Istanbul Restaurants

Reservations are essential at this very chic restaurant offering some of the best views in town. The sleek white and chrome décor attracts an elegant lunch crowd of businessmen and ladies' social groups. The menu is an innovative blend of fusion Turkish and continental cuisine. The staff is unobtrusively efficient and the service is excellent.

Originally started by Russians who came to Istanbul post-revolution, this restaurant now also serves non-Russian fare. The place has a cosy ambience and retains its Russian personality even in Istanbul. The decor gives a spacious feeling, given to the high ceilings and wood interiors. Apart from the food, the lemon vodka is a must-try here.

Pandeli distinctively exudes the essence of genteel old Stamboul. Situated just above the entrance of the Egyptian Spice Market, it occupies several wonderfully cavernous domed rooms. It is decorated in blue and white with renowned Iznik tiling, so it's well worth stopping by just to look at the interior. The food is also superb: the restaurant is famous for its fantastic fish dishes, particularly the sea bass. However, many of the regulars also go for the tender lamb dishes. The tables in the front room boast views over the plaza and the Golden Horn. The restaurant is only open for lunch, which is served by decidedly grumpy waiters!

The menu here proudly boasts some of the finest Turkish cuisine in town. The dishes are all intricately prepared, and some are rarely seen anywhere else. The tender, delicately spiced fried shrimps are especially exotic and delicious. The tastiest main courses are those which have been slowly cooked in clay ovens. Try the kuzu incik—succulent lamb lightly garnished with rosemary and tomatoes. The folyoda kasarli piliç—a delicious chicken stew with mild cheddar cheese melted over the top—also comes highly recommended. The interesting wine list offers some lesser-known wines from the south east of Turkey.

This little restaurant became so successful that the owners quickly decided to expand. Ficcin now occupies three separate premises all on the same street. Each venue offers the same simple menu of traditional Turkish favourites such as Mercimek çorbasi (tasty lentil soup with fresh lemon juice) and Biber Dolmasi (green peppers stuffed with rice and herbs). It's very popular with the lunchtime crowd in Beyoglu, and for very good reason as it provides hearty food at excellent prices.

This old Jewish house next to the Galata tower is a neat little place with nice lighting and interior. You can walk in to enjoy a drink in quiet solitude with only some soulful music for company. You can choose something to eat from the simple menu, try our the vegetable crepe for a lighter lunch, or the sesame chicken salad.

If you're heading to the Lutfi Kirdar Center to catch a show or an exhibit, do not forget to make a reservation at the Loft Restaurant & Bar prior to the show. This upscale restaurant sports a hip and trendy decor that is inspired by Loft's in New York. Guests can choose between an intimate indoor dining or take a table on the terrace. The restaurant is famed for its delicious Mediterranean seafood cuisine, but it also brings to you popular dishes from around the world. The service is top-notch just what you will expect from a five star restaurant. But of course, all this comes at a high price.

The funky wall lighting and rich, natural wood interior give this place a decidedly low tech and comfortable feel that belies the decent sound system. You can almost always find a table in the serene outdoor tree lined patio, the dark paneled billiards room, or along the massive bar. The bar is the perfect vantage point from which to check out the hot, wildly packed dance floor where hair is let down, passions are set free, and sometimes layers of clothes are peeled off. Shakin' live music on weekends.

There are two different bars at Cambaz: the summer bar and the winter bar. The summer bar is on the roof, with a covered terrace jam-packed with tables and people overflowing down the stairs. The view of the Golden Horn from here is beautiful, particularly at sunset. During the winter, the bar is situated on the first floor of the building. It is decked out in all kinds of film and theatre paraphernalia, and antiquated cinema seating. This place is a good option for a cheap and cheerful night out.

Baraka resembles a teeming urban jungle. This popular bar, easily accessed by a lift up to the third floor, has been one of the inner city clique's favorite watering holes for the last five years. It gets packed in summer with ex-pats, students and young Turks bopping rhythmically up and down on the bouncy wooden floorboards to loud blues, rock and acid jazz. Standing room only on the weekends.

Jazz Café is a cozy bar with subdued lighting where you can catch some killer jazz acts like the Önder Focan Trio. The bar occupies two floors. On the top level there's a performance space where you can enjoy live funk/acid or jazz/blues Tuesday through Thursday. If there is a live gig happening expect to pay extra cover for the charge on top of your drinks. The place caters to both students and thirty-something-professional types. The staff are a little less flamboyant than at some of the other bars that traffic in rock and metal, but they're no less friendly and are very laid-back.

In what was once the very popular "cinema alley", this little bowling alley is a great hit with the young local crowd. Unfortunately, it only has six lanes making it necessary to reserve in advance for evenings and weekends. There is also a fast-food café serving ravenous bowlers. Rates vary from an economical $2.50 per game on an early weekday morning to $5 per game on weekends and public holidays.

This enterprise of a former model-cum-designer is famed for its seafood delicacies. A comfortable, homely atmosphere paves way for elegant dining, and the patrons love it. Honored by the Time Out magazine as the 'Best Sea Food Restaurant' in 2005, the eatery takes pride in its preparations. Try the 'eggplant salad with anchovies' and a mysterious sauce that tantalizes the tongue, or stuff up on the buffet spread, constituting of starters, veggies, seafood, meats and herbal dishes. The spot also doubles as a gallery for aspiring artists, who display their works indoors every month. A free high-speed Internet access service makes it ideal for business meals, while candlelight provides the romance at eventide. Clean, friendly and affordable, it is the best when it comes to quality eating in Istanbul. For information on hours of operation, call ahead.

If you are in the mood for some Indian/Pakistani curries, there's no better place than Musafir to serve you. In fact, it is the only place in the city to offer this cuisine. Located right in the heart of the city, step in and choose your seat in its spacious dining area. The menu displays an interesting array of tangy, spicy and exotic dishes, both vegetarian and with meat as the base. There are soups, starters, salads, tandoori dishes, rice dishes and curries to choose from. The distinctive flavors along with the generous portions are good enough to leave you a satisfying feeling.

'Variety is the spice of life' and this might as well be the motto of the Beyoglu branch of the House Café restaurant. If contemporary cuisine is on your mind, this is by far the best bet. You can grab pizzas, salads, burgers and cocktails here. The decor at this joint courtesy the Autobahn design agency includes an ensemble of furniture from different countries. Call for information on hours of operation and other branches.