The best restaurants Turkey

In a small alley upstream from Galata, a tiny restaurant where you will come first and foremost for the choice of wines offered on the menu (from 100 TL a glass), and which are all accompanied by a small platter of Turkish cheeses. Comfortable armchairs, soothing brick walls decorated with nice black and white photographs, rooftop terrace... The menu offers every day a few well concocted and rather cheap dishes considering the setting. The choice is limited, but the products are fresh and cooked like at home!

If you didn't know what to expect, you'd walk right past it without even noticing it. But some clues do not deceive: the room and the few tables on the sidewalk are often full of Stamboulians who come to taste a home-made cuisine, copious, tasty and cheap. The menu changes every day, you just have to choose from the dishes prepared by the open kitchen. Here, for a handful of TL, you get a soup, a piece of moussaka, a beef or chicken sauté... In short, a nice little neighbourhood canteen!

The still authentic Yalı Kıyı Balik is located on the waterfront. Its terrace facing the yachts is wonderful, at sunset it becomes divine. The restaurant offers delicious specialties of stuffed zucchini flowers and superb fish that are sold by weight. You will have the choice of the day's catch, displayed on a bed of ice at the entrance of the restaurant, and the waiters will advise you. The glasses of wine are served generously.

For those who are looking for a doner in the district of Kadıköy, it's simple, this address is all that's needed! There are also two choices of soups that change every day, and some desserts. Several options exist: in dürüm (wrap), served on the plate, or served with rice. This doner restaurant is simple and efficient, the meat is of good quality, the service and presentation are impeccable and the portions are generous. Don't miss out on this good plan!

What makes Cirali different from other stores is that here the meat is charcoal grilled, giving your doner an extra flavor! You choose your meat by weight. If you are hungry, the iskender kebap with its long slices of meat should fill you with happiness. If you are really hungry, choose the full plate with raw vegetables and rice. The lavas bread, the traditional flat cake, is excellent, perfect to accompany a lamb dürüm. The beyti kebab is great. Efficient and friendly service.

In a narrow street in the center of Bodrum, this no-frills restaurant offers what some say are the best pizzas in the area. You can enjoy them on a cute terrace in the shade of the trees. There is also pasta, antipasti, risotti, all the classics of Italian cuisine. Save a place for the delicious tiramisù. The portions are generous and the prices correct. Result: the place is often crowded in summer. Nice wine list to accompany your dinner. Fast and efficient service. Reservation required.

Uzun Ev is one of the few restaurants that do not belong to a hotel. Managed by the hospitable Mr. Osman, you will find a rather varied menu. Fish, seafood and meat, mezze, soups, börek or seafood... The proposals will delight all appetites. The speciality is the sea bass (farmed) in the Aristotle way (fricasseed, baked). If you can't eat there, you can also have a drink. There is alcohol on the menu. The blue tables and chairs lined up along the Aegean Sea make it possible to enjoy a break to the sound of the lapping water.

With a facade and furniture all in white and blue, this charming restaurant is actually a stone house. Here, everything is beautiful and everything is good. The traditional Aegean cuisine is to die for. The setting, from the terrace in the shade of the fig trees to the smallest piece of antique furniture, is superb and typical. We warn you, you will want to try all the dishes. And we encourage you to do so, but beware, the bill rises quickly. This family business offers a warm welcome. And the recipe is successful, it is strongly advised to reserve!

We concede it to you, this coffee doesn't have much charm, but we go for the view! If you are hungry and want to eat a croque-monsieur (Turkish tost) or have a cup of tea with a view of the Golden Horn and the old town, don't hesitate to push the door of this café with its perched terrace. However, if there is no more room on the terrace, it is not worth staying for the map, which is not exceptional. Be aware that if you decide to leave, the servers will not hold you accountable, they are used to it!

This shop serves the specialities of the Antep region (known for its kebabs and pastries). We recommend the aubergine kebab but there is also a mixed plate made up of several kinds of kebabs. The portions are very generous but keep room for the künefe cooked on charcoal (a pastry made with angel hair and cheese), the region's great specialty. Two downsides: it is difficult to find a place on weekends and the inside of the restaurant, with its very narrow stairs, is cramped.

Nizam Pide has three restaurants of the same brand located in Istanbul: in Galatasaray, Taksim and Harbiye. It is the ideal place to enjoy very good pides (the famous Turkish pizzas) at any time of the day and night. The staff is smiling and will be able to advise you on a wide choice of dishes based on local ingredients and always fresh (pides, grills, kebabs...). For desserts, try their famous "rice puddings" (rice puddings). Nizam Pide also offers their entire card for takeaway sale

Following its great success on the Corne d'Or, the brand opened this second tavern in the trendy Moda district, especially the garden area, which is very popular. The atmosphere is therefore a little different but just as friendly, the menu and the delight of the taste buds are on the other hand identical. Large choice of mezze and fish (no meat) presented on a tray. Among the specialities, the Cretan salad and, for dessert, the succulent tahin-pekmez, an oven cream made from sesame, cinnamon and crushed pistachios.

