Happy Croissants turns the classic French pastry into a full meal with sweet creations, breakfast fillings, croissant burgers, and good coffee in the heart of Moda.
Zucca Pizza brings authentic Italian pizza, fresh pasta, wine, and cozy trattoria-style atmosphere to Şişli, making it one of Nişantaşı’s most loved casual Italian restaurants.
Lezzet Arayanlara brings generous Turkish breakfast, gourmet cheeses, homemade-style products, and relaxed local energy to Küçüksu in Üsküdar.
The Voir İstanbul combines Bosphorus views, generous breakfasts, coffee, desserts, shisha, and all-day comfort food in a relaxed Üsküdar setting.
Il Sud is an elegant Italian restaurant in Moda serving Neapolitan pizzas, homemade pasta, and classic Mediterranean dishes in a cozy, stylish setting.
Basta! is one of Kadıköy’s best-known quick bites, reworking Turkish street food into a chef-led menu of wraps, burgers and small plates. The format is fast and informal, but the flavors are more thoughtful than the typical grab-and-go stop.
Çiya Sofrası is one of Istanbul’s most famous restaurants for authentic Anatolian cuisine, offering a rotating selection of traditional regional dishes in the heart of Kadıköy.
Kaktüs Cihangir Breakfast Club combines long breakfasts, specialty coffee, cocktails, international cuisine and a relaxed neighborhood atmosphere that keeps people staying far beyond brunch hours.
Dieci Moda is a stylish Italian restaurant in Kadıköy’s Moda district, serving thin-crust pizzas, fresh pasta, and classic Italian desserts in a cozy and elegant setting.
Blending stylish brunch culture, modern comfort food, and a highly social atmosphere, Gasto Nişantaşı has become one of Şişli’s most popular all-day dining spots for breakfast, coffee, cocktails, and long afternoons in the heart of Nişantaşı.
Liminal is redefining Istanbul’s cocktail scene through award-winning mixology, seasonal ingredients, and an intimate bar experience in the heart of Kadıköy.
Walter’s Coffee Roastery combines daily roasted coffee, desserts, breakfast plates, and a playful science-lab atmosphere inside one of Moda’s most recognizable cafés.
Set inside Istanbul’s historic Bomonti Beer Factory, The Populist combines craft beer culture, American-style comfort food, live music, and one of Şişli’s most energetic social dining atmospheres.
Brekkie Breakfast Club combines all-day brunch, fresh croissants, cookies, coffee, and relaxed Moda energy near Yoğurtçu Park in Kadıköy.
Dudu Istanbul mixes Mediterranean and Turkish flavors with a late-night rooftop rhythm in Beyoglu. It is a strong pick for dinner, drinks, and a social evening with city lights, music, and an upbeat atmosphere.
Blue Bird Akasya combines sushi, grill dishes, cocktails, and polished casual dining inside Akasya AVM in Acıbadem, Üsküdar.
16 Roof brings a polished rooftop dining scene to Maçka. It is the kind of place that shifts easily from sunset dinner to late-night cocktails, with DJ sets and a distinctly dressed-up mood.
Del Mare Restaurant combines fresh seafood, meze, Bosphorus views, and elegant waterfront dining in Çengelköy on Istanbul’s Asian side.
Crust & Co. serves artisan pizzas with slow-fermented dough, premium ingredients, and a contemporary dining experience in the heart of Nişantaşı.
Hane Kadıköy is a modern Turkish‑Mediterranean restaurant in Kadıköy blending traditional mezze and seafood with creative plating and a cozy atmosphere
Meşhur Balıkçı Eyyup Usta is a popular seafood restaurant in Karaköy, best known for its fresh fish wraps, iconic fish sandwiches, and traditional Turkish seafood specialties.
852 Hong Kong Cafe Restaurant is Moda’s go‑to spot for authentic Cantonese dim sum, handmade noodles, and Hong Kong‑style favorites, served in a cozy family‑run setting.
İoki Kandilli House of Sushi brings fresh sushi, Japanese flavors, and Peruvian-inspired touches to Kandilli, making it one of Üsküdar’s most established Asian dining spots.
Supernormal Burger Moda is a tiny burger spot where perfectly smashed patties, buttery buns, and late-evening queues turn simple fast food into a cult favorite.
Mykorini Istanbul brings the atmosphere of Mykonos and Santorini to Istanbul through Greek island cuisine, waterfront dining, live entertainment, and one of the city’s most visually striking restaurant settings.
Yamo Sushi Caddebostan brings fresh sushi, noodles, and casual Japanese-inspired dining to Kadıköy, just opposite Caddebostan Kültür Merkezi near Bağdat Avenue.
