Places to eat in Istanbul Ili

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Probably the best burger in Istanbul.They have 5 different burgers like izi,mexican,laz,hangover and vegeterian.We had izi and hangover both were delicious.The owner izi and his partner are really helpful and fun people.You may also have your beer on side!

Favorite Dish: izi and hangover

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Six years back when I first came to Istanbul, I already spotted this local eatery (lokanta), I took several meals from here and since then whenever I come to Istanbul and stay or drop by Grand Bazaar I always eat delicious local fare at Sar. Lokantasi (pronounced SHAR).

Back then, I only saw very few tourists dining in, now and may be recently there are lots of torists - asians and europeans hanging out on the second floor salon. That's because their food is delicious and very affordable, aside from very sanitary, and most of all you don't have to wait, get your tray and just point at what food you want from the display - am not a fan of fine dining that starved me from waiting. Add to that the friendly staff.

It's located just opposite the Grand Bazaar entrance on the other side of the road beside the Beyazit Tram Station.

*Update: when I dine in recently (June 2011), they looked like they've became popular that the food costs a bit more expensive than it used to be, i.e. I used to pay less than TL10, now it was almost TL20 for the same set of meals. And it has lost its local-eatery feel to the place, it became like geared more towards the tourists lot.

Favorite Dish: kebab, many i don't even know the name.

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Dine in or dine al fresco, the Makarna Sarayi is a tourists' favorite restaurant. They have two floors (or 3?) indoor dining, lots of spaces, and there are about 3 tables just along the street in front of the restaurant if you feel like watching people while dining -- or being watched(?), or order a doner or shawarma and seat beside the podium of the Column of Constantine which is just beside the restaurant.

They serve pasta sort of neopolitan with different shapes that you can mix and match, mezzes are mixable too. There's a sharma just beside the entrance and fresh squeezed orange juice or pomegrenate. Variety on meals on display. Very reasonably priced and budget-friendly.

Meals costs an average of TL8, pasta 4.

Staff are friendly.

Favorite Dish: pasta, mezzes

Located on Nevizade - if you have trouble locating this street just ask. We went on  Friday night - the whole area was jam packed with people - real riotous scene - quite fun and light hearty. Yes, you will be approached by numerous restaurants asking you to dine at their establishment. I can't tell you about the quality of the other places.There is seating outside at Boncuk but I don't believe they take reservations - just get there early on a friday or Saturday night. We ordered a flurry of mezes, salad (my friends thought the dressing was a bit too vinegary but the produce was very good) and a bottle of raki. The calamari here was doughy and chewy. Mezes dish prices ranged from 2.000.000 to 6.000.000.  For the life of me - I can't remember if we had main dishes - I just remember us devouring the mezzes, mainly because we had been with guides all day and were ravenous.  

This hotel is huge - does not have the intimate scale that the Four Seasons has but it was a palace in it former life.  Situated on the bosphorus - -live farsi music playing. My friends and I did the tasting menu (89.000.000 TL). The quality of the meal was very good - the service was attentive. Jacket was required yet numerous people arrived casually dressed - which may have detracted from the evening. The Turkish Merlot we had was fantastic. Make sure to walk around the grounds. I believe there is also a Sunday brunch outside on the terrace

Favorite Dish: Pan-fried “lor” cheese sauteed with black olives and char-coaled red bell pepper; Ottoman style braised lamb with dried plum and apricot, served with pilaf rice ; sea bass, dorado and grouper cold stew prepared with Ottoman style garnishes

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It is very small, simple but nice restaurant. After you walke around nice houses of Kuzguncuk you may rest at this cute restaurant and eat delicious local food. I especially advice for the breakfast.
Open Mon –Fri 7.30 – 8pm, weekends 8-8pm. No alcohol

Favorite Dish: Fasulye+pilav

My friends and I asked the owner of the beauty salon we visited for one of the best seafood restaurant in Istanbul They recommended that we go to Kalamar Restaurant. When we found the street and asked some folks if they knew the restaurant, everybody seemed to know it and in no time, we were inside the restaurant. The place is frequented by locals and a few tourists who most likely have heard about this place. The food is grrrrreat! We even had live music (the guests joined the musicians who came in).

Favorite Dish: all the sorts of fish we ordered! and we had scampis too.

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Istanbul: Kumkapi fish restaurants are located in the center set up on the meat and fish restaurant Kumkapi are trying to give the best service. Spouse rare freshness and flavor of seafood you can find every kind of restaurant Kumkapi.

Quality service with fish, seafood, specialty appetizers and drinks with desired size peaceful hours we can live.

Here let's celebrate together on Kumkapi Restaurant...
212517625 www.kumkapirestauranttuncay.com

Favorite Dish: seafood, specialty appetizers and drinks ...