Eat in Karaköy, Istanbul

Karaköy Lokantası ★ 4.5

The teal-tiled Karaköy Lokantası, Bib Gourmand listed in the Michelin Guide, runs an Ottoman-leaning lunch lokanta downstairs and a meyhane upstairs at night.

Signature: Lakerda, Hünkar beğendi, Lamb shank

Akın Balık ★ 4.0

Akın Balık in Karaköy's fish-market arcade, a waterside lokanta where the waiter walks guests to the ice display to pick the catch and pulls four meze.

Signature: Grilled bonito, Cold meze tray, Sea bass

Neolokal 1 ★ ★ 4.8

Chef Maksut Aşkar's Michelin-starred kitchen inside SALT Galata, reviving forgotten Anatolian ingredients on a tasting menu that won the 2026 Michelin.

Karaköy Güllüoğlu ★ 4.7

Karaköy Güllüoğlu has rolled phyllo baklava since 1949 at one Rıhtım Caddesi counter near Galataport, Nadir Güllü's pistachio version the canonical Istanbul.

Signature: Fıstıklı baklava, Şöbiyet, Kadayıf

Karabatak Karaköy ★ 4.4

Karabatak in Karaköy, a high-ceilinged ex-metal-workshop cafe pouring Austrian Julius Meinl espresso and salep across two floors below Galata.

Signature drink: Julius Meinl espresso

Karaköy Güllüoğlu ★ 4.8

Karaköy Güllüoğlu, the one-counter Rıhtım Caddesi baklava emporium across from Galataport, has filled the Güllü family's pistachio version since 1949.

Worth the queue: Pistachio baklava

Karabatak Roastery ★ 4.3

Karabatak in Karaköy, a converted metal-workshop cafe-roastery pouring imported Julius Meinl beans alongside its own house roasts in the old port quarter.

Sources from: Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia

How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail

Karaköy Güllüoğlu Counter ★ 4.6

Karaköy Güllüoğlu's takeout counter on Rıhtım, where the Güllü family has cut pistachio baklava by the half kilo since 1949 for a queue that moves fast.

Try: Pistachio baklava

Karaköy Balık Pazarı ★ 4.3

Karaköy Balık Pazarı in the Perşembe Pazarı arcades, a 30-stall daily fish market where Bosphorus boats land at dawn and the better Karaköy lokantas shop.

Mükellef Karaköy ★ 4.4

Mükellef in Karaköy under chef Arda Türkmen, a Turkish-cuisine kitchen with a Bosphorus terrace doing a modern weekend brunch with menemen and Karaköy.

Order: Menemen and the Karaköy kahvaltı tabağı

Karaköy Güllüoğlu ★ 4.6

Karaköy Güllüoğlu, the 1949 baklava counter on Rıhtım still cutting pistachio baklava with a scoop of clotted cream until midnight for after-dinner Karaköy.

Try: Pistachio baklava with kaymak

Frankhan ★ 4.5

Frankhan on Kemankeş Caddesi in Karaköy opened in 2023 inside a 19th-century warehouse near the harbour, a 1,000-capacity music venue with a Funktion-style.

Tip: Two rooms: the main floor runs DJ and live programming, the Sound Room is the intimate seat. Tram to Karaköy is a five-minute walk; cab back is fastest later.

Nardis Jazz Club ★ 4.6

Nardis Jazz Club on Galata Kulesi Sokak below the tower has run since 2002 as the Istanbul jazz reference, a basement room booking local and international.

Tip: Concerts from 21:30 every night except Sunday; reservations held until 21:15. Cash entry plus card behind the bar; Şişhane Metro is two blocks.

The Bank Roof Bar ★ 4.4

The Bank Roof Bar on top of the 19th-century former bank building on Bankalar Caddesi in Karaköy looks across the Golden Horn at the Old City.

Tip: Lift through the lobby of The Bank Hotel; arrive before sunset for a Topkapı and Hagia Sophia rail seat. Karaköy tram is two blocks.

Sensus Wine Boutique ★ 4.4

Sensus Wine Boutique on Büyük Hendek Caddesi behind the Galata Tower runs an underground stone-vaulted cellar bar with more than 350 Turkish.

Tip: Below the Anemon Galata Hotel; the cellar fills first. The in-house sommelier picks the by-the-glass flights. Cash bar runs faster than card.