Looking for where to eat in Istanbul? Discover the best local restaurants, cheap eats and rooftop dining spots across Taksim, Karaköy and Sultanahmet.

Overview

If you’re wondering where to eat in Istanbul, the city offers everything from affordable street food stalls to rooftop restaurants with panoramic Bosphorus views. Whether you’re looking for cheap places to eat in Istanbul or restaurants with a view for a special evening, there’s no shortage of great options across neighbourhoods such as Karaköy, Taksim and Sultanahmet.

In this guide, we’ll share some of the best places to eat in Istanbul based on our own experience — from local neighbourhood favourites to more premium dining spots.

If you’re still planning your itinerary, be sure to check out our full guide on things to do in Istanbul to make the most of your visit.

Restaurants With a View in Istanbul

Eat with a view at Balkon Restaurant & Bar

This amazing rooftop terrace bar offers a splendid almost 270 degrees view of the Galata area and Golden Horn.

We think Balkon Restaurant & Bar is a great place to eat your dinner at the end of the day. Because temperatures in Istanbul don’t drop significantly, you can use this terrace also during colder autumn and spring months.

The venue serves a selection of spirits, cocktails and beers and has a fairly international menu.

I opted for their signature burger and Hristina decided to go for a fish & chips on a bed of prawns and spinach. All very good of course and accompanied by a beer.

Cheap Places to Eat in Istanbul

Street Food Around Taksim Square

Once you get out from the metro station you will see in one of the corners of the square, at the beginning of the famous Istiklal street, a series of kebab shops selling wet burgers and durum as well as other staples of fast food cuisine.

Whilst all seem to offer similar foods and prices do try a durum, they tend to be ok, fairly dry for my taste however, try a wet burger. It is for sure something new for your arsenal.

These burgers are pretty much a normal burger with a tomatoes sauce however, the meat itself has some of the seasonings from some of the kebab meats which make it definitely stand out.

Many of these restaurants are located close to the city’s main attractions. If you’re visiting for the first time, our Istanbul travel guide covers the top sights to see nearby.

Feast on a 7 hour slow cooked Beef Brisket at Meat Moot

As you head down on Istiklal street head over to Meat Moot. They have several venues but we popped in hear by chance and man, we did not regret it!

First you are greeted with a fresh cup of lemonade and you’re offered to take a serving number. When your number is called, head over to one of the cooks. They will ask you which cut of meat you prefer. You can say anything from any animal except pork, of course.

We opted for the beef brisket as I knew it from my travels in Atlanta to be a good cut for slow cooking. You then try a mouthful of it and choose how much grammage you want. Minimum order is 500 grams.

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You then pay and sit down at your preferred table. You hand over the receipt to the waiter and they’ll bring the meat alongside an unlimited selection of sides and non-alcoholic drinks of your choice.

We had salads, potatoes, various sauces and a few soft drinks. However, the meat, which is the star of the show is simply divine! Succulent, tender and well seasoned makes you want to eat it and do a dance of happiness with your feet under the table.

Revitalise from a Vitamin Bar

Alongside Istanbul you will see plenty of Vitamin Bars. They offer a lot of variety in terms of fruit for your juices. Once you choose your cup size, they will squeeze your fruits and make you your juice.

Istanbulites seems to prefer pomegranate juices as they are naturally sweet and refreshing on a hot summer’s day. I tried it myself and I felt it was pretty good with a slight sweet tone.

Best Local Places to Eat in Istanbul

Enjoy a quiet dinner at Mivan

Mivan Restaurant is a local neighbourhood restaurant offering classic Turkish cuisine. It is situated in the Old Istanbul area and can be a good option if you want something close to your hotel.

The food is cooked well, staff are friendly however, they don’t offer any alcoholic drinks.

I had the Adana kebab served on a toasted slice of bread with rich Turkish yoghurt and Hristina tried a soup. All very well cooked though we would’ve liked to enjoy a beer at the end of a 30 000 steps day.

Many of these restaurants serve classic Turkish dishes such as Adana kebab and döner, which we cover in our things to eat in Istanbul guide.