An opportunity to remind you: Turks love rice. Apart from the people of the neighbourhood, we come from far away to taste the rice from this restaurant. Because in addition to being satisfying, the prices are unbeatable. Served with kuru fasulye (white beans), nohut (chickpeas), tavuk (chicken), salad. Those who don't want rice can choose boulghour. Everything is exposed. No alcohol. The locals generally drink ayran (salted whipped yoghurt). With a few tables inside, many people order to take away.

If you are looking for a snack in the Beyoğlu area, you must come here. This small dürumcü at the corner of a street near Nevizade is certainly one of the best in the city. The bread is made on the spot and served hot, the onions seasoned with sumak - a tangy spice. The tavuk şiş (marinated chicken skewer) is particularly delicious, as is the adana. It has become an institution in the city but its prices have not increased. Possibility to taste on site or to take away. Warm welcome.

On the small island of Heybeliada, you will come to take a breath of fresh air, far from the agitation of Istanbul and its 16 million inhabitants. You can go for a ride in a horse-drawn carriage facing the sea, but if you are concerned about the animal's welfare, you should rent a bicycle. In the summer, many Stamboulians and tourists meet on the island for a picnic. It is also possible to rent a barbecue. The butcher's shops and small grocery stores in the center of the island will allow you to equip yourself for a real feast to be enjoyed in the grass!

Nice setting and small shaded terrace for one of the best addresses in Pamukkale for lunch, dinner or a drink. Kayas Restaurant offers Turkish specialties, grills and vegetarian dishes. The welcome is warm and the music pleasant. The bar is well stocked with alcohol and you can order your favorite cocktail. You can also try an excellent hookah. The international atmosphere is very popular with travelers from all over the world.

This beautiful restaurant located on the terrace of the hotel of the same name, offers a splendid view of the bay of Bodrum and its castle. But the view will not be your only source of satisfaction. The food served here is absolutely delicious. A team full of enthusiasm, local, fresh and seasonal products, all orchestrated by a creative chef, this is the secret! Fish and seafood from local fishermen are honored. In addition, a beautiful wine list, including some (HG Organics) produced by the owner of the place.

A stone's throw from the docks is Kahraman's restaurant, a singular character nicknamed "fish teacher". The walls of the establishment are filled with press articles. As for the map, there is no map! When you don't speak the language, it's complicated but nice and folklore. But don't worry, the house is honest and the waiters are attentive. They will be able to guide you even if they take their time. It is better to avoid the weekend. The score goes up if you want to taste the turbot, which is exquisite (almost twice as high).

One of the oldest Turkish taverns, deeply rooted in the Fatih landscape. This establishment is considered one of the best fishmongers in town. The menu features excellent mezzés, such as girit ezmesi (a mixture of cheese and dried fruit), and deliciously prepared fish. The music is typical of Turkish meyhanes, and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. English is not widely spoken, but the staff do their utmost to put you at ease. Be aware that after a certain hour, people start smoking inside.

In the heart of the market of Beşiktaş, the breakfast street offers a concentrate of specialized establishments in the morning meal. The advantage is that the neighborhood is heavily frequented by students, so prices were decided on the basis of their purse. You will eat very well for a bite of bread, in a convivial atmosphere. The day after a team match of the same name as the neighborhood, you will see around you many young fanatics celebrating a victory or mourning a defeat!

The Sütis brand has many restaurants in the city, but the most famous is the one in Emirgan's wonderful park, with its exceptional view of the Bosphorus and memorable breakfast. You will compose your own breakfast with the suggestions of the menu in which only fresh products are available. A little more expensive than the average, but the quality of this establishment is beyond reproach. In the spring, you will not miss to go for a walk in the park to discover an incredible variety of tulips.

A reference in Istanbul. This very small restaurant located behind the mosque of Süleymaniye offers a very large number of terrace tables. And for good reason! These are filled very quickly from 6:30 pm. This restaurant only serves white beans in sauce with white rice. This typical Turkish dish (rice beans) is not to be missed after a visit to the mosque. The beans are served with a very strong red pepper but the dish is not spicy. Some desserts are available. Exceptional atmosphere in Ramadan period.

