Istanbul is a city where centuries of culinary traditions meet modern tastes, creating one of the world’s most vibrant food cultures. Whether you are searching for Ottoman palace dishes, lively meyhane evenings with meze and raki, or hearty home-cooked Anatolian meals, the city offers endless possibilities. This guide brings together some of the best traditional restaurants in Istanbul, categorized by style to help you experience Turkish cuisine at its most authentic.
Ottoman Palace Cuisine: Dining Like a Sultan
- ⭐ Tuğra Restaurant (Beşiktaş – Çırağan Palace): Elevated Bosphorus-view dining featuring Ottoman palace dishes such as beef fillet with pine nut mash and fermented milk; elegant interiors and refined service. Tuğra stands out for its meticulous commitment to reviving historic recipes while presenting them with modern finesse. Guests dine in a former palace residence where crystal chandeliers, marble columns, and gilded accents heighten the feeling of royal indulgence. Expect a multi-course experience that emphasizes slow-cooked meats, layered flavors, and subtle spice profiles characteristic of the Ottoman court. The terrace offers one of the most romantic waterfront settings in Istanbul, making Tuğra a quintessential choice for travelers seeking both history and haute cuisine.
- 🕌 Deraliye Ottoman Cuisine (Sultanahmet): Near Hagia Sophia; known for duck stew in filo pastry, lamb stews, and mezes inspired by palace archives; ornate décor and traditional ambiance. Deraliye curates a menu built on extensive research into palace manuscripts, resulting in dishes that reveal the diversity of the empire—ranging from sweet-and-savory stews to aromatic vegetable preparations. The staff often explains the historical background of signature recipes, enriching the dining experience with cultural context. Its location in the heart of the Old City makes it particularly appealing for diners wishing to pair iconic sightseeing with a deep dive into Ottoman gastronomy. The warm lighting, embroidered textiles, and classical Turkish music complete the immersive atmosphere.
- 👑 Matbah Restaurant (Sultanahmet): Serves documented palace recipes including Mutancana and Stuffed Melon; offers historic landmark views and an elegant, culturally rich dining experience. Matbah distinguishes itself through a carefully curated selection of dishes that date back several centuries, many of which incorporate fruits, nuts, and spices that defined imperial cuisine. Guests can sample rare specialties such as lamb stewed with prunes, quince-based dishes, and saffron-infused soups. The restaurant’s proximity to Hagia Sophia and the Topkapı Palace area gives visitors an evocative sense of stepping directly into the past. With its refined presentation, deep historical roots, and attentive service, Matbah remains a celebrated destination for those seeking a meaningful exploration of Ottoman heritage through food.
Classic Meyhanes: Meze, Raki, and Istanbul’s Social Traditions
- 🍷 Yakup 2 (Asmalımescit, Beyoğlu): Operating since 1977; famous for crispy fried liver, grilled börek, cold mezes, and a nostalgic garden atmosphere. Beyond its signature dishes, Yakup 2 is celebrated for its timeless ambiance—dim lighting, wooden tables, and walls adorned with vintage Istanbul photographs. The service is attentive yet relaxed, encouraging long, unhurried evenings that stretch late into the night. Guests often describe Yakup 2 as the quintessential meyhane experience, where raki flows steadily, conversations deepen, and the spirit of old Istanbul feels vividly alive.
- 🎶 Tarihi Cumhuriyet Meyhanesi (Nevizade, Beyoğlu): Over a century old; offers more than 100 varieties of meze, seafood specialties, fasıl music, and a vibrant multi-floor setting. Known for its lively energy, this iconic meyhane attracts a diverse crowd ranging from local regulars to curious travelers. Its floors echo with traditional Turkish melodies, and the abundant meze options ensure there’s something for every palate. Seafood lovers especially appreciate the freshness of dishes like lakerda, octopus salad, and grilled seasonal fish. The combination of music, history, and generous portions creates an atmosphere that embodies Istanbul’s social dining culture at its best.
