Michelin-Recommended Restaurants in the Istanbul Old Town in 2025
Istanbul has an amazing food culture thanks to its role as a meeting point of Turkish cuisine with world cuisines. There are thousands of restaurants, cafes, and eateries in this amazing city. Especially in the last years, fine dining restaurants are rising in number. So finally world famous Michelin Guide finally came to Istanbul to rate and recommend the best of the best.
In Michelin Guide 2025, Istanbul has 77 restaurants; only 8 of them won stars but others are also recommended for great meals. for Michelin-starred restaurants in Istanbul, check this article, you’ll love them.
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In this article, we are looking at the Michelin-recommended restaurants in the Old Town. Before we start, check out Istanbul Tourist Pass® which offers 100+ amazing attractions for a single price. The Pass offers many audio-guided self-discovery opportunities to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, and many other top Istanbul landmarks. After these amazing discoveries, here are eight great Michelin-recommended restaurants for you to recharge yourself!
Pandeli Restaurant
Pandeli Restaurant is at the heart of the Old Town. Take the stairs to the first floor, which is above the Spice Bazaar, and take in the historically significant and distinctly Turkish design with its blue mosaics on the walls.
The chef steadfastly keeps to classic Turkish recipes, such as roast lamb with rice, grilled aubergine salad, and wood-fired spicy chicken. A true favorite! If you are around Spice Bazaar, make sure you listen to the Istanbul Tourist Pass® Audio Guide and learn about the fantastic history of this bazaar.
OCAK Restaurant
OCAK is a charming restaurant in the Old Town neighborhood with exposed brick walls, mellow lighting, and marble accents. OCAK offers an intimate setting for a unique dining experience. The chef presents a single-set menu that highlights Turkish cuisine with a contemporary twist. From crispy chickpeas to innovative interpretations of traditional dishes, each course is a delightful surprise.
Think deliciously creamy hummus with strawberries, sorrel, and a pomegranate vinaigrette for the chef's take on Turkish tradition. His robust flavor combinations usually manage to find the perfect mix between traditional and modern. Every food served here will stimulate your curiosity.
Lokanta 1741 Restaurant
Through the entrance on the right, opposite Cagaloglu Hamam is this lovely modern restaurant with a charming rooftop patio. It offers traditional Turkish dishes with a contemporary twist, some of which date back to 1741. While occasionally introducing unexpected textures and flavors, the chef never forgets about tradition.
Lokanta 1741 is a contemporary restaurant that pays homage to Turkish culinary traditions. The chef artfully blends classic recipes with modern techniques, resulting in innovative dishes that are both familiar and exciting. While the evening menu offers a refined fine dining experience, diners can also enjoy a more casual meal featuring zesty ceviche and flavorful lamb brochettes. The restaurant's extensive wine cellar provides the perfect complement to the culinary delights.
Deraliye Restaurant
Deraliye is one of the landmark locations of the historic Sultanahmet neighborhood. The striking, lavish decor draws attention right once and pays homage to the Ottoman Empire, just like the food. Do you yearn for spicy rice roasted in a classic tandoori oven with a goose, lamb, or duck kebab? Discovering the savory flavors of Ottoman cuisine can be done here.
Before digging into these delicious foods, you need a bit of walking through Sultanahmet. Our professional guides take you on our Old City & Sultanahmet Square Highlights Guided Tour, and you can learn more about the stones you walk on.
Khorasani Restaurant
The tourist restaurants in the Sultanahmet neighborhood are well-known for their photo-based menus. In that regard, the rustic-style Khorasani is no different, but what distinguishes this kebab shop is the chef's commitment to excellence. This is the real stuff, whether you want grilled vegetables, lamb, or katmer for dessert.
While you are around, check out our amazing Topkapi Palace Guided Tour. With our professional guide, you will learn every detail of this beautiful palace and its history, and also gossip and legends about it.
Matbah Restaurant
A glimpse of Turkish history can be found at this elegant restaurant. You can take in the lovely settings given by the walled summer garden and covered winter garden here, in the shadow of the Hagia Sophia. Traditional cooking is wonderfully brought to life by dishes from the Ottoman sultans' era (the years are listed next to each dish on the menu). Consider dishes like gemici böregi with honey, which is a crispy fried filo pastry loaded with seven Turkish kinds of cheese and served with juniper honey.
If you are making dinner plans in Matbah, first check out the Hagia Sophia Mosque! You can enter this amazing once-church-now-mosque structure without a guide but you’ll definitely miss a lot. Note that, Matbah Restaurant is no longer on the Michelin Recommended Restaurants list, but we wanted to keep this restaurant in our list because it is still one of the best fine dining restaurants in the old town.
Giritli Restaurant
The restaurant is located in a fully-restored historic Sultanahmet house. Giritli welcomes you to its ambient terrace in the summer, which also accommodates the kitchen. Make sure to sample the tempting mezze menu, which creatively highlights classic flavors and includes drinks. A great feast with perfectly seasoned, generously portioned fresh veggies!
Giritli offers a delightful dining experience, whether on its summer terrace or in its cozy indoor space. The restaurant's focus on Cretan cuisine shines through in its inventive mezze set menu, which showcases fresh, flavorful dishes. From marinated sea bass to tangy potato salad, each bite is a testament to the island's culinary traditions.
Avlu Restaurant
Nestled within the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Sultanahmet, Avlu Restaurant offers a serene escape. This Mediterranean-style courtyard invites you to relax and savor a unique culinary experience. Indulge in a delightful array of Anatolian delicacies, from freshly baked bread to innovative Turkish dishes. The chef expertly blends tradition and modernity, as showcased in the rich beef manti paired with refreshing buffalo yogurt and spiced butter.
The restaurant's menu celebrates the flavors of the region, with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. From the wood-fired oven to the skilled hands of the chef, every dish is a testament to culinary excellence. Whether you're seeking a romantic dinner or a leisurely lunch, Avlu Restaurant promises a memorable dining experience.
Istanbul Old Town is a central point to see the amazing history of this city. There is so much to see in every corner of this district. Istanbul Tourist Pass® gathers the best of the best for you to see them all comfortably. Here check our 100+ amazing attractions yourself and decide whether or not you want to deal with ticket lines or not. If you have any questions in mind, you can always reach us through our WhatsApp line or Instagram account.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be in the Michelin guide?
How do you get into Michelin Guide?
It is simple to write yet challenging to follow what it takes to earn a Michelin Star. Here is the points to follow: Using high-quality goods. Mastery of cooking methods and flavors. Characteristics of the Chef's Cuisine. Worth the money. Food consistency.
Why Michelin Guide is famous?
Still, the respected Michelin Star ranking system is revered in the modern culinary world. Since Michelin inspectors are among the few who review restaurants in full anonymity, some restaurant owners even go so far as to claim that it's the only rating that matters.
Does Turkey have Michelin-starred restaurants?
Eight restaurants in Istanbul received stars from Michelin, marking the first time the book has acknowledged culinary excellence in the Turkish capital. Two stars were given to TURK Fatih Tutak, located in the Bomonti area on the city's European side. Each of the four additional restaurants in the city received one star.
How many Michelin Stars does Turkey have?
The most recent Michelin Guide for 2025 lists 77 restaurants in Istanbul in its guide. Eight restaurants in Istanbul received stars from Michelin. And because of its incredible selection of Michelin-recommended and starred restaurants, this splendid city is a fantastic choice for those looking to taste amazing food during their trip.
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A restaurant that is included in the Recommended list has a chef who prepares good meals with high-quality ingredients. It indicates that the meal is above average but not quite at star or Bib level, according to the inspectors.