Top 10 Seafood Restaurants in Istanbul
The most preferred options for a good lunch or dinner in Istanbul are either seafood restaurants or kebab restaurants. The main reason for choosing this type of restaurants is that these restaurants, which offer a wide selection of appetizers, hot starters and main courses, set long and varied tables and allow spending great time with conversation and drinks for long hours. In this article, we will mention top 10 seafood restaurants. One of the most desired thing in a fish restaurant is the view and atmosphere of the place and we mainly selected the ones that has a sea view. Also these restaurants are among the oldest and most iconic seafood restaurants in the city which offer high quality and amazing taste.
The classic and must-try appetizers in a seafood restaurant include “Lakerda”, “Köpoğlu”, “Fava”, “Eggplant Salad”, “Atom”, “Semizotu Salad”, “Barbunya Pilaki”, “Levrek Marin”, “isli Çiroz”, “Haydari”. Must-try salads are “Tomato and onion salad with special sauce” and “Rocket salad with tomatoes and feta cheese”. Among hot appetizers grilled octopus, calamar and shrimp are recommended. There are seasonal fish options that you can taste and if you gonna proceed with fish, don’t order appetizers too much because the portions are really satisfying.
Let’s discover the top 10!
Find a Seafood Restaurant Nearby
Kıyı Tarabya
Located in Tarabya, Kıyı is one of the oldest and iconic seafood restaurants in Istanbul. Kiyi, which is mostly preferred by famous people, has many regulars. This restaurant is one of the places that best reflects the local vibe, due to this mass that does not give up on Kıyı’s delicacies. Located across Tarabya marina, Kıyı offers a delicious and quality evening away from the noise of the city. There is also a caviar in the restaurant, which gets full marks with all the classic Turkish appetizers. Among the salads, the shrimp salad is worth trying. There are seasonal fish options which are cooked in the ideal way and are always fresh.
Tips: Choose the restaurant for dinner or lunch. Go with reservation. Dress smart casual.
İskele Rumeli Hisarı
Without a doubt, Iskele, located in Rumeli hisarı, can share the first place with Kıyı in the list of best seafood restaurants. The restaurant is located on the old pier, not close to the sea, but directly above the sea. We can say that the seagulls accompanying this unique location are also the regulars of Iskele. In the restaurant, where all the appetizers are delicious, you can start your meal with restaurant-specific appetizers prepared with seafood or classics such as Haydari and Eggplant Salad, continue with Jumbo shrimp or İskele Special, and end the meal with a selection from a seasonally varying fish menu as the main course. “Tuzda Levrek”, one of the top tastes in a fish restaurant in Istanbul, is a must-try. Keep in mind that it comes in a big portion, so it’s better to order it if you go to the restaurant as a group of people.
Tips: Choose the restaurant for dinner or lunch. Go with a reservation. Dress smart casual.
Balıkçı Sabahattin
Located in Eminönü, in a wooden house among the beautiful streets of Old Istanbul, Balıkçı Sabahattin is an iconic seafood restaurant that has been serving since 1927. The garden of the restaurant is very enjoyable in the summers with the flowers and green area surrounding it and the lights at the top of the tables lightning the area in a magical way. Must-try dishes include, “Fava”, “Levrek Marin”, “Atom”,”İsli Çiroz” and Lakerda as the appetizers, “Midyeli pilav”, “Sea bass steamed with fresh vegetables” and “Balık böreği” as the signature dishes of the restaurant, and “Grilled blue fish with the presentation of Balıkçı Sabahattin” as the main dish!
Tips: Choose the restaurant for dinner. Go with a reservation. Dress casual.
Balıkçı Kahraman
If you are in the mood for a good turbot, then Kahraman is the place where you should go. The famous turbot of the restaurant is known as one of the well-known restaurant tastes of Istanbul among all people! Even though the restaurant’s relatively secluded and far away location, so many people come here for the turbot. Of course that is not at all. The other fishes of the restaurant is also very-well cooked and served. If you gonna taste the fishes, order a rocket salad with fresh tomatoes and feta cheese along with the fish! Grilled octopus is also worth trying.
Tips: Choose the restaurant for dinner. Go with a reservation. Dress casual.
