20 million foreign visitors flooded the largest Turkish city last year. Istanbul has its own UNESCO World Heritage Site, is responsible for thirty percent of the country’s economy, and is known for the best Street Food. Simit, Lahmacun and Döner Kebab can be found on every corner, making Istanbul a foodie paradise. We lead the way to the 13 best and coolest places to eat.
Tip #1: Le Petit Chef
The culinary 3D spectacle with Le Petit Chef is a must-visit. The little chef from France resides in the Sheraton Istanbul City Center. Before, during and after the meal the little chef contests for the golden chef hat, together with his friends from Spain, Italy, and Japan.
Visit our extraordinary 3D dinner-show Le Petit Chef in the Sheraton Istanbul City Center.
The fun 3D Projection Mapping show moves to the background when the international 4-course meal is served. This dinner theater is perfect for the whole family and shouldn’t be missed when in Istanbul.
Dietary options:
Kid’s menu option is available.
Speciality:
A culinary spectacle in 3D, with the world’s smallest chef and his friends. International dinner is served in the Sheraton Istanbul City Center.
Price:
Le Petit Chef & Friends menu, 4 course meal 2450 ₺ per person (VAT included) +10% service charge (30% deposit);
Friends Junior Chef – Kids menu, 4 course meal 1550 ₺ per person (VAT included) +10% service charge (30% deposit)
Hours:
Reservation is necessary, you can book online
Location:
Sheraton Istanbul City Center
Hacıahmet, Kurtuluş Deresi Cd. No:23
34440 Beyoğlu
Istanbul, Turkey
Contact:
Phone: +90 533 384 8041
Email: info.istanbulcitycenter@sheraton.com
Tip #2: Bayramoğlu Döner
Why Bayramoğlu is always crowded, although it’s a spacious restaurant, is easy to explain. Locals and tourists think alike, Bayramoğlu has the best Döner Kebab in Istanbul. The service is fast, and the prices are inexpensive. It’s worth the trip out from the touristic center.
Lamb or beef is cooked vertically over a charcoal grill by the best Turkish Döner chefs. Baklava and Turkish tea are served for the sweet tooth after the Döner meal. Definitely one of the best restaurants in Istanbul.
Dietary options:
No dietary options available.
Speciality :
The best Döner Kebab in Istanbul
Price:
Döner prices ranging between 110 ₺ and 135 ₺
Hours:
Daily: 11 am – 11 pm
Location:
Rüzgarlıbahçe, Cumhuriyet Cd. No:2
34805 Beykoz
İstanbul, Turkey
Contact:
Phone: +90 216 413 00 45
Webpage: http://www.bayramogludoner.com.tr/
Tip #3: Alancha
Kemal Demirasal is a windsurfer, restaurant owner, farmer, chef – and the mastermind behind Alancha. The upscale two floor eatery, designed by Cacti Architecture, serves Anatolian cuisine and brings Istanbul’s street food traditions on the plate, in a fancy way.
Demirasal uses local and fresh ingredients, partly sourced on his own farm. He then cooks them into premium meals in the restaurant’s wood fired oven.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-free options available.
Speciality:
Anatolian cuisine and fancy Turkish Street Food variations in an upscale eatery
Price:
The Tasting Menu is 400 ₺ a person and includes 6 glasses of wine.
Hours:
Mon: Closed
Tue: 5 pm – 2 am
Wed – Sat: 5 pm – 12 am
Sun: Closed
Location:
Vişnezade, Şht. Mehmet Sk. No:9
34357 Beşiktaş
Istanbul, Turkey
Contact:
Phone: +90 212 261 35 35 (Reservation recommended)
Email: info@alancha.com
Tip #4: Yeni Lokanta
A reservation is necessary when visiting Yeni Lokanta. Local produce, vegetables and Turkish wine – the flavors of Turkey brought on the plate by chef Civan Er. The Michelin guide restaurant is nestled in a side street off Istikal Avenue and gives traditional dishes a modern twist.
Everything is prepared in a wood-fired oven and available, either à la carte, or in the form of a chef’s tasting menu. The seasonal menu changes frequently.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian options available.
Speciality :
A Michelin guide top restaurant in Istanbul. Turkish cuisine with a modern twist.
Price:
Tasting menu, 9-course meal, ₺ 2.950 plus wine pairing ₺ 2.350; Tasting menu, 7-course meal, ₺ 2.350 plus wine pairing ₺ 1.750 both plus 10% service charge;
À la carte mains are ranging in between ₺ 890 and ₺ 1.150;
Desserts from ₺ 120 to ₺ 290
Hours:
Mon: Closed
Tue – Sat: 12 pm – 4 pm and 5 pm – 12.30 am
Sun: Closed
Locations:
Tomtom, Kumbaracı Ykş. No:66/B
34433 Beyoğlu
İstanbul, Turkey
Contact:
Tip #5: Borsam Taşfırın
Lahmacun is the Turkish answer to Italian pizza. When you ask folks in Istanbul, where to get Lahmacun, they send you to their favorite Lahmacun restaurant: Borsam Taşfırın. There are three different locations across Istanbul.
