Istanbul has everything you expected. From museums and sightseeing to restaurants and bars. One of the beauties of living in Istanbul or visiting it is to enjoy your dining while taking a look at the view from the outside of the restaurant, whether the view of the Bosphorus strait, the golden horn, or the Istanbul old town. Here you barely have your food without a view.
In this article, I intend to introduce and give a brief explanation about the restaurants with a fabulous views that you can enjoy.
GRACE Rooftop Restaurant
This is a good choice for those who seek to enjoy a portion of traditional Turkish food with a 360-degree view of Golden horn and the old town. The Hagia Sophia and Sultan Ahmet Street are under your view and the food is resemblance to dishes that the Ottoman Sultan had.
The restaurant stands on the rooftop of a hotel, and the location is not far from most of the beauty of Istanbul in the old town.
Location: Binbirdirek, Lady diana otel, Terzihane Sk. No:15, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul
Ottoman Restaurant Terrace Fish & Meat
An old school restaurant with a good view of the Bosphorus strait, Golden Horn, and the Istanbul Old town. The view is 270 degrees at most, but you can see the Galata Bridge, the well-known bridge that connects Istanbul’s old town to the new one.
This restaurant has a juicy menu of meat and marine food, mostly crab and shrimp, and fresh red meat in Kebab or Skender. The reason this restaurant catches the attention of visitors is the fresh ingredients, I mean meat and fish, and that is why you get to taste the best of the Turkish cuisines here.
Location: Alemdar, Nuru Osmaniye Cd. No:3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul
Sultanahmet Ottoman Fish Terrace House
It can be said that the reason people love visiting Istanbul is because of their delicious cuisines and fresh meats and fish. The Sultanahmet Ottoman Fish Terrace House owns all the features to become a good Turkish restaurant. It has been there for decades and the view, same as others, is a rooftop 360 views of the Golden horn, Galata bridge, and Sultan Ahmet Street. The Fish and meat are fresh, and the waiters are really friendly. The design is old style, Turkish favorites.
Location: Alemdar, Nuruosmaniye Caddesi No :9, 34122
Myterrace Cafe & Restaurant
Fully equipped with all the fresh Turkish foods, and is one of the best places to eat breakfast. No doubt that the view is considered fantastic and it’s much closer to the Golden horn view.
The design is a level better than other restaurants that I have introduced so far. The management is really responsive, and the staff is friendly. You are sitting on the traditional chairs with the back handler covered with Turkish rugs. Many of the reviews suggested eating fish there. I personally do not like fish at all, so I stick to the Kebab.
Location: No:9،Küçük Ayasofya Mh, Şht. Mehmet Paşa Sk., 34122 Fatih/İstanbul
Summit Bar and Terrace
A luxury bar and terrace in Istanbul with a great view facing the Marmara Sea. On your left side, you can enjoy the magnificent view of the Golden horn, and behind you, the Yıldız Hamidiye Mosque and Yıldız Park. Because of the quality of design and the services, the prices here are much higher and a dish that costs you normally 10$ in other restaurants, here is double. Although the view at night is greater than many of the competitors but still expensive. The bar is satisfying, and cocktails or Brandy are fantastic for everyone with any taste.
Location: Cihannüma Mahallesi Saray Caddesi No:5, 14th Floor, 34353 Beşiktaş
Panoramic Restaurant
A good view for an observer who seeks to see the sunset. The Panoramic restaurant is a 360-degree restaurant, with wall windows at every angle, and service with dishes and toasts equal to the quality you expect.
The view is not the only thing that makes you happy here. The dishes, from Turkish to French, and drinks, from neat Whiskey to a balanced mixture of a cocktail, are all at their best.
Located on the seventh floor of Adamar Hotel, It gives you the opportunity to observe the dome of Hagia Sophia, the minarets of the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, the Princes´ Islands, the Bosphorous, and the Marmara Sea in all their greatness and beauty.
Location: Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. No:37, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul
Hagia Sophia Terrace Restaurant
You can have the nearest distance to the Hagia Sophia mosque and the golden horn. On any rooftop in Istanbul Old Town, your view is magnificent by itself. The roof top restaurant, rugged by the bright woods, and chairs, tables, and the staff all express the tradition of Turkey.
