The 21 best restaurants in Istanbul
Whether it is freshly caught bluefish, tender lamb kebab, melt-in-your-mouth stuffed aubergine, the vast array of meze (starters) or rich, butter-soaked, pistachio-stuffed baklava, there's something for every taste. Dine in the atmospheric old city, or for a more local feel head across the Golden Horn to the entertainment quarter centred on Beyoğlu, Galata and Karaköy. You can even take a ferry to Asia for a bite to eat in historic Üsküdar or hip Kadıköy.
All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best restaurants in Istanbul. Find out more below, or for more Istanbul inspiration, see our guides to the city's best hotels, bars and things to do.
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Best all-rounders
Balıkçı Sabahattın
This place is so highly-regarded that affluent Istanbulites from across the metropolis sweep stylishly into the lovely period wooden building it occupies in droves. In summer the vine-shaded cobbled street is the place to sit; in winter head into the airy wood-panelled dining room. Start with a couple of meze; mussels in fragrant saffron rice and tangy aubergine salad recommended, before enjoying a moist grilled fish main (bluefish is most prized). Locals will watch with detached amusement if you drink anything other than the aniseed spirit rakı with your spread, but there's a great wine list too.
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Times
2 hours ago
- Times
The sleek Tokyo hotel that's full of thoughtful touches
The Cesar Pelli-designed Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower could simply be another skyscraper in Tokyo's financial district, albeit a particularly sleek one. But secreted away in its top few floors is one of the city's best international luxury hotels — Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo. The property adds a Japanese twist to the Hong Kong-based brand's signature luxurious style, with a dramatic seasonal ikebana (flower arrangement) display in the centre of the lobby. The ikebana is just one way the brand's 'Woods and Water' concept is incorporated into the design. Others include shimmering blue stones embedded in the steps down to some of the gourmet restaurants, a large water feature by the bar and subtle botanical prints everywhere from the lifts to the bedroom textiles. Spacious rooms have a clean, modern Japanese vibe, while 11 excellent bars, cafés and restaurants provide an impressive amount of choice. Expect attentive and generous service from the moment you enter, down to thoughtful little touches like branded velcro ties used to tidy up your cables when you're out. This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue Score 9/10Rooms and suites have a contemporary Japanese aesthetic, blending clean lines and unfussy patterns with warm natural tones and materials. As the hotel is in Nihonbashi, once a key area for buying kimono, every room features a framed length of kimono silk with its own beautiful pattern. Each of those 179 rooms (including 22 suites) also includes a valet cupboard, bedside control panel and a chaise longue beside the wide, floor-to-ceiling windows, where you can recline and watch the city below. Even the smallest (Deluxe) rooms are an impressive 50 sq m, and some offer you a glimpse of Tokyo Skytree or even Mount Fuji on the horizon. To guarantee a Skytree view — and with binoculars provided, it can be quite a close-up one — upgrade to a Deluxe Premium Room. Expect luxurious bathrooms in every room type, with walk-in showers, separate bathtubs, Natura Bissé amenities and wood-and-marble vanity units with glossy black accents. Connecting rooms are available, as are children's extras such as bathrobes, toys and even a play tent. Rooms can be childproofed on request. Score 9/10With 11 restaurants, cafés and bars (plus the ground-floor Gourmet Shop), it's tempting to dine in for every meal here. You can order customisable breakfasts to your room or head down to K'shiki restaurant for the buffet, which includes fresh fruit and salad, egg dishes, ramen, a tempting daily-changing baked goods section and Fuji views on clear days. Several spots are open for lunch, including the international buffet restaurant Ventaglio on the second floor. Up on the 38th, the glitzy Oriental Lounge also serves a classic afternoon tea with savoury bites, scones and petits fours — try it with the signature citrussy Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo Blend tea. The Pizza Bar on 38th is ranked among the best pizza bars not just in the Asia-Pacific region but the world. The other dining options are equally notable. Sushi Shin by Miyakawa lives up to the Michelin-starred level of its original Hokkaido location; Sense serves fragrant, flavourful Cantonese dishes, and has the Tea Corner where you can appreciate a perfectly brewed cup with a Skytree view; and Signature features exquisite French cuisine with a contemporary edge (four, five or six-course menus and à la carte evening menus). The Mandarin Bar is a cosy, stylish spot — try the refreshing Mandarin Mojito, the tangy Nihonbashi cocktail, or a single malt whisky from an extensive list. There's live music every evening. • Discover our full guide to Japan• More great hotels in Tokyo Score 8/10The hotel's spa is on the 37th floor; the fitness centre on the 38th. Though there's no swimming pool, there is a heated hydrotherapy pool. There are four treatment rooms in the spa and an impressive array of facial and body treatments. Book ahead if possible — the invigorating Red Eye Recovery is ideal if this is your first stop after a long international flight. You're generally asked to cover tattoos in the wellness facilities, as some in Japan find them intimidating or distracting, For fitness, there's a large, well-equipped room with wall-to-wall windows that mean great city views. As well as personal training, you can book classes such as yoga, Pilates or circuits (all for additional fee). Tattoos are acceptable in the gym. You can also book a range of cultural activities in the area surrounding the hotel – try the Edo kiriko (saké glass engraving) or Ozu washi (Japanese paper) workshops to get a truly unique souvenir. Score 9/10The hotel is located in the historic financial district of Nihonbashi, within easy walking distance of the neighbourhood's fine-dining restaurants, cosy izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) and big-name department stores, and under 20 minutes from the vast Tokyo station on foot. The hotel has direct access to Shin-Nihonbashi subway station, on the JR Sobu line. Staff, especially the helpful concierge, are extremely knowledgeable about the area and can give you tips and assist you with bookings. They can also provide a small map of the jogging routes around the nearby Imperial Palace grounds, and a handy little card showing the hotel on a map and its address in Japanese — invaluable if you get lost. You can pick up a more detailed area map (showing Nihonbashi, Ningyocho, Tokyo station, Yurakucho and Ginza) from the concierge desk, plus lovely small illustrated guides to the area — a general one and a season-specific one. Flash your room key at the listed spots, and you may get a discount or perk. Price room-only doubles from £535Restaurant mains from £16Family-friendly YAccessible N Rebecca Hallett was a guest of Mandarin Oriental Tokyo ( • Best things to do in Tokyo• Tokyo v Osaka: which is better?
Times
3 hours ago
- Times
19 of the best hotels with swim-up rooms in Turkey
Snooze, swim. Snooze, swim. It's the ultimate in holiday relaxation, slipping between lounger and pool, and it's never easier than when you can swim right up to your room. Turkish hoteliers are never slow to embrace new trends, and there are swim-up rooms, apartments and suites in every type of hotel, from family-friendly all-inclusives to romantic boutique hotels. Not that relaxing in this sun-drenched, spectacularly beautiful country is ever difficult; it may not have the super-slow pace of the Greek islands, but Turkish hospitality is second to none, with families particularly welcomed. Throw in crystal-clear seas, fantastic food and a culture rich in tradition and history, and it's not difficult to see why so many British holidaymakers return to Turkey for a relaxing week in the sun. These are the country's best hotels with swim-up rooms. This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue £££ | SPA | POOL | 10 RESTAURANTS | Best for contemporary style Proof that Turkish hotels can match just about anywhere for serious luxury, the 24 villas at Bayou each have their own private, swim-up pool, alongside sleek, modern decor. The villas adjoin the Lara Barut Collection resort, and guests can use all the facilities including the bars and restaurants, spa and sports academy. The Bayou Bar and Weik A'la Carte restaurant are exclusively for Bayou Villas guests. £££ | SPA | POOL | 7 RESTAURANTS | Best for natural surroundings Swim-up rooms add to the pleasures of this spacious, family-friendly resort in a tranquil location where the Dalaman River feeds into the Mediterranean. The hotel has a Family Experience for children under 12, with dedicated menus, a kids' pool area with waterslides and a kids' club that offers everything from cooking classes to movie screenings and costume parties. The state-of-the-art spa draws on Greek mythology in its design and is as relaxing as a stroll along the huge swathe of beach at sunset. • Discover our full guide to Turkey £££ | SPA | POOL | 2 RESTAURANTS | Best for knockout views The swim-up rooms at the Garcia also command the very best of the hotel's views over the lush green forests and sparkling waters of the Blue Lagoon. Each comes with a private poolside terrace, while inside you'll find rooms decorated in relaxing Mediterranean blues and natural finish wood (swim-up family suites are also available). Even if you go for one of the