Food & Drink

The Ultimate Guide to Best Eminönü Restaurants

I like to go where grass is greener.

One of the best destinations in Istanbul is, of course, Eminönü. Heading down from the unique Galata Tower to The Grand Bazaar, you will breathe the lovely and dynamic atmosphere of Eminönü. If you still do not have your photo taken on the Galata Bridge, make sure you get the right angle, the mosque on the back and lay down your arms around the railing and colossal smile. But we know wandering around such a magical and historical city makes your belly crumble. Do not worry; we have good news! Eminönü has various restaurants offering high-quality dishes, local appetizers, and more. So let’s begin to discover best Eminönü Restaurants to taste the culture!

Best Eminönü Restaurants

Deraliye

Deraliye Restaurant

Photo Credit: @deraliye

Deraliye Restaurant serves classic Ottoman cuisine and is a famous eating place in Istanbul, Turkey. The Deraliye edifice, which was originally a court of justice and government center under the Ottoman Empire, houses the restaurant. The menu now includes classic delicacies such as lamb stew, stuffed eggplant, and baklava. Diners will also appreciate the restaurant’s exquisite setting, which boasts Ottoman-style design and architecture.

Deraliye Restaurant, with its exceptional cuisine and historic surroundings, is a must-visit for anybody wishing to experience the flavors and traditions of the Ottoman Empire in Istanbul.

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Lokanta 1741

lokanta 1741

Photo Credit: @lokanta1741

Lokanta 1741 is a famous Istanbul restaurant recognized for its modern spin on traditional Turkish food. The restaurant is named for the year the building was built, and its interior design incorporates both modern and historic elements. Lokanta 1741’s menu features a variety of tasty entrees, including grilled meats, fresh seafood, and vegetarian options. The restaurant takes pride in using locally obtained, seasonal ingredients to create meals that reflect Istanbul’s rich culinary tradition. Lokanta 1741 is an upscale dining spot serving up some of the greatest modern Turkish cuisine in the city.

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Seven Hills

Seven Hills Istanbul

Photo Credit: @sevenhills

Seven Hills Restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey, is a popular eating location identified for its breathtaking views of the city’s iconic monuments. The restaurant, which is set on a hilltop, provides panoramic views of Istanbul’s seven hills, including the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Seven Hills’ menu offers a variety of Turkish cuisine, including grilled meats, fresh fish, and vegetarian options. The restaurant is particularly well-known for its attentive service and attractive setting, making it a popular choice for special occasions and romantic dinners. Seven Hills Restaurant, with its spectacular views and delectable cuisine, is a must-visit for anybody wishing to sample the best of Istanbul’s culinary scene.

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Yaka Balık Restaurant

Yaka Restaurant in Eminönü, Istanbul

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Located on the Galata Bridge, Yaka Balık Restaurant will amaze you with its spectacular view. But your eyes will not be the only ones amazed. You are in the right place if you are fond of sea products and side dishes. With its rich fixed options, you can enjoy sea bass, horns d’oervre and grilled calamari with the famous Turkish raki. As a dessert, you may try out the baked halva, one of the traditional flavour-based goodies in Turkiye.

Due to its wonderful location, the place may be quite crowded. So reserve your seats before if you wish to enjoy the scenery.

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Adella Seafood Restaurant

Adella Sea Food Eminonu, Istanbul

Photo Credit: @Adella

Between Turkiye İş Bank Museum and Sirkeci metro station, Adelle Seafood Restaurant invites you to its splendid rooftop, where freshly grilled sea dishes can be served. The modern interior design merges with the magnificent Galata Tower view and gives you a classy experience. Such experience is may be hard to get at other Istanbul restaurants. Our top pick on the menu is grilled seabream as the main course. As appetizers, we definitely recommend marinated seabass, turmeric mashed broad beans and salted bonito lakerda.

Lastly, you do not have to stick with the raki or wine because they have a comprehensive beverage menu full of fresh cocktails.

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Alpek Restaurant

Alpek Restaurant Eminonu, Istanbul

Photo Credit: @AlpekRestaurant

Just across the Polymath Ahmet Çelebi port, Alpek Restaurant greets you warmly on this side of the island. It offers vast menu options, ranging from fish and pizzas to grilled meat and kebabs. Fair prices with a welcoming staff. The terrace view is also outstanding. If you would like to celebrate a special occasion such as your beloved ones’ birthdays or marriage proposals, Alpek Restaurant seems the right choice. Also, you can chill out with your friends while enjoying the flavoured hookahs. 