- 🕯️ Safa Meyhanesi (Yedikule): One of Istanbul’s oldest taverns; known for paçanga böreği, fried potatoes, Albanian-style liver, and its nostalgic, historic interior. Safa Meyhanesi transports diners back to a bygone era with its antique décor, high ceilings, and framed photographs documenting decades of local life. The atmosphere is warm, intimate, and unpretentious—perfect for those seeking a traditional experience without modern embellishments. The menu highlights simple dishes done exceptionally well, and regulars praise the consistency and authenticity of its flavors. Evenings often unfold slowly here, inviting guests to savor each bite and enjoy the gentle hum of conversations around them.
- 🌊 Eleos (Beyoğlu & Yeşilköy): Aegean/Greek-Turkish meyhane featuring seafood meze, Cretan spreads, and panoramic Golden Horn views. Eleos stands out for its refined interpretation of meyhane traditions, blending Greek and Turkish culinary influences into a fresh, vibrant menu. The décor—dominated by white tones, seashells, and Aegean details—evokes a seaside escape, while the view at the Beyoğlu branch adds a dramatic backdrop to every meal. The restaurant’s meze selection focuses on herbs, olive oil, and citrus, offering a lighter, more delicate alternative to heavier Anatolian flavors. A perfect destination for celebratory dinners, romantic evenings, or leisurely weekend gatherings.
- 🎻 Sofyalı 9 (Asmalımescit, Beyoğlu): Located in a 19th-century building; popular for its fava, samphire salad, Sofyalı börek, and intimate musical ambiance. Sofyalı 9 is cherished for its nostalgic charm and warm hospitality. The interior, with its exposed brick walls and vintage furnishings, invites guests to settle in and enjoy an evening of shared plates and soft background music. Its mezes—crafted with seasonal ingredients—are known for their purity of flavor and thoughtful preparation. Many visitors describe Sofyalı 9 as a place where time slows down, allowing them to fully appreciate the essence of Istanbul’s meyhane culture.
Regional Turkish Cuisine: A Culinary Journey Across Anatolia
Turkey’s regions each have distinct culinary identities. Istanbul brings them all together.
- 🔥 Hamdi Restaurant (Eminönü – Spice Bazaar): Famous for Southeastern Turkish cuisine, Şanlıurfa and Gaziantep kebabs, pistachio kebab, patlıcan kebabı, Ali Nazik, and clay-pot Testi Kebab, with panoramic Golden Horn views. Beyond its celebrated kebabs, Hamdi offers a rich selection of mezes rooted in the culinary traditions of Southeastern Anatolia. Spices such as isot pepper, pomegranate molasses, and roasted garlic feature heavily throughout the menu, creating bold, layered flavors. Diners can enjoy multi-floor seating with sweeping vistas of the historical peninsula, making the restaurant equally appealing for daytime visits and atmospheric evening meals. The generous portions, attentive service, and deep cultural connection to Urfa cuisine make Hamdi a landmark for both locals and tourists seeking regional authenticity.
- 🫒 Giritli (Cankurtaran): Serves Cretan-inspired Aegean cuisine in a historic wooden building; fixed-price menu with olive oil mezes, seafood, marinated sea bass, wild herb dishes, and vine leaf sardines. Giritli’s menu emphasizes freshness, seasonality, and the delicate flavors characteristic of the Aegean region. Diners begin with an abundant array of cold and hot mezes—many featuring wild herbs, artichokes, and citrus tones—reflecting the pastoral and coastal influences of Crete. The charming garden terrace, illuminated by soft lights, creates a romantic and serene ambiance, especially on summer evenings. With its combination of historical setting, generous portions, and cultural storytelling through food, Giritli offers one of the most immersive Aegean dining experiences in Istanbul.
