Istanbul

The opinions are unanimous: when the content is as good as the form, why look elsewhere? Specialized in breakfast, with a variety of impressive à la carte products, you will inevitably find your happiness. Homemade jams, exquisite peanut paste, fresh produce, copious plates and, icing on the cake, a view of the Bosphorus to fall to the ground. Impossible to start your day other than wonderfully well.... Apart from breakfast, they serve pide (pizzas) and some kebabs.

Bitlisli offers classics of local cuisine. The presentation of the dishes is meticulous, and the service is fast and courteous. The kebabs are all very good, especially the famous Ali Nazik kebab (meat in sauce served on an eggplant purée). Possibility to choose dishes to share to taste several varieties of kebabs. Tava is also tasty, it is the name of the metal dish in which the meat is seized and used as a plate. Be careful not to touch the dish which is very hot.

In the old quarter of Istanbul, there are few restaurants that offer traditional cuisine in a modern and trendy setting. That's what this restaurant offers, and its popularity is growing all the time. While offering the classics of Turkish cuisine, the chef makes some really successful sweet and savory combinations like lamb neck with plums or stuffed melon. Vegetarian options are available, especially the testi kebap which we recommend. The promise of the place: treat you like a sultan. That's all there is to it!

It is impossible to stay in Turkey without tasting the succulent kaymak, a tasty cream made from the film that forms when the milk is boiled. It is usually enjoyed for breakfast, accompanied by honey. Hasan Fehmi Özsüt cooks all his dairy products himself and breakfast has a completely different flavour! Formerly known as Özsüt Karaköy, this shop changed its name when it moved to avenue d'İstiklal. In addition to kaymak, try sucuklu yumurta (spicy egg and sausage).

Beautiful sign of the typical district of Asmali Mescit, where you can eat good fish and drink good Turkish wine. The waiters will guide you to choose a good bottle as an accompaniment. We like the wine cellar spirit with red brick vaults. Relaxed and rather quiet atmosphere, perfect for a romantic dinner. On the menu we have hot and cold mezzés, a large choice of red meats, poultry and some fish. The servers are particularly warm and attentive. If you wish to dine upstairs, remember to book in advance

A sign that no longer needs to be presented to the locals, this high-end restaurant chain is also part of a hotel group of the same name. With its terrace offering a beautiful panoramic view (even in winter), Divan is an excellent address in the Taksim district. The classics of this restaurant are the yoghurt kebab with pide bread, and the hünkar beğendi (simmered beef served on an aubergine purée). Pasta, pizzas and even hamburgers are on the menu. The service is impeccable. The prices are correct for the care, and the standing of the place

When you arrive at this restaurant, you will probably have one of the most beautiful views of Istanbul. It's simple, everything is in front of your eyes: the palace of Topkapı, Sainte-Sophie, the Golden Horn and the Bosporus. Peninsula manages to combine Turkish and world cuisine with subtlety. There are hot and cold mezzés, some fish and seafood and a wide choice of meat dishes, but there are also some vegetarian alternatives. To accompany the dishes, the wine list is composed of good bottles of Turkish wine

If you are not familiar with ocakbaşı, this is the opportunity to try it out by visiting the best restaurant in Istanbul. This place prepares mezzés for you, don't miss grilled eggplants. But above all, what makes the place so special is the grilled meats in the middle of the restaurant. All we will have here is grilled meat and a choice of lamb, chicken, beef and 3 varieties of kebabs. A great classic of Turkish cuisine not to be missed. Impeccable service. Quite expensive meal, but very copious and unique in its kind.

You won't find many falafel vendors in Istanbul, but this tiny stall is definitely worth a visit. First of all, the falafels are tasty and not too fatty, then you can dress them up as you wish with: mixed vegetables, gherkins, red cabbage, olives, corn... and the famous tahini (sesame) sauce. You can enjoy your falafel as a dürüm (wrap) or by the plate. We love this well-balanced, inexpensive and filling snack, which is also a great vegetarian alternative.

A pleasant restaurant, offering many typical Turkish dishes but worth a visit especially for its speciality specific to the Konya region (the owner is from Konya), etli ekmek (pizza dough coated with spicy minced meat). Only problem: as the dough is very thin and therefore very long, it cools quickly. Baked lamb kebab is delicious and melts in your mouth, but it is the most expensive dish on the menu, otherwise prices are average. As this place is very busy, we regret the very long service.

This sign was created in 1938 and is one of the pioneers of kebap in Istanbul. Simple but full of flavor, the cuisine offered corresponds to all types of palates. Perfectly located in the historic district, you can stop here at any time for breakfast, lunch or snacks: you will find sweets (walnut, almond or pistachio halva...), everything for breakfast, hot drinks (including Turkish coffee), some cheeses and a wide variety of egg and meat dishes.

Restaurant specialising in köfte, which it serves with tomatoes and onions. Piyaz (white bean salad) is a classic in köfte restaurants. These köfte are particularly tasty thanks to the meat that comes from the Trakya region (east of Istanbul). The irmik helvası (dessert made with semolina often served with a scoop of ice cream) is a must! The prices are not really cheap and the portions are quite small but it remains a trusted establishment in a neighbourhood where good addresses are scarce.

Accessible directly by an elevator, Tavaranası offers a subdued, under the roofs and a little jazzy atmosphere. As a bonus, a view of Asmalı street. The speciality of the place is the güveç, this Turkish stew served in cassolettes. Potatoes, meat, cheese, vegetables, the choices are varied. There is a wide choice of vegetarian dishes. Once very popular with students, it is now a little more expensive but the prices remain affordable. We like its calm and tranquility although it is in the heart of Beyoğlu.

In this tourist area, which has no shortage of kebab restaurants, this is considered one of the best doner restaurants in the area. This charming but modest authentic place proposes only one dish: the sandwich with grilled meat then cut in "sheets", in other words, the yaprak doner, there is also a version with the plate. There is a queue, but it's worth it and it goes quite quickly. You can eat your sandwich on the spot or take it away. Once the last spit of meat is finished, the house closes. Go early!

This historic restaurant, which has been located in the Egyptian bazaar since 1926, has reopened its doors after a period of renovation. With blue earthenware on the walls, the decoration is much more sober than before. The chef offers a fine and gourmet Ottoman cuisine. As a starter, we will remember the aubergine börek served with a slice of doner meat. As a main course, we recommend lamb shank in tomato sauce with spinach or sea bass cooked in papillote. There is a good atmosphere and the waiters are very welcoming.

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!