Dining. We read many, many reviews detailing poor food and various ripoffs at dining establishments in Old City/Beyoglu/Istiklal/Karakoy. Yet somehow all restaurants are rated 4.8 in Google. And many with significant numbers of one star reviews under those 4.8 average ratings. It started to sound like Venice – bad food, bad service, high prices. Perhaps not a surprise for such a touristic town. I was not looking forward to this. We were able to find a few recommendations from YouTubers like Mark Wiens, Bery Istanbul, etc. But the good news is, far and away the place to eat is actually on the East side (Kadikoy) – away from the Old City and away from the tourist hotels. And it’s only a wonderful short ferry ride away!
But as always, check menu prices first to avoid surprises. Don’t accept food you didn’t order. Lokantasi (cafeteria) food isn’t amazing but you pay up front, therefore there are no hour long waits and no surprise bills at the end. Try to go early or at off times if you dont have a reservation. (We couldn’t find any restaurants with online reservations.)
Kadikoy These were the places we went on our Taste of 2 Continents Food Tour. We cannot recommend this tour, and the restaurants, highly enough. Our guide had a PhD in Byzantine history! All of the restaurants were delicious and they were all in Kadikoy.
- Kebapci Iskender – Kabobs
- Ciya Sofrasi – wide variety of Turkish food, all delicious.
- Kimyon Kadikoy – Beyran, Lamb soup, was delicious and we went back the next day for lunch to have more soup and added a Doner which was also excellent.
- Ozcan Famous Pickle – Pickles, pickle juice, and spices.
- Mado – ice cream and tea
Beyoglu
- Zübeyir Ocakbaşı/Taksim, our favorite restaurant, we ate there twice.
- Antakya Kebap asmalı , decent small kabob shop, love the spicy yogurt.
- Beyoglu Halk Doner, on Istiklal, actually a Lokantasi. Very average.
- Maddie’s Cucina, very nice Turkish breakfast near Galata Tower.
On our list for next time:- Asmalı Cavit (get a reservation)
- Helvetia
- Lades Menemen especially for breakfast
- Islak Burger
Beşiktaş
- Karadeniz Döner Asım Usta, near Dolmabahçe Palace (YouTube famous) (didn’t try)
Beykoz
- The famous Bayramoğlu Döner in Beykoz (Asia side but North, past Mehmet Bridge) (didn’t try)
Old City
- Brew Coffee Works , Mr A’s favorite coffee shop, near Metro: Sirkeci
- Balkan Lokantası very plain, meat and veg, stale bread, only ok. but open early.
On our list for next time:- Şehzade Cağ Kebap
- Old Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant
- Gaziantep Közde Künefe Kebap Salonu
- Constantine’s Ark Restaurant & Cafe
Also, you should have baklava and tea or coffee every day. We like Hafiz Mustafa for baklava/turkish delight and EspressoLab for coffee. I don’t know what this baklava is specifically called but it was my favorite:
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