The restaurant received 4.6 out of 5 from 125 reviews, which is a great point. The visitors enjoyed the good quality of food, somehow up and down an idea about the mezeh or the pre-course, but the view, in their idea, was magnificent.
Location: Alemdar, Nuru Osmaniye Cd. 7 A, 34400 Fatih/İstanbul
Tuğra Restaurant
This restaurant defines what the view is. The location is utterly close to the Bosphorus strait with a great view of the canal and the Anatolian side. There is no doubt that this is the most prestigious restaurant in Istanbul, with the dress code and some strict rules, such as the prohibition of bringing children under the age of 12, or booking in advance and being seriously on time.
The interior design is European classical, similar to the French palaces, and the extra use of marble and royal chairs and tables. The chef, Emre Inanir with 20 years of experience and owns 2 Micheline stars.
Everything here is luxurious, from the plates to the waiters to the served dishes which are more like artwork. The reviews consent that there is no negative feedback, except for the high price of dining, but for someone looking for an unforgettable night, this is something to pay for.
Location: Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel, Ciragan Caddesi 32, Çiragan Cd, 34349 Besiktas/İstanbul
Rika Cihangir
This is a high-quality rooftop restaurant, with a reasonable price. The prices of Turkish dishes are much lower than those of French dishes. The cocktails are acceptable but not what you would want to come here. You come here for a view and a great observation of the Bosphorus strait and the Golden Horn.
Located in the New town of Istanbul, in Beyoğlu, this is what romantic dining is for.
Location: Kılıçali Paşa, Akarsu Ykş. Sok. No:33, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Olive Anatolian Restaurant
Despite having the name Anatolian, this restaurant is located in the European side of Istanbul, in the Fatih district, a well-known area for people who are looking to have fun. The restaurant has a 270-degree view of the Bosphorus strait and Galata Bridge. It’s all covered with wall windows and the height is good enough to give you the observation of sunrise and sunset.
The food is mostly Turkish and then Western cuisines, and the quality is competitive with luxurious restaurants in Istanbul. It received 4.5 out of 5 from more than 500 reviews, and all of them apprised the quality and freshness of sea foods and barbeques.
Location: Hoca Paşa, Ebussuud Cd. No:12, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul
Lotiz Lounge & Hookah
Located in the city center of Old Town Istanbul, with a 360 view thanks to the wall windows and the location which stands on the floor which makes you capable of watching the far ships and boats approaching the port.
The restaurant has three sections, the Bistro, the roof lounge, and the lounge. The dishes vary from Italian to French and local Turkish cuisines at their best. Here is more than just a restaurant, as you can enjoy a hanging out experience and enjoy the ambiance of the lounges. The hookah, for those who need some smokes in different essences, is available and alcoholic drinks with snacks are spices that make your night more memorable.
Location: Balabanağa Vidinli Tevfikpaşa Caddesi D:Kat:7 No:14, 34134 Fatih
Mesopotamian Breakfast Brunch Café
A café and bistro restaurant with a great view of the Bosphorus strait, and the Anatolian side of Istanbul. It is near the Sultan Mehmet Street and the Hagia Sophia. The Mesopotamian Breakfast Brunch Café is mostly known for its excellent breakfast, a Turkish signature for starting your day.
The restaurant is on two floors, the ground one which is a bistro, and the rooftop. The restaurant gives a good view of the Marmara Sea and the sunshine and joy upgrade the quality of your breakfast. The design is corporates vastly from the woods.
Location: Cankurtaran, Kutlugün Sk. No:23, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul
Ararat Terrace Restaurant & Rooftop
The joy of being on the rooftop and enjoying the breathtaking sightseeing of the Marmara Sea and Golden Horn plays an important role in changing your dining from an ordinary dinner to something memorable. The Ararat Terrace Restaurant & Rooftop has a full menu, available for meat and vegetarian diets.
The Terrace has a nice structure, mostly wood used for flooring and the chair.
In terms of view, you can see the Maiden’s Tower and Galata bridge, even Galata Tower is under your sight. The restaurant received 4.6 stars out of 5 stars from 600 reviews. Although the restaurant has a good reputation for using fresh ingredients, it gets lots of stars for the view. So if you are looking for a great view, Ararat Terrace Restaurant & Rooftop is your best option.
Location: Cankurtaran, Kutlugün Sk. No:23, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul