find elsewhere. The service is friendly and waiters are multilingual. Just be aware that some of the entrees are quite sweet, so be sure to read the menu.
2. Old Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant
This is just absolutely amazing place. The food is so tasty. Stuff is very friendly and helpful. Great atmosphere. It’s better to reserve a table as it might be hard to find a spot. A bit more expensive than typical places around but worth it big time. Go for the chef special and oriental dish in clay pot, chicken or beef. You will thank me later.
3. Three partners cafe & restaurant
We really enjoyed our food and the jokes that the staff made during his service. The food is so good and the unique cooking style really intrigued us. The hospitality they showed us really makes me want to recommend this cute restaurant to everyone!
4. Garden Mezze
Nice comfortable, airy restaurant. Great menu with plenty to choose from. Traditional food was excellent. Fried shrimps in butter followed by Moussaka. Would highly recommend the poached aubergine with milk (clotted) cream an excellent pudding. Staff were excellent and attentive without being intrusive.
5. Mivan Restaurant Cafe
Everything was so good!! The food was AMAZING!! Very affordable price!!! Delicious breakfast plate. Bread was fresh baked!!! It’s in a nice neighborhood with beautiful decorations. The owner is awesome, offered flatbread to us when they done baking it, which is usually for lunch and dinner only.
6. Hanzade Terrace Restaurant
A perfect place to discover Turkish gastronomy. Located on the rooftop it provides a beautiful view of the blue mosque and Bosporus. One of the best-grilled meats I’ve had in Istanbul All with a beautiful view of Sulthanamet and the sea in the background.
7. Ortaklar Kebap Lahmacun
A small local restaurant in Istanbul not far from the Cemberlitas stop (1min walk) from the Tramway. The place has 3 floors with the kitchen on the first one so the suggestion is to take place in the upper one. The food is good and quite cheap, probably you will end to spend not more than 40 lira’s each.
8. Fethipaşa Sosyal Tesisleri
One of many best places on the Asian side of Istanbul. Since there are a lot of seats you can sit for a long time drinking tea for one lyre, enjoying the evening sunset and sailing through the Bosphorus.
9. Varuna Gezgin Cafe
Very very good place! Warm ambiance, great music, great tastes. They bring water with the coffee which is so unusual in Istanbul! Although the service was a bit slow. Most interesting part, the story behind the place…. discover them!
10. 360 Panorama Restaurant
Amazing views of Istanbul, portions were huge. Food was good, but some pita bread would go better with the meze platter than regular bread. I came before sunset to enjoy the view of Sultan Ahmed district and the sea of Marmara. Beautiful view, have some wine and imagine how was life in the 500 AD.
Suzanarama 