Explore Istanbul’s Food Scene With a Local Guide

If you’re short on time or want to skip the guesswork, a guided food tour is one of the easiest ways to experience some of the best places to eat in Istanbul in a single evening.

Famous Places to Eat in Istanbul

Eat at the famous Nusr-Et Steakhouse Sandal Bedesteni

You’ve seen Nusret or a.k.a. SaltBae everywhere on all social media platforms. From slapping steaks to sprinkling salt from above he’s become a sensation.

Although there is a Nusret Steakhouse in London we decided with our trip to Istanbul to pay a visit here instead. We visited Nusr-Et Steakhouse Sandal Bedesteni as the Turkish restaurants are a much better value for money when compared to their Western counterparts.

We decided to opt for the more theatrical dishes and so did some research beforehand. We opted for the Nusret Sushi for starters. We continued with the Nusret Special which was truly special and the Nusret Special Salad.

A steak cooked in front of your eyes in butter served with baguette slices for added texture. The show was equally good and worth filming. The waiters seem to encourage this, ultimately, it is free publicity.

We finished with, of course, a baklava. Instead of the kaymak, the waiter puts a traditional Turkish ice cream ball which makes it extra luxurious.

For the show and everything, we didn’t think the bill was too much and paid somewhere under £140 for 2 people and 3 courses accompanied by drinks. Definitely worth a visit in our eyes.

Eat Like a Local in Istanbul

Try the Beef Skewers at Kasap Sakir

If you even remotely see yourself as a steak lover, then this is the place for you. Although Nusret’s was good, part of the bill is the entertainment side of things.

At Kasap Sakir, this is pure good cookery. Firstly, you go to the counter and choose the cuts of meat you want and how you want them cooked.

Lastly you can order your sides and start enjoying the feast. Prices are 1/3 from Nusret and the food is honest and good. The steakhouse is fairly far out from the main touristic areas, 30 mins on the T1 tram line is a small price to pay considering the high quality of food here.

One thing to look out for are the beef shashliks. Simply to die for!

Best Places for Desserts in Istanbul

Delight Yourself with Baklava at Köşkeroğlu’s

Köşkeroğlu is a popular chain of baklava shops in Istanbul. This is a family business and they like to keep a tight control over their baklava production. Smaller orders also mean better control over the end product and a very high customer satisfaction.

The baklava here is taken to an art and every single peace makes you ask for more. Crunchy, crisp, sweet, nutty and aromatic are what describe these baklavas.

Although we were full from dinner we still went ahead and ordered some carrot slice baklava. I was extra cheeky and got some kaymak also. It’s that good.

Try the Ultimate Baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu

Karaköy Güllüoğlu is where art meets baklava. We sincerely hope you can at least go here once in your lifetime. They have all types of baklava, from milky baklava to diabetic baklavas.

The history of the venue dates back when the Güllüoğlu brothers decided to part ways from the rest of the family business which also did baklava and set their mind on creating the best baklava Turkey has to offer.

We think they might’ve done it! The lamination of the many layers, the luxurious feel of the pastry sheets when they melt on your tongue followed by the rich nutty flavours, we think this is close to nirvana as far as baklavas go.

Traditional Cafes & Shisha Spots

Çorlulu Ali Pasha Madrasa

Behind the Çorlulu Ali Pasha Mosque you will be able to find one of Istanbul’s best kept secrets. A series of shisha cafes situated in what it used to be an old scholars courtyard. We tried all of the cafes and we think the one with the red sofas is the best.

Some might say, the best things are always behind a mosque or a church.

Here you can try different cafes and sit and enjoy a reinvigorating cup of Turkish tea with your preferred shisha flavour. We always go or mint and grape as it keeps the flavour going for longer.

You will find that this place is a no fuss place, laid back, it serves drinks and shishas, and that’s it!

Final Thoughts

From cheap street food stalls to restaurants with a view overlooking the Bosphorus, Istanbul’s dining scene caters to all budgets and tastes. Whether you’re looking to eat like a local or enjoy a more premium dining experience, the city offers a wide range of options worth exploring.

Looking for more ideas on what to see and do while you’re in the city? Take a look at our guide to the best things to do in Istanbul for must-visit attractions and local tips.