Karaköy Güllüoğlu
A famous baklava shop, part of a family that has been making baklava since 1949, with pistachio-rich layers.
Known for: Baklava, börek
Under about £8 per person
Local favourite Good for Couples · Families
Istanbul
12 real restaurants, cafés, bars, markets and food experiences, from inexpensive to special occasion.
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12 places to eat and drink in Istanbul
£ Inexpensive
Hafız Mustafa 1864
An old-established sweet shop known for baklava, lokum (Turkish delight) and desserts.
Known for: Baklava, Turkish delight
Under about £8 per person
Good for Couples · Families
Çiya Sofrası
A celebrated restaurant on the Asian side, serving regional Turkish dishes from all over Anatolia.
Known for: Regional Anatolian dishes
About £8–16 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
Karaköy Lokantası
A stylish lokanta in a former bank, serving traditional Turkish home-style dishes.
Known for: Meze, fish, stews
About £8–16 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
Balıkçı Sabahattin
A well-known fish restaurant in an old wooden house, a short walk from Sultanahmet.
Known for: Fresh fish, meze
About £16–30 per person
Good for Couples · Groups
Pandeli
A restaurant above the Spice Bazaar, open since 1901, famed for its blue-tiled dining room.
Known for: Lamb, fish, Ottoman dishes
About £16–30 per person
Good for Couples · Groups
Hamdi Restaurant
A well-known kebab house with a rooftop terrace overlooking the Golden Horn.
Known for: Kebabs, pistachio dishes
About £8–16 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
Mandabatmaz
A tiny café on a side street off İstiklal, famed for its thick Turkish coffee.
Known for: Turkish coffee
Under about £8 per person
Local favourite Good for Couples · Families
Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi
The historic Turkish coffee roaster, open since 1871, with a queue at its counter.
Known for: Ground Turkish coffee
Under about £8 per person
Local favourite Good for Couples · Families
£ to ££££ is an approximate guide to price level and the per-person range is an estimate, not live pricing. “Good for” is a rule of thumb. Opening times and menus change: check with the venue before you go.
Local dishes to try in Istanbul 3
Simit and Turkish tea
Balık ekmek
Baklava
