ISTANBUL! This bustling metropolis of Türkiye, spanning the two continents of Europe and Asia, is filled with history and charm offering the best of both worlds. With its historic landmarks, world-renowned cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and a maze of old and quaint marketplaces alongside modern shopping arcades, Istanbul is a traveller’s delight.

But most importantly, Istanbul is a food lover’s paradise. Packed with countless dining options, choosing the best restaurants can be challenging! Wander down the streets, and your senses will be captivated by some of the most tempting and delicious eats. Whether it’s doner, kebabs, simit, or something sweet, there’s something for every mood, occasion, and palate!

These are my top picks of some the best the city has got to offer!

LOKMA 

An authentic Turkish breakfast is a must. And the options are endless. Tables filled with a range of small plates – assortment of fresh olives, cheese, bread and pastries, dips and sauces, eggs, fresh veggies, cured meats, honey, clotted cream and so many varieties of jams. The list goes on. You can see why this is THE meal of choice for residents and tourists alike. Value for money and most often, one portion (“bir porsiyon”) is good for two people and so, so, so delicious!

We had the most incredible spread at Lokma café located on the banks of the Bosporous, and the bonus is the fabulous views. Devoured everything from the Bal Kaymak (clotted cream and honey) to Sucuklu Yumurta (an egg dish typically served in a hot pan, consisting of sunny side up eggs and chopped Turkish beef sausage) and Simit (the fluffy yet dense Turkish street bagel) to the Borek (filo pastry stuffed with a variety of fillings such as meat, cheese, spinach or potatoes). Just divine!

For more information visit – http://www.lokma.com.tr/

Address – Rumeli Hisarı, Yahya Kemal Cd. No:12, 34450 Sarıyer/İstanbul, Türkiye

ESPRESSO LAB

If you love coffee as much as I do, then Espresso Lab is right up your alley (pun unintended of course!). As Europe’s largest coffee experience centre, it is spread over 6,000 sq. metres and boasts a coffee roasting centre, coffee shop, cocktail bar, bakery, workshop station, conference hall, a mini greenhouse area and co-working spaces. Espresso Lab opened its first outlet in 2014 at Istanbul Bilgi University and this Roastery marks the company’s 100^th site in Turkey, not to mention it has 160 stores globally.

For more information visit – https://en.espressolab.com/coffee–us/

Address – Tozkoparan, General Ali Rıza Gürcan Cd. No: 2, 34173 Güngören/İstanbul, Türkiye

KANDILLI PASTANESI

Where can you find a more elegant spot for a late breakfast, brunch or perhaps an afternoon tea? Kandili Pastanesi is a stylish café in the charming Kandili neighborhood in Uskudar. Besides being a visual feast, the freshly baked cakes, pastries, croissants and desserts are delectable. Some favourites are chaud-froid d’oeuf (hot-cold egg), brioche avocado, the royal cheese platter and the bakery plate. But for me, the standout dish was the French Toast – a soft pillowy brioche covered in organic maple syrup. Heaven! Oh, and did I mention that servings are on Hermes plates… Wow!

A fresh and highly flavorful start to your day!

For more information visit – https://kandillipastanesi.com/menu/

Address – Kandilli, Kandilli İskele Cd. No: 28, 34684 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Türkiye

BIZ ISTANBUL

Located in the Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM) in the heart of the city’s art and cultural district, BIZ Istanbul builds its menu around the city’s centuries of experience, seasonal patterns and local produce. Flavours are inspired by the original recipes of the city’s cuisine reinterpreted with modern techniques with Chef Tolga Atalay at the helm.

BIZ has three sections where guests can mix and match by ordering from different menus – Esnaf Lokanta (casual dining), the Bar (serving street food) and Has Lokanta (fine dining). Indulge in slow-cooked casseroles, soups, olive oil dishes, stuffed vegetables, pastries, buns, sherbet, desserts and compote varieties. A taste of the flavours from Istanbul’s history.

And then there is the breathtaking panoramic view of the city too to drink in.

For more information visit – https://www.bizistanbul.com.tr/en

Address – Gümüşsuyu, Ataturk Cultural Center, Mete Cd. No: 2, 34437 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

THE SPICE MARKET

Don’t miss the Cankurtaran Gida which is a cured meat and cheese shop in the heart of the bazaar. It offers a unique sheep cheese wrapped in sheep skin called Tulum from Izmir (a very interesting flavor). I absolutely loved the Bal Kaymak – a traditional dairy product produced from buffalo milk, very similar to clotted cream – that is generously doused with honey (top favourite of this trip). Other produce includes Canakkale old cheddar, Ezine white cheese, Gravyer cheese from Kars, special bacon varieties from Kayseri, Karakovan honey from Hakkari and Sirit regions, black and saddle olives from Bursa Gemlik and buffalo milk cream.

For more information visit – https://www.cankurtarangida.com.tr/cankurtaran-gida-san-ve-tic-ltd-sti

Address – Mısır Çarşısı İçi No: 33, 34116 Fatih, Türkiye

PANDELI RESTAURANT

After your wander through the spice bazaar, take the stairs to the first floor to the Pandeli Restaurant featuring characteristically Turkish décor with blue mosaic walls. Expect traditional Turkish dishes like charcoal grilled eggplant salad, rice stuffed vine leaves, okra with lemon and olive oil, Pandeli’s eggplant pie with a leaf of Doner kebab on top (a table favourite) and roasted lamb with seasoned rice… just to name a few.  So, so good.