İsmet Baba
Another restaurant which is located above the sea is İsmet Baba, located in the Kuzguncuk. Kuzguncuk is a lovely small district in the Anatolian side, and İsmet Baba is one of the iconic places of the region. This is a place you must go for fish, not the appetizers. Appetizers are delicious but limited in terms of variety compared to some other fish restaurants. And on the other hand the fish is famous among the seafood restaurants. That’s why. If you can find a table near the seaside, you would be very lucky because the view in the restaurant is amazing and the seagulls will be your companions for sure.
Tips: Choose the restaurant for an early dinner and don’t miss the view. Go with a reservation. Dress casual.
Kandilli Suna Abla
Which makes this restaurant so unique is the location and the local vibe. The restaurant has so many regulars and that creates a very warm atmosphere in the restaurant. This place is also one of the best locations for a sunset view. You can try all the classic appetizers in the restaurant such as “Lakerda”, “Haydari”, “Levrek Marin”, “Eggplant Salad”, “Atom”, “Barbunya”. Scad is cooked very well in the restaurant which you will be ordering one after another probably. “Tomato and onion salad with the special sauce” and “Rocket salad with tomatoes and feta cheese” should be ordered with the scad.
Tips: Choose the restaurant for early dinner. The restaurant opens around 4 pm and does not get reservation. To find a good spot, go early. Dress casual.
Balıkçı Abdullah
One of the most famous seafood restaurants located in the Bosphorus is Balıkçı Abdullah. This is a high preferred restaurant with special evenings and celebrations. Located near the sea and with a view of the Bosphorus Bridge, the restaurant promises a one of a kind evening. You can also come to the restaurant from the European side with the restaurant’s special sea boats (ask for where you can board, when calling for the reservation). Some of the distinctive dishes of the restaurant are grab leg, octopus grill, and fish soup. There are seasonal fish options which are cooked in the ideal way and are always fresh. White grupper or red spaner, which can’t be found at every restaurant, are among the fish options. “Tuzda balık (levrek)” is available and one of the signatures of the restaurant.
Tips: Choose the restaurant for dinner or lunch. Don’t miss the sunset. Go with a reservation. Dress smart casual and maybe a little above smart casual. This is a place which over dressing is not a bad thing!
Uskumru Restaurant
It would not be wrong to call Uskumru Restaurant, as the brother of Balıkçı Abdullah. These two restaurants are located close to each other and have a similar atmosphere, in Anadolu Hisarı/ Beykoz. This is also a restaurant that is highly preferred for special evenings. If you want to eat a special dinner at the Bosphorus, you can also select Uskumru without a doubt. You can come to the restaurant from the European side with the restaurant’s special sea boats (ask for where you can board, when calling for the reservation). Uskumru Restaurant defines itself as the “Pearl of the Bosphorus” and that is exactly what it is! Sunset view is amazing. Must-try dishes are Jumbo Shrimp, Grilled Octopus and “Tuzda Balık”.
Tips: Choose the restaurant for dinner or lunch. Don’t miss the sunset. Go with a reservation. Dress smart casual and maybe a little above smart casual. This is a place which over dressing is not a bad thing!
Balat Sahil Restaurant
If you are looking for a casual and friendly restaurant, it’s a good idea to visit Balat sahil Restaurant. The walls of the restaurant is decorated with photos of old Istanbul which makes it more friendly and welcoming. The restaurant serves in a moderate and casual places but the dishes are not moderate at all. There are wide range of appetizers as well as fish options. Some recommendations among the appetizers: “Köpoğlu”, “Topik”, “İsli Çiroz”, “Lakerda”, and “Fava”. There are seasonal fish options which are cooked in the ideal way and are always fresh.
Tips: Choose the restaurant for dinner. Go with a reservation. Dress casual.
Adem Baba
Another casual restaurant with distinguishing tastes is Adem Baba, located in Arnavutköy. This is a region which you can find lots of fish restaurants and one of the oldest and most famous one is Adem Baba. This is a place which you should visit for the food not for a special occasion. Having a nice walk through the sea shore and going to the restaurants would be a great idea. Start your meal with the fish soup and then you can order the tasty fishes. There is no alcohol at the restaurant.
Tips: Choose the restaurant for lunch. No need for a reservation. Dress casual.