Last but not least, do not limit yourself to a classy dinner. They also have tasty breakfast specials such as menemen, and omelettes. So your sunny mornings can be even better there. 

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Roof Mezze 360

 

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With its spectacular view and rich menu, Roof Mezze 360 is among the best Istanbul restaurants and  one of the must-go places in Eminönü. They serve the finest dishes of the Ottoman Empire. As the main course, you will love the hünkar beğendi, which includes grilled spicy beef with roasted tomatoes and peppers. As an appetizer, our pick is Zahter salad, a mix of powdered thyme. You can also choose a plate of side dishes so that you taste every tasty appetizer a bit. The prices are relatively higher, but it is definitely worth it.

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Hamdi Restaurant

Hamdi Restaurant Eminonu Istanbul

Photo Credit: @hamdirestaurant

One of the best restaurants in Istanbul, Hamdi Restaurant has 3 branches and one of them is just in front of the Grand Bazaar. The place has everything you can ask for; a great view to feel calm, historical interior design to breathe the authenticity, welcoming staff and the best kebabs in the town. If you did not taste Alinazik kebab before, this is the right place to try it. You can also consider fındık lahmacun, small sized thin pizza with spicy meat.

If you ever come to Istanbul at Holy Ramadan times, you should consider booking a table at Hamdi Restaurant. Hence you may experience the traditional atmosphere while enjoying plentiful Ramadan special menu.

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Pandeli Restaurant

Located in The Egyptian Bazaar, Pandeli, with its historical and minimal interior, is our top-pick restaurant if you are curious about Turkish cuisine. Traditional main dishes such as hünkar beğendi, döner kebab, and kadın budu köfte -meatballs with rice croquettes- will satisfy your appetite. You can also try out yaprak sarma as a side dish. As a dessert, you can try tuile and kazandibi, but our recommendation is oven-baked quince in thick syrup.

Overall, thanks to its atmosphere and rich traditional offerings, Pandeli will make you feel the authenticity of Istanbul. That is why it deserves a top place among the best restaurants in Istanbul.

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Birben Restaurant

Just near the New Mosque Square, Birben Restaurant calls those who are curious about the Turkish cuisine favorites such as kebabs and pitas. Even though the prices are relatively higher to similar restaurants, you should give it a chance. Our pick from the menü is adana kebab, which is the most preferred kind of kebab in Turkiye. You may drink şalgam, that is turnip juice. This adana kebab and şalgam duo makes your stomach relieved.

We know that kebabs are much fulfilling. That’s why we suggest katmer as a dessert. Though katmer is a siruped pastry, it is much easier to enjoy compared to other popular sweeties such as baklava.

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Olden 1772

Olden 1772 Restaurant

Photo Credit: @olden

Located on between The New Mosque and Gülhane Park, Olden 1772 resides in Muhsinzade Han which is one of the most wonderfully restored hostelry in the city. Words may not be eligible to express such fantastic and historic ambience that you may rarely come across in other Istanbul restaurants. Before moving to menu, we suggest you go to Olden 1772 with your pro camera.

In terms of dish options, Olden 1772 offers you an elite foodie experience.  As the main course, we suggest signature dish oven stone veal cheek. Pumpkin dessert is what you should get at the end.

You can also look up the cocktail menu and enjoy signature cocktails. Make sure you do reservation by visiting their website we provided below.

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Apollon Rooftop Restaurant

Anyone who visit Istanbul goes to Sultanahmet Mosque, that is one of the primary cultural and historical architectures within the city. For those of you who want to crown your day with a beautiful dinner while enjoying the Sultanahmet scene, Apollon Rooftop Restaurant is the best choice. You will not only be pleased with the quality of the dishes, but the staff’s service will elevate your tasty evening.

In addition to the grilled fish and meat based dishes, you may try casserole options. Alongside well-prepared savoury appetizers and main dishes, wine and champagne bottles will make your dinner unforgettable.

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Bab-ı Hayat Restaurant

Bab-ı Hayat Restaurant

If you would like to have an authentic experience at its most, Bab-ı Hayat Restaurant with its historical interiority within The Egyptian Bazaar is the perfect choice. Providing the best dishes of the traditional Turkish cuisine, Bab-ı Hayat chefs deliver you tasteful kebabs. Order a Tokat kebab which is chef’s special and the top pick of visitors.

