Bosphorus
is one of the best gifts that Istanbul gives to its visitors. Its view is
undoubtedly glorious, whether you are sitting near a shore or going on a Bosphorus
Cruise Because of this close relationship Istanbul has with sea, restaurants
that revolve around freshly caught seafood, especially fish, are quite common
in the city. Some of these places are called “meyhane” in Turkey, which are
places that mainly serve mezes, raki (anise-flavored Turkish alcoholic
beverage, similar to pastis) and fish. If you love eating fish and are looking for
the best fish restaurants in Istanbul, here is our list.
Eleos
There
are 2 branches of this restaurant in Istanbul, one in Yesilkoy and one in Beyoglu.
The one in Yesilkoy is close to the Ataturk Airport and really far away from
the city center, so unless you are close to Yesilkoy, we advise that you go to
the one in Beyoglu for its central location.
Eleos
restaurant in Beyoglu is one of the best seafood restaurants in Istanbul.
Their service is quick and professional, and their dishes are delicious. They
have a terrace that overlooks the Bosphorus, which is often full. Eleos’ menu
includes many great seafoods like anchovy, lakerda, sea beans, octopus, sea
bass and shrimp. Their complimentary mezes are delicious and fresh. Eleos also
serves raki, red, rose and white wines, salads, fruit bowls and desserts.
Because of this place’s popularity, we recommend that you book a few days in
advance.
The
branch in the Beyoglu is easily reachable from the Sishane stop of the M2
Yenikapi – Haciosman metro line.
Karakoy Lokantasi
Located
in the shores of Karakoy neighborhood, the famous Karakoy Lokantasi (which
means “diner” in Turkish) is almost always at near-full capacity, especially in
the evenings. They owe this popularity to their historic location, beautiful
scenery, fantastic dishes based on fresh seafood and excellent customer
service. The staff is very kind, too. Their menu includes more than a dozen
mezes like feta cheese, Aegean greens, sea beans and artichoke hearts, various
salads, starter entrees like grilled fish cake, pastry variations, fried
zucchini and beetroot, fried shrimps and calamary patties, and of course, main
courses, such as seasonal fish, grilled meatballs, grilled lamb ribs and veal
cheek and strips. You can then finish the meal with a dessert of your choice,
like souffle, milk pudding, seasonal fruits or ice cream. The place also serves
various alcoholic beverages like raki, red, rose and white wines, vodka, gin,
whiskey, beer and liqueur.
You
can go to Karakoy Lokantasi by using the T1 Kabatas – Bagcilar tramway line and
getting off at the Karakoy stop.
Kıyı Restaurant
Opened
in 1964, Kıyı Restaurant is one of the oldest and most popular seafood
restaurants in Istanbul. A good portion of the locals knows that it is one of
the best places to eat fish in Istanbul. The place itself is very
simple, yet elegant. There are fine artworks on the walls and the staff is very
professional and kind. It is also located right in front of the Bosphorus, so
it has a great view. The surrounding neighborhood, Tarabya, is also one of the
most elite and luxurious neighborhoods in Istanbul. Kıyı Restaurant has many
fantastic dishes in its truly extensive menu, including, but not limited to, cold
starters like salted bonito slice, fish roe puree, white bean stew, dried
mackerel, stuffed mussels and eggplant salad, hot starters like grilled squid
pieces, fried mussels, shrimp stew & sauté and fried squids, and of course,
dozens of seasonal fish, like bluefish, swordfish, sea bass, turbot, gilthead
sea bream and red scorpion. Red meat is available for the main course. Various
salads like shrimp cocktail, shrimp salad, octopus salad and fish salad, and
desserts such as halva, fruits, chocolate souffle and ice cream are also on the
menu.
No
metro stops are available close to the Kıyı Restaurant, but you can use the
25A, 25E, 25Y, 40, 40B and 42T numbered yellow IETT buses to go to the Tarabya
shores and reach the restaurant.
Balikci Sabahattin
Balikci
Sabahattin (means “Fisherman Sabahattin” in Turkish) is one of the top fish restaurants
in Istanbul that serves seafood in the historical peninsula of Fatih, close
to the many popular attractions of Istanbul like Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Museum.
It is inside a historic, 1927-made wooden building that was restored by Armada.
It is run by a family from Mudanya, which is a town in Bursa that is near the
Marmara Sea. This restaurant is not only locally known, but it was also listed in
The New York Times twice. Their customer service is one of the most
professional ones you can see in Istanbul and the staff is extremely friendly
and helpful. You can also see many cute stray cats wandering around the place,
which has become one of the symbols of Istanbul. Their extensive menu has many
hot and cold mezes like calamari, shrimp, fish pastry, white cheese, octopus
and sea beans, various salads, fish such as whiting, bream, cod, acorn, sea
bass and bluefish, and desserts like halva, fruits and baked semolina. Balikci
Sabahattin also serves many hot and cold drinks like soda, fruit juices, tea
and coffee, and alcoholic beverages such as raki, whiskey, rum, beer, vodka,
gin, red and white wine. Make sure you make a reservation before you go.
You
can reach Balikci Sabahattin by getting on the T1 Kabatas – Bagcilar tramway
line and getting off at the Sultanahmet stop. It is a 5-minute walk away to the
eastern shores of the district.
Park Fora
Park
For a is situated near the Ortakoy neighborhood of the Besiktas district. It is
inside the beautiful Cemil Topuzlu Park near the shore. The restaurant aims to
combine the traditional Turkish seafood experience with innovative
international dishes. Their menu has salads, cold & hot appetizers, fish,
shell fish and desserts, all of which are prepared by great chefs with fresh
fish. Their Paella, Moule Mariniere, bonito, bluefish and turbot are among the
highlighted dishes of the place. If you are curious about how their dishes
look, you can go to their website and take a look at the menu as they have
photos of everything.
Park
For a right next to the Sifa Yurdu bus stop, to which you can go with 22, 22B,
22RE, 25E, 40, 40T and 42T numbered IETT buses.