Classic in Istanbul

The turquoise-tiled Karaköy institution, lokanta by day, meyhane by night, Bib Gourmand 2026.

Heritage seafood since 1952

Former Ottoman bank transformed into boutique luxury

Epitome of Istanbul meyhane culture

Legendary cultural hub and live music venue since 1999

All-day organic breakfast in a historic Erenkoy mansion

Modern meyhane reviving classic tavern culture with stone oven mezes

Bosphorus-mouth fish-house where the strait opens to the Black Sea.

Chef İsmail's Cunda-Greek fish house at the Kızıltoprak end of the Cadde, the corridor's rakı-balık default.

Over-water fish-meyhane on the Baltalimanı seam.

Old City's finest fish restaurant since 1927

Burgazada's Rum meyhane legacy lands in Bostancı

Villa dining in the old Tribeca space, homemade-syrup cocktails, open-kitchen ambition

Three floors of Anatolian wine in a candlelit Asmalımescit townhouse

Thirty-five years of fasıl evenings by Bostancı station

Warm hospitality and live music in historic Asmalimescit

Istanbul's pioneering Thai restaurant since 2006

Seasonal Italian since 1993 in a villa setting

Legendary kebab institution with 1200-seat marina views since 1997

Greek-Turkish seafood with Golden Horn views

Authentic Adana kebab with unique lamb maki style

Sarıyer Çarşı fish-meyhane known for kalkan and meze depth.

Authentic Italian by MasterChef judge Danilo Zanna

Turkey's pioneering natural wine bar by Maksut Askar

Sophisticated luxury womenswear from Turkey

Chef Alp Çekici's reinterpretation of meyhane culture

The city's flagship Bosphorus-side shisha-and-cocktail lounge, a Kuruçeşme nightlife fixture

A hidden meyhane under a 70-year fig tree, Vedat Milor's pick

1951 iskele-side meyhane, Can Yücel and Nazım Hikmet's haunt

Marina-facing grill, seasoned Fenerbahçe regulars

Nevizade's 1941 original, no singing, just rakı

Old-style neighbourhood meyhane near Akaretler

Kireçburnu waterline fish house, rakı nights the neighborhood still uses.

23-year Nevizade meyhane named for a Can Yücel poem

Rooftop seafood house with Marmara view

Innovative Anatolian cuisine with wood-fired traditions

The Tarabya fish crescent local without the tourist markup.

1557 Mimar Sinan masterpiece at Suleymaniye complex

Modern lokanta named for Turkey's first female lawyer

Gastro-jazz lokanta run by jazz musician Eren Noyan with a proper stage

Old City panoramic views from boutique hotel rooftop

1920s meyhane where Yahya Kemal drank rakı

1901 former Franciscan nuns' residence transformed into cozy suites

Asmalımescit's ever-new classic since 1977

Heritage meyhane family since 1977, Asian-side branch since 2018

Modern Anatolian cuisine by chef-owner Civan Er in Beyoğlu

Chef Kaan Kayhan's waterfront meyhane on the Yeniköy pier.

Bosphorus-pier classic since 1949 under century-old plane trees.

Tarabya marina fish-house with a working bar program.

Bahariye's beloved meyhane in a French-bistro-style room

Turkish DJs, live-jazz, and funk in classic-elegant Beyoğlu

Foraged mushrooms and Golden Horn sunsets since 1939

Venice-born Italian at Soho House Istanbul

Brasserie elegance meets Bosphorus charm

Perfect-rated traditional grill in boutique setting

Mediterranean comfort in a 40-year-old Etiler villa with open kitchen