Places to eat in Istanbul

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This is one of many similar places along the little streets that run off Divan Yolu near the Sultanahmet tram station. I came here on my first night in the city and was warmly welcomed not only by the waiter but also by a burning electric heater that was pointed straight at me from across the table as I chose to sit outside (well it was a rather chilly night at the end of December!). Anyway, I had an OK lamb shish kebab which came with rice, salad, pepper and puffed up bread that has air in it. Other dishes from their menu include Adana kebab, grilled meat ball, chicken shish kebab, veggie kebabs, steaks etc.

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Dining In Istanbul is a great experience. With a large selection of local turkish and other cultures to choose from, spend a different meal at a different place for an allround enjoyable dining experience.

Tucked away in an ancient caravanserai, Yağcı Han, by Kapalıçarşı (the Grand Bazaar), Bahar is an unpretentious, modest restaurant serving excellent home-style Turkish food. Although naturally tourists have found their way here, locals still make up a good portion of the clientele (a good indication). It has two small cafeteria-style dining rooms (see photo) and waiters hardly speak any English. There is no real menu because it changes daily, depending on what the kitchen produces. Fortunately, one is able to look at the delicious food to make one's choice. Bahar was recommended to us by a shopkeeper at the Grand Bazaar and makes a perfect place for lunch on a shopping day. Do not miss out on dessert! (try kemal paşa, if they have it). Bahar is located near the Nuruosmaniye entrance of the Grand Bazaar.

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Located next to the Church of St Saviour in Chora (Kariye Camii Müzesi), the elegant Asitane Restaurant serves excellent Turkish cuisine. Actually, Asitane claims to serve Imperial Ottoman cuisine, not Turkish, emphasising the fact that its recipes are much older and more authentic than what is currently being cooked in modern Turkey's kitchens. A lot of research related to Ottoman cuisine was conducted prior to the opening of the restaurant in 1991. Regardless, Ottoman or Turkish, I had an excellent lunch here after I visited the Chora Church and will not forget the delicious cabbage stuffed with chestnuts. This was one of the best meals I had in Istanbul (after Beyti, of course), so I highly recommend having a meal here before or after your visit to the adjacent church-mosque-museum. Asitane Restaurant is part of Kariye Hotel, a boutique hotel housed in a 19th century Ottoman building. In warmer months, outdoor seating is available.

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In existence for more than 50 years, the award winning Beyti Restaurant is an establishment in Istanbul. Its reputation and delicious cuisine has made it a destination restaurant for many, among them celebrities and politicians, including Sylvie Vartan, Jacques Chirac and Jimmy Carter. By far, this is the best and most authentic Turkish meal one could have in Istanbul. The drawback is that Beyti is located in Florya, an upscale residential neighbourhood near the airport, about 20-30 minutes from downtown Istanbul. The distance deters most tourists, but not locals, for its exquisite food is well worth the trip. If your flight out of Istanbul is close to a lunch or dinner, then consider coming here before going to the airport. The staff would be happy to keep your luggage and call you a taxi to take you to the airport afterwards (only 5-10 minutes away). The restaurant is large enough that a reservation may not be necessary.

It is in the Topkapı gardens, so great for a break from trekking around in the heat. Get there early tho'.

It has been there since 1897, so I guess it has a pedigree. Locals recommend it.

The views over the sea are brilliant.

Favorite Dish: Only went once, and I remember it all looked good.

You dont have to get on a flight and go to Antakya to have this gourmet cuisine : The restaurant is right located in Balat and promise you a yummmy experience :)

Kebab cuisine is centered in the East Mediterranean cities of Antakya, adana, Tarsus and Mersin, with Tarsus and Adana being the leading cities of the four. The process of preparing the mincemeat in Mersin and Antakya is similar to that in Adana and Tarsus. In these cities, the meat is chopped into mincemeat with two knives. One of these is pointed and the other is oval and about 25-30 cm in length. These knives held traversely as the meat is chopped.
The kebab is accompanied by onions with sumac, parsley, cress, radishes and a salad of finely minced tomatoes, peppers, onions and pomegranate molasses and must be companied by "Salgam" drink.

The "Giritli Restaurant" hosts its guests in an old restored Sultanahmet house, serving healthy fresh fish and delicious appetizers. The summer location of the Giritli Istanbul Restaurant is right next door to the Armada, across the street from the main restaurant. The rustic garden setting in this urban location provides a relaxing setting for an outdoor evening dining experience.