Must-see restaurants in Beyoğlu

  • Karaköy Güllüoğlu

    Beyoğlu

    This much-loved baklavacı (baklava shop) opened in 1949 and was the first İstanbul branch of a business established in Gaziantep in the 1820s. There are…

  • Mürver

    Beyoğlu

    A notable recent addition to the local restaurant scene, this rooftop restaurant at the Novotel is sustaining its initial hype. The menu is dominated by…

  • Neolokal

    Beyoğlu

    Chef Maksut Aşkar has been wowing diners with his exciting rifts on traditional Turkish food since 2014, gaining an entry on the San Pellegrino World's…

  • Hayvore

    Beyoğlu

    Notable lokantas (traditional eateries serving ready-made dishes) are rare in modern-day Beyoğlu, so the existence of this bustling place next to the…

  • Cafe Privato

    Beyoğlu

    Located in an enclave off Galipdede Caddesi in Galata, this friendly, slightly ramshackle cafe is much loved for its exceptionally delicious and huge köy…

  • Zübeyir Ocakbaşı

    Beyoğlu

    Every morning the chefs at this popular ocakbaşı (grill house) prepare fresh, top-quality meat – spicy chicken wings and Adana kebaps, flavoursome ribs,…

  • Cuma

    Beyoğlu

    Banu Tiryakioğlu's laid-back foodie oasis in the heart of Çukurcuma has one of the most devoted customer bases in the city. Tables are on the leafy…

  • Antiochia

    Beyoğlu

    Dishes from the southeastern city of Antakya (Hatay) are the speciality here. Cold and hot mezes are equally delicious (try the grilled cheese), pides and…

  • Karaköy Lokantası

    Beyoğlu

    Known for its gorgeous tiled interior, genial owner and bustling vibe, Karaköy Lokantası serves tasty and well-priced food to its loyal local clientele…

  • Mellow shopfront

    Mellow

    Beyoğlu

    A chilled-out spot befitting of its name, Mellow serves up some surprisingly innovative and very tasty food with Mediterranean influences, including a…

  • Olea

    Beyoğlu

    Photographs of a luminously beautiful Sofia Loren adorn the walls of Beyoğlu's best Italian-style pizzeria. Bases are Naples-style thick and toppings…

  • Galaktion

    Beyoğlu

    This cosy Caucasus kitchen serves up delicious, hearty Georgian favourites: fist-sized khinkali dumplings, divinely gooey khachapuri (cheese-filled bread)…

  • Entrance to 1924 Istanbul restaurant, formerly known as Rejans

    1924 İstanbul

    Beyoğlu

    A Beyoğlu institution, the old Rejans restaurant has been reborn as 1924 İstanbul, with much of its nostalgic atmosphere intact. The well-executed menu…

  • Ek Biç Ye İç shopfront

    Ek Biç Ye İç

    Beyoğlu

    Named ‘Sow, Harvest, Eat, Drink’, this mostly vegetarian cafe serves up healthy soups, salads, wraps, smoothies and herbal teas made with locally grown,…

  • Yeni Lokanta exterior

    Yeni Lokanta

    Beyoğlu

    Yeni Lokanta means ‘new restaurant’ in Turkish and chef Civan Er certainly puts his own twist on Turkish cuisine, employing unorthodox ingredients and…

  • Sofyalı 9

    Beyoğlu

    Tables at this meyhane (tavern) are hot property on a Friday or Saturday night, when locals flock here to enjoy the tasty food and convivial atmosphere…

  • Asmalı Cavit

    Beyoğlu

    Cavit Saatcı's place is an old-style meyhane (tavern) that, like other old-timers on this street, has stood the test of time and retained a loyal local…

  • Dürümzade

    Beyoğlu

    A staple for Beyoğlu night-owls, this tiny grill shop on a grungy corner near the Beyoğlu Fish Market turns out mouth-wateringly tender kebabs – try the …

  • Özkonak

    Beyoğlu

    Known throughout the city for the quality of its kaymak (clotted cream), which it has been serving for half a century, this no-frills place is a highly…

