Best Spots in Istanbul for The First-Class Explorers
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From the classic Beyti and Yeni Lokanta, to lesser-known spots worth adding to your trip.
★ 4.5 · 5,179 reviews
Settle in at Beyti, the old-world Istanbul restaurant with a terrace and a reputation for serious kebab. Order the signature Beyti kebab or the İskender and take your time over a long, traditional meal.
★ 4.8 · 2,752 reviews
Discover Yeni Lokanta, the Michelin-rated restaurant a short walk from Taksim Square. Pick the fish or meat route and work through a carefully plated multi-course menu of modern Turkish cooking.
★ 4.3 · 2,723 reviews
Rise to the top of the hotel for dinner at Mikla, Beyoğlu's rooftop fine dining address. Work through a contemporary tasting menu with terrace views, in a setting made for celebrations and slow evenings.
★ 4.8 · 5,099 reviews
Taste Ottoman history at Deraliye, a stylish restaurant devoted to dishes from the imperial court. Work through rich, layered palace recipes at an unhurried lunch or dinner, guided by attentive service.
★ 4.5 · 1,024 reviews
Dine at Tuğra Restaurant inside the Çırağan Palace Kempinski, where the Bosphorus sits right outside your table. Work through a degustation of history-inspired dishes in a formal, waterfront setting made for celebrations.
★ 4.4 · 2,383 reviews
Discover Balıkçı Sabahattin, the traditional seafood restaurant many reviewers rank as Istanbul's best. Settle in for fresh fish, salads and dessert, with the option of eating outside.
★ 4.7 · 4,840 reviews
Step into Cağaloğlu Hamam, an Ottoman bath finished in 1741. Rest beneath its domed marble halls while you steam, scrub and enjoy a traditional treatment after a day of sightseeing.
★ 4.3 · 1,147 reviews
Settle into Topaz İstanbul for a dinner where the Bosphorus is the backdrop. Watch the sunset fade over the water while working through modern interpretations of traditional Turkish courses.
★ 4.7 · 1,190 reviews
Discover TURK Fatih Tutak, a fine-dining evening that starts with a restaurant pick-up and unfolds over roughly three hours. Settle into the tasting experience in a refined, design-minded room built for special occasions.
★ 4.0 · 6,242 reviews
Discover 360 Istanbul, a penthouse restaurant above Istiklal Street where dinner, drinks and views share one table. Order modern Turkish meze, linger over the skyline, and stay late as weekend DJs take over the room.
★ 4.3 · 1,351 reviews
Book a table at Neolokal for a dinner where presentation is half the show. Work through a contemporary Turkish tasting menu, plated with care in a refined, design-led setting.
★ 4.1 · 2,830 reviews
Pull up a chair at Ismet Baba, a Bosphorus fish restaurant that has been serving since 1951. Share fresh mezes and market fish at a table close to the water, with the bridge in view.
★ 4.3 · 1,250 reviews
Treat yourself to Kıyı, a waterside restaurant where the fish takes centre stage. Pick fresh seafood and a spread of appetizers on the terrace, with art on the walls inside.
★ 4.1 · 4,625 reviews
Discover Sunset Grill & Bar, a glamorous hilltop restaurant with sweeping views of the bridge. Order Mediterranean plates or sushi and linger from golden hour into a late-night cocktail.
★ 4.4 · 5,184 reviews
Dine by the Bosphorus at a stylish restaurant with an extensive wine list and lovely views. Book a waterfront table and settle in for a long meal.
★ 4.5 · 1,397 reviews
Step into Matbah, the elegant restaurant of the Ottoman Hotel Imperial, for a meal steeped in its historic setting. Share refined regional small plates while looking out toward Hagia Sophia in a calm, polished dining room.
★ 4.9 · 1,350 reviews
Set off on the Guided Food Tour with 20+ Tastings on 2 Continents for a full day of eating across the Bosphorus. Follow your guide from Sirkeci's breakfast tables to Kadıköy's markets and Moda's sweet shops.
