Istanbul Guide 🇹🇷

Jan 27, 2026

Istanbul is one of my favorite gastronomic destinations , It takes time, it grows on you, & soon you’re addicted. These are some of my experiences.

Sehmuz Kebap Salonlu

My favorite, this straightforward Mardin Origin restaurant offers dining experience free of tourists or foodies . rather a place for real food enjoyed & done by real people. Here, townsfolk gather to dine & rejoice at this superb kebab house in a welcoming setting.

Hamdi

prominent Turkish food critic once said he prefers Hamdi Over Noma. Probably he was sarcastic , but I’d agree anyways , Hamdi, despite being touristy to the core , albeit a pleasant one . is unlikely to disappoint.

Kahraman Balickci

While it can’t rival the legendary turbot fishes of Getaria, when you find yourself in Istanbul, this is amongst the top places for seafood . The meal here is splendid, from tomato salad to turbot , all stands out .

Balat Sahil

One of the best Mezze , Turbot & Scorpion fish in town , nothing beats their house social , simple lemon butter sauce cooked with top quality fish , the result was splendid . It delivered on all fronts & the surprising part was the dessert , we didn’t order any but Ferruh gave us one on the house

Balickci Sabahitten

The bluefish here was genuinely outstanding almost Japanese in quality. The mezze were equally impressive, and the mussels with rice had the flavors of Medici Ahmets famous street snack , though presented in a far more refined setting. As for the Service , it was super

Kiyi Tarabiya

The service might be lacking, but the meal is somewhat minimalistic, with exceptionally fresh fish. It's all about substance, and they certainly deliver on that front . Interestingly, the service took a complete 180 degree turn once they received tips.

Fauna

Chef Ibrahim Tuna strikes me out as an eccentric culinary artisan. His subtle mastery of details shine through every dish. impressively managed to incorporate Turkish ingredients into Italian cuisine, a delicate balance that few can master. He truly deserves a major spotlight .

Ciya Sofrasi

Ciya Sofrasi captures the essence of Anatolian cuisine, delivering dishes that feel like heartfelt home cooking. The flavors & warm hospitality make every visit a memorable culinary journey. An absolute must for any gastronome.

Yeni Lokanta

is a gem that stands out with its incredible blend of Mediterranean & Turkish cuisine , a Neo Turkish Bistro if you will . The menu may be on the smaller side, but every dish is crafted to perfection , including desserts this place really shines

Alaf

A fresh take in the heart of Istanbul, this Neo Turkish bistro was a delightful dining experience The meal enjoyable, short menu , nothing fussy though it might not push culinary envelope but it’s good enough to leave a positive impression , specially their deconstructed Baqlava .

Mahir lokantasi

Dining at Mahir feels like being welcomed into someone's home. The atmosphere is lively, with opinionated regulars engaging in spirited manner over their concerns and compliments to the chef . The meal itself was delightful and made the entire experience enjoyable.

Akli Selim

Charming Turkish bistro with one of the most loveliest settings I've experienced. The ambiance is warm and inviting, The food is equally delicious, a perfect blend of authentic flavor & traditional Turkish grills

Sehzade Cag Kebab

Cag kebab basically means a Horizontally laid Doner as opposed to the traditional vertical one This one is more Smokey and fatty , quite delicious, almost like half bacon half Doner.

Guvenc Konyali

You can witness the essence of Konya cuisine here , only look past the theatrics of the chef This place buzzes with life, serving up stellar Firin Meat, Okra Stew, and Long Pide. Sure, it's a bit touristy. It's worth every bite.

Etli ekmek

At , the etli ekmek, a savory revelation, and the the ewe ( sheep ) yogurt , Mevlana börek Lamb Shanks , Pure, buttery bliss. This spot doesn't just serve food , it tells a story of Konya's rich, unpretentious culinary heritage.

