Best Restaurants in Istanbul 2026
From kebabs to street food to fine dining — taste the best of Istanbul.
| Restaurant | Area | Cuisine | Price | Rating | Must Try |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zübeyir Ocakbaşı Legendary ocakbaşı grill. Watch skilled chefs prepare kebabs over charcoal. | Beyoğlu | Kebab & Grill | $$ | ★ 4.7 | Adana Kebab & Pide |
| Şehzade Cağ Kebap Authentic Eastern Turkish cağ kebab — slow-roasted lamb on a horizontal rotisserie. | Sultanahmet | Kebab | $ | ★ 4.5 | Cağ Kebab |
| Balıkçı Sabahattin Istanbul's finest seafood restaurant near the Blue Mosque. | Sultanahmet | Seafood | $$$ | ★ 4.6 | Grilled Sea Bass & Meze |
| Çiya Sofrası Chef Musa Dağdeviren revives forgotten Anatolian recipes. | Kadıköy | Traditional | $$ | ★ 4.8 | Daily Changing Stews |
| Tarihi Karaköy Balık Ekmek The iconic Istanbul fish sandwich by the Galata Bridge. | Karaköy | Street Food | $ | ★ 4.3 | Balık Ekmek (Fish Sandwich) |
| Kumpir Row — Ortaköy Giant loaded baked potatoes, a Bosphorus-side tradition. | Beşiktaş | Street Food | $ | ★ 4.2 | Kumpir with Mixed Toppings |
| Van Kahvaltı Evi Over 20 dishes: fresh cheeses, honey, kaymak, and eggs. | Beyoğlu | Breakfast | $$ | ★ 4.6 | Full Turkish Breakfast Spread |
| Mikla Scandinavian-Anatolian fusion on the 18th floor with Golden Horn panorama. | Beyoğlu | Fine Dining | $$$$ | ★ 4.8 | Tasting Menu |
| Nusr-Et Steakhouse Salt Bae's original steakhouse with theatrical presentation. | Beşiktaş | Fine Dining | $$$$ | ★ 4.4 | Ottoman Steak |
| Asmalı Cavit Classic meyhane — rakı, meze, and live music. Pure Istanbul soul. | Beyoğlu | Meyhane | $$ | ★ 4.5 | Meze Selection with Rakı |
| Hafız Mustafa 1864 Historic dessert shop since 1864. Handmade baklava and Ottoman confections. | Sultanahmet | Dessert | $$ | ★ 4.7 | Pistachio Baklava & Künefe |
| Karabatak Hidden specialty coffee spot through a secret bookshelf door. | Karaköy | Café | $$ | ★ 4.4 | Turkish Coffee & Cheesecake |