MyTerrace has the most “Turkish” personality of all the restaurants we recommend in Istanbul that offer traditional Turkish cuisine. It’s got a raw unpolished feel, but the food, service and view make this restaurant something special. For the best experience arrive early and insist on a table on the terrace.
Located within walking distance of several of the city’s top hotels, Nişantaşı Başköşe offers traditional Turkish cuisine in a contemporary setting with slate gray walls, black leather upholstered benches and chairs, and ceramic tile floor with a diamond inlay. The traditional menu is well-executed, and service is friendly and responsive.
Located in the same building as one of the city’s most prominent Turkish bath houses, Lokanta 1741 offers a slightly more sophisticated and gourmet take on traditional regional cuisine than any of the other restaurants on our Istanbul favorites list. The rooftop terrace is pleasant but doesn’t offer much of a view as it’s nestled in between surrounding buildings and the indoor dining is nice but inferior to the terrace experience. Service is particularly good.
The Karaköy Tram Station is the hub for traveling from the tourist-centric Sultanahmet station in Fatih to hotels and restaurants lining the Istaklal Caddesi between Sishane and Taksim Square. It’s just a few paces from this tram stop to the funicular station that takes you up the hill to Istiklal Caddesi.