While traveling, figuring out the day-to-day sightseeing activities can be easy, but determining the best places to eat can be a challenge. In this guide I share the best places to dine in Istanbul - from coffee shops to high-end restaurants to hole-in-the-wall dessert spots. Upon purchase, you'll receive my curated list of 25 places to dine while you're in Istanbul, Turkey!

İstanbul, Türkiye

Ultimate Restaurant Guide to Istanbul, Turkiye

Thank you for purchasing my Ultimate Restaurant Guide to Istanbul! In this guide you'll find my curated list of 25 places to dine while you're in Istanbul, separated by categories below. As a food lover, one of my favorite parts of traveling is trying all the local food. I try my best to avoid tourist traps and like to sample food from the most authentic and local places. I've compiled this list after living in Istanbul for nearly a year and discovering the best spots for myself - and now I'm sharing that with you!

Nicole is a high-end restaurant serving contemporary Turkish cuisine. In October 2022, they received 1 Michelin Star, highlighting the elevated experience and quality of food served. 

Situated in a historic hammam (Turkish bathhouse), Lokanta 1741 is a beautiful restaurant featuring a seasonal coursed-menu. Be sure to reserve a table outside for a stunning view of the hammam - it feels like a hidden oasis within the city. 

Bohem's Coffee is one of my favorite coffee shops in Istanbul. It takes you out of the hustle and bustle of the city and into a vintage, bohemian oasis. The coffee shop consists of two floors of a beautifully-designed space with a cozy seat by a picture window upstairs. 

Turkey is a huge country with cuisine that varies based on the region. When I traveled around Turkey for two weeks, I realized how different the food tasted in each city. There are many types of regional restaurants in Istanbul to experience the varied cuisine of Turkey - outside of just Istanbul!

If you're visiting Turkey, you must try traditional Turkish coffee. Turkish coffee is made of very finely ground coffee beans, and is also much thicker and more fragrant than other types of coffee.

The owner and rest of the staff are all so friendly and welcoming and make you feel at home - which is what I search for in a coffee shop. Their coffee selection is great - my personal favorite is the Dark Chocolate Raspberry Mocha. :)

Mandabatmaz is a famous cafe known for their amazing Turkish coffee. This is a must try on your trip to Istanbul! 

Müz Botanik & Kahve is a coffee shop tucked away on a back street in one of my favorite neighborhoods in Istanbul: Cihangir. 

Cihangir is famous for their dreamy coffee shops, bookstores, and antique shops, and makes for a perfect afternoon stroll and break at a cafe. Müz Botanik & Kahve is a beautifully-designed coffee shop with a wonderful atmosphere and great coffee. 

Istanbul has a huge coffee culture, and oftentimes you'll see locals posted up at a cafe for hours at a time as they chat over multiple rounds of tea (chay) and coffee (kahve). Here are my three favorite coffee shops in the city. 

Michelin announced its first ever Michelin Guide in Istanbul in October 2022, with 53 restaurants across the city making the list. 1 restaurant even recieved 2 Michelin stars! With that being said, fine dining is widespread across the city, and there are many places to have a fancy dinner in Istanbul; here are my top 3 favorites.

They serve elevated Turkish cuisine amidst a beautiful setting. The staff are professional and friendly, and the drinks are also amazing!

Tugra Restaurant is one of my favorites in Istanbul. The restaurant is located inside of an ancient Ottoman palace, with a beautiful view of the water. Be sure to reserve a table outside for the best experience.

They serve elevated Turkish cuisine. The menu was perfectly curated and the staff are helpful and friendly. The vibe is elegant and you can even walk through the palace after your meal and take in the beauty and history. 

You'll indulge in amazing food while you take in the views of the city on their rooftop terrace. Be sure to book a reservation in advance!

Located close to the Grand Bazaar and easy to miss, Fahri Usta is a local favorite in Istanbul. The small restaurant serves local Turkish favorites in the most authentic way. 

If you're visiting Istanbul, you must try kebab at least one time! It's famous here and you can find it everywhere from high-end restaurants to local favorites. Here are my top 3 recommendations. 

Nusret Steakhouse is one of my favorite places to eat meat in Istanbul. You've probably seen the famous "Salt Bae" meme that went viral across the internet a few years back. Istanbul is home to the original Nusret Steakhouse - and since that viral meme, locations have popped up around the world.

It's worth going alone for the experience and upbeat atmosphere. They cook and serve most of the food right at your table, and put on a fun show while doing it. The meat they serve tastes amazing and high-quality. You can even get Wagyu steak here for a good price.

Right down the street from Nusret is Etiler Kebabci. This is a local favorite serving Turkish-style kebabs and large platters of grilled meat and veggies.

Compared to Nusret, the atmosphere is a bit quieter and more intimate, as they don't prepare the food at your table. Though the high-end vibe and flavors are unmatched. 

If you're looking for a more local kebab spot, Akcanlar Ocakbasi is your place. Tucked away in the back streets behind Taksim, this restaurant takes you away from the hustle & bustle of the city for an amazing meal.

They have a large grill right inside the restaurant where you can watch the chef prepare and cook your kebabs. They have many types of kebabs to try from regions all across Turkey. The staff are friendly and kind and make you feel right at home. 

Dining at local spots during your trip to Istanbul (or anywhere really) is a must! It's a nice way to experience a greater sense of authenticity and see beyond the typical touristy places.  

Situated in a simple setting, Karaköy Çorba Evi is said to serve some of the best soup in Istanbul. If you're a soup lover, you will love this place as they only serve soup on the menu. They have many types to choose from with seasonal options like pumpkin during the fall.

Since it's a local spot you can expect to pay much less than you would at other places. 

Again since it's a local spot, you will pay much less than at other places in the city.

Istanbul is an international city that joins both the East and the West sides of the world. Because of this, there's no shortage of both Asian & European international options. However not all are great or worth going to. When I arrived in Istanbul, I was on a mission to discover the best international food in the city. Here are my favorites!

One of the best parts about traveling is trying the local cuisine. Turkey is an international meeting point between the East and the West, and because of this, the local food in Istanbul is varied and delicious. The best way to try the local food in Istanbul is to sample street food from the local vendors. 

In this guide, I share the top 10 best street foods to try in Istanbul on your next visit. I'll give you recommendations on the best food to try, the most famous vendors to visit, as well as tourist traps you'll want to avoid. 

Ultimate Restaurant Guide to Istanbul, Turkiye

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