14 AMAZING RESTAURANTS IN ISTANBUL 

Φαγητό στην Κωνσταντινούπολη - Food Guide for Istanbul

Istanbul is one of the best cities in the world to enjoy delicious food.

In fact, no matter where you are, it smells so tasty that you constantly want to eat something, even if you are not hungry. That’s how I was every day on my trip. Istanbul has countless restaurants that will satisfy even the most bizarre people. 

Turkish cuisine is my favorite (after Greek). Perhaps the fact that we share many common dishes plays a huge part in this. 

Before I list the restaurants you should try, I’ll tell you what you need to know before you choose when dining out in Istanbul. 

What you need to know before eating in Istanbul

  1. You won’t find the restaurants with the most delicious food on the main streets. The most delicious dishes you will taste in the places without many tourists. You will find the best food where the locals eat. Of course, there are some restaurants you shouldn’t miss even if they are “tourist traps”.
  2. In restaurants located on rooftops or with a view of the Bosphorus you should expect much more expensive prices than the other restaurants.
  3. In case of bad weather the restaurants on the rooftops are covered by glass or plastic shutters. Keep this in mind in case you want to take pictures.
  4. In most restaurants in Istanbul (and Turkey in general), tips are not included in the bill. It is advisable to leave something for the waiters, as their salaries are very low.
  5. When you order a Turkish breakfast (you will encounter this at many points below) they bring you many small plates of various foods and fill your table. From meat, eggs and puff pastries to fruit, cheese, meringue, jams etc.

Restaurants to eat in Istanbul

Zerina Cafe

Zerina Cafe is a beautiful rooftop restaurant, which overlooks the Galata Tower and the Bosphorus from the front, and to the right, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. It’s an all-day restaurant as it serves breakfast, lunch and coffee.

There we enjoyed Turkish breakfast for two with unlimited tea for about €7 per person.

 
 
 
 
 
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Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Zerina Cafe (@zerinacafe)

Güney Restaurant

Next to the Galata Tower you will find the Güney Restaurant. With its small tables it reminds of a bistro in the streets of Paris. The staff is very polite and eager to serve you immediately. 

I tried Fettuccini pasta with chicken and it was about 7€. It was so tasty.

 
 
 
 
 
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Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Güney Restaurant (@guneyrestaurant)

Galata Konak Cafe

If you want to enjoy your coffee and breakfast on a terrace overlooking the Galata Tower, then this is the place for you. 

For a coffee, a hot chocolate, two croissants and a slice of the famous San Sebastián Cheescake we paid around 14€.

Otantik Anadolu Yemekleri 

Otantik Anadolu Yemekleri can be found on Istanbul’s busiest pedestrian street, Istiklal (it’s like a double sized Ermou of Athens starting from Taksim Square).

The staff is very polite and their dishes are delicious. We tried delicious mandi which is a must try if you visit Istanbul and Urfa Kebap, which was served with couscous, tomato, onion and pepper.

For two Urfa Kebap, a mandi and two bottles of water we paid €14.

Φαγητό στην Κωνσταντινούπολη - Food Guide for Istanbul

Seven Hills Restaurant 

Undoubtedly the most instagrammable place to enjoy breakfast. The rooftop of Seven Hills Restaurant has a breathtaking view of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. It is about a two-minute walk from Hagia Sophia.

In 2019 when I visited for the first time I had seafood for lunch and loved the view. This time I went in the morning to try the Turkish breakfast and it didn’t disappoint. The table was filled with a load of delicious dishes, cheese, bread, fries, eggs, fruit and more. Everything was delicious.

After your meal, you can go to a nice corner they have create, in order to take a picture in front of Hagia Sophia. The view is amazing.

Because, as you can imagine, it’s the most touristy place you can find in Istanbul, the prices are much more expensive than other places. For Turkish breakfast for two people, a coffee and an orange juice we paid 42€.

 
 
 
 
 
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Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Seven Hills Restaurant (@sevenhillsrestaurant)

Bodrum Mantı & Cafe

If you want to eat the nicest mantı in Istanbul, then you have to go to Bodrum Mantı & Cafe.

You’ll find it at Galataport Istanbul (Kılıçali Paşa, Meclis-i Mebusan Cd. No:6, 34425 Beyoğlu), which is like a mall with lots of restaurants, cafes and shops by the Bosphorus overlooking the big bridge.