standard rooms you'll find plenty of swimming options, with four adult and two children's pools. And when you're ready to tear yourself away, it's just a short drive down to the beach. • More great hotels in Oludeniz ££ | POOL | 1 RESTAURANT | Best for honeymooners The honeymoon suites at the Nautical are showstoppers: self-contained bungalows with their own private terraces and pools, just metres back from a sparkling crystal bay that is for guests only. The emphasis at this tiny boutique hotel is on nature and relaxation: you can join meditation and yoga classes amid the lemon trees in the garden, and enjoy laid-back, acoustic live music events in the evenings. The cheaper rooms aren't too shabby either: individual stone houses are cleverly arranged to make you feel as though you're alone in the wilderness. £££ | SPA | POOL | 10 RESTAURANTS | Best for group holidays The last word in all-inclusive luxury, the Maxx Royal is so large and packed with amenities that you could easily spend a fortnight here without leaving the grounds. The Laguna suites have direct access to the pool and can sleep up to six adults in two bedrooms, and teenagers and young adults will love the hotel's laser tag area. Separate pools mean that you can enjoy an adult holiday here, although kids are well-served too, with an on-site aquapark with ten slides. £££ | SPA | POOL | 7 RESTAURANTS | Best for luxury getaways Each sumptuous villa here comes not only with direct pool access, but with a garden area and decking where you can stretch out between swims. Down on the soft sand of the private beach you'll find luxury pavilions — the perfect place to watch the sunset with a cold cocktail from the beachside bar. It's a place made for relaxation, but if you want to get your blood pumping there is a well-equipped gym and full golf course, as well as a range of activities including yoga. For the best that money can buy, opt for the presidential villa, which comes with its own private pool. £££ | SPA | POOL | 2 RESTAURANTS | Best for a stress-free break This luxury hotel occupies one of the best stretches of beach in Bodrum, where you can feel the soft white sand between your toes and dive into the refreshing crystal waters. The service is top notch: the hotel's personal assistant can organise everything during your stay, from restaurant bookings to excursion recommendations. Sumptuously designed rooms and restaurants stocked with high-end accessories will make you feel like one of the celebrities who frequent this part of the Turkish coast. The superior suites are swim-up rooms, and there are also beach villas available, each with its own private pool. • More great hotels in Bodrum• Best things to do in Bodrum £££ | SPA | POOL | 5 RESTAURANTS | Best for a quieter retreat This luxury resort in Side manages to meld the ease of all-inclusive with the exclusive feel of a boutique hideaway. It is renowned for the quality of its gastronomy, with frequently changing menus at its three à la carte restaurants offering a range of cuisines. If you feel the need to work off the excess, staff can arrange for gym equipment to be brought to your room and can book you sessions with personal trainers — or you can join sports classes ranging from yoga to beach volleyball. Swim-up rooms share a separate swimming pool. • More great hotels in Antalya• Best things to do in Antalya ££ | SPA | POOL | 3 RESTAURANTS | Best for spa lovers Far smaller than most of Antalya's sprawling resorts, Dosinia is the place to stay if you prefer a more intimate vibe, while keeping all of the perks of all-inclusive. Packages include free use of the extensive spa, which features a Turkish-style hammam and has a range of treatments and massages, as well as plenty of outdoor activities. The pool is freshwater and there is an on-site waterpark with slides as well as separate indoor and outdoor pools for kids, plus clubs to keep them entertained. £££ | SPA | POOL | 9 RESTAURANTS | Best for golf lovers The pool feels more like a secret lagoon at this five-star resort, weaving a path through lush gardens and between suites that open up straight into the water. This vast place nonetheless manages to feel intimate thanks to its clever design, based around a mix of individual units and the main hotel, which features spacious, luxurious rooms. Its biggest draw, though, is the 27-hole championship golf course, designed by the golfing legend Nick Faldo. Guests staying in the swim-up suites can choose to have dinner served in their rooms. £££ | SPA | POOL | 2 RESTAURANTS | Best for gastronomy There is a new chef every week at this high-end, concept hotel, where the focus is firmly on food. Each brings their own twist to the locally grown, organic ingredients, guaranteeing that every meal will be a joy. The sleek and modern design of this hotel is a welcome change from the usual brash all-inclusives, and the swim-up rooms have private patios equipped with comfy outdoor furniture. Even the