Explore the Best Restaurants in Istanbul

Istanbul is one of the world’s most exciting food cities, shaped by centuries of cultural exchange, regional traditions, and constant reinvention. Across the city, travelers can experience everything from historic lokantas and Bosphorus seafood restaurants to contemporary fine dining, international cuisine, rooftop venues, and neighborhood comfort food spots. Whether visiting Istanbul for the first time or returning to explore beyond the tourist areas, the city offers restaurants suited to every taste, budget, and travel style.

Our handpicked selection for you

district: Beşiktaş
Sakhalin Istanbul combines luxury seafood dining, sushi, raw bar specialties, and MediterrAsian cuisine inside Zorlu Center in Beşiktaş.
district: Üsküdar
İoki House of Sushi serves fresh sushi, Japanese dishes, and Peruvian-inspired flavors in a relaxed Kandilli setting on Istanbul’s Asian side.
district: Şişli
Healin Foods serves healthy plant-based meals, gluten-free specialties, smoothies, and cold-pressed juices in the heart of Nişantaşı.
district: Kadıköy
Yamo Sushi Caddebostan serves fresh sushi, noodles, and casual Asian comfort food opposite Caddebostan Kültür Merkezi near Bağdat Avenue.
district: Üsküdar
Osteria Salvatore serves handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, seafood, cocktails, and wine in a historic Bosphorus-side setting in Çengelköy.
district: Kadıköy
Inkase serves healthy international bowls, fresh salads, vegan-friendly dishes, and nourishing breakfasts in Fenerbahçe, Kadıköy.
district: Beyoğlu
A stylish Beyoglu evening restaurant with fusion dishes, drinks, live music, and a social late-night mood.
district: Şişli
At The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul, Atölye serves Michelin-listed Anatolian-inspired cuisine with Bosphorus views and a refined hotel setting.
district: Beşiktaş
Luxury Pan-Asian restaurant inside Raffles Istanbul where refined Asian flavors, polished interiors, and upscale atmosphere create a destination dining experience.
district: Beyoğlu
Octo combines contemporary Turkish cuisine, sustainable gastronomy, rooftop dining, and panoramic Bosphorus views above Karaköy’s waterfront.
district: Fatih
Mivan Restaurant & Cafe combines Turkish cuisine, seafood, Bosphorus views, and a central Fatih location near Hagia Sophia and Istanbul’s historic landmarks.
district: Kadıköy
A must-visit for food lovers, Çiya Sofrası in Kadıköy showcases the rich diversity of Anatolian cuisine
district: Beyoğlu
Vegan Community Kitchen serves fully vegan Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine with homemade seasonal dishes in the heart of Cihangir.
district: Şişli
St. Regis Brasserie combines international cuisine, Turkish influences, terrace dining, and signature cocktails within one of Nişantaşı’s best-known luxury hotel settings.
district: Beyoğlu
Muutto Anatolian Tapas Bar serves creative sharing plates, contemporary Turkish cuisine, and Michelin Guide-recognized dining at Galataport.
district: Beyoğlu
Giardin İstanbul combines Italian comfort food, wine culture, breakfast, and stylish garden atmosphere inside one of Karaköy’s most popular all-day restaurant concepts.
district: Üsküdar
Borsa Restaurant combines classic Turkish and Ottoman cuisine, Michelin recognition, and elegant Bosphorus views inside Adile Sultan Palace in Üsküdar.
district: Fatih
Old Istanbul Rooftop is a seafood-focused rooftop restaurant in Sirkeci known for Bosphorus views, Turkish mezes, sunset dining, and panoramic views across historic Istanbul.
district: Kadıköy
A modern hotspot in the heart of Moda, Recete Moda blends international cuisine with creative cocktails and a relaxed atmosphere
district: Beşiktaş
Located in Beşiktaş, Madhu’s Istanbul offers upscale Indian cuisine, elegant interiors, and a refined dining experience near Dolmabahçe Palace and the Bosphorus.
district: Şişli
DAMA Nişantaşı combines brunch, cocktails, music, and all-day social dining inside one of Şişli’s most talked-about new openings.
district: Fatih
Lokanta 1741 combines Michelin Guide dining, Ottoman atmosphere, rooftop terraces, and contemporary Turkish cuisine inside the historic Cağaloğlu Hamamı in Fatih.
district: Şişli
Located in Şişli near the Bosphorus, Nobu Istanbul offers luxury Japanese dining, signature sushi dishes, elegant interiors, and one of the city’s most prestigious fine dining experiences.
district: Şişli
Gasto Nişantaşı combines stylish brunch culture, comfort food, cocktails, and an energetic social atmosphere in the heart of Istanbul’s Nişantaşı district.
district: Fatih
The Göbektaşı combines modern meyhane culture, live entertainment, Ottoman hammam aesthetics, and nightlife-driven dining inside one of Fatih’s most unique restaurant concepts.
district: Kadıköy
Aida – Vino e Cucina serves Michelin Bib Gourmand‑recognized dishes with creative pasta and risotto options
district: Beyoğlu
Manifest Roof combines Mediterranean-inspired dining, cocktails, rooftop views, and elegant evening atmosphere above the historic streets of Galata.
district: Şişli
Tango & Cash combines fire dining, cocktails, music, and nightlife energy inside one of Nişantaşı’s most talked-about new restaurant concepts.
district: Fatih
Tria Terrace Restaurant offers Turkish and Mediterranean rooftop dining in Fatih, with seafood specialties and panoramic views of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Bosphorus.
district: Beşiktaş
Alaf Kuruçeşme celebrates contemporary Anatolian cuisine through live-fire cooking, seasonal ingredients, and one of Istanbul’s most distinctive fine dining experiences.
district: Üsküdar
Telezzüz is a Michelin Green Star restaurant in Kuzguncuk, Üsküdar, serving seasonal farm-to-table vegan cuisine with a creative and sustainable approach.
district: Beyoğlu
Vegan Dükkan Lokanta serves homemade vegan Turkish comfort food inspired by the traditional Turkish lokanta in Cihangir.
district: Beyoğlu
Mykorini Istanbul combines Greek island cuisine, waterfront dining, cocktails, live entertainment, and vibrant nightlife inside Istanbul’s Tersane waterfront development.
district: Beşiktaş
A glamorous Maçka rooftop with Bosphorus views, 16 Roof blends Mediterranean, Turkish and sushi dishes with a lively late-night scene.
district: Kadıköy
A cozy Italian spot in Moda, Dieci Moda serves thin-crust pizzas, fresh pasta, and classic desserts in a stylish setting
district: Şişli
Resto Lordom Bomonti combines Turkish cuisine, seafood, cocktails, live music, and late-night dining in one of Şişli’s most active restaurant and nightlife districts.
district: Beyoğlu
Crust & Co. serves handcrafted artisan pizzas with slow-fermented dough and premium ingredients in the heart of Beyoğlu.
district: Şişli
Limoré brings contemporary Italian cuisine, cocktails, and elegant dining to The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul, combining refined hospitality with Bosphorus-side surroundings in Şişli.
district: Şişli
TURK Fatih Tutak offers two-Michelin-star contemporary Turkish cuisine and one of Istanbul’s most celebrated fine dining experiences.
district: Fatih
Sentez Restaurant offers contemporary Anatolian and Mediterranean fine dining with rooftop views across Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Istanbul’s historic peninsula.
district: Kadıköy
Shvili Georgian Bistro serves authentic Georgian cuisine, homemade khachapuri, handmade khinkali, and traditional specialties at Terminal Kadıköy.
district: Beşiktaş
Bosphorus-front Beşiktaş restaurant where historic architecture, waterfront tables, and elegant Turkish dining create a distinctly Istanbul atmosphere.
district: Beyoğlu
Discover Ala Rasi Restaurant in Beyoğlu, where authentic Pakistani cuisine, aromatic curries, grilled specialties, and warm hospitality come together near Taksim Square.
district: Üsküdar
Del Mare Restaurant serves fresh seafood, meze, wine, and Bosphorus views in an elegant waterfront setting in Çengelköy.
district: Fatih
A Laleli rooftop with broad appeal, BESO serves Italian, steakhouse, seafood and Turkish dishes in a social late-night setting.
district: Beyoğlu
Abdi Bey Lokantası combines refined Anatolian cuisine, modern Turkish gastronomy, and elegant Golden Horn views inside one of Karaköy’s most sophisticated new lokanta concepts.
district: Fatih
Avlu Restaurant serves contemporary Anatolian cuisine in the historic courtyard of the Four Seasons Hotel Sultanahmet.
district: Beyoğlu
Lina Anatolian serves contemporary Anatolian cuisine with seasonal ingredients in the heart of Karaköy, just steps from Galataport.
district: Şişli
Zucca Pizza combines Italian pizza, fresh pasta, wine, vegetarian-friendly options, and cozy trattoria-style atmosphere inside one of Şişli’s most loved casual Italian restaurants.
district: Beşiktaş
The Vegan Regime serves vegan Turkish comfort food, including plant-based döner, İskender, burgers, wraps, and homemade desserts in Beşiktaş.

Explore more with Istanbul Muse

Whether you are looking for traditional Turkish cuisine, international flavors, specialty coffee, rooftop dining, or hidden local favorites, Istanbul offers food and drink experiences for every taste. Explore our complete eat & drink collection and filter places by category, cuisine, district, atmosphere, and highlights to find the right spot for your visit.

Restaurants in Istanbul reflect the diversity, energy, and cultural complexity of the city itself. As Turkey’s culinary capital, Istanbul brings together regional Anatolian traditions, Ottoman influences, international dining concepts, street food culture, and contemporary gastronomy within one constantly evolving food scene.

Across districts such as Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş, Kadıköy, Şişli, Fatih, and along the Bosphorus, visitors can discover restaurants ranging from simple neighborhood eateries and historic taverns to luxury fine dining venues and Michelin-recognized kitchens. Some restaurants preserve traditional cooking techniques and family recipes, while others experiment with modern presentation, global influences, and chef-driven tasting menus.

The city’s dining scene is also highly shaped by atmosphere and location. Waterfront seafood restaurants, rooftop terraces, lively meyhanes, hidden courtyard cafés, modern cocktail bars, and local breakfast spots all contribute to Istanbul’s distinctive restaurant culture. In many places, dining becomes less about speed and more about spending time, sharing plates, and experiencing the social rhythm of the city.

One of Istanbul’s greatest strengths as a food destination is variety. Travelers can experience Turkish kebabs, meze culture, seafood, street food, Mediterranean cuisine, Japanese fine dining, Italian restaurants, vegan cafés, brunch spots, and contemporary fusion concepts often within the same district.

For many visitors, restaurants become one of the most memorable parts of exploring Istanbul because they provide direct insight into local culture, hospitality, everyday routines, and the city’s unique balance between tradition and modern urban life.

most loved districs of Istanbul

heavenly eat & drink spots to enjoy

Traditional
Bib Gourmand Anatolian Cuisine in Nişantaşı
Mediterranean
Contemporary Turkish Fine Dining Inside a 300-Year-Old Hamam
Artisan Café
Istanbul Baking Company: Coffee And Pastries In The Heart Of Karaköy
Seafood
A Classic Bosphorus Dining Address in Beşiktaş
Italian
Pizza, Pasta & Italian Nights in Moda

picked stays for you

A polished five-star city hotel in Taksim with rooftop energy and strong wellness credentials
Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul: Modern Bosphorus luxury between Beşiktaş, Nişantaşı and Istanbul’s waterfront
Design-focused city stay near Istiklal Avenue and Beyoğlu’s nightlife scene
The Wings Hotels Collection Istanbul: Contemporary boutique luxury in the heart of Karaköy’s cultural scene