Eat in Istanbul
Posted in EAT & DRINK, Istanbul, Restaurants on January 6th, 2010 by Sinan
With the interior smoking ban introduced towards the middle of 2009, Istanbul’s restaurant culture went through a major change. The interiors, once packed with people, were stripped of their popularity. Even the non-smokers ended up choosing outside seating to respect the addiction of their smoker relatives and friends. Restaurant managers decorated their terraces, balconies and gardens with numerous portable heaters and provided extra blankets once the winter arrived.
With this recent update in mind, don’t miss these great restaurants during your stay in Istanbul.
Last updated on 20 January 2010
Ulus 29
Ulus 29 is set on one the highest hilltops in Istanbul above the Bosphorus. Go for dinner. Keep in mind that like many other restaurants in the city, 29 usually rents out another location right next to the shore during summer to benefit from the warm weather. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the lounge, the dinning room and the nightclub give you one of the best views in the city with the Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridge winking at you with its traffic lights. If you can, go a little earlier than your reservation time and have a drink at the lounge. Recommended Food: Kasarli Pide (Turkish-style pizza with cheese baked in the oven) and Iskender (thinly sliced lamb and cubes of veal served over diced pita bread and yogurt with warm tomato dressing and butter on top). Recommended Wine: Okuzgozu (Turkish Red Wine). Web: www.group-29.com
Kiyi
Simply the best seafood in town. The right wing of the ground floor is the most crowded and is known to be occupied by the regulars of the place. The seafood is always fresh and you can choose your fish from the cooler located on the ground floor. There is no bar so go at the time of your reservation. Recommended Food: APPETIZER: Karides Guvec (baked shrimp with mushroom and tomato sauce), Ciger (liver), Octopus, Fried Calamari, Feta Cheese, Mashed Eggplant Salad, Roasted Red Peppers; MAIN COURSE: Levrek (sea bass) or Kalkan (Turbot) for fish; DESSERT: Chocolate Souffle. Web: www.kiyi.com.tr
Borsa Restaurants
Famous for its focus on Turkish food, Borsa has two favorite locations: one in Nisantasi and one in Istinye Park. It is known to have more of a corporate clientele, especially during lunch time. Expect to eat delicious Turkish food with less music and entertainment. Recommended Food: Manti (Turkish ravioli with meat and yogurt), Lahmacun (Turkish pizza with meat, parsley, lemon and tomato (baked in the oven)), Iskender, Hunkar Begendi (veal meat chunks served over warm mashed eggplant). Web: www.borsarestaurant.com
Kosebasi at Reina
Although Kosebasi has another location in Levent, the Reina spot is open only during the summer months. It is one of the few restaurants inside Reina, one of the most well-known outdoor nightclubs in Istanbul. The club is located right next to the Bosphorus. Kosebasi is famous for its char grilled meat dishes. The small meat chops called Cop Sis are always a favorite, so are the Adana Kofte, Suzme Yogurt, Findik Lahmacun, Patlicanli Pide and Gavurdagi. Don’t forget to eat Dondurmali Irmik for dessert. Web: www.kosebasi.com
Hunkar
If you are in Nisantasi and looking to get delicious Turkish home cooked meal, Hunkar is the place to go. It welcomes mostly businessman during lunchtime, and offers an extensive selection of food at the open buffet. Hunkar Begendi, a dish prepared with broiled beef chunks served over rice and mashed eggplant is a favorite. Don’t try anything but the warm Irmik Helvasi (one of the best in Istanbul) with vanilla ice cream and Turkish Coffee for dessert. Address: Mim Kemal Öke Sokak No :21 (Keep in mind that the original location is currently under construction, but a temporary location is open just a few doors up)
Bebek Balikci
The most well-known seafood restaurant located in Bebek. Summers are great on the porch which sits right on the top of the Bosphorus with an amazing view of the Asian side. The recommendations for Kiyi also apply to Bebek Balikci. Web: www.bebekbalikci.net
Lucca Bar
Located right across from Bebek Balikci in Bebek, this bar/restaurant is famous for its early evening and nighttime happy hours (Thursdays to Sundays). Web: www.luccastyle.com
Masa
Located right in the middle of the most popular section of Istinye Park shopping mall/residences, Masa (means table in English) is more of a see-and-be-seen spot. It is owned by the same people running the Borsa Restaurants. Especially during lunch, this place gets packed with well-dressed socialites (mostly middle-aged women) with expensive cars on display around its parking lot. Despite the overwhelming scenery, the pizza with bresaola and aragula is a favorite.
Dolce
This hidden small gem in Kurucesme is run by one of the best caterers in Turkey. She also keeps a small cafe for guests to enjoy the best brownies and chocolate souffle in the city. It is best when you enjoy them in the afternoon with Turkish Coffee. Looking directly at the Bosphorus from a high floor-to-ceiling window, Cafe Di Dolce makes visitors feel like they are back in their cozy living room. Every detail here is the work of an extremely talented and perfectionist owner. Besides the desserts at the cafe, birthday/occasional cakes are taken by order only and are strongly recommended. Everything from the flavor to the cookies placed on the top can be personalized. The ingredients are seasonal. If you are in during the peach ripening, choose nothing else but white chocolate and fresh slices of peach inside. Web: www.alladolce.com
Passion
A romantic cafe/restaurant located in Yenikoy. The working fireplace inside keeps the place cozy during winter and the terrace outside is great for summer. Dinner especially recommended for couples. The cheesecakes are one of the best in the city. Address: Koybaşı Cad. No: 78 Yenikoy Istanbul
Mangerie
If you are looking for a hip place that serves something other than traditional Turkish food, Mangerie will answer your prayers. Located on the top floor of an old residential building in the heart of Bebek, this all-white, cozy eatery welcomes visitors with comfortable living room furniture. Delicious deserts are always on display on the table located a few steps away from the entrance. The cherry crumble served warm with a large scoop of vanilla ice-cream is a must. Weather-permitting, the balcony furnished with comfortable couches and large coffee tables is the best place to meet up with friends. Freshly squeezed juices from apple to orange along with menemen (scrambled eggs prepared with onions, peppers, cheese and tomatoes), the steak sandwich are definitely recommended. Bear in mind that you will be challenged with a little work out through the multiple staircases (there is no elevator) leading to Mangerie. Address: Cevdetpaşa Caddesi 69, Bebek, Istanbul
Gina Ristorante
Located in yet another famous and hip shopping mall/residences called Kanyon, Gina replaced its ancestor Gilt as the new Harvey Nichols restaurant. Similar to the crowd at Masa, Gina’s visitors are there to see and be seen as much as to enjoy good food. The lunch gets crowded fashionably late around 2pm and the dinner crowd arrives not before 8pm. Thanks to the heaters mounted on the ceiling, outside seating is always the most popular section of the restaurant. I recommend the Carpaccio (served with a delicious mayonnaise dressing on top) as starter and then the Calzone. Web: www.ginaristorante.com

