★ 4.7 · 667 reviews
Discover AŞEKA KARAKÖY, the Michelin-starred dinner address in Karaköy. Settle in for a two-hour evening of à la carte dishes, including well-reviewed lamb, in a trendy, couple-friendly room.
★ 4.1 · 1,267 reviews
Dine at Rumelihisarı İskele, a Bosphorus fish restaurant right by the fortress pier. Share fresh appetisers and a grilled sea bass or blue fish while boats pass on the strait.
★ 4.5 · 188 reviews
Visit Vakko, one of Turkey's best-known luxury fashion names. Browse refined clothing, shoes and accessories and see what a high-end Istanbul label offers in person.
★ 4.0 · 3,962 reviews
Soak in history at Cemberlitas Hammam, a bath dating from 1584 and linked to Sinan. Move through its steam rooms and enjoy a traditional scrub and wash in the centuries-old setting.
★ 4.0 · 935 reviews
Dress up for Nobu Istanbul, the city's stylish Japanese fine dining address. Sample omakase and signature dishes in a buzzing, late-night dining room.
★ 4.4 · 787 reviews
Cross to the Anatolian shore for a meal at Borsa, set inside the Adile Sultan Palace. Time your table for sunset and enjoy dinner with the Bosphorus laid out in front of you.
★ 4.6 · 1,571 reviews
Dine at Lokanta 1741, a richly decorated restaurant where atmosphere matters as much as the plate. Let the host show you the dining areas, then settle into a long, special dinner.
★ 4.9 · 872 reviews
Discover the Guided Food Tour with Ferry Ride and Tastings, a morning of eating across Europe and Asia. Sample simit, stuffed mussels and İskender kebab, then finish with desserts and traditionally brewed coffee.
★ 4.3 · 1,222 reviews
Dine at ROKA Istanbul, the premium Japanese restaurant on the Galataport waterfront. Order sashimi and nigiri, pair them with a sake chosen by the staff, and enjoy the refined setting.
★ 4.7 · 3,785 reviews
Discover The Townhouse, a buzzing restaurant and bar with a stylish patio in the heart of Istanbul. Settle in for elevated pub food and well-made cocktails, from an afternoon Negroni to a long dinner.
★ 4.4 · 1,635 reviews
Discover 16 Roof Bar & Restaurant, the rooftop of the Swissotel The Bosphorus. Order cocktails and dishes like the crispy shrimp while the evening music and service set the mood for a polished night out.
★ 4.4 · 604 reviews
Dine in an elegant setting at a Fatih Tutak restaurant. Reserve an evening table and enjoy the occasion.
★ 4.6 · 3,827 reviews
Unwind at Hurrem Sultan Hammam, a grand Ottoman-style bathhouse in the heart of old Istanbul. Enjoy a traditional scrub, foam wash and massage in immaculate, atmospheric surroundings, then linger at the on-site restaurant.
Istanbul · 🍽️ Food
Beyti
1h30
Yeni Lokanta
1h15
Mikla
2h30
Deraliye
Tuğra Restaurant
1h45
Balikci Sabahattin
Istanbul · 🎭 Entertainment
Cağaloğlu Hamam
Topaz İstanbul
TURK FATIH TUTAK
3h
Istanbul · 🌙 Nightlife
360 Istanbul
2h
Neolokal
Ismet Baba Fish Restaurant
Kıyı Restaurant
Sunset Grill & Bar
Feriye Lokantasi
Matbah Restaurant
Guided Food Tour with 20+ Tastings on 2 Continents
5h30
AŞEKA KARAKÖY
Rumelihisarı İskele Restaurant
Istanbul · 🛍️ Shopping
Vakko
30 min
Cemberlitas Hammam
Nobu Istanbul
Borsa Restaurant
Lokanta 1741
Guided Food Tour with Ferry Ride and Tastings
4h
ROKA Istanbul
Istanbul · 🍸 Drinks
The Townhouse
16 Roof Bar & Restaurant - Swissotel The Bosphorus, Istanbul
GALLADA by Fatih Tutak
Hurrem Sultan Hammam
