Explore the Best Seafood Restaurants in Istanbul

Surrounded by the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Black Sea, Istanbul has a deep connection to seafood and waterfront dining culture. Across the city, travelers can find everything from traditional fish restaurants and lively meyhanes to elegant seafood terraces overlooking the water. Whether you are looking for grilled fish, meze, seasonal seafood, or a long dinner by the Bosphorus, Istanbul offers seafood experiences that combine local traditions with unforgettable scenery.

Our handpicked selection for you

district: Fatih
A Laleli rooftop with broad appeal, BESO serves Italian, steakhouse, seafood and Turkish dishes in a social late-night setting.
district: Kadıköy
A stylish rooftop restaurant with stunning marina views, Ouzo Roof Restaurant serves elegant Mediterranean and seafood cuisine
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: 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: 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: Beşiktaş
Rüya İstanbul combines contemporary Anatolian fine dining, Bosphorus views, elegant evening atmosphere, and the famous Sunday Çırağan Palace Brunch inside Çırağan Palace Kempinski.
district: Beşiktaş
Sakhalin Istanbul combines luxury seafood dining, sushi, raw bar specialties, and MediterrAsian cuisine inside Zorlu Center in Beşiktaş.
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: Beyoğlu
Mykorini Istanbul combines Greek island cuisine, waterfront dining, cocktails, live entertainment, and vibrant nightlife inside Istanbul’s Tersane waterfront development.
district: Üsküdar
Del Mare Restaurant serves fresh seafood, meze, wine, and Bosphorus views in an elegant waterfront setting in Çengelköy.
district: Beşiktaş
Bosphorus-front Beşiktaş restaurant where historic architecture, waterfront tables, and elegant Turkish dining create a distinctly Istanbul atmosphere.

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.

Seafood restaurants are an essential part of Istanbul’s dining culture and one of the best ways to experience the city’s connection to the water. From casual fish restaurants near ferry ports to refined Bosphorus dining venues, seafood can be found across nearly every part of the city.

Many of Istanbul’s most popular seafood restaurants are located along the Bosphorus and waterfront districts such as Beşiktaş, Arnavutköy, Bebek, Sarıyer, Üsküdar, and Kadıköy. These areas are known for restaurants where guests can enjoy fresh fish, meze, and rakı while overlooking the water, especially during sunset and evening hours.

Traditional seafood dining in Istanbul often centers around seasonal fish, grilled dishes, cold meze, salads, and long social dinners shared around the table. Some restaurants preserve a more classic meyhane atmosphere with live music and traditional service styles, while others reinterpret seafood through contemporary fine dining concepts and modern Mediterranean influences.

The city’s seafood scene ranges from simple local fish restaurants to luxury waterfront venues and Michelin-recognized dining experiences. Travelers can find everything from fried fish sandwiches near the waterfront to elegant seafood tasting menus inside some of Istanbul’s most sophisticated restaurants.

For many visitors, seafood dining is about more than the food itself. Watching ferries cross between Europe and Asia, sitting beside the Bosphorus late into the evening, and experiencing Istanbul’s strong connection to the sea all become part of the overall experience.

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

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