Istanbul Restaurants

It is not as simple as it may look from the outside to catch the real flavor of Turkish Cuisine. Turkish cuisine has been influenced and influenced many cultures and cuisines over the course of history. As nomadic people many years ago, the Turkish population had been exposed to different cultures and their tastes before settling down in Anatolia. For instance on the south, there is Lebanon, with whom the Turkish kitchen shares so many flavors and meals, such as the yaprak sarma (stuffed vinegrapes) and içli köfte (mini meatballs). Someone travelling around the Agean may mistake the Turkish cuisine with the Greek and Hellenistic. Around the Agean, the grasses and the grassroots and the olive oil stand out as the must of the kitchens. Fish also has an unbeatable role in the Agean. In fact, for many years villages of Agea were known as fishermen's villages. The fish continues to dominate the kitchen in the North of Turkey. Around the Black Sea, fishermen's villages still abound. However, the Black Sea people cook fish in an entirely different way, like embedding the hamsi (anchovy) in and around rice -yummy! Back in south again, meat is very important in Antakia and Southern Anatolia. The very wellknown "kebab" culture is in fact coming from the South of Turkey. Here, heavy spices are used to season the meat. Different regions have different local cuisines. Istanbul is the only city in Turkey that brings together the finest examples of diverse influences. Istanbul also presents finest examples from the world. Restaurants like Zuma, Papermoon and Bice have also founded themselves a place in this big city and they have become iconic for its residents. Loosen your belt and dig in.

La Brise

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Asmalı Mescit Caddesi 28

The little French germ on the Asmali...
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Mimolett

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Siraselviler Caddesi No:55/a Cihangir

Soon to become the 1st Michelin rated restaurant of Istanbul...
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Da Vittorio, Locanda Italiana

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Meşrutiyet Caddesi Ansen Suites 130, Tepebasi

One&only true Sicillian gem in Beyoglu w. multilingual staff...
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Topaz Restaurant

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Omer Avni Mahallesi Inonu Caddesi 50, Gumusuyu

Best of Ottoman Cuisine, serious&elegant place, magnificent view...
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Sade Kahve

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Yahya Kemal Caddesi No:36/1 Rumelihisari
Rumeli Hisari

One of the best places for a traditional Turkish breakfast...
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Lucca

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Cevdetpasa Caddesi No:51/B

Local's choice of lounge, tapas bar...
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Kanaat Lokanta

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Selmanipak Caddesi No:9 Uskudar
Üsküdar

Traditional, lovely Ottoman kitchen... Cooked like at home...
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Ciya Sofrasi

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Caferağa Mahallesi Guneslibahce Sokak 43

Culinary adventure: samples of Southeastern (Turkish-Kurdish) cuisine...
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Ulus 29

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Ahmet Adnan Saygun Caddesi
Ulus Parki No.1, Ulus

Bedouin tent on the Bosphorus...
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Konyali Lokantasi -Sirkeci

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Mimar Kemalettin Cad. 5. Vakif Han, Sirkeci
Sirkeci

113 years-old culinary history, now a restaurant chain...
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Asitane Restaurant

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Kariye Camii Sokak 6
Kariye Hotel

Excellent Ottoman Palace Cuisine for your palate...
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Sunset Grill & Bar

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Adnan Saygun Caddesi, Yol Sokak No:2
Ulus Park

Watch the sunset over Bosphorus with elegance and style...
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Port Sedef

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1 No'lu Sokak 1, Sedef Adasi

Getting away from the city and to the islands to under the pine trees...
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Mest Charcuterie

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Tuncay Artun Cd. Salihbey Sk. No:4 Reşitpaşa Mahallesi

A "concept" delicatessen in the mid of nowhere...
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Inci Pastahanesi Elsa Zgoridis

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Istiklal Caddesi 56H, Beyoğlu

Best profiteroles...
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Zazie

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Atiye Sokak Ak Apartmanı No:7/2 Teşvikiye

Urban touch on Italian cuisine in a chic neighborhood...
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Tarihi Selim Usta Sultanahmet Köftecisi

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12 Divan Yolu

Turkish style fast-food: Legendary meatballs & white beans...
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Asmali Cavit

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Asmalı Mescit Beyoğlu

One of the best traditions on Asmalı Mescit Street...
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Reina

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Muallim Naci Caddesi 44
Ortaköy

Lunch, dine and club under the bridge, over the sea...
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Lokanta Maya

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Kemankeş caddesi no: 35 A Karaköy

A niche place serving good and healthy food in Karaköy...
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