Other than delightful kebabs, you will feel the harmony of the mystic and historical ambient, conventional interior decoration, traditional folk music at background and the welcoming staff. After all, Bab-ı Hayat grants a pure experience that you may never forget.

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Bonus: Street Food in Eminönü

If you do not have time or the vibe to have lunch or dinner, do not worry. Eminönü is also an excellent neighbourhood when it comes to street food. Here are the four places to stop by and enjoy different street tastes.

Kral Kokoreç

Kral Kokoreç Eminonu Istanbul

Let us explain for those of you who may not know what kokoreç is. Kokoreç is a trendy street food made of grilled seasoned sheep’s intestines. It may not sound glamorous at first, but once you take the first bite, you will understand why it is infamous.

But the nitty-gritty is you should know where to eat kokoreç. Luckily, Kral Kokoreç has a long history and deserves to be recognized as one of the best kokoreç places in Istanbul. You will love the İzmir way grilled (less extruded without tomatoes) and spicy kokoreç.

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Meşhur Filibe Köftecisi

One of the best places located on Hacıpaşa Street, Meşhur Filibe Köftecisi will serve delicious meatballs for a long time. The most delicate part of their meatballs is that they do not add any bread crumbs while preparing. When you try it out, you will notice a tasty difference. You can also get sütlaç, milk pudding with rice as dessert on top of it.

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Tarihi Eminönü Midyecisi

Tarihi Eminönü Midyecisi Istanbul

Stuffed Mussel is one of the top street foodies in Turkiye. Mixing mussels, rice, and lemon juice is more delicious than you imagine. Though it is just an appetizer, let us warn you: you may not stop yourself. Especially when it is freshly made, just as in Tarihi Eminönü Midyecisi, not eating more is a challenging task. The place is just near the Galata Tower.

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Zümrüt Büfe

Do not be deceived by its name because Zümrüt Büfe is much more than a buffet. Even the best gourme of Turkiye, Vedat Milor, has göne to this little but tasty place. You probably heard the Turkish döner, but do not assume you know the real taste until you try at Zümrüt Büfe.

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Şehzade Cağ Kebap

Near the Sirkeci Metro station, you will find one of the most popular kebabs in Turkiye. Though Cağ Kebab is generally a-la-carte service, try it as a street foodie on lavash that is a thin cracker form of bread.

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Well, there is so much to explore and experience in Istanbul. You can check what to do in Istanbul at our site as well. Among other fabulous and historical neighbourhoods, Eminönü, located on the historical peninsula on the European side, deserves recognition. So, do not forget Eminönü to add your route and enjoy the best food we recommend. Feel free to let us know about your experience and make sure to check our blog on 7 days Istanbul itinerary for more alternatives!

FAQ

Where to visit in Eminönü?

The Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest open-air shopping malls worldwide, is the first place to visit around Eminönü. You will like wandering through the small shops because the salesmen will greet you more than you have ever been anywhere. The Galata Bridge is another unique crossover that bridges historical islands to the European side. The New Mosque Square is another authentic place you should see. Last, you must go to The Egyptian Bazaar and taste local candies and sweeties as much as you like.

What should I order at Eminönü?

Depending on your taste, the answer will vary. Yet our recommendation is the grilled fish dishes. You can choose it as the main course alongside a glass of wine or raki or prefer it as balık ekmek, a grilled fish sandwich. You may order balık ekmek from mobile vessels just as in Ottoman times. Also, you should taste stuffed mussels. Remember to add lots of lemon juice.

What are the best dishes in Turkish cuisine?

Just as Turkey is geographically widespread, so is Turkish cuisine. The long history of Ottoman Culture and Mediterranean cuisine shapes Turkish specials. Meat and pastry-based Turkish cuisine are fantastic when it adds many vegetables and spices to dishes. Kebab, with its many variations, is the most well-known main course. There are even more options as a dessert, but our top pick is baklava.

What are the best street foods in Turkiye?

As on many matters, Turkish street food is also widespread. Köfte ekmek (grilled meatball sandwich), balık ekmek (grilled fish sandwich), kokoreç (grilled sheep’s intestines), tavuk pilav (rice with fried or boiled chicken), midye (stuffed vessels) are the most popular and tasteful street picks.

What are the top pick beverages in Turkiye?

It also depends on what you ordered as a meal. If you went with the kebabs, we recommend ayran, a simple but cool drink of yoghurt and water. It will balance the heaviness of the kebabs. If you prefer fish products, try raki as a heavy alcoholic beverage. Beer matches well with street tastes such as balık ekmek or kokoreç.
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