Istanbul restaurants with Ottoman cuisine

Ottoman cuisine is the direct heir of the Ottoman Turks’ cuisine, who came to Constantinople from Asia Minor, and the Byzantine cuisine. This is where all this splendor, variety of ingredients and subtlety come from... The 19th century added to it the taste of French cuisine (Ottoman Empire tried to copy Paris) and the simplicity of Mediterranean cuisine. As a result the Ottoman cuisine has become one of the three best in the world, sharing the fame with French and Chinese cuisines. We list the best restaurants in Istanbul with the Ottoman cuisine.

Haci Abdullah

The cuisine of this restaurant is considered the most appropriate to the one, which was under the sultan’s court of the Ottoman Empire. By the way, this restaurant was open even during the times when this very empire existed. Its date of opening is 1888! Although the whole appearance and interior look nice - they made refurbishment in this restaurant more than once. Fortunately, this was not reflected in their excellent cuisine. Mackerel, baked according to the Sultan’s recipe, fresh Bosphorus fish, meat cooked with artichokes, incredibly delicious sweets. By the way, it is quite cheap - dinner for two without alcohol will cost about $30-40.

Zeyrekhane

They offer truly ottoman cuisine, but without any frills. The main feature of this restaurant is its magical view. The building is situated near the Pantokrator Church, and from the restaurant one can see the Golden Horn and Galata Tower. They offer a large selection of meat dishes, which we will gladly recommend you.

Four Seasons

This is an Ottoman restaurant with French influence due to the area where it is located. This is Pera! Little Europe in the center of Istanbul... They cook fabulous poultry dishes and incredibly tasty soups like onion soup, notable for its great taste and cheapness. The atmosphere in the restaurant is like at the beginning of 20 century. The service is of a very high quality, and the average bill for dinner for two is unlikely to exceed $50-60. The windows are overlooking the medieval Pera streets...

Havuzlu Lokanta

This restaurant has a unique location. It is open... right in the middle of a giant Covered market. Their cuisine is quite democratic, but incredibly tasty. This is the cuisine of the Ottoman Empire, well-known among the common people. Lots of vegetables, minced meat, buns, pastries, stuffed cabbage... Everything’s incredibly delicious. Piping hot and incredibly cheap (no more than $7-10 per person).

Pandeli

This is not a restaurant, but a legend. It is well-known among the residents of Istanbul. The restaurant is placed at the Egyptian or Spice market (second floor). The restaurant’s interior has not changed for several hundred years. The walls are lined with blue tiles as in the 18 century... The cuisine is incredibly delicious! They serve fish from the Bosphorus, lamb with rice and vegetables, sweets and a wonderful Cappadocian wine. Such a rich dinner for two offers you the possibility to admire the Galata Bridge, the waters of the Bosphorus and its fishing boats...