The very casual counter restaurant is perfect for a quick bite. The thin, crispy crust comes straight out of the wood fired oven and is loaded with all kinds of meat and vegetables. Best sprinkled with sumac and drizzled with some fresh lemon.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian options available.
Speciality:
Locals favorite Lahmacun place in Istanbul. Lahmacun is the Turkish pizza.
Price:
Lahmacun and Pide prices are ranging from ₺ 52 to ₺ 82
Hours:
Bahariye:
Mon – Thu: 11 am – 10 pm
Fri – Sun: 10 am – 11 pm
Main location: Daily: 11 am – 10 pm
Rıhtım: Daily: 11 am – 10 pm
Location:
Bahariye:
Osmanağa, Serasker Cd. No:78
34714 Kadıköy
Istanbul
Turkey
Main location:
Caferağa, Güneşli Bahçe Sok No:22
34710 Kadıköy
Istanbul
Turkey
Rıhtım:
Osmanağa, Reşit Efendi Sk. No:1
34714 Kadıköy
Istanbul
Turkey
Contact:
Phone:
Bahariye: +90 216 349 43 23
Main location: +90 216 337 05 04
Rıhtım: +90 216 330 86 19
Tip #6: Seraf Vadi
Not far from the Vadistanbul Shopping Mall, Seraf Vadi, serves beautiful Anatolian dishes. Cooked the most authentic way, the restaurant focuses on making meals from scratch, in traditional ways, like their grandparents did.
The meat is ground with an old-fashioned meat grinder, köfte is shaped by hand and tea is brewed every 20 minutes, so it doesn’t get stale. The owners travel all over Turkey to find the best ingredients.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian and Vegan options are available.
Speciality:
Authentic Anatolian cuisine. Prepared in a traditional way and with the best ingredients from all over Turkey.
Price:
Menu prices change on a regular basis;
The price per person for a starter, main, drink and dessert is around ₺1500 and ₺2000
Hours:
Reservation is required.
Daily: 12 pm – 12 am
Locations:
Ayazağa, Kemerburgaz Caddesi, No:7G
İç Kapı No:7
34396 Sarıyer
Istanbul
Turkey
Contact:
Tip #7: Yanyalı Fehmi
The restaurant is proud of serving Ottoman cuisine, the forgotten Turkish cuisine. 100 different varieties daily, highest quality ingredients and Turkish music for pleasure – that is the concept of Yanyali.
Operated by the third generation of founder Deceased Fehmei Sonmezler, the restaurant is famous for their Yanya Meatballs, specially cooked meatballs, wrapped in thin slices of eggplant and baked with tomatoes.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian and Vegan options available.
Speciality:
The restaurant is serving Ottoman cuisine, the forgotten Turkish cuisine with a big variety of 100 different dishes.
Price:
Soup prices are in between ₺85 and ₺180;
Köfte and Kebab are ranging from ₺260 to ₺420;
Sides are ₺180;
Desserts are ranging from ₺155 to ₺540
Hours:
Daily: 9 am – 9 pm
Location:
Osmanağa Mah. Yağlıkçı İsmail Sok. No:1
34714 Kadıköy
İstanbul
Turkey
Contact:
Tip #8: Bi Nevi Deli
Creative plant based kitchen with many raw and gluten-free options, is what Bi Nevi Deli offers. Belkis Boyacigiller & Özge Şen are the founders of the whole-foods restaurant in the Etiler neighborhood.
The deli caters to breakfast, lunch and dinner needs, sourcing locally and organic ingredients. Cultured nut-based cheeses, yogurts, gluten-free crackers and housemade cakes are on the menu. An open buffet brunch is available.
Dietary options:
An all Vegan restaurant with great Gluten-free options.
Speciality:
Creative plant based kitchen with raw and gluten-free options, locally and organic sourced. Nut-based cheeses and housemade crackers and cakes.
Price:
All day breakfast with items ranging from ₺90 to ₺500;
Starters and Bowls from ₺140 to ₺530;
Mains are ranging from ₺430 to ₺540;
Desserts are going from ₺100 to ₺390
Hours:
Daily: 10 am – 9.30 pm
Locations:
Etiler, Dilhayat Sk. No:10/1
34337 Beşiktaş
Istanbul
Turkey
Contact:
Phone: +90 212 358 6032
Webpage: https://binevideli.com/en/
Tip #9: Petra Roasting Co.
2013 Petra Roasting Co. opened the doors in the Gayrettepe neighborhood. Immediately beloved by locals and tourists alike, serving one of the best direct trade coffees in Turkey. Roasting their own beans is just part of it, Petra also imports the beans, instead of buying it from other Turkish Importers.
The coffee shop offers the beauty of perfectly brewed espresso from freshly roasted beans. Not to forget the neat little food menu with stuffed croissants, delicious burgers and sandwiches.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-free options available.