I tried the classic version of the mantı, but there are many variations to choose from. From the first bite you will know how good the dish is. I could easily eat it every day. 

Another dish I tried was the içli köfte, which had minced meat and a little bit of grated walnut in it.

Φαγητό στην Κωνσταντινούπολη - Food Guide for Istanbul

Beltaş Rest Cafe

Beltaş Rest Cafe is located behind the Ortaköy Mosque and its tables are next to the Bosphorus and overlook the iconic 15th of July Martyrs Bridge.

It’s one of my favorite spots for toast with kasseri yellow cheese and hot tea.

Φαγητό στην Κωνσταντινούπολη - Food Guide for Istanbul

Saltbae Burger Galata 

Next to the Galata Tower (and by the Güney Restaurant) you’ll find Saltbae Burger Galata, which is one of the burger restaurants of the famous Nusret. There you’ll taste the best burger in Istanbul (or at least one of the best, lest you say I’m exaggerating).

The burger is juicy and delicious. Each burger costs about 7-9€.

Φαγητό στην Κωνσταντινούπολη - Food Guide for Istanbul

Viyana Kahvesi 

If you have TikTok there’s no way you haven’t seen the famous San Sebastian Cheesecake with the runny hot chocolate on top, in front of the Galata Tower. 

If you want to try the best in all of Istanbul, then go to Viyana Kahvesi. It’s fresh with a texture almost like yogurt. Sweet and delicious. You must definitely try it if you ever go to Istanbul. 

There was at least one piece on every table in the cafe. It costs about 5€ per piece. 

 
 
 
 
 
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Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Viyana Kahvesi® (@viyanakahvesi)

Layale Lübnan Lounge Bosphorus

The rooftop of Layale Lübnan Lounge Bosphorus has a view of the Bosphorus and the Galata Bridge.

I tried Urfa Kebap, it was served with rice and was delicious. It is worth a visit as it is a very well-designed place, the prices are quite good and the staff very polite.

Φαγητό στην Κωνσταντινούπολη - Food Guide for Istanbul

Cremma Galataport

For dessert I will take you back to the Galataport area, as Cremma serves delicious fluffy waffles with chocolate and fruits and delicious pancakes with forest fruit. Each costs around 5€.

 
 
 
 
 
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Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη CREMMA® (@cremmacafe)

La Pierre Patisserie

In the Arnavutköy area you will find La Pierre Patisserie, which takes you on a trip to Paris and there you will eat the best butter croissant and delicious hot brioche. 

As soon as you enter the shop you will be overwhelmed by wonderful smells and you won’t know what to choose first.

Φαγητό στην Κωνσταντινούπολη - Food Guide for Istanbul

Kubbe-i Aşk

I had my last breakfast in Istanbul on the terrace of Kubbe-i Aşk. I tried chicken wrap, which was served with fries and salad. Although it had peppers, it wasn’t a spicy dish. It was quite tasty and filling. Along with a fresh orange juice they cost about 5€.

Φαγητό στην Κωνσταντινούπολη - Food Guide for Istanbul

Karaköy Güllüoğlu

I kept the best for last. If you want to eat one of the best baklava in the whole world then you should definitely go to Karaköy Güllüoğlu. It is no coincidence that this name is known all over the planet. 

You won’t eat better anywhere else. The balance in baklava is unique, the syrup is just right, as are the peanuts. You have countless options once you arrive at the store.

Baklava with peanut, with chocolate, with walnut, with ice cream. Everything you can imagine. Just try it when you go to Istanbul, don’t miss it!

Φαγητό στην Κωνσταντινούπολη - Food Guide for Istanbul

What else can you eat in Istanbul?

Apart from the restaurants in Istanbul you can try some very delicious street food. As an example, I’ll tell you about the corn and chestnuts sold by men with small canteens on the street. 

In addition, simit is a good option. They are like Greek Thessaloniki pretzels approximately and many people fill them with Nutella or cream cheese. They are the perfect everyday snack and the euro equivalent comes out to less than 0.50€, as I paid just 5 liras for mine!

Of course the best of all by far is the doner sandwich. I could eat one every day. They are delicious and very affordable. Mine cost 14 liras, which is just under 0.80€!!!

Have I convinced you to go to Istanbul yet?

If you want to see more of my trip, visit my profile on Instagram.

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