It’s one thing to experience Turkish food and it’s another thing to experience it at places that do it best. Take a look at our list of TOP 7 Turkish Restaurants if you want to taste the best that Turkish cuisine has to offer. 

Borsa: Borsa has been serving top-quality Turkish cuisine since 1927, and features elegant décor and excellent service. The menu is made up of Turkish classics like lahmacun (Turkish-style pizza); içli köfte (kibbeh); mantı (Turkish-style ravioli); lakerda (salted bonito); imambayıldı (eggplant stuffed with tomatoes, onion, and garlic); and a wide variety of meat dishes, such as iskender kebap (roasted lamb spread over buttery pita bread, topped with a savory tomato sauce, a drizzle of butter, and a dollop of yogurt) and kuzu pirzola (lamb chops). This is not light fare, so come with an appetite! Lütfi Kırdar Convention Center, Gümüş Caddesi No. 4, Harbiye; P: (0212) 232 42 01

Enstitü: Enstitü is the workplace and (skilled) experimentation zone of Istanbul Culinary Institute’s third-year students. The cuisine on offer is mostly Turkish and Mediterranean, with some international dishes available. The menu changes daily to allow the students full artistic scope and includes a variety of appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Some highlights of previous menus include mücver (a vegetable fritter usually prepared with zucchini) made with pumpkin; lamb stew with dried fruits, almonds, and sumac; and köfte (meatballs) with pita bread, yogurt, and tomato sauce. Meşrutiyet Caddesi No. 59, Tepebaşı; P: (0212) 251 22 14

Çiya: One of the most popular locations on the Asian Side, Çiya offers some of the most unique Turkish food in the city in a casual and traditional setting. Using seasonal ingredients sourced from all over the country, Çiya makes mouth-watering dishes that even many locals have never heard of. Güneşli Bahçesi Sokak No. 43-44, Kadıköy. (0216) 330 31 90

Hünkar: Hünkar is an upscale version of a classic tradesmen’s restaurant, with its tables covered with white tablecloths and its interior elegantly decorated with wood paneling, memorabilia, and Ottoman art on the walls. Founded in 1950, the restaurant specializes in home-style Turkish and Ottoman cuisine. Mim Kemal Öke Caddesi No. 9, Nişantaşı; P: (0212) 225 46 65

Nar Lokanta: Located in the heart of Sultanahmet by the Grand Bazaar’s Nuruosmaniye gate, Nar Lokanta offers traditional Turkish food at its freshest and lightest, with dishes made using all-natural, regional products from throughout Anatolia, and the best quality olive oil. The menu at Nar Lokanta features familiar Turkish classics as well as a number of less common regional dishes, covering everything from Ottoman palace dishes to humble village fare. Armaggan, Nuruosmaniye Caddesi No.65, 5th Floor, Nuruosmaniye; P: (0212) 522 2800

Park Şamdan: Open since 1982, Park Şamdan is a long-established favorite with locals and it is favored for its elegant and refined atmosphere. The restaurant specializes in classic Turkish dishes but with a continental touch so expect to find leg of lamb soup next to risotto on the menu! Mim Kemal Öke Caddesi No. 18/1, Nişantaşı; P: (0212) 225 07 10

Kiva: Kiva, the European side’s answer to Çiya, is right in the shadow of the Galata Tower, and offers traditional Anatolian dishes from every part of Turkey, particularly the East and Southeast. The menu has over a dozen kinds of soup and even more varieties of stew, casserole, and sarma and dolma (stuffed vegetables); some dishes feature exotic ingredients like thistle and cowpea. There are also Turkish comfort foods like karnıyarık (eggplant filled with minced meat), and a profusion of salads/appetizers including Middle Eastern offerings like hummus, muhammara, and baba ganoush. Kiva, Galata Kulesi Meydanı No: 4, Galata; P: (0212) 292 00 37