OzDeveli Pide Salonlu

One of the best Pide in Istanbul , a perfect place for breakfast , brunch or lunch . The cheese and meat Pide both respectively delightful , as was the dessert tahini walnut Pide

Borisin Yeri

isn’t just a dairy shop; it’s a family run place that’s been a community staple since the early 20th century. Breakfast here is a bliss, The modest setting hides the depth of the food’s character. Honest and homey , the Honey , Kaymek & other Dairy products here steal the show

Koroglu et lokantasi

A truly authentic lokanta serving soulful, heart warming Black Sea regional dishes at its best , a place I’d love to frequent , the Doner & Beans were fantastic

The Salaş

Unique grill house in Istanbul , serving lovely Smokey cuts , with precession and craftsmanship . For me What really stood out was the Şeftali Kebap , Cypriot delicacy which truly special & perhaps the only place that serves this , Definitely worth dining here

Kaçkar

Excellent Meal in a communal setting , the place serves Black Sea cuisine with few select items that are done to perfection , the Sarma , Meat & Pide were spot on

Nazende kadde

This Istanbul restaurant is one of the best in town , it excels in produce quality, execution, and menu rotations. Its depth and technique are hard to match and even harder to appreciate, except by true gastronomes. Chef Uluç Sakarya is a True Artisan

Adana Harbi ocackbasi

I’d love to come here as often as I can. The meals are wholesome and exceptional, with their Adana kebab being the best in town. Perfectly spiced and grilled to perfection, it is simply great food made with care.

Adana Kurtulus ocackbasi

few comes close to their Adana kebab’s quality, the place definitely doesn’t sell fancy ambiance nor wins best service award service quite the contrary it may be off putting , but it compensates where it lacks and delivers an amazing Adana Kebab

Zubeyir ocackbasi

This place is in a tourist hotspot but despite that it’s crowded with locals & tourists alike , the lamb chops were slightly dry for my liking but generally good , sitting at the grill can be an experience one savors if you can tolerate the heat

Gorele Pide Salonlu

Şakir Usta operates like a one man machine, handling everything from preparing and kneading the dough to topping and serving the dishes. Long lines form as people travel all the way from Antalya to enjoy his food, making it a truly delightful experience.

Uygur buryan salonlu

Lovely Sirt cuisine , Ugur Buryan is a family run establishment , with honest people and honest cooking , they serve just few items and all are delicious

Emre mermer

The place is elegant , the kebabs are superb, top notch quality . The star however is the chicken wings , I think it’s the best I’ve had in Istanbul disclaimer : they allow smoking so it can be disturbing for those with intolerance

Basta neo bistro / street food bar

A touch of French flair in the heart of Istanbul, this casual bistro has extraordinary substance. It’s rare to find such in place in town . Nothing fell short throughout the entire meal, truly stands out as an outlier - as for their cafeteria it’s your typical burger and diner wraps , also delightful

Kardeniz sahin usta

Humble doner shop , famous for its large roaming pit & for tha reason & more the people flock at it , The meat & pita are of high quality & standards .

Mandabatmaz

Excellent Turkish coffee , maybe the best in town

Fikret Yilmaz

Very Good Adana kebabs at Fikret Yilmaz , he’s an expert at that , while the other dishes were also very good , a real enjoyable meal here , as was the pumpkin tahini dessert , which was a real treat

Tatbak

the restaurant is clean but also a mess in terms of how unorganized it was , the food was mediocre with much better options in the area

Pacaci nacip Usta

Humble & affordable Eatery that opens at 5:00 AM , it’s a hearty full filling meal , People’s food

Pacaci Mehmut Usta

Unlike other Pacaci’s , this place is refined and a little bit upscaled , with variety of options but I opted for their specialty . It was delicious & filling

Zennup 1884

One of those looks good , feel good , but at best mall quality dinings , I’d say similarly to Bazlama , both sharing qualities that are ideally acceptable albeit touristy at best

Sale e Pepe

Tokyo style pizza in Istanbul ? Not sure really what that means , the place is cute but can’t take that pizza seriously when using a home appliance oven like Oni .