Istanbul - Restaurants

Restaurants
Expensive

360 Istanbul
Located on the roof terrace of an apartment block on Istikal Caddesi, the name gives an indication of the view from here. Frequented by both wealthy Turks and foreign tourists, this Istanbul restaurant has fusion cuisine that blends Turkish, Mediterranean and Oriental styles and ingredients. Reservations are necessary at weekends. After midnight, the place turns into a trendy nightclub.

Misir Apartmani K8/311, istikal Caddesi
Tel: (0212) 251 1042.
Website: www.360istanbul.com

Feriye Lokantasi
With a superb view from its enviable location on the banks of the Bosphorus near Ortaky, Feriye Lokantasi has a fine reputation for hearty Turkish meat dishes, and is one of the best restaurants in Istanbul. Lamb comes charcoal-grilled and everything is prepared in a traditional way that is adapted for the modern palate. The outdoor area comes complete with under-floor heating for cold evenings. Popular with wealthy businessmen and romantic couples alike. The Sunday buffet brunch is recommended. Reservations required for dinner.

irağan Caddesi 40, Ortaky
Tel: (0212) 227 2216.
Website: www.feriye.com

Leb-i Derya
On a shabby street off busy Istiklal Caddesi, this part ultra-stylish terrace bar, part lively restaurant serves up Ottoman cuisine with a twist. It is the place to come for early evening cocktails in Istanbul - but make a reservation for a table with a view to enjoy your izgara levrek (grilled sea bass) or 40-spice steak. There is another branch at the Richmond Hotel at 227 Istikal Caddesi.

Kumbaraci Yokuşu 57/6, Tnel, Beyoğlu
Tel: (0212) 293 4989.
Website: www.lebiderya.com

Amedros
Amedros strives for a continental brasserie ambience, but in many ways its menu couldn't be more Turkish. Its specialities include old-fashioned dishes such as testi kebabi (chunks of lamb slow-roasted in a clay pot that is ceremonially cracked open at your table, releasing a gush of mouth-watering aromas). Good for lunch or dinner, with tables outdoors in summer and in a cosy dining room in colder seasons.

Hoca Rustem Sokak 7, Sultanahmet
Tel: (0212) 522 0356.

Buhara Restaurant
This is an unassuming Sultanahmet restaurant which serves the full gamut of Turkish favourites, from inexpensive pide to big grills and kebabs and other meat dishes. For vegetarians, it also serves up a decent choice of non-meat dishes, mainly grilled and roasted. There are tables outside on the sidewalk, and inside in a rather spartan dining room.

Alemdar Mahallesi Nuru Osmaniye Caddesi 7A, Sultanahmet.
Tel: (0212) 527 5133.

Lacivert
With fine views over the Bosphorus from its eastern shore, this Istanbul restaurant serves traditional Turkish dishes - grilled meat and fish, pastries, soups and an array of sherbets and other desserts. Perhaps not worth crossing the water for if you are staying in Sultanahmet or Beyoglu, but well worth a visit if your hotel is on the Asian side.

Korfez Caddesi 57A, Anadolu Hisari
Tel: (0212) 413 4224.
Website: www.lacivertrestaurant.com

Canim Ciğerim
This tiny, simple Istanbul caf has just one thing on the menu: liver - cooked on a skewer and chopped on your plate, served up with salad and bread. There are several tables on the quiet street, and the place, which is popular with local workers at lunchtime, is always busy. Friendly service, fresh food and very cheap in this charming area of Beyoğlu.

Asmalimescit Mahallesi Minare Sokak 1, Beyoğlu
Tel: (0212) 252 6060.

Hala
A string of simple restaurants (the one off Istiklal is the most quaint) in Istanbul, Hala serves up cheap, filling gzleme - pancakes stuffed with cheese, potato, spinach or meat, and meat-filled manti (local ravioli). In a rustic setting (complete with traditionally dressed women making the fillings in the window), this is the perfect place for a tasty lunch accompanied by a soup or salad. No alcohol.

Istiklal Caddesi 211, Beyoğlu
Tel: (0212) 292 7004.

Saray Muhallebicileri
With several branches over the city, the most famous on Istiklal Caddesi, Saray is something of an institution in Istanbul and has been serving up delicious cakes and pastries since 1935. Although the interior is ornate and the waiters are clad in white jackets, this is a very down-to-earth and cheap restaurant-caf, most famous for its cakes and traditional Turkish puddings, but which also sells kebabs, soups and savoury dishes. A good choice for breakfast or snacks, Saray, not surprisingly, is busy all hours.

Istiklal Caddesi 102, Beyoglu
Tel: (0212) 292 3434.
Website: www.saraymuhallebicisi.com

Hotels
Cheap

Hotel Sari Konak
This family-run boutique townhouse hotel offers extraordinarily good value for money in Istanbul. Its name means yellow mansion' and it is located within the walls of an attractively modernised Ottoman house. The rooms are unfussily decorated with polished wooden floors and hand-painted furniture. Turkish-style buffet breakfast is lavish and is served in a pretty courtyard, and the rooftop terrace caf has fine views of the Blue Mosque and the Sea of Marmaris.

