Places to eat in Istanbul

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Soooooo yummy "Pide", a very local Turkish dish ... :)

Pide, which can be made with minced meat (together with onion, chopped tomatoes, parsley and spices), kashar cheese, spinach, white cheese, pieces of meat, braised meat (kavurma), sucuk, pastırma or/and eggs put on rolled-out dough, is one of the most common traditional stone-baked Turkish specialities.

This little family run restaurant serves since 1974, no branches at all, very well known by locals for its delicious "Pide".

Without comprimising quality with the integridents they use such as butter, cheese and so on, very tasty and hygenic preparation of the foods.

Strongly recommended for you for a lunch or dinner time ... :)

We visited Imbat Restaurant for a romantic meal with a beautiful view as recommended by thousands of Internet reviews. We weren't disappointed. We made reservations through the website a few days in advance and were offered the perfect table right in the corner of huge windows providing what has to be one of the nicest restaurant views in Istanbul. The lights on the Galata Bridge change and flash in colourful patterns at night. My pictures don't at all do it justice. We went in the winter; I bet the terrace is totally amazing in summer.

The food, described as Turkish Aegean cuisine, was great. The meze plate for two is delicious, and the Aegean salad was one of my favorite dishes of my trip. I had Captain Pasha's stew for an entree which was very good. My partner thought the Imbat Kebab was okay, not especially memorable. We would pass on the dessert for two next time. The service was really perfect, and our server suggested a really nice Turkish wine. Thanks to Imbat Restaurant, and Istanbul, for one of the most romantic meals we've ever had.

Favorite Dish: The Aegean salad with grilled Halloumi cheese... lots of texture and flavour on a bed of fresh vegetables.

We ate at Pasazade Restaurant on our first night ever in Istanbul, and made our decision because we wanted someplace easy but still a bit formal and it was right across from Hotel Sultania where we stayed. It ended up being a great decision, and one of the best meals we ate during our trip. They serve Ottoman dishes like meats and fish in spicy sauces, kebabs and stews. The meal got off to a great start with a free meze of cheese, olive oil, and three kinds of bread. Our entrees were delicious: I had a "mahmudiye", a chicken dish in a sweet stew over rice, and my husband had the meatball kebab with nice fluffy fresh pita bread. The manager gave us a free layer cake dessert because it was someone at the restaurant's birthday. The service was very good, to a degree where we felt almost awkward, but have since realized that this level of attentiveness is common enough in Istanbul. I thought the decor was a bit cheesy but otherwise the atmosphere was quite nice and I really enjoyed the music. Overall, we had a delicious meal that set the bar high for the rest of the great food we had during our trip.

Favorite Dish: The kebab entree was a refined and very delicious version of a dish we had so many times since that night.

Havuzlu is a well-known place located within The Grand Bazaar serving what we thought was really tasty Turkish food. The host shows you the options of dishes that are available that day including kebabs, vegetables, chickpeas and rice, and then you order them from your table. The food is priced like a tourist restaurant as you would expect but there were no added charges or tricks on our bill. This place was one of our favourite of the more tourist-oriented restaurants we visited in Istanbul and I would totally recommend stopping off for lunch as a nice break from shopping at The Bazaar.

Favorite Dish: The adana kebab and the spinach with yogurt were our favorites.

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As the Restaurant Özler was located just across the street from our hotel, we met here quite a few times in the late evening for a beer, which with 7 TYR was reasonably priced. One evening we even enjoyed dinner here.

The restaurant has indoor seatings on several floors. At the top of the building a completely covered rooftop terrace can be found. It is equipped with large cushions as seats. Outdoor seating is available as well, but wasn't really an option in December.

The menu offers a variety of Turkish meals from fish and meat dishes to all sorts of kebaps. I ordered the lamb shish (kuzu sis) for 25 TYR.

As starters our group shared the mixed starters plate (ordovr tabagi, 20 TYR) and yoghurt with cucumber (cacik, 8 TYR). Everything was tasty, so that I was quite satisfied with my choice.

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Before we headed off to the football match of Fenerbahce Istanbul vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach we chose the Restaurant Kasap Osman for our late lunch.

The restaurant name translates as "Osman the butcher", so this also gives you an idea what they are specialised in: All sorts of typical Turkish meat meals. They have both indoor and outdoor seatings. As it was December we prefered to sit inside.

I opted for a Döner (12 TYR), which consisted of thin slices of lamb, rice, vegetables and pitta bread. To drink I had a Cola for 3 TYR. As starters we got a plate with mixed vegetables, yogurt with cucumber and some bread free of charge.

The dishes were excellent and I would definitely go here again.

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One early afternoon we visited Restaurant Odessa just for a drink. The 4-storey restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating. In December 2012 we chose the place due to the panoramic views of the Sirkeci and Sultanahmet districts from the upper levels of the restaurant.

We ordered a round of Efes beers for 8 TRY each and enjoyed the views. The restaurant seems to be specialised in local fish dishes, but other Turkish meals are available as well. I can't comment on the quality of the food, but at least the beer was tasty.

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One evening I enjoyed a nice VT dinner meeting with the local VT member revontulet (Sibel) and a workmate of hers.

ADA Cafe was suggested as the meeting location. Ada is the Turkish word for island. The place was a book shop in the past, but has been extended by a modern cafe and restaurant in 2007. This mixture offers an interesting atmosphere.

The menu lists a variety of international dishes with a Turkish touch. I opted for the Ada Chef's Special (Ada Sef Spesiyal), which consisted of a chicken breast with potatoes and vegetables (22 TYR). To drink I had a big beer (12 TYR).

After dinner I enjoyed a Salep drink (9 TYR), which is a hot Turkish winter milk drink with the flour of the tubers of wild orchids.

Everything was very yummy and the evening was another funny and entertaining VT meeting experience.