If you know where to look, the cobbled streets of Istanbul have hidden culinary delights at every turn. From street-side vendors serving world-famous kebab wraps to contemporary spins on Turkish dishes at innovative new restaurants, the city has mouthwatering food options at every corner.
Modern-day Turkish cuisine is a nod to the flavours of the Ottoman Empire: an amalgamation of tastes from the Middle East to the Balkans. Ranging from street food to high-end dining experiences, Istanbul offers cuisine to suit all kinds of palates.
Antiochia
Always packed because of its delicious food and reasonable prices, this restaurant in Beyoglu’s Asmalimescit area serves Southeast Turkish food, with cold and hot mezes and kebab dishes dominating the menu. Inspired by the food from the ancient city of Antakya in Hatay province, the cuisine here, while Turkish, mainly consists of Lebanese, Syrian and French flavours. Try to beat the dinner crowds by going in the early afternoon – even though seating is plentiful, it gets full quickly.
AhesteAlso in Asmalimescit, which has no shortage of good restaurants, Aheste (which means ‘without hurrying’), serves traditional mezes with a twist. A modern take on the Turkish meyhane (tavern), Aheste is a real lover of slow food and meze-style dishes made from organic ingredients. Vegetarians and pescatarians can choose from a variety of vegetable-only options on the menu, including artichoke confit and caramelised roast aubergine. If you’re unsure of what to try, go for the three-course tasting menu. Cosy seating, dim lighting, good acoustics and a great playlist make it the perfect place for dinner and conversation.
360 IstanbulThis multi-award-winning restaurant sits on top of a 19th-century building, offering sweeping panoramic views of Istanbul. The menu presents modern twists on Turkish meze cuisine, as well as much-loved favourites from around the world. Try one of the alternative pizzas, such as the 360 decadence with lobster, salmon, dill, golden caviar and cherry tomato. The dessert selection is famously good, and after a meal the bar and club provide tempting cocktails and great live music.
Asitane Restaurant
A favourite among travellers, Asitane Restaurant has dedicated its kitchen to reviving the forgotten cuisine of the Ottoman Palace. The restaurant is set in an enchanting location in Edirnekapi, lying in the shadow of the mesmerising Chora Church. The restaurant uses traditional cooking methods and prides itself on the research that has been undertaken to rediscover more than 200 lost recipes; some of the methods used are over 500 years old. The seasonal menu items are accompanied by the date of the invention of the dish, such as the savoury meat patties (1764). A fascinating journey through Turkish gastronomy, Asitane Restaurant is a must for those interested in food history.
Beyaz FirinAfter its humble beginnings as a simple simit (sesame-crusted bread) shop in the 1800s in Istanbul’s Balat neighbourhood, Beyaz Firin became a wartime bakery during World War I that survived by selling almond cookies as postwar rations. It then expanded into a bakery-café, and is today one of the most popular dessert and breakfast spots in the city, spread across eight locations, and serving both sweet and savoury items. Enjoy an excellent selection of both Turkish and international breakfast and brunch options at the Etiler Firin and Brasserie location. The shop tries to use as many locally sourced products as possible and offers a variety of options, including gluten-free.
NicoleFor modern and innovative Mediterranean cuisine and a fine-dining experience in Istanbul, Nicole is the restaurant to visit. Helmed by a Cordon Bleu-trained chef, this rooftop restaurant offers one of two menus to choose from, along with a carefully selected list of domestic and international wines, including bottles from the Anatolia and Aegean regions. Try the anchovy tartare, octopus in lentils, and fennel and tangerine sorbet, while enjoying sprawling views of the Old Town and the Princes’ Islands. Originally a Franciscan monastery until the early 20th century, Nicole is now one of the chicest places to dine in the city. It is located in the happening Tomtom neighbourhood of Beyoglu, above Tomtom Suites hotel, and you can make reservations online.
Balkan LokantasiThis no-frills canteen-style restaurant offers homestyle Turkish food at very affordable prices. Serving lunch and dinner, this lokanta (restaurant) in the main Besiktas market is the place to quickly fuel up with a warm meal and continue your exploration. Pick up a tray and get in line with the rest of the hungry patrons, who sometimes queue outside for this food. You can start with a soup before heading down to fill your plate up with rice, bulgur and a main, including grilled chicken, stuffed vegetables and kofta with potatoes. Balkan Lokantasi uses only the freshest ingredients, so the menu varies.