Mimar Mehmet Aga Cad 42-46, Sultanahmet
Tel: (0212) 638 6258.
Website: www.istanbulhotelsarikonak.com

Istanbul Hotel Nomade
This small Istanbul hotel is something of an institution in Sultanahmet. Renovated most recently in 2004, it has a loyal repeat clientele, attracted by its simple, bright and stylish rooms, friendly atmosphere, and a rooftop terrace with fine views of the domes and minarets of the old quarter. It is conveniently located for exploring the sights of Sultanahmet on foot, and is within easy walking distance of the Suleimaniye Mosque, the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya and the Topkapi Palace Museum.

Dovanyolu Ticarethane Sokak 15, Sultanahmet
Tel: (0212) 513 8172.
Website: www.hotelnomade.com

Side Hotel and Pension
In Sultanahmet's historical quarter, close to the Four Seasons Hotel, this small, friendly family-run hotel and pension represents excellent value. All rooms are clean and simple, those in the hotel have a TV and phone, half have air conditioning and some have a Jacuzzi (at extra cost). Rooms are cheaper in the pension (no air conditioning, TV or phone). Two apartments accommodate up to four people each, with well-equipped kitchen and living room. Both hotel and pension share a roof breakfast terrace that offers excellent views over Sultanahmet.

Utanga Sokak 20, Cankurtaran, Sultanahmet
Tel: (0212) 458 5870.
Website: www.sidehotel.com

irağan Palace Kempinski
One of a few luxury hotels to be located on the European shore of the Bosphorus, irağan Palace Kempinski is partly housed in a former Ottoman palace and boasts someof the most opulent rooms in Istanbul, including the millionaires-only Grand Sultan Suite. The hotel's waterfront jazz bar has unrivalled views of the Istanbul skyline. With a swimming pool in its huge terrace, four restaurants including fine Turkish dining in Tuğra, boutiques, a spa and health club and rooms with high-speed internet access, irağan Palace Kempinski is one of the best hotels in Istanbul for leisure as well as business travellers.

irağan Caddesi 32, Beşiktaş
Tel: (0212) 326 4646.
Website:www.kempinski.com/istanbul

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet
Understated luxury is the keynote here, and it's hard to believe that this century-old building was once an infamous prison. Close to the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofya, the luxury Four Seasons Hotel is perfectly located for sightseeing in Istanbul. Each of the 65 rooms is uniquely designed and decorated, and this small and intimate hotel boasts frills including a health club, conference facilities, rooftop terrace and an attractive open courtyard, which also contains the top-class Seasons restaurant.

Tevkifhane Sokak 1, Cankurtaran, Sultanahmet
Tel: (0212) 402 3000.
Website: www.fourseasons.com/istanbul

Radisson Blu Bosphorus Hotel
The waterfront Ortaky location of the Radisson means a peaceful stay not far from Istanbul's old city. The 120 rooms and six studios come with Wi-Fi access and a contemporary, light and fresh dcor. A waterfront bar and terrace has a great view over the Bosphorus, and the hotel comes equipped with meeting rooms and gym with hammam and sauna.

irağan Caddesi 46, Ortaky
Tel: (0212) 310 1500.
Website: www.radissonblu.com/hotel-istanbul

Ayasofya Konaklari
Located on a quiet cobbled street, sandwiched between Haghia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, this small, brightly painted row of nine restored Ottoman houses offers a real taste of history. Each one of the atmospheric guesthouses, each with five to 10 rooms, plus two-bedroom apartments, are furnished simply in 19th-century Ottoman style, with period dcor and furnishings. The front rooms are recommended, with views of Ayasofya (Haghia Sofia). Buffet breakfast included.

Soğukeşme Sokak, Sultanahmet
Tel: (0212) 513 3660.
Website: www.ayasofyakonaklari.com

Hotel Empress Zoe
This stylish Istanbul period hotel is situated in the heart of Sultanahmet, just five minutes' walk from Haghia Sofia. The hotel is comprised of several traditional Turkish townhouses centred upon a 15th-century hammam and an archaeological garden where breakfast is served. Rooms are furnished in traditional style with Turkish textiles and folk art. The rooftop terrace offers superb views over the Sea of Mamara, nearby mosques and ancient walls.

Adliye Sokak 19, Akbiyik Caddesi, Sultanahmet
Tel: (0212) 518 2504.
Website: www.emzoe.com

Witt Istanbul Hotel
This ultra-trendy, all-suite Istanbul boutique hotel opened in 2008, and is within walking distance of Taksim Square and the city's main business district, in an up-and-coming neighbourhood of cafs, boutiques and restaurants. The public areas and rooms are sleek and chic, and although the restaurant serves only breakfast, with so many places to eat nearby this is no hardship. In addition, each room has a modern kitchenette with microwave. No pool, but there is a rooftop sunbathing terrace.

Defterdar Yokusu 26, Cihangir
Tel: (0212) 293 1500.
Website: www.wittistanbul.com