Istanbul, Turkey Hotels and City Guide

Istanbul - Restaurants

Local Cuisine & Customs

A good rule to observe when you travel – especially when you travel in Istanbul – is to eat where the locals eat. Natives here know which restaurants have the freshest ingredients, the cleanest establishments, the most reasonable prices, and of course, the tastiest dishes. Istanbulites have extremely high standards when it comes to their food, so when in doubt, follow the crowds of natives as they go to their favorite restaurants and cafes.

At the crossroads of both Asia and Europe – both renowned for their delicious cuisine – Istanbul’s food is influenced by a variety of cultures. Today, you can enjoy traditional dishes, such as doner kebabs, different varieties of pilav (rice pilaf), borek, baklava, and much more, as well as the fusion creations of contemporary chefs. You can sample pasta, or makarnalar, dishes such as Peynirli (linguine sautéed with rich feta cheese and butter). Try this: Ottoman lamb slow cooked and juicy, served with eggplant and a bechamel sauce, or king tiger prawns seasoned with lemon pepper, grilled to perfection, and served over pilaf with a light garlic cream sauce. Istanbul has some of the best food in the world, and when it is prepared by talented chefs with the freshest ingredients, there is nothing more delicious and satisfying.

Famous for its seafood, Istanbul also has superb meat and vegetable dishes prepared with a mouth-watering array of spices, produce, and a great deal of innovation. The variety is unlimited, and so are the prices. You can find everything from high-end restaurants to simple kebob stands. But don’t judge a restaurant by its price tag: some of the best places to eat are those that are inexpensive. For instance, many upscale hotels have generic international cuisine, and many basic kebob shops have succulent meat and tasty vegetables. In your travels, visit authentic Turkish restaurants for the best taste of Istanbul you can get.

There are three beverages that you shouldn’t leave Istanbul without trying: raki, Turkish coffee, and Ayran. Raki is an aperitif usually consumed with seafood. Flavored with anise, it is very similar to sambuca and is Turkey’s favorite alcoholic drink. Drink raki straight or cut with water and you will know why it is called “lion’s milk.” The second, Turkish coffee, is often just as strong as raki. Taken with a dessert called Turkish Delight, the coffee is thick and potent, with a layer of dregs when you get to the bottom. Sip slowly and savor the strong taste. If it’s too much, add a bit of sugar. The Turkish Delight should sweeten things up a bit too. The last is Ayran. This is a yogurt-based drink that is thin and somewhat salty. It is wonderful on Turkey’s hot summer days when you crave something refreshing. It is a common accompaniment to most Turkish dishes.

Resolve to try something new each day, and your palette will thank you. Such a delicious variety must be savored and appreciated.

Selected Istanbul Restaurants

Safran
Ceylan Inter-Continental Istanbul, Asker Ocagi Cad1, Taksim 80200, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 231 2121 Fax: +90 212 231 2180

Spasso Italian Restaurant
Hyatt Regency Istanbul, Taskisla Caddesi, Taksim 80090, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 225 7000 Fax: +90 212 225 7007

Citronelle
Ceylan Inter-Continental Istanbul, Asker Ocagi Cad1, Taksim 80200, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 231 2121 Fax: +90 212 231 2180

Californian Brasserie
Ceylan Inter-Continental Istanbul, Asker Ocagi Cad1, Taksim 80200, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 231 2121 Fax: +90 212 231 2180

Agora Café Restaurant
Hyatt Regency Istanbul, Taskisla Caddesi, Taksim 80090, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 225 7000 Fax: +90 212 225 7007

Tugra
Ciragan Caddesi 84, Besiktas, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 258 3377

Korfez
Korfez Caddesi 78, Kanlica, Istanbul
Tel: +90 216 413 4314

Borsa Lokantasi
Yalkoku Caddesi, Yalkoku Han 60-62, Eminonu, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 522 4173

Hacibaba
Istiklal Caddesi 49, Taksim, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 244 1886

Le Select
Manolya Sokak 21, Levent, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 268 2120

Develi Restaurant
Balkpazar, Gumuyuzuk Sokak 7, Samataya, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 585 1189

Tipping

Tips are an important part of the income of wait staff, drivers, housekeepers, and others who work in the tourist industry. In Istanbul, it is customary to tip people who perform these services. You are expected to leave a tip in restaurants. Look for “servis dahil” on your bill. This means that a service charge has been added for you: many wait staff, however, expect an additional tip. A ten percent tip on top of the service charge is sufficient. Most establishments take credit cards but do not give the option of placing a tip on the receipt, so have cash too. In Turkey, it is customary to tip hotel staff, baggage carriers, valets, and hairdressers: a tip of TL 2 per person is appropriate. If you visit a bath house, the hamam attendant receives a 25 percent tip. Drivers are not typically given a tip, though it is appreciated if you round the bill up. If the driver helps with your bags, a tip of TL 2 is appropriate.

Hotels in Istanbul, Turkey