Where locals eat in Istanbul

The neighborhood places residents go back to, with what to order at each.

12 places in Istanbul · by Chef Amazing · updated October 20, 2026
Photo: karakoylokantasi.com

1. 1

   Çiya Sofrası

   Anatolian Turkish · Kadıköy

   Get: point at the day's stews and kebabs from Anatolia

   Menu changes with the season.

   Critics: 77% liked it, from 4 reviews (2014). Read The World's 50 Best (Discovery), Time Out Istanbul, Culinary Backstreets (Istanbul Eats) 2014, AFAR.

   The crowd: 4.2 of 5 on TripAdvisor (2,356 ratings).

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
2. 2

   Karaköy Lokantası

   Meyhane · Karaköy

   Get: the hünkar beğendi at lunch, meze and rakı at dinner

   Critics: Read The World's 50 Best (Discovery), Michelin Guide, Time Out Istanbul.

   The crowd: 4.2 of 5 on TripAdvisor (1,360 ratings).

   Also on the list: Istanbul: what to eat and where.

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3. 3

   Kanaat Lokantası

   Turkish home cooking · Üsküdar

   Get: the olive oil vegetables and a milk pudding

   Open since 1933, busy all day.

   Sultantepe Mahallesi, Selmani Pak Caddesi No:9, 34674 Üsküdar/İstanbul · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
4. 4

   Hünkar

   Ottoman Turkish · Nişantaşı

   Get: the hünkar beğendi and the stuffed vegetables

   Cooking since 1950.

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5. 5

   Asmalı Cavit

   Turkish meyhane · Asmalımescit, Beyoğlu

   Get: the meze tray and rakı

   The owner still works the room every night.

   Also on the list: Istanbul: what to eat and where.

   Asmalımescit Cad. 16/D, Beyoğlu, Istanbul · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
6. 6

   Yanyalı Fehmi Lokantası

   Turkish home cooking · Kadıköy

   Get: the stews from the steam table and the kazandibi

   Open since 1919.

   Osmanağa Mahallesi, Yağlıkçı İsmail Sokak No:1, Kadıköy, Istanbul, 34714, Türkiye · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
7. 7

   Cibalikapı Balıkçısı

   Moda

   Get: the cold meze, grilled fish and rakı

   A neighborhood meyhane in Moda.

   Tarihi Moda İskelesi Yolu, Moda Cad. No: 163/A Moda, Kadıköy, Istanbul 34710, Türkiye · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
8. 8

   Karadeniz Döner Asım Usta

   Beşiktaş

   Get: the döner in bread

   Lines form at lunch, go before 2pm.

   Sinanpaşa, Mumcu Bakkal Sokağı No:10, Beşiktaş, Istanbul 34353 (sources conflict: other guides give Mumcu Bakkal Sok. No:6, and Sinanpaşa, Köyiçi Cd No:6, 34353 Beşiktaş/İstanbul) · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
9. 9

   Tatar Salim Döner Lokantası

   Kadıköy

   Get: the döner plate and the baked sütlaç

   Döner is the only main.

   Caferağa, İmamata Sk. No:7 D:3, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Türkiye · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
10. 10

    Tarihi Şahin Lokantası

    Beyoğlu

    Get: the day's home-style stews near Tünel

    A tradesmen's lunch room.

    Orhan Adlı Apaydın Sokak 11/A, 34430 Beyoğlu/İstanbul · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
11. 11

    Bayramoğlu Döner

    Beykoz

    Get: the döner wrapped in lavaş

    Worth the ride up the Bosphorus.

    Rüzgarlıbahçe, Cumhuriyet Cd. No:2, 34805 Beykoz/İstanbul, Türkiye · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
12. 12

    Karaköy Güllüoğlu

    Baklava, bakery · Karaköy

    Get: the pistachio baklava with a lemonade, standing at the counter

    Legendary Karaköy baklava house, the go-to for flaky, syrup-soaked pistachio baklava since generations.

    Also on these lists: Istanbul: what to eat and where, Long lines in Istanbul.

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