- 🐟 Hayvore (Beyoğlu): Specializes in Black Sea comfort food; known for buttery beans, hamsili pilav, mıhlama, and Karadeniz-style pide; affordable, hearty, and always lively. Hayvore distinguishes itself through its dedication to the cuisine of the Laz and Pontic communities, whose culinary identity revolves around cornmeal, anchovies, dairy-rich dishes, and hearty vegetable stews. The restaurant’s mıhlama—a gooey, cheese-laden cornmeal dish—is a beloved classic and a must-try for visitors unfamiliar with Black Sea cooking. Seasonal options such as braised cabbage, bean stews, and anchovy-based specialties provide a comforting, home-style experience. Its casual atmosphere, fast service, and excellent value make Hayvore a favorite stop for anyone wanting an introduction to the deep-rooted traditions of Karadeniz cuisine.
Home-Style Anatolian Lokantas: Everyday Turkish Comfort Food
- 🍲 Çiya Sofrası (Kadıköy Market): Known for preserving regional recipes from across Turkey; offers lamb with quince, Anatolian stews, stuffed vegetables, and seasonal specialty dishes. Beyond its extensive menu, Çiya functions as a cultural archive where forgotten Anatolian recipes are revived and shared with a modern audience. Chef Musa Dağdeviren’s dedication to documenting culinary heritage results in dishes that are both educational and deeply satisfying. Visitors can encounter rare preparations from southeastern tribes, Alevi communities, or rural Anatolian villages—many of which are unavailable anywhere else in Istanbul. The constantly changing menu means every visit reveals something new, making Çiya a culinary adventure rather than a typical restaurant experience.
- 🧿 Kanaat Lokantası (Üsküdar): Family-run since 1933; serves tas kebabı, Uzbek pilav, olive oil–braised vegetables, and iconic desserts such as kazandibi and apricots with clotted cream. Kanaat is a beloved institution where generations of Istanbulites have gathered for comforting, home-style meals. Its vast daily selection spans soups, stews, grilled dishes, rice variations, and vibrant vegetable offerings, reflecting the full breadth of Turkish domestic cooking. The dessert counter alone is worth the visit, featuring Ottoman classics prepared with exceptional skill. The bright, bustling atmosphere and quick, friendly service make it ideal for both quick lunches and leisurely family dinners.
- 🏛️ Hacı Abdullah Lokantası (Beyoğlu): Operating since 1888; features more than 400 Ottoman recipes including Perde Pilavı, Ayva Tatlısı, and traditional stews in a nostalgic wood-paneled dining room. Hacı Abdullah is renowned for its elegant yet unpretentious approach to Ottoman cuisine, with dishes that highlight the empire’s balance of sweet and savory elements. Large jars of preserved fruits line the walls, symbolizing its dedication to tradition. The menu features numerous dolma varieties, slow-cooked meat dishes, and grain-based specialties reflective of historic palace and regional kitchens. Each plate is crafted with meticulous attention to authenticity, making the restaurant a living museum of Turkish culinary heritage.
- 💙 Pandeli (Eminönü – Spice Bazaar): Historic turquoise-tiled restaurant above the bazaar; famous for zucchini blossom dolma, kofte, eggplant dishes, and Ottoman-style stews; primarily open for lunch. Pandeli’s iconic blue interior has welcomed sultans, presidents, artists, and world travelers for more than a century. Its menu focuses on classic Turkish dishes executed with precision, allowing the natural flavors of high-quality ingredients to shine. Guests can enjoy delicacies such as fragrant lamb stews, tender vegetable braises, or delicate dolmas filled with seasonal herbs. The restaurant’s limited hours preserve its identity as a midday culinary gem, offering a serene escape from the bustle of the Spice Bazaar below.
Final Thoughts
Istanbul’s traditional restaurants offer far more than meals—they deliver cultural immersion. Whether you seek a palace-inspired feast, a raki-filled evening among friends, or comforting flavors from Turkey’s diverse regions, the city caters to every palate. Exploring these restaurants provides a delicious and meaningful way to experience Turkish heritage.
From opulent Ottoman dining rooms to bustling lokantas, Istanbul’s culinary landscape captures the essence of Turkey past and present. Enjoy your journey, and afiyet olsun.