Speciality:
One of the best coffee roasters in Istanbul, with a great little food menu.
Price:
Coffee drinks are ranging in between ₺40 and ₺160; Meals are between ₺250 and go up to ₺800
Hours:
Mon – Fri: 8 am – 8 pm
Sat – Sun: 10.30 am – 7 pm
Location:
Gayrettepe, Hoşsohbet Sokaği Selenium Residence Mağaza 1
34349 Beşiktaş
İstanbul
Turkey
Contact:
Phone: +90 212 356 10 57
Webpage: https://www.petracoffee.com/
Tip #10: Üstün Palmie Pastanesi
Asking how to get to Üstün Palmie Pastanesi, locals know where to direct you. The pastry shop in the heart of Istanbul, has been an institution since 1970, when it first opened its doors.
Fine baked goods, traditional Turkish flavors, French pastries and sweets from all over the world, are showcased in the big window cases, all over the store. For every occasion, holiday and season, the bakery offers special pastries.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian and Gluten-Free options available.
Speciality:
An institution in Istanbul. Bakery opened the doors 1970 and is still a locals’ favorite. Pastries from all over the world, but focused on Turkish flavors.
Price:
Pastry prices start with the smallest pastries from ₺50 up to ₺500
Hours:
Daily: 7 am – 10 pm
Location:
Feriköy, Baruthane Cd. 63/A
34375 Şişli
Istanbul
Turkey
Contact:
Phone: +90 212 231 92 53
Tip #11: Mabou
Cem Ekşi is the German chef in the kitchen of Mabou. He learned his skills in the Black Forest in Germany, brought it to Istanbul. He mixes it with French cuisine, Turkish flavors and sometimes even let some Italian and Thai influence visit the kitchen.
Handmade pasta, desserts without glucose, freshly baked bread and seasonal products are always part of the menu at Mabou. There is an every two to three months changing Tasting Menu available, vegan as well.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-free options are available. Even a Vegan Tasting Menu is available.
Speciality:
A German chef cooks French and Turkish cuisine with International influence. Handmade pasta.
Price:
Omnivore and Vegan Tasting Menu (same pricing) 4-course meal, ₺2350,
7-course meal, ₺2950,
10-course meal, ₺3490;
10-courses to share (for two people), ₺5500;
À la carte prices ranging from ₺360 up to ₺1350
Hours:
Reservation is highly recommended
Mon: Closed
Tue – Thu: 6 pm – 10 pm
Fri – Sat: 6 pm – 12 am
Sun: Closed
Location:
Genertal Yazgan Sk. No 8b
34430 Beyoglu
Istanbul
Turkey
Contact:
Phone: +90 530 377 8837
Webpage: https://restaurantmabou.com/?lang=en
Tip #12: Damla Dondurma
The National newspaper Hürriyet declared Damla Dondurma as one of the top 10 ice cream shops Nationwide. Founders Ali and Fahri Tufan opened the doors of Damla Dondurma in 1989 in Merter and relocated later to Kurtuluş.
During the winter months, when ice cream is not as popular, the shop sells tea. You can get ‘Boza’, a fermented millet drink, ‘Salep’, a hot milk drink with dried orchid powder and ‘Tulumba’, a little fried dough dessert there.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian options available.
Speciality:
Declared by National newspaper Hürriyet as one of the top 10 ice cream shops in Turkey. Besides ice cream, Turkish drinks like Boza and Salep are available.
Price:
Ice cream prices change constantly. It’s inexpensive, about ₺ 300/kg
Hours:
Daily: 10 am – 12 am
Location:
Feriköy, Kurtuluş Cd. 110/A
34377 Şişli
Istanbul
Turkey
Contact:
Phone: +90 212 233 49 25
Tip #13: Baylan Pastanesi
Last but not least, Baylan Pastanesi can’t be forgotten on the list of the coolest and best places to eat in Istanbul. The Istanbul gem is a nostalgic French style patisserie, offering Macaroons, ice cream, desserts, cakes and the popular Paskalya çöreği, the Turkish Easter Bread.
The long-standing pastry shop opened in the early 1920s and has a beautiful outdoor seating area with a garden. It’s definitely an institution in Istanbul.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian options are available.
Speciality:
A long-standing French style pâtisserie, offering Macaroons, desserts, cakes, and ice cream since the early 1920s.
Price:
Pastry prices starting around ₺50, going up to ₺500
Hours:
Daily: 7 am – 10 pm
Location:
Caferağa, Muvakkıthane Cd. No: 9/A
34710 Kadıköy
Istanbul
Turkey
Contact:
Phone: +90 216 346 63 50
Our selection of restaurants is based, among other things, on the editorial team’s individual preferences and on reviews on the internet. Please contact the respective provider directly for information on reservations and prices. The pictures come from the restaurants listed. All Information is provided without guarantee!
Brian has been part of the Le Petit Chef team since day 1. As Vice President Marketing, he always initiates new projects to further develop and enrich the show.
