Kebab₺₺
Hamdi Restaurant
Famous kebab house near the Spice Bazaar with top-floor views of the Golden Horn.
Restaurants
Famous names, local favourites and halal options for every budget. ₺ budget · ₺₺ mid-range · ₺₺₺ upscale · ₺₺₺₺ fine dining.
Köfte₺
Sultanahmet Köftecisi
Historic köfte restaurant open since 1920, a short walk from the Blue Mosque. Simple menu, quick service.
Ottoman₺₺₺
Pandeli
Historic restaurant above the Spice Bazaar entrance, with blue-tiled rooms and Ottoman dishes.
Ottoman palace cuisine₺₺₺
Deraliye
Recipes from the Ottoman palace kitchens served near Hagia Sophia.
Turkish & seafood₺₺₺
Seven Hills Restaurant
Rooftop terrace with views of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the sea.
Fish₺₺₺
Balıkçı Sabahattin
A classic fish restaurant in an old wooden house, with seasonal fish and meze.
Fish sandwich₺
Eminönü fish sandwich boats
Grilled fish in bread (balık ekmek) cooked on boats by the Galata Bridge. A true Istanbul experience.
Meze & Turkish₺₺
Karaköy Lokantası
Home-style Turkish dishes at lunch and meze in the evening, in a pretty tiled room.
Anatolian₺₺
Çiya Sofrası
Regional dishes from across Anatolia, rarely found elsewhere. Worth the ferry ride.
Southeastern kebab₺₺₺
Develi Samatya
Long-established kebab restaurant serving Gaziantep-style kebabs and lahmacun.
Turkish home cooking₺₺
Hünkar
Classic Turkish stews and vegetable dishes chosen from a display, popular with locals.
Dürüm wraps₺
Dürümzade
Tiny grill famous for its lamb and chicken dürüm wraps, open until late.
Steakhouse₺₺₺₺
Nusr-Et Steakhouse
The famous Salt Bae steakhouse, with show-style service and large cuts of meat.
Modern Turkish₺₺₺₺
Mikla
Modern Anatolian cuisine on a rooftop with panoramic views over the old city.
International₺₺₺₺
Sunset Grill & Bar
Hilltop terrace with sweeping Bosphorus views, best at sunset.
Wet burger₺
Kızılkayalar
Home of Istanbul's famous 'ıslak burger', a small soft burger in garlic tomato sauce.
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Most restaurants in Türkiye serve halal meat, but many also serve alcohol. Ask if you prefer an alcohol-free venue. Food photos are illustrative and do not show the restaurant itself.
Cafés, afternoon tea & desserts
Classic afternoon tea, specialty coffee and sweet stops.
Sirkeci & Sultanahmet
Hafız Mustafa 1864
Famous sweets house for baklava, Turkish delight and puddings, with seating upstairs.
Karaköy
Karaköy Güllüoğlu
One of the most famous baklava makers in Istanbul. Try the pistachio baklava fresh from the tray.
Eminönü
Hacı Bekir
Turkish delight makers since 1777, a classic place for gifts.
Beyoğlu
Mandabatmaz
A tiny alley café known for one of the thickest Turkish coffees in the city.
Kadıköy
Fazıl Bey
Historic Turkish coffee house in the Kadıköy market streets.
Eyüp
Pierre Loti Café
Hilltop tea garden with a famous view over the Golden Horn, reached by cable car.
Beyazıt · Grand Bazaar
Çorlulu Ali Paşa Medresesi tea garden
A quiet courtyard tea garden in an Ottoman madrasa, next to the Grand Bazaar.
Beyoğlu
Pera Palace – Kubbeli Lobby
Afternoon tea in the domed lobby of the historic Pera Palace Hotel.
Istiklal Avenue
Saray Muhallebicisi
Old-school pudding shop for sütlaç, kazandibi and Turkish breakfasts.
Vefa
Vefa Bozacısı
Serving boza, a thick traditional winter drink, since 1876.
Several branches
MADO
Turkish Maraş-style stretchy ice cream and desserts.
Cihangir & other branches
Kronotrop
One of Istanbul's best-known specialty coffee roasters.
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Shopping & markets
Department stores, luxury streets, malls, outlets and markets.
MarketBeyazıt
Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı)
One of the world's oldest covered markets, with thousands of shops for carpets, lamps, jewellery and leather. Closed on Sundays.
MarketEminönü
Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)
The Egyptian Bazaar: spices, Turkish delight, nuts, tea and dried fruit.
MarketSultanahmet
Arasta Bazaar
A small, calm bazaar behind the Blue Mosque, with carpets, ceramics and textiles.
MarketEminönü
Mahmutpaşa
Busy streets between the two bazaars, with cheaper clothes, home goods and wholesale shops.
MarketKadıköy
Kadıköy Market
Lively Asian-side food market streets with fish, cheese, pickles and sweets.
MarketBeyazıt
Sahaflar Çarşısı
The old book bazaar next to the Grand Bazaar, with books, prints and calligraphy.
Shopping streetBeyoğlu
Istiklal Avenue
Istanbul's famous pedestrian street, with brands, sweet shops and the historic tram.
Shopping streetKadıköy · Asian side
Bağdat Avenue
A long, upscale shopping avenue with brand stores and cafés.
Shopping streetKaraköy
Galataport
A new waterfront promenade with shops, restaurants and the Istanbul Modern museum.
LuxuryŞişli
Nişantaşı
Istanbul's luxury district, with designer boutiques on Abdi İpekçi Avenue.
LuxurySarıyer
İstinye Park
Upscale mall with luxury brands, an open-air street and a food market.
MallBeşiktaş
Zorlu Center
Modern mall with luxury and high-street brands and a performing arts centre.
MallLevent
Kanyon
Open-air canyon-style mall in the business district.
MallŞişli
Cevahir
One of Europe's largest malls, with mid-range brands and a big food court.
MallÜsküdar · Asian side
Emaar Square Mall
Large mall with an aquarium and plenty of family entertainment.
MallBaşakşehir
Mall of Istanbul
A huge mall with an indoor theme park, popular with families.
OutletZeytinburnu
Olivium Outlet Center
Outlet stores of Turkish and international brands at reduced prices.
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Plan your trip to Türkiye
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