Quick choice
| Mood | Address | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Bosphorus dinner, palace | Tuğra (Çırağan Palace Kempinski) | High |
| Bosphorus, luxury hotel | Yalı, at the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus | High |
| Rooftop over the Old City | Mikla (Marmara Pera hotel, Beyoğlu) | High |
| Chef's tasting menu | TURK Fatih Tutak (two stars in the 2025 Michelin Guide) | Very high |
| Palace-style Ottoman cuisine | Matbah | Medium to high |
| Historic kebab | Hamdi (Eminönü) | Medium |
| Grilled meat | Nusr-Et | Very high |
| Anatolian market cooking | Çiya Sofrası (Kadıköy) | Low to medium |
| Fish | Balıkçı Sabahattin (Sultanahmet), Kumkapı meyhanes | Medium |
On the Bosphorus: Tuğra and Yalı
Tuğra is the restaurant of the Çırağan Palace on the European shore, known for Ottoman cuisine in a palace setting. Yalı, at the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus, is the waterfront restaurant of a luxury hotel and a frequent search on the web. In both cases, book ahead, ask for a table by the water and check the dress code. For a dinner afloat, see our guide to the Bosphorus dinner cruise.
Rooftop and view: Mikla
Mikla is on the top floor of the Marmara Pera hotel in Beyoğlu (address given by the Michelin Guide: Meşrutiyet Caddesi No. 15, 18th floor). The chef-owner is Mehmet Gürs. It is the address to remember for a dinner with a view of the Golden Horn and the Old City.
Chef's menu: TURK Fatih Tutak
The 2025 Michelin Guide Istanbul gave it two stars, the only table in the city at that level in that edition. It is a tasting menu: book well ahead and compare with the other starred addresses in the current selection.
Ottoman cuisine: Matbah
Matbah, in a hotel in Sultanahmet, serves dishes inspired by palace kitchens. To understand what you will eat, read our guide to Ottoman restaurants in Istanbul.
Kebab and meat: Hamdi and Nusr-Et
Hamdi, near the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü (Tahmis Caddesi, Kalçın Sokak), is a reference for kebab and for its terrace over the Golden Horn. The street number differs between listings: find it on the spot by the street. Nusr-Et is Nusret Gökçe's steakhouse chain: prestige, showmanship and a high bill. For something simpler, see our kebab restaurants in Istanbul.
Everyday cooking: Çiya Sofrası
On the Asian side in Kadıköy, Çiya Sofrası is famous for regional Anatolian cooking served in a market lokanta. Our guide to Kadıköy and Moda gives the context.
Fish
For fish, read our guide to fish restaurants in Istanbul: balık ekmek in Eminönü, meyhanes in Kumkapı and Samatya, Bosphorus villages.
How to choose without getting caught
- Look at the displayed menu and ask the price of fish by weight.
- In very touristy areas, do not follow the waiter at the door: see scams and safety.
- On a tight budget, our page on what to eat in Istanbul lists street food and lokantas.
- To try several dishes at once, a food tour saves booking five tables.