  • Mükellef

    Beyoğlu

    Local celebrity chef Arda Türkmen is a master of mezes, so that's what you should order at this upmarket meyhane on the top floor of the Haze Hotel. There…

  • Kafe Ara

    Beyoğlu

    Occupying a converted garage in a lane opposite the Galatasaray Lycée, this cafe is named after legendary photographer Ara Güler, whose photographs of old…

  • Çukur Meyhane

    Beyoğlu

    Despite their long and much-vaunted tradition in the city, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find meyhanes (taverns) serving good food. Standards…

  • Reyhun

    Beyoğlu

    Head up the red-carpeted stairs of this restaurant next to the Galatasaray Garaj to find İstanbul's best Iranian eatery, which boasts a noisy dining salon…

  • Eleos

    Beyoğlu

    Hidden upstairs in the shabby Hıdivyal Palas building, Eleos transports its diners from Beyoğlu to the Greek islands. Stylish blue-and-white decor and a…

  • Asmalı Canım Ciğerim

    Beyoğlu

    The name means 'my soul, my liver', and this small place behind the Ali Hoca Türbesi specialises in grilled liver served with herbs, ezme (spicy tomato…

  • Mavra

    Beyoğlu

    Serdar-ı Ekrem Caddesi is one of the most attractive streets in Galata, full of ornate 19th-century apartment blocks and avant-garde boutiques. Mavra was…

  • İnci Pastanesi

    Beyoğlu

    A Beyoğlu institution, İnci was forced out of its historic İstiklal Caddesi premises in 2012, but reopened on a side street and continues to delight…

  • Namlı Gurme

    Beyoğlu

    As well as being one of the best delicatessens in the city, Namlı offers a tempting sit-down or takeaway selection of breakfast dishes, sandwiches, salad…

  • Journey

    Beyoğlu

    This laid-back lounge cafe located in the expat enclave of Cihangir offers a menu of Mediterranean comfort foods including sandwiches, soups and pastas…

  • Zencefil

    Beyoğlu

    We're not surprised this vegetarian cafe has a loyal following. Its interior is comfortable and stylish, with a glassed courtyard and bright colour scheme…

  • Cecconi's

    Beyoğlu

    In the fashionable Soho House complex, this branch of the international chain has a romantic courtyard that is a particularly lovely dining spot on summer…

  • Bistrot Français

    Beyoğlu

    Its name and menu reflect the fact that this garden cafe in the interior courtyard of the French consulate is as Gallic as İstanbul gets. Start the day…

  • Savoy Pastanesi

    Beyoğlu

    İstanbul has many businesses that have attained iconic status and Savoy is undoubtedly one of them. Down the hill from Taksim Meydanı, it was established…

  • Sahrap

    Beyoğlu

    Popular cookbook writer and TV chef Sahrap Soysal oversees the menu here, and the result is a tasty and well-priced introduction to modern Turkish cuisine…

  • Meze by Lemon Tree

    Beyoğlu

    Chef Gençay Üçok is known for his mezes, which are the main act at this intimate restaurant opposite the Pera Palace Hotel. Consider opting for the eight…

  • Mums Cafe

    Beyoğlu

    Located in Karaköy's Fransız Geçidi (French Gate), a small arcade linking busy Mumhane Caddesi with the port, this cafe pays close attention to the…

  • Karaköy Gümrük

    Beyoğlu

    An exemplar of the casually stylish restaurant model that has been trending in İstanbul for a few years now, Gümrük has a menu that changes each day…

  • Hamdi Restaurant Pera

    Beyoğlu

    The swish new Beyoğlu branch of this much-loved Eminönü restaurant has a terrace with a panoramic view of the Golden Horn. It serves a delectable range of…

  • Aheste

    Beyoğlu

    A perfect example of the sort of design-driven eatery that has been trending in İstanbul over the past few years, Aheste is known for its attractive, mood…

  • Türk-Alman Kitabevi & Cafe shopfront

    Türk-Alman Kitabevi Cafe

    Beyoğlu

    Students, expats and İstanbullus with a literary bent are regular fixtures at this cafe on the 1st floor of the Turkish-German Bookshop on İstiklal…