10 Best Luxury Restaurants In Istanbul
If you are planning to visit Turkey, I’ve prepared the best luxury restaurants in Istanbul for you!
Istanbul is one of the most important cities in the world and the biggest in Turkey, being the country’s most important economic city.
Istanbul is probably the most important tourist attraction in Turkey, and with a rich history, the food is absolutely excellent.
And of course, some luxury restaurants are waiting for you! Be sure that the city offers more than 10 top class restaurants, but we’ve got just 10 of them for you to chose from!
So let’s have a look at some of the best restaurants in Istanbul and what they have to offer!
1.Mikla
Our first luxury restaurant in Istanbul is Mikla.
The superb location of the restaurant will probably make you forget about food. A forefront of Istanbul’s contemporary food, Mikla opened in 2005 and astounds everyone with its magical surroundings, being located on the rooftop floor of the Marmara Pera Hotel.
The restaurant’s terrace offers mind blowing view of the city, including Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.
Chef-patron Mehmet Gürs says that his food is a reflection of his Turkish-Scandinavian background. Dishes such as Aegean octopus, salted and dried beef with humus and pistachio, paste and warm mulberry soup with cinnamon crumbs and tahini ice cream will make your taste-buds tingle.
2.Antica Locanda
One of the best restaurants in Istanbul is Antica Locanda.
This little corner of heaven is definitely a must go place when you visit Istanbul. Located in the neighborhood of Arnavutköy, the restaurant is said to be one of the city’s best kept secrets.
The Italian cuisine will offer you an amazing menu, the kitchen being led by chef-owner Gian Carlo Talerico.
The outdoor seating area is a magical place that overlooks the church next door. Make sure you bring a lot of friends with you, so you will get a taste of as many dishes as possible, because Antica Locanda offers delicious menus!
3.Cokcok
The next amazing restaurant in Istanbul is Cokcok.
Meaning plentiful in Turkish, the restaurant surely has plenty of amazing things to offer! Located in Beyoglu, Cokcok is a beautiful Thai restaurant.
The decor is contemporary, clean, made of wood and glass, and the outdoor terrace is opened during summer, so you can enjoy an amazing meal in a warm surrounding.
Chef Nuch is not afraid to spice it up a bit and serves delicious dishes such as stir-fried beef and curried duck, house-made ice cream, poached pear and lobster in garlic sauce.
The restaurant seats 60 in winter, and 70 in summer, thanks to the beautiful terrace.
4.Sunset Grill & Bar
Up next we have the international Sunset Grill & Bar.
With so many tourists, Sunset Grill & Bar found a way to please everybody. With a very diverse kitchen that serves from Turkish to Mediterranean and Japanese dishes, the restaurant surely is one of the best restaurants in Istanbul.
Sunset Grill & Bar was Istanbul’s first restaurant to add a sushi bar, and you know it’s a top class restaurant when it grows its own herbs in the garden, produce wines in its vineyard in Bozcaada and has the most precious wine collection in its possession.
Sunset Grill & Bar was named one of the best restaurants in Europe, and famous people such as driver Lewis Hamilton and US politician John McCain have enjoyed a lovely dinner with views of the Bosphorus Bridge and Asian shoreline.
5.Pandeli
One of the best luxury restaurants in Istanbul is Pandeli.
Once a very fancy restaurant, Pandeli is no longer one of the restaurants which offer you bite-sized dishes at a very expensive price. The huge servings of meat and the abundance of bread are completed with a fresh pomegranate juice.
The restaurant is less ostentatious than before and is located inside the main entrance to the Spice Bazaar. Nevertheless, Pandeli is still one of the best restaurants in Istanbul.
The turquoise tiles, domed ceiling, the winding stone staircase entry and the wooden tables give the restaurant a majestic air.
6.Meze by Lemon Tree
Up next we have Meze by Lemon Tree.
Meze is located across the historic Pera Palace Hotel and offers very creative dishes that change every season.
The name of the restaurant is inspired from the dishes with the same name, meze representing small dishes, appetizers, that are filled with local ingredients.
The restaurant’s dishes include sea bass ceviche and saman bayildi (fried sweet green pepper filled with cheese, pistachios and onion).
So if you want to try an authentic Turkish meal that serves pureed eggplant and stuffed vine leaves, or deniz börülcesi (samphire greens) and fava (mashed broad beans), Meze is the place to go to.
7.Changa
One of Istanbul’s best restaurants is Changa.
With a minimal decor, Changa is located near Taksim Square, and occupies four floors of an Art Nouveau townhouse, more than 100-years old.
The restaurant is both elegant and modern in the same time, and famous chef Peter Gordon with Changa’s chef-owner Civan Er are creating the most delicious Turkish and international inspired dishes.
If you want an intimate dining experience, you can hire the private dining room on the top floor, which has hand-painted walls from the early 1900’s.
8.Ulus 29
Definitely one of the best restaurants in Istanbul, Ulus 29 will offer you an unforgettable dining experience.
Both a restaurant and club, Ulus 29 will amaze you with a delicious dinner, great cocktails, amazing views of the Bosphorus and a wild party afterwards in Club 29, the adjacent bar.
The modern and stylish Turkish-themed restaurant is offering quality service since it’s been opened, in 1993.
The interior is dominated by some of the most interesting chandeliers in the city and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stunning views of the Bosphorus strait and the two bridges connecting the European and Asian shorelines.
The terrace is a cozy place to enjoy a cocktail and hang out with your friends.
The menu includes dishes such as a wide sushi selection, fresh lobster, in-house traditional classic food such as the 29 meatball, mini pita in the stone oven, Turkish pizza and yoghurt kebab, all prepared by international chefs.
9.Poseidon
Next on our list is Poseidon.
How can you visit Istanbul and not enjoy a lovely meal on the sea-side, right? Poseidon will offer you just that, and much more.
The large deck area at the seafood restaurant is floating above the Bosphorus, offering you stunning views of Bebek Marina.
The romantic setting and the delicious dishes such as freshly-caught calamari or sea bass are the perfect way to enjoy the city and the Turkish culture.
10.Zuma
And we end our list of the best luxury restaurants in Istanbul with Zuma.
Internationally-famous in other important cities such as London, Hong Kong, Dubai, or Miami, Zuma offers top class services and a traditional Japanese izakaya cuisine.
The Istanbul restaurant is located near the Bosphorus and it even has a private jetty for guests arriving by boat. With a sake bar, a lounge, a 140-seat water-side terrace and an amazingly-decorated ground floor, Zuma is one of Istanbul’s top class restaurants.
The menu is focused on high-end food and ingredients, and be sure the presentation is innovative and stunning!
These were the best luxury restaurants in Istanbul!
