The 12 Best Restaurants in Istanbul

Istanbul's best places to eat are remarkably diverse: traditional Ottoman cuisine, contemporary fusion, fine seafood and, in summer, rooftop and terrace dining with views over the Bosphorus. These are our picks of twelve restaurants in the city.

Restaurants with Bosphorus Views

Ulus 29

Opened in 1993, Ulus 29 offers views of the Bosphorus and its bridges from its terraces in summer. The kitchen combines gastronomic concepts with traditional cooking methods and seasonal regional produce, and the restaurant makes its own dry-aged meats, ice cream and pasta. Choose from gastronomy-focused dishes, classic Turkish fare or sushi. The wine list runs to roughly 4,500 bottles, cocktails are served at the Teras Bar, and Ulus Club 29 hosts international DJs at weekends.

Râna Meyhane

Formerly known as Topaz, Râna brings together the best of Mediterranean and Ottoman cuisine above the Bosphorus. Its geometric design, recalling the stone it is named after, is paired with modern decor. There are two tasting menus: a modern one, with dishes such as goose liver terrine with cranberry marmalade and walnut, and a traditional one, including Turkish ravioli with beef and strained yogurt. The wine list has received an award from the local magazine Gusto, and staff are happy to suggest pairings.

Maiden's Tower

A signature of Istanbul, Maiden's Tower stands in the Bosphorus where Asia and Europe meet, with a history stretching back 2,500 years and many legends attached to it. The tower serves as a café and restaurant for romantic meals, business occasions and even weddings, with breakfast and international lunch and dinner menus. Live music accompanies meals, indoors in winter and outdoors in summer, and exclusive booking options are available on request.

16 Roof

On top of the Swissôtel, 16 Roof has a modern, minimalist interior in soft blue tones and wide Bosphorus views. The chef prepares contemporary world cuisine and desserts such as lemongrass and ginger sorbet or caramelised banana and cinnamon tart with caramel ice cream. Each course of the tasting menu is paired with a Turkish wine, and a private section seats 12 guests.

Sunset Grill & Bar

On a hilltop in Ulus Park, with views of the Bosphorus Bridge and the Asian shore, Sunset Grill & Bar serves Turkish and international cuisine with a strong Japanese influence. A sushi bar opened here in 2000; Japanese Master Chef Hiroki Takemura joined in 2006, and Chef Fabrice Canelle joined as Director of Culinary Innovation in 2015, bringing Mediterranean dishes to the menu. The cellar includes rare wines such as Petrus, La Tache, Château Latour, Sassicaia, Opus One and Château d'Yquem. The restaurant has been named one of the best in Europe by Zagat, and Time Out Istanbul has listed it among the best in Istanbul.

Ottoman and Turkish Cuisine

Asitane

Eating at Asitane is like a live history lesson. Overlooking the Golden Horn in the foothills of Edirnekapı, one of the most important areas of historic Istanbul, the restaurant sits in the shadow of the Chora Church, famous for its Byzantine mosaics. Asitane opened in 1991 and takes its name from one of the Ottoman-era names for Istanbul. After its first 20 years, it had built an archive of more than 450 forgotten sweet and savoury recipes, prepared according to 500-year-old cooking methods.

Feriye Palace

Once an Ottoman police station, Feriye occupies a rare example of 19th-century classical Ottoman architecture. It champions Turkish gastronomy with regular seminars and food presentations, drawing on Ottoman cooking techniques from the 12th to the 19th century, with dishes such as spicy cured beef and mantı (filled dough pockets). The à la carte restaurant also hosts cocktail parties and dinners, and in summer its large terrace can accommodate up to 2,000 guests.

Nar Lokanta

Turkish culture and cuisine are at the heart of Nar. The decor features traditional Turkish accents and the dishes recall Ottoman recipes. There is an indoor dining room, three terraces and a rooftop for warmer months and private parties. Everything is seasonal: many main courses feature lamb, such as shoulder of lamb, braised lamb shank and lamb stew, alongside seafood such as fillet of sea bass and prawn casserole.

Contemporary and International Cooking

Mikla

On the roof of the Marmara Pera hotel, Mikla looks out over Istanbul towards Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace. With retro chrome furniture and a bar made from wooden railway sleepers, the interior is urban and sleek. The menu reflects the Turkish-Scandinavian background of chef-owner Mehmet Gürs, a pioneer of Istanbul's contemporary restaurant scene, with dishes such as raw grouper with olives and lemon, and a Turkish coffee vanilla slice with raspberry sorbet. The hotel's roof terrace bar is a good spot for a drink at sunset before dinner.

Banyan

Banyan's motto, "food for the soul", describes its healthy Asian fusion cuisine, served on the top floor of a historic building with striking city views. Dishes such as Sichuan pepper steak, duck satay and dim sum come with tea, fresh juice or cocktails, indoors or outdoors.

St. Regis Brasserie

Inside the St. Regis Istanbul hotel, this intimate brasserie serves seasonal, French-inspired dishes with a Turkish touch, in indoor and outdoor dining areas finished in oak, brass and onyx. The menu covers salads, handmade pasta, sandwiches, starters and main courses; try the brasserie's meatballs or pan-fried black bream with a signature Bloody Mary. Desserts include raspberry cake, rice pudding, tiramisu and mascarpone cheesecake.

Nicole

Nicole serves contemporary Mediterranean cuisine on a quiet modern terrace overlooking the Old Town, the Princes' Islands and beyond. Chef couple Kaan and Aylin reinterpret classic flavours with a light touch, and the menu changes with the seasons. Guests choose between the six-course Discovery Menu and the seven-course Nicole Menu. The wine cellar features local producers from the Aegean, Thrace and Anatolia as well as imported wines.