Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Istanbul

By Justin Mays:

Are you a true lover of gastronomy? If the answer is yes, you are in luck, because in Istanbul you will find restaurants that are a true gem. It is well known that gastronomy has always been an element closely linked to Turkish culture. But as if this were not enough, just a few months ago the Michelin Guide landed on the metropolis, giving its residents and visitors a list of fabulous restaurants in which to enjoy at least once in a lifetime.

Although the restaurants that obtain the Michelin star do not necessarily have to be specialized in fine dining, coincidentally, the five that head the Istanbul Michelin Guide are. We suppose that some will wonder: what does fine dining mean?

Fine dining cuisine refers to those restaurants that offer their diners an experience that goes far beyond the dishes. They are characterized by offering a conscientiously created menu, with high-quality ingredients and a very careful design of the site and its meaning. In addition, the concept of the restaurant is developed by highly qualified staff, with the intention of guaranteeing a perfect evening. It is the line followed by some of the most famous chefs in the world, such as the French Alain Ducasse, the Spanish Dabiz Muñoz, and the Colombian Leonor Espinosa, among others.

If you are already convinced and would like to immerse yourself in the world of fine dining, in Istanbul you will find some ideal restaurants to do that. Below, we present five restaurants that offer their diners fine dining cuisine, all of them included in the famous Michelin Guide. Enjoy, we are convinced that you will love them!

Turk Fatih Tutak

In Bomonti, in the Sisli district, you can find Turk Fatih Tutak, the restaurant that heads the Michelin Guide of Istanbul. With two Michelin stars, their goal is not only to fill your belly but also your mind and soul, as they explain on their website. In fact, this would be the perfect metaphor to refer to fine dining, since, as we have explained previously, this cuisine goes far beyond food. Turk Fatih Tutak reinvents traditional dishes from the Balkans, the Mediterranean, and Anatolia, to indulge his diners with unique contemporary cuisine.

Mikla Restaurant

Next, we present Mikla Restaurant, a restaurant with a Michelin star located on top of The Marmara Pera Hotel, in the Beyoglu district. Its chef, Mehmet Gürs, is known for combining Turkish and Scandinavian cuisine, creating truly amazing dishes. In addition to having one star, this restaurant is also included in The World's 50 Best Restaurants list.

Neolokal

“We are a bridge between the old and the new”, is how the Neolokal team describes themselves. In addition to a Michelin star, this restaurant has also got a green star. This latest award has been possible thanks to his vision, which consists in combining modern techniques with innovative perspectives. Inspired by mother earth, the chefs of Neolokal try to examine traditional recipes to give them a new approach, without losing sight of the finer details.

Nicole Restaurant

Among the fine dining restaurants in Istanbul, we would also like to highlight the Nicole Restaurant, which has a Michelin star. It is a restaurant located in Beyoglu, whose objective is to offer its diners refined cuisine with a contemporary interpretation. As the definition of fine dining points out, what Nicole Restaurant seeks is to guarantee its customers an unforgettable culinary experience.

Araka

The Michelin Guide describes Araka as a rural-style restaurant with a romantic interior and individual style. This spot, located in Sariyer, has a Michelin star and it's not surprising