Turkish restaurants in Turkey
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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.
reviewed
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Restaurant 36
Popular with the backpacker crowd, in part because of its location near to the cheaper pensions, yet also because of its distinctively laid-back vibe. The somewhat international menu offers items like tuna fish salads and omelettes along with the usual mix of mezes, kebaps and grills. Because the indoor dining area appears to also be the living room of the owner's home, front patio noshing is recommended.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Ney Restaurant
Tucked away off the street up some steps is this tiny but delightful restaurant set in a 250-year-old Greek house. Decorated with seashells and wind chimes, it's run by the charming Birgül, owner and cook, who offers delicious home cooking at pleasing prices. Try the mantı böreğı (Turkish ravioli).
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Yakamoz Restaurant
A pleasant 1km walk from town along the promenade, this is a great place to head for a sunset drink and dinner. It's a traditional Turkish menu and the fish can be pricey, but there's plenty of atmosphere and an attractive outdoor area with big cushions down by the water.
reviewed
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Çiçek Izgara
One block from the Koza Parkı, behind the half-timbered belediye, the Çiçek grillhouse is bright and modern (good for lone women), with a first-floor salon to catch the flower-market action.
reviewed
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Vatan Lokantası
Don't expect culinary revelations in this snappy joint, just the usual suspects honestly prepared and served by attentive waiters. Grab a tavuk şiş and satisfy the inner self.
reviewed
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Sütçü Kenan
Sütçü Kenan has a few tables set up outside. Sütçü Kenan will give you a typical Van breakfast experience. Van is famed for its tasty kahvaltı (breakfast). Skip the usually bland breakfast that is served in your hotel and head straight to Eski Sümerbank Sokak, also called 'Kahvaltı Sokak' (Breakfast St), a pedestrianised side street running parallel to Cumhuriyet Caddesi.
Drool over otlu peynir (cheese mixed with a tangy herb, Van's speciality), beyaz peynir (a mild yellow cheese), honey from the highlands (mmm!), olives, kayma (clotted cream), butter, tomatoes, cucumbers and yumurta (eggs).
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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La Padella
La Padella's chef-owner previously worked at Göreme's well-regarded A'laturca, and it shows. The menu showcases many of the same dishes, but offers them at prices that are considerably cheaper. We heartily approve!
The menu (presented in Turkish and English) includes favourites such as soğuk salata tabağı (mixed cold meze plate,and kapaturco tavuk şiş (chicken kebap served on a bed of eggplant, tomato, onion and peppers. A beer costs a bargain-basement around €2 and service is extremely friendly. Highly recommended.
reviewed
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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).
reviewed
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Şömine Cafe & Restaurant
This popular restaurant on the plaza is as sophisticated as the Ürgüp dining scene gets. Choose a table on the outdoor terrace or in the attractive indoor dining room, sit down and admire the pristine napery and quality tableware, and then make your choice from the large menu. Most people choose a salad to start and then move on to a kiremit (meat dish baked on a tile in a traditional oven), accompanied by crisp, freshly baked lavash bread.
The food is good but doesn't quite live up to promise of the décor.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Bistro Kars
The Bistro Kars captures the hearts and tummies of well-heeled locals and visitors alike. The list of meze gallops through patlıcan (aubergine), yoghurt, pepper, salads and other goodies that are too hard to pronounce - all irresistibly fresh. You can also dig into well-executed meat and fish dishes and wash it all down with a glass of wine or a beer (hallelujah!).
The dining room is an enchanting mix of elegance and rustic charm, but on a hot summer's day the breezy terrace is a sure winner.
reviewed
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Ahra
This is undoubtedly the most atmospheric restaurant in town. Located on the first floor of a beautifully renovated old house on the road to Mustafapaşa, it has an intimate feel and simple but attractive décor. The simplicity extends to the excellent menu, which features home-cooked dishes such as sulu köfte and Kayseri mantısı. You can celebrate your good fortune at being here by ordering a bottle of local wine.
reviewed
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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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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.
reviewed
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1-A Grand Restaurant
Set in a square just off Bar St, this lovely place is a whole world away from it. Tables are set in a garden-courtyard under old fig and orange trees and the place is so mellow and laid-back that even the dogs are asleep, curled up on the benches. There's a daily happy hour from 22:00 to 23:00. The food (both European and Turkish) has a good reputation and it claims to do the best steaks in town. There's also free internet access to customers.
reviewed
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Besse
If you're in search of a bit of sophistication, Besse fits the bill perfectly. It is done out in soothing yellow tones and features parquet flooring and dim lights. The kitchen turns out superior cooking, with an emphasis on grills, salads and stews - try the excellent ali nazik, Besse's signature dish. It's deep in the heart of a vibrant area on the 1st floor of a bland building. If only alcohol was available!
reviewed
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Hasankeyf Saklıkent Aile Kebap Lahmacun & Pide Salonu
Serious travelling or hiking requires serious nourishment and this buzzing eatery east of the main drag gets the thumbs up for its invigorating fare - the Saklıkent kebap, with a bit of everything, will assuage all hunger pangs. The décor is a bit kitsch (a mock cavern and walls adorned with cheesy frescoes) but after so many neon-lit establishments you may find it almost stylish.
reviewed
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Yağhane
Housed in an old olive mill built in 1894, this is an attractive and atmospheric place, with the walls hung with the works of local artists. The menu, which specialises in old Ottoman and Mediterranean dishes, is select and imaginative. Try the delicious regional speciality et çökertme - sliced beef with garlic yogurt, grated potatoes and butter. The wine list is also impressive.
reviewed
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Caretta Caretta
Also designed by Nail Çakırhan, this place does delicious Turkish dishes (such as bonfile ve tavuk cığerli börek - beef fillet with chicken livers baked in puff pastry) at pleasing prices. With a number of tables on the riverbank and the wooden platform above the water, you have a fair chance of bagging one. It's a great place also for a beer.
reviewed
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Tranca
Jutting out into the bay, the family-run Tranca probably boasts about the best views of anywhere. Its specialities are tuzda balik (fish baked in salt) and testi kebabı (casserole served in a clay pot that's broken at your table), both cost around €25 to around €30 with a minimum of two people. Reserve a seafront table if you can.
reviewed
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Avşar Büfe
Famous throughout Turkey is Ayvalık tost (Ayvalık 'toast') and this is the place to get it. Traditionally they're filled with sucuk (Turkish sausage), cheese, tomato, ketchup and mayonaise, but you can opt just for one or two ingredients if you prefer! Though not exactly haute cuisine, they're delicious if you're hungry enough.
reviewed
