23-06-2025
The 21 best restaurants in Istanbul
It's hardly surprising that Istanbul boasts one of the world's richest cuisines – it's superbly located at the confluence of the Mediterranean and Black Sea worlds, with easy access to the fertile farmlands of Thrace and Anatolia and the agricultural riches of Turkey 's hinterland.
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.