long, sandy, private beach is well-designed, featuring cabanas that you'll want to lounge in all day. £ | SPA | POOL | 1 RESTAURANT | Best for nightlife In the centre of the popular resort of Hisaronu — set above Oludeniz's glorious beach — this is a perfect base if you feel like getting out of the hotel and dancing the night away. The main strip is a five-minute walk away and features dozens of bars and restaurants catering to the international crowd who holiday and live in this part of Turkey. The Blue Lagoon, a surreal, beautiful inlet ringed with white sand, is also close by. Swim-up pool rooms make the perfect base for relaxing on the days when you feel like staying at the hotel. • Best things to do in Fethiye• More great hotels in Fethiye ££ | SPA | POOL | 7 RESTAURANTS | Best for family breaks The focus is firmly on the kids at this resort 30 minutes' drive from Antalya airport, with den-like children's rooms fitted out with bunk beds and clubs catering to all ages. Teenagers will love the nightclub and karaoke, and the water sports at the hotel's private beach. Six of the nine on-site swimming pools are designed with children in mind, and there is an aquapark with six slides too. If you opt for one of the swim-up suites you'll get a terrace that makes it feel like your own private pool. £££ | SPA | POOL | 15 RESTAURANTS | Best for party people Few hotels in Turkey can boast superstars Jennifer Lopez and Dua Lipa on their guest lists, but they are among the performers who have graced the stage at this all-inclusive resort. A few big names pop up here every summer, but even if you're not lucky enough to catch them you'll be spoilt for choice, with live bands and DJs performing every night. The hotel also hosts glamorous parties for adults only, with themes ranging from Cuban to Eighties glam. Shake off your hangover with one of the dozens of outdoors sports activities that take place during the day. And be sure to get in a round of golf. £££ | SPA | POOL | 6 RESTAURANTS | Best for nature lovers In a pine forest on one of the most stirring stretches of the Turquoise coast, this Fethiye resort makes a great base for getting out and trekking through the pine forests of the Mediterranean or getting your adrenaline pumping with windsurfing, wakeboarding and waterskiing courses. But there is plenty to stay put for too: the hotel is split into adult and family sections, with swim-up rooms available in both. The six restaurants include a variety of world cuisines, and an intimate beachside option for romantic evenings. £££ | SPA | POOL | 13 RESTAURANTS | Best for wellness breaks The hundreds of treatments available at the Ela's huge and luxurious spa, alongside a full-size Turkish hammam decked out in beautiful traditional tiles and marble, make you feel like you are living in an Ottoman palace. There is plenty of organised entertainment for both small children and teenagers, and a huge range of sports activities available, so it will be easy to grab time for yourself and rewind. The best villas come with their own private pools. £££ | SPA | POOL | 6 RESTAURANTS | Best for a sense of seclusion Most foreign tourists overlook the northern part of Turkey's Aegean coast, but it's worth a visit — the waters are bracingly cold and the temperatures less scorching than in the more southerly resorts. The high-end Paloma chain's Izmir offering is on a secluded part of the coast, right on a stretch of golden beach. Poolside rooms come with their own terrace and small tropical garden, offering maximum privacy and tranquillity. £ | SPA | POOL | 7 RESTAURANTS | Best for families The spacious family bungalows at this value-for-money resort have the feel of a self-catering hideaway, but with all the conveniences of a package holiday on the doorstep. Steps lead straight down from the balconies into the pool, and each has a private terrace complete with loungers. Cycle hire is a popular option here, with plenty of trails in the surrounding mountains and guides on hand to show you the best routes. There is a huge water sports programme, and children can also take swimming classes for a small extra cost. £ | POOL | 2 RESTAURANTS | Best for pool lovers All of the rooms and apartments at this well-designed hotel overlook the lagoon-style pool, with those on the ground floor having swim-up access to their private terrace. The pool has a lush, plant-filled island feature in the middle, where you can lounge with a good book between dips, and there's a cute kids' playground with slides, a trampoline and their own pool. The hotel also has owns the Buzz Beach Bar & Grill right on Oludeniz's fabulous beach, with a 10 per cent discount for guests. • Best places to visit in Turkey• Best hotels with waterparks in Turkey What's your favourite hotel with swim-up rooms in Turkey? Please share in the comments below
Times
5 hours ago
- Times
Perseid meteor shower — and other news in pictures
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