Editor's Pick Partner
Bar
Rooftop Romantic
Sureyya Teras
Sultanahmet
$$$$
Four Seasons rooftop with Hagia Sophia views
Top Rated
Best Places for Friends in Istanbul
Whether you're planning a special evening or a spontaneous outing, these are the venues our editors consistently recommend for Friends in Istanbul. Each one has been personally vetted for atmosphere, quality, and experience.
20
Venues
Partner
Hotel
Waterfront Modern
Shangri-La Bosphorus
Beşiktaş
$$$$
Asian hospitality excellence with stunning water views
Editor's Pick Partner
Gallery
Modern Waterfront
Istanbul Modern
Karaköy
$$
Renzo Piano's contemporary art museum on the waterfront
Editor's Pick
Restaurant
Trendy Modern
Basta Neo Bistro
Bagdat Caddesi
$$$$
Michelin Guide bistro with European-Turkish fusion
Editor's Pick
Restaurant
Romantic Hidden Gem
Casa Lavanda
Sile
$$$$
Farm-to-table excellence in the countryside
Editor's Pick Partner
Bar
Rooftop See & Be Seen
Mikla Bar
Beyoğlu
$$$$
360-degree panoramic views from Marmara Pera rooftop
Editor's Pick
Cafe
Classic Hidden Gem
Mandabatmaz
Beyoğlu
$
Legendary Turkish coffee since 1967
Editor's Pick
Restaurant
Romantic Cozy
Nazende Cadde
Bagdat Caddesi
$$$
Michelin Bib Gourmand seafood on the Asian side
Editor's Pick
Restaurant
Modern Artistic
Araka
Yenikoy
$$$$
Vegetable-forward contemporary cuisine
Partner
Hotel
Modern Trendy
Raffles Istanbul
Beşiktaş
$$$$
Contemporary luxury at Zorlu Center
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Editor's Pick Partner
Gallery
Modern Artistic
Arter
Dolapdere
$$
8,000 sqm of cutting-edge contemporary art
Editor's Pick
Restaurant
Romantic Hidden Gem
The Red Balloon
Yenikoy
$$$$
Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant with award-winning young chef Ulas Durmaz
Restaurant
Modern Artistic
Arkestra
Etiler
$$$$
Creative fine dining with theatrical presentation
Editor's Pick
Restaurant
Hidden Gem Classic
Bebek Balikci
Bebek
$$$
Heritage seafood since 1952
Editor's Pick
Restaurant
Classic Romantic
Asmalicavit
Beyoğlu
$$$
Epitome of Istanbul meyhane culture
Editor's Pick Partner
Restaurant
Trendy Classic
Karaköy Lokantasi
Karaköy
$$$
Michelin-recommended modern meyhane with 80+ mezes
Editor's Pick
Bar
Hidden Gem Cozy
Flekk
Beyoğlu
$$$
Homemade liqueurs and inventive cocktails in Beyoğlu
Editor's Pick Partner
Nightclub
Artistic Classic
Babylon
Bomonti
$$$
Legendary cultural hub and live music venue since 1999
Editor's Pick Partner
Hotel
Trendy Artistic
Soho House Istanbul
Beyoğlu
$$$
Creative hub in classic-elegant Palazzo Corpi
Editor's Pick
Cafe
Trendy Artistic
Petra Roasting Co.
Galata
$$$
Pioneer of Istanbul's third-wave coffee since 2013
Can't Decide?
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