Restaurants in Istanbul
September 28, 2024 3:19 PM Subscribe
Looking for good restos in Istanbul! I'll be there for a couple of weeks, so lots of opportunity to try things.
Things I like:
Things I like:
- Local foods I wouldn't find elsewhere
- Hidden gems, doesn't have to have a Michelin star or anything
- High or low price levels are all ok, as long as it's worth it
- Parking, perfect English, familiar western foods. I'm here to try new things
- Any particular ambiance, I just want good food
Çiya Sofrası. Here's an article about it.
posted by aws17576 at 10:27 PM on September 28, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by aws17576 at 10:27 PM on September 28, 2024 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Arnavutkoy is an area rather than a particular restaurant, but it is famous (among locals and expats) for its bosphorus-side fish restaurants. It has beautiful architecture and is only about 20m from the city (or it used to be- to be fair I haven't lived there in a long while). A quick google tells me it's still very highly regarded and apparently as an unknown destination (from a tourist perspective). Being there in the snow at Christmas is one of my favourite memories of living in Istanbul.
posted by jojobobo at 11:55 PM on September 28, 2024
posted by jojobobo at 11:55 PM on September 28, 2024
Things I don't care about: ...
Any particular ambiance, I just want good food
street food could be an option. see e.g.
https://www.thehungrytravelerblog.com/istanbul-grand-bazaar-tour-with-culinary-backstreets/
posted by HearHere at 4:50 AM on September 29, 2024
Any particular ambiance, I just want good food
street food could be an option. see e.g.
https://www.thehungrytravelerblog.com/istanbul-grand-bazaar-tour-with-culinary-backstreets/
posted by HearHere at 4:50 AM on September 29, 2024
The Pudding Shop (Lale Restaurant) is relaxed, delicious and has an interesting history of hippies stopping there before heading further east.
posted by Hugobaron at 2:22 AM on September 30, 2024
posted by Hugobaron at 2:22 AM on September 30, 2024
I lived in Istanbul for a few years and recommend
ÖZ KANATÇI KARDEŞLER
https://g.co/kgs/S4voED6
Amazing chicken wings
posted by PSB34me at 4:20 PM on September 30, 2024
ÖZ KANATÇI KARDEŞLER
https://g.co/kgs/S4voED6
Amazing chicken wings
posted by PSB34me at 4:20 PM on September 30, 2024
Response by poster: Results:
posted by vasi at 9:52 AM on October 16, 2024 [1 favorite]
- Went to Çiya Sofrasi, and it's gone way downhill. It was very expensive, the waiters were rude, the food was tasteless and barely even warmed up. Other visitors there looked as disappointed as we were.
- Went to Mira, in Arnavutköy. It had a nice view, and good service. We had sea bream, octopus salad, and a surprisingly tasty marinated sea bass appetizer.
- Went to Maksat Ocakbaşi near Taksim. Had a good çöp şiş (lamb shish kebap) and ciğer şiş (liver shish), as well as adana kebap and appetizers. The "maksat salad" and sesame pita bread were notable. The service was exceptional, thanks to our waiter Kunjay.
- Technically didn't get any street food! But lots of small döner places, or midye (stuffed mussels), or pide (kinda like pizza). It was hit-or-miss.
- Wanted to go to Lale Pudding, but we got sick that day. Next time!
- Couldn't fit in the other places recommended, but I still appreciate the recommendations!
- Çengelköy Paşalı Kebap & Pide is a very out-of-the-way place, which we arrived at by getting off the ferry a stop early and ending up on the wrong continent! But they had a very good pastirma pide.
- İbrahim Hakkı Uğrak Börek in Karaköy is tiny but adorable. Super friendly proprietor! The cheese borek was the best. <
- Limon Kahvaltı Evi is a great breakfast place in Cihangir. Giant, delicious breakfast, better than others we tried. The manager overheard us talking about a dish, and just added it to our breakfast for free! The neighbourhood cats there are also super cute. Highlights were kavut (a Kurdish halva-like mix), apricot jam, and muhammara. <
- Balkan Lokantası was recommended by a tour guide. I don't know if it's better or worse than other lokantas (cafeteria-style restaurants), but it was delicious. We ordered by pointing at things, so I have no idea what anything was called! <
posted by vasi at 9:52 AM on October 16, 2024 [1 favorite]
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posted by chasles at 9:24 PM on September 28, 2024