Turkish restaurants in Istanbul
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A
Mozaik
Over the years Mozaik has built a reputation as the most stylish restaurant in this part of town. Housed in a romantic Ottoman building dating from 1878 and with plenty of streetside tables, it has a huge menu that offers pastas and other international food as well as dishes from different regions of Turkey. Prices are far too high considering the quality of the food (average at best), but the surrounds are welcoming and the service is excellent.
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B
Cezayir
Housed in an attractive building that was once home to an Italian school, Cezayir serves Mod Med food with Turkish influences and caters to an upmarket boho crowd. In summer, the courtyard is always packed with diners sampling dishes such as boneless lamb shank roast with rice, spinach roots and aniseed. Desserts include classics such as chocolate soufflé and ice cream.
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Yücetepe Kır Gazinosu
At the very top of the hill where the Monastery of St George is located, this simple place has benches and chairs on a terrace overlooking the sea and İstanbul. Dishes are simple but delicious – the köfte is particularly tasty. You can also enjoy a beer here.
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C
Teras Restaurant
The chef at this upmarket hotel restaurant came up with an inspired idea when he devised his Turkish degustation menu. Sampling courses of ‘İstanbul cuisine’ feature, and they are wonderfully complemented by an excellent (and affordable) wine list. Alternatively, order a starter tray to begin and follow with an à la carte main – the fish is particularly good. With a killer view of the Blue Mosque and Sea of Marmara, as well as very comfortable seating and occasional live Turkish music, this place is quite possibly the best eating option in Sultanahmet.
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D
Rami
The favoured spot for dinner here is the rooftop terrace, which has a full view of the Blue Mosque. Make sure you request a table there when you book. Ottoman specialities such as kağıt kebap (lamb and vegetables cooked in a paper pouch) dominate the menu and although the food is nothing to get excited about, the view and the decent wine list certainly compensate. No credit cards.
This restored Ottoman house also has several quaint dining rooms that are decorated with impressionist-style paintings by Turkish painter Rami Uluer (1913-88).
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E
Karaköyüm Café & Restaurant
The elegant lady owners will greet you personally when you enter this popular rooftop restaurant. Everyone in town knows the secret of the success here - put simply, the women in the kitchen are wonderful home-style cooks. Try Anatolian favourites such as the utterly delicious dürüm köfte (köfte wrapped in pastry and served with yogurt and tomato sauce) and we're confident that you'll become an instant devotee.
There's a terrace with views of Topkapı Palace, and a wine list that is well priced.
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Müzedechanga
Operated by one of the city’s top restaurants, Changa, this stylish eatery in the Sakıp Sabancı Museum is popular for weekend lunch or brunch – a favourite menu combo is katmer (local flaky pastry with goat-cheese cream and marinated green olives with preserved lemons) accompanied by a wasabi Bloody Mary. If you don’t feel like visiting the museum, door staff will waive the entry fee and point you to the restaurant.
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F
Krependeki İmroz Restaurant
The minute you see the waiters heaving around their enormous meze-laden trays in this popular meyhane you'll know you've made the right dinner choice. With outdoor tables on both sides of the street, you'll also have a slightly better chance of scoring a spot in the middle of the action - book ahead. The food is typical of Gökceada (İmroz) and is top-class; be sure to include the octopus salad and pickled anchovies in your meze choices.
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Çamlica Restaurant Off
Should you take the time to visit Üsküdar, this charming kiosk on the hill is a great spot to savour a coffee or a snack. Marble floors are covered by rugs, and seating is on small stools clustered around brass tray tables. In winter there's a log fire, and in summer the windows looking out over the park provide an attractively airy feel.
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G
House Of Medusa
Medusa's charming shaded courtyard beckons guests off Yerebatan Caddesi. It's a lovely spot to relax after a morning spent sightseeing, which is why we've included it here. The food's nothing special - acceptable executions of Turkish dishes such as kebaps and stews - but if you order a mixed meze plate and an ice-cold beer you'll be happy.
reviewed
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Mangerie
Effortlessly chic, Mangerie is the prototype for the rapidly proliferating number of glam cafes in Bebek. The interior is light and white, and there’s a terrace with terrific Bosphorus views. The food looks away from Turkey for its inspiration, and is simple but refined. To find it, go up the steep stairs next to the florist.
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H
Cankurtaran Sosyal Tesisleri
Literally built into Theodosius' walls, with views over busy Sahil Yolu to the Sea of Marmara, this terrace restaurant and çay bahçesi near the Cankurtaran train station is very popular with families. It's set in a landscaped garden and has a small playground. Simple dishes such as soup, salads and kebaps feature.
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Hafiz Mustafa Şekerlemeleri
Choosing between the delicious baklava, tasty börek or indulgent meshur tekirdağ peynir helvası (a cheese-based sweet prepared with sesame oil, cereals and honey or syrup) is the challenge that confronts customers at this popular place. You can enjoy your choice with a glass of tea in the upstairs cafe.
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Körfez Restaurant
Famous for its sea bass baked in salt, Körfez is the perfect place for a special meal in İstanbul. To make it even more special, organise for the restaurant's own motor launch to pick you up from Rumeli Hisarı across the strait and drop you back after your meal. Book ahead.
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J
Karaköy Güllüglu
This is a place where waistlines are destroyed and dentists get rich, but no-one cares because they're all sitting at the funky 1960s Arabesque-style outdoor seating and gobbling the best baklava in the city, washed down by tea or coffee. Utter bliss.
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K
Meshur Kuru Fasülyeci
This popular local lokanta in the former medrese of the Süleymaniye Camii serves its famous spicy fasülyeci (broad beans) and rice to hordes of hungry locals from the theological college and nearby commercial areas.
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