Istanbul Restaurants

Eateries in Istanbul serve various cuisines, apart from authentic Turkish cuisine. However, many up-scale restaurants offer menus that are a mix of international and local dishes.

In Istanbul, one can taste the flavours of Turkish cuisine with skewered lamb kebabs or doner kebabs, besides mezes and fresh seafood. Situated at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, Istanbul also offers a novel fusion of different cuisines like pasta, makarnalar and peynirli.

Most popular beverages of the city are Turkish coffee and ayran. Alcoholic beverages are also readily available, most popular of which is anise-flavoured raki liqueur.

Among the popular international cuisines served in the city are French, Italian, Asian, Middle Eastern, European, Mediterranean, Thai and Russian. With the diversity in food selection, the restaurants cater to the needs of all.

Along the Bosphorus Strait, one can find many up-scale waterfront eateries serving the local cuisine. In the neighbourhood of this area, there are many local restaurants that specialise in seafood.

The Beyoglu district is well-known for its many dining establishments, small eateries and street eating joints that offer local and fusion foods. Restaurants in Edirnekapi, Ortakoy, Kanlyca and Sisli, along with the cafés in Taksim are also famous.

During summer months, outdoor dining becomes more popular. Most small and large restaurants move the tables to outdoor terraces, for Al fresco dining. Not all restaurants in Istanbul are open for lunch and dinner is mostly served from 6 pm till late at night.