For more information visit – https://www.pandeli.com.tr/index-en.html

Address – Rüstempaşa Mah. Balık Pazarı kapısı Sokağı Mısırçarşı İçi 1, D:2, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

ALI OCAKBASI

No trip to Istanbul is complete without indulging in kebabs. Ali Ocakbasi offers a unique Ocakbasi experience (meats cooked over a charcoal grill). The dishes are prepared using local produce in season. Check out the mezze selection including a creamy hummus, deliciously smokey abagannus (roasted aubergine with yoghurt and garlic) and efe which is a speciality herby white cheese flavoured with parsley. Then on to lamb and beef Ali kebabs flavoured with Anatolian spices. Grilled to absolute perfection, you will go back for seconds. We sure did. Oh, and absolutely do leave space for dessert!

For more information visit – https://www.aliocakbasi.com/

Address – They have a couple locations. We visited – Gümüşsuyu, İnönü Cd. No:22, 34870 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

CICEK PASAJI

Çiçek Pasajı has got to be one of Istanbul’s most beautiful arcades – located in the famous historic passage on İstiklal Avenue in the Beyoğlu district of the city. Although there are finer eateries around area, the charming ambience of this arcade is reason enough to get a table and enjoy a drink and a quick bite while soaking in the nostalgia in between sightseeing and shopping. 

For more information visit – http://www.tarihicicekpasaji.com/

Address – Hüseyinağa Mah. İstiklal Cad. Saitpaşa Geçidi No:176, 34435 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

ALI MUHIDDIN HACI BEKIR

If you want to satisfy your sweet tooth, head over to ALI MUHIDDIN HACI BEKIR for some tea/coffee and Turkish Delight. Take some to go or sit there to enjoy the experience. It has a conveyor belt of Turkish confectionary. Yes, you read right.  And honestly, it doesn’t get any better than this for the perfect afternoon break.

You can read more of my detailed write up on the store here.

For more information visit – https://www.hacibekir.com/Product/Index

Address – Katip Mustafa Çelebi, İstiklal Cd. No:83, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

GALLADA

The menu is inspired by the incredible flavours of the ancient Silk Road cuisine right from Turkiye and Central Asia through to China. The Adana kebab dumplings and signature tandoori duck are a must order. Delish! I can see why it is one of the most recommended restaurants in the city and deserving of all their accolades.

For more information visit – https://www.galladaistanbul.com/en

Address – Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Kemankeş Cd. NO:34, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

NEOLOKAL

Chef Maksut Askar and his incredible team at Neolokal have curated a menu that showcases Turkish heritage produce in the most tremendous way – a spin on some classic local dishes as well as inspiration from global cuisines. There are three seasonally changing tasting menus: A 3-course menu that you can design yourself by picking from alternative dishes provided for each course; a 5-course fixed vegetarian menu and a 6-course fixed tasting menu. All of them emphasize sustainability which has earned them the coveted Michelin Guide green 🍀 and a one ⭐️!

The restaurant’s wine list deserves a special mention too. Turkish wines have been carefully handpicked, including some exotic local grapes as well as natural and orange wines. The floor to ceiling windows and the outdoor terrace with views spanning Istanbul’s rooftops and mosques enhances the dining experience.

For more information visit – https://www.neolokal.com/en/neolokal_en/

Address – Arap Cami, Mahı, Bankalar Cd. No:11, 34420, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

Recommend – Get to Neolokal around sunset and indulge in a sundowner or two on their outdoor terrace before heading for dinner. Their Negronis are some of the best I’ve ever had!

TUGRA

On the first floor of the historical Ciragan Palace Kempinski, this award-winning restaurant serves up some incredible Turkish and Ottoman cuisine. Chef Emre Inanir has his own spin on classic flavours, blending tradition and modern dining. We had the tasting menu but there is the option to go a la carte too.

For more information visit – https://tugrarestaurant.com.tr/en/

Address – Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel, Ciragan Caddesi 32, Çiragan Cd, 34349 Besiktas/İstanbul, Türkiye

THE RED BALLOON

Its philosophy? Bring seasonal fresh and local produce to the table. We tried the tasting menu, and it was a *chef’s kiss* with a few outstanding courses including the Babakale Octopus, Iskenderun Shrimp, the Butter & Bread and the Cretan Squash Tart.

My crystal ball says more awards and accolades in the future!

For more information visit – https://theredballoon.com.tr/en/

Address – Yeniköy, Güzelce Ali Paşa Caddesi Salih Ağa Sokak, No: 5, 34464 Sarıyer/İstanbul, Türkiye

MUUTTO

The Muutto Anatolian Tapas Bar has a different approach to Anatolian cuisine with mouthwatering tapas-style dishes. With Chef Umut Karakuş at the helm, expect some great twists to modern Turkish cuisine. We especially loved the grilled octopus, the Anatolian tapas platter, the shrimp with pumpkin and couscous and the beef ribs.

Located at Galataport and Fişekhane, you are once again treated to some incredible views while dining!

For more information visit – https://www.muutto.com.tr/

Address – Kılıçali Paşa, Meclis-i Mebusan Cd. No:8, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

SERICA

For more information visit – https://www.sericarestaurant.com/en

Address – Arap Cami, Bankalar Cd. 5/1 Karaköy, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

Istanbul, with its seamless blend of old and new, tradition and modernity, offers an unparalleled culinary adventure that makes every visit unforgettable. It’s more than just a destination; it’s an experience. An experience that tantalizes your taste buds, enriches your soul, and leaves you with memories to cherish for a lifetime. So, whether you’re planning your first trip or your tenth, İstanbul always has something new and delightful to offer. Enjoy every bite, every sight, and every moment in this extraordinary city!

Note: Reservations are highly recommended (including the casual dining spots).

You can follow me on Instagram account and check out highlights of the trip there.