To eat quickly when discovering the Taksim or Kadiköy district, let yourself be tempted by tantuni, native of the Mersin region in southern Turkey. This Turkish snack in the form of a sandwich or a dürüm (wrap)of your choice is filled with slightly spicy minced meat, tomato and onion. You can garnish it with lemon juice and ask for it on the plate with yogurt. This restaurant is a chain, you will see them all over the city, but they are specialists in the genre, so we can go there without fear.

The famous sign designed by three brothers at the end of the 1990s now has 14 restaurants in the city. However, Arnavutköy and Fenerbahce are the first to be opened in 1997 and the most famous as they serve 24 hours a day. It offers classic Turkish dishes, but very carefully prepared, such as the famous köfte and kebap. But the speciality of the restaurant remains as its name suggests the manti, the Turkish yoghurt ravioli. We recommend the çitir manti (the ravioli are previously baked in the oven), a delicacy!

Please note that in Turkey, the Sosyal Tesisleri are restaurants open and managed by the town halls. The locations of these restaurants are generally very well located in the city centres, with beautiful views and very low prices. This is not without minor inconveniences: long service, families with rather noisy children, it is better to avoid weekends... IBB HALIC offers fresh fish and very good starters, but also classics such as köfte.

This fishmonger serves very good fishes well cooked but also Turkish dishes like the Adana Kebap. From the outside, the sign is very simple, the menu is just as simple. It is very good and that is the main thing. Shrimps, squids, sea bass, salmon, herring, sardines, sea bream and all kinds of fish in fillets, breaded or grilled... The dishes are tasty and as its name indicates, it is not very expensive. An address not to be missed during a visit to the city

This small restaurant is a cooperative of women entrepreneurs in the Avanos area and offers delicious home-made Turkish food served in a basic but comfortable room. You can enjoy a traditional meal prepared with care only by women. The meatballs and baklava are a treat. This address combines the useful with the pleasant since by eating in this community restaurant, you participate in the professional integration of the women of the region.

Despite what the name of the place might suggest at first glance, House of Memories is a restaurant. And very good! To eat an excellent Turkish meal in a pleasantly warmly decorated place (with lots of carpets) in the Ottoman style, with quality service and good products, do not hesitate to discover this charming restaurant. You will eat there, among others, the famous testi kebap or Turkish specialities such as adana kebap or köfte in sauce. It is a good stop for lunch or dinner break. And it's very affordable.

We find the Turkish classics, from mezzes to desserts, but also vegetarian proposals, even vegan rather original. The plates are particularly well prepared. The dishes are fine and very well prepared. The wines are elegant and the desserts tasty. Moreover, the service is perfect and attentive, all in a setting with a magical view. We recommend this restaurant. Make sure you make a reservation and, if you can, choose a table on the terrace for an even more enchanting moment

The menu features the classics of Turkish home cooking such as kebap, soups, meatballs, ravioli, sarma, different types of rice, white beans, chickpeas, desserts such as baklava or sütlaç (Turkish rice pudding). All deliciously prepared and served with generosity and great kindness. The welcome is in French. The prices are very reasonable, one leaves this canteen full and satisfied

The beautiful setting of the terrace and its panoramic view of the mountains make it an exceptional place to dine in Cappadocia. You will enjoy the delicious local yet very creative dishes of this restaurant. Indeed, the passion of the chef is to revisit the classics of Turkish cuisine and he does it very well! On the menu, some international dishes too. It is an excellent choice for lunch or dinner. The waiters will be happy to help you choose. The restaurant serves wine. We highly recommend it.

Located in a typical historical area on the outskirts of Kayseri, Konak, formerly a palace and then a library, is now a restaurant. Surrounded by a magnificent garden and a beautiful terrace, the beauty of the building does not leave one indifferent. In this old Armenian house with high ceilings and a warm atmosphere, a varied menu of dishes from other regions is offered. The cuisine, without fuss, is authentic and generous. The establishment is accessible by car or cab.

The Old Greek House is a beautiful Greek house, made of carved wood and stone with paintings inside and out. The restaurant is well known among the local population for its very good traditional cuisine. It is a pity that the prices have increased with the fame. It is still reasonable since the hearty menu is around 110 TL. There is also a guesthouse with 13 rooms. If you don't want to eat or sleep, the house can be visited for a fee of a few liras and is worth a visit.

Overlooking the Golden Horn, this Greek tavern delights gourmets in search of authenticity with its warm wooden decor and inventive Mediterranean cuisine. Large choice of mezze and fish (no meat) presented on a tray. Among the specialities, the Cretan salad and, for dessert, the succulent tahin-pekmez, (oven cream made from sesame, cinnamon and crushed pistachios). Smiling service. A second address in the Moda district of Kadıköy, on the Asian side of the Bosporus. Address used by the locals.