Where to Eat in Istanbul: 3 Restaurants That Showcase the Best of Turkish Cuisine

Before our trip to Istanbul, I already knew Turkish food was good — but I wasn’t prepared for just how deeply satisfying it would be. From fragrant grilled meats to vibrant meze spreads and freshly caught seafood, the city’s cuisine tells a story of centuries-old traditions, Mediterranean abundance, and a genuine love for hospitality.

What I found most striking was how every meal — whether in a small local eatery or a slightly more polished spot — felt unpretentious yet full of care. Turkish food is all about generosity: of flavour, of ingredients, and of spirit.

If you’re visiting Istanbul and want to experience some of the best the city has to offer, here are three restaurants that really stood out during our stay.

1. Sultanahmet Fish House: Warm Hospitality and Fresh Seafood

A short walk from Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Fish House is one of those places that instantly makes you feel at home. The atmosphere is cosy and relaxed, with soft background music and the kind of friendly, genuine service that makes you want to come back before you’ve even left.

And we did — twice.

On our first visit, my husband and I shared tereyağında karides (shrimp in butter), safranlı levrek (seabass with saffron), and a perfectly grilled seabream. Everything was fresh and cooked with restraint — the kind of simple, confident cooking that lets the ingredients shine.

We returned a few nights later for the fish plate, which came with a generous assortment of grilled seafood, and finished our meal with a glass of rakı — that unmistakably Turkish anise-flavoured spirit.

It’s rare to find a restaurant that combines such warmth with consistently excellent food, but Sultanahmet Fish House does exactly that. If you’re in the Old City and craving seafood, this is the spot.

Address: Prof. K. Ismail Gurkan Caddesi No: 14 Sultanahmet - İstanbul

2. Degirmencioglu: A Local Favourite for Mixed Kebab

Located near several major sights, Degirmencioglu is the kind of place you might easily overlook — but shouldn’t. It’s not fancy or romantic, but what it lacks in ambience it more than makes up for in flavour and authenticity.

We visited twice and ordered the same thing both times: the mixed kebab plate. It’s a glorious platter of grilled meats — juicy lamb, tender chicken, perfectly charred vegetables — served straight from the grill with fresh bread and salad. The portions are generous, the prices fair, and the quality outstanding.

The clientele here is a great mix of locals (office workers and university students, mostly) and travellers who’ve been tipped off by their guides — just like we were. The atmosphere is lively without being chaotic, making it a perfect lunch stop after a morning of sightseeing.

If you want to taste everyday Turkish cooking at its best, this is the place to do it.

Address: Alemdar, Himaye-İ Eftal Sk. No: 4 Fatih - İstanbul

3. Akdeniz Hatay Sofrası: Meze Heaven and an Unforgettable Testi Kebab

Our final standout meal in Istanbul was at Akdeniz Hatay Sofrası, a restaurant inspired by the flavours of the Hatay region in southern Turkey. We found it almost by accident — it happened to be close to our hotel — and it turned out to be a highlight of the entire trip.

We ordered the mixed meze platter and the famous testi kebab — a slow-cooked meat stew sealed and cooked inside a clay pot, which is cracked open at the table. The meze were the best we had anywhere in Istanbul: fresh, varied, and full of flavour. But it was the testi kebab that stole the show — rich, tender, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.

There weren’t any other tourists when we visited, just local families enjoying dinner together. The service was brisk and a little distant, especially compared to the other two restaurants, but the food more than made up for it. At the end of the meal, we were served hot Turkish tea and a small selection of desserts on the house — a fittingly sweet end to a perfect evening.

Address: İskenderpaşa, Ahmediye Cd. No: 44 Fatih - İstanbul

Final Thoughts: Istanbul on a Plate

Istanbul’s food scene is every bit as layered and fascinating as its history. From fresh seafood near the Bosphorus to sizzling kebabs and intricate meze spreads, eating here feels like exploring the city itself — vibrant, generous, and endlessly rewarding.

These three restaurants each capture a different side of Turkish cuisine: the warmth and simplicity of the sea, the smoky heart of the grill, and the complex, communal joy of shared meze. Together, they tell a story of a city that lives and breathes through its food.

If you’re heading to Istanbul, come hungry — and don’t rush your meals. The best part of eating here isn’t just the food, but the rhythm that comes with it: slow, generous, and full of life.

Final note: If you’re planning to visit Sultanahmet Fish House, it’s best to book ahead — reservations are easily made through their website. At Akdeniz Hatay Sofrası, booking isn’t usually necessary unless you plan to order one of their specials (like the testi kebab), which must be pre-ordered due to preparation time. Degirmencioglu doesn’t require reservations — just walk in. If it’s full, wait a few minutes; tables turn over quickly.