Çiya Sofrası ★ 4.8
Chef Musa Dağdeviren's culinary-anthropology lokanta in Kadıköy market, plating regional Turkish dishes drawn from his fieldwork since 1998.
SignatureKebap of the day, Forgotten Anatolian stews, Vegetarian dolma
The restaurants worth the trip in Istanbul. bistros, neo-classics, neighbourhood favourites, and the rooms locals book first.
Our picks in 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.
SignatureLakerda, Hünkar beğendi, Lamb shank
Develi1912 Samatya ★ 4.4
Develi has fired Gaziantep kebabs at its Samatya address for decades, the canonical Istanbul pistachio kebap stop behind the old Marmara walls.
SignatureFıstıklı kebap, Içli köfte, Antep katmer
Antiochia ★ 4.5
Antiochia in Asmalımescit cooks the kebabs and mezze of Antakya, Turkey's Levant border city, on a tight Beyoğlu side-street menu of southeastern grills.
SignatureCiğer kebap, Künefe, Hatay-style hummus
Hayvore ★ 4.4
Hayvore tucked off Istiklal, cooking the corn-bread, anchovies and smoky bean stews of the Black Sea since 2009 in a noisy steam-table lokanta close.
SignatureHamsi pilav, Muhlama, Karadeniz pidesi
Yakup 2 ★ 4.4
Yakup 2 on Asmalı Mescit Sokak, the Yakup Arslan meyhane founded in 1977 after seventeen years at Refik next door, multi-time winner of best-meyhane awards.
SignatureTopik, Arnavut ciğeri, Kuzu pirzola
Madam Despina ★ 4.3
Madam Despina in old Tatavla, the 1946 Rum meyhane opened by Despina Bademciyan from Gökçeada and still pouring rakı in the grape-leaf garden.
SignatureArnavut ciğeri, Köfte in tomato sauce, Topik
Boncuk ★ 4.3
Boncuk on Nevizade Sokak in Beyoğlu's Balık Pazarı, the Armenian-leaning meyhane built around topik with chickpeas and tahini, kısır bulgur cakes.
SignatureTopik, Kısır, Snapper kebabı
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.
SignatureGrilled bonito, Cold meze tray, Sea bass
Lokanta 1741 ★ 4.3
Lokanta 1741 beside the 300-year-old Cağaloğlu Hammam, a Michelin-listed modern Turkish dining room with a terrace overlooking the hammam domes and seasonal.
SignatureSlow-cooked lamb, Aegean mezze, Saffron rice pudding
Asmalı Cavit ★ 4.3
Asmalı Cavit on Asmalı Mescit Caddesi, a 1990s-opened Beyoğlu meyhane where proprietor Cavit Bey works the room nightly over a mezze list led by smoked.
SignatureSmoked eggplant mezze, Albanian liver, Köfte in tomato sauce
Çiya Kebap ★ 4.4
Çiya Kebap, the original 1987 sister to Çiya Sofrası on the opposite side of Güneşlibahçe in Kadıköy market, fires kebabs, lahmacun and pide from a single.
SignaturePistachio kebap, Lahmacun, Pide
Book food experiences in Istanbul
Guided tour · 3 hours
Istanbul: Kadikoy Food Tour with 12+ Delicacies Tastings
Savor authentic Turkish dishes in vibrant Kadıköy. From lahmacun to menemen, coffee, and wine, discover the flavors, history, and traditions that make Istanbul a true ...
from$108 Check dates
Guided tour · 6 hours
Istanbul: Guided Old City Tour, Bosphorus Cruise, and Lunch
Explore Istanbul's Old City, enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch, and cruise along the Bosphorus Strait on this guided tour.
from$171 Check dates
Water activity · 5 hours
Istanbul: Bosphorus Strait and Black Sea Lunch Cruise
Escape the hustle and bustle of Istanbul with a half-day lunch cruise. Set sail on the Bosphorus Strait and the Black Sea, soak in views of the city landmarks, and sav...
from$171 Check dates