Recete Moda is a modern restaurant and cocktail spot in the heart of Moda. From brunch to dinner and creative drinks, the venue combines international cuisine with a relaxed Kadıköy atmosphere.
Bordel is a contemporary German street food restaurant in Beyoğlu, serving house-made currywurst, bratwurst, sandwiches, and late-night comfort food inspired by Berlin’s iconic Imbiss culture.
Sade Beş Denizler Mutfağı brings authentic Anatolian cooking, Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition, and relaxed garden dining to Teşvikiye, making it one of Şişli’s most dependable spots for traditional Turkish food.
Dem Moda is a trendy tea house and café in Moda with a global tea selection, tasty cheesecakes, and casual brunch‑style bites
180 Coffee Brasserie combining coffee, all-day dining, and a sociable neighborhood atmosphere that naturally shifts from breakfast to evening drinks.
Giardin İstanbul combines Italian-inspired dining, wine culture, breakfast, and late-night social atmosphere inside one of Beyoğlu’s most visually distinctive all-day restaurant concepts.
Tango & Cash combines fire-driven dining, cocktails, music, and late-night social energy within one of Nişantaşı’s most talked-about new restaurant concepts.
Perched above Karaköy with views over the Golden Horn, Haso Ocakbaşı Karaköy combines traditional ocakbaşı culture, premium grilled meats, and a lively atmosphere shaped by one of Istanbul’s best-known grill masters.
Inspired by traditional hammam culture and modern meyhane nightlife, The Göbektaşı transforms a historic bathhouse atmosphere into one of Fatih’s most theatrical dining and entertainment experiences.
The Vegan Regime is a fully vegan restaurant in Beşiktaş, serving creative plant-based versions of Turkish comfort food alongside homemade burgers, wraps, bowls, and indulgent desserts.
Traditional Turkish breakfast, generous table spreads, and a lively local atmosphere have made Süreya Kahvaltı one of Şişli’s most talked-about breakfast destinations.
BESO Rooftop Restaurant brings a broad, crowd-friendly menu to Laleli, with rooftop seating, late hours and views over the surrounding cityscape. Italian dishes, steakhouse staples, seafood and Turkish options make it an easy choice for groups who want variety with their evening backdrop.
DAMA Nişantaşı combines brunch, cocktails, music, and all-day social dining within one of Şişli’s most stylish new restaurant and nightlife concepts.
Resto Lordom Bomonti combines Turkish cuisine, international dishes, cocktails, and live music in one of Şişli’s most active dining and nightlife areas.
Deniz Nadide DURU Breakfast Moda is a hidden gem in Moda where long, leisurely Turkish breakfasts unfold over homemade jams, fresh bread, and the kind of warmth that makes you want to stay all morning.
The best meals are the ones shared with good company. Whether you’re planning a relaxed brunch, celebrating a special occasion, enjoying sunset drinks, or spending hours around a table filled with meze, Istanbul offers countless places that are perfect for groups of friends. From lively meyhanes and rooftop restaurants to stylish cocktail bars and neighborhood favorites, these are the places where great food meets unforgettable moments.
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.
Finding the best places to eat with friends in Istanbul is about more than choosing a great restaurant. The city’s most memorable dining experiences combine delicious food with lively atmospheres, generous sharing plates, beautiful settings, and the kind of hospitality that encourages everyone to stay for one more drink or another round of dessert.
Across districts such as Beyoğlu, Kadıköy, Beşiktaş, Karaköy, and Nişantaşı, visitors can discover restaurants perfect for every type of gathering. Traditional meyhanes invite groups to share meze and seafood over rakı, rooftop restaurants offer unforgettable sunset views, while modern bistros, brunch cafés, and cocktail bars create relaxed spaces for long conversations and celebrations.
Many of the best restaurants for groups focus on experiences rather than simply serving a meal. Live music, waterfront terraces, large communal tables, creative cocktails, tasting menus, and vibrant interiors all help create places where spending time together becomes just as important as the food itself.
Whether you’re planning a birthday dinner, catching up with friends over brunch, organizing a group dinner, or looking for somewhere to start a night out, Istanbul offers restaurants suited to every mood, budget, and occasion. From casual neighborhood favorites to stylish fine dining destinations, there is no shortage of places designed for memorable gatherings.
Whether you’re meeting old friends, celebrating something special, or simply looking for a restaurant where everyone will have a great time, this collection highlights some of the best places in Istanbul to eat, drink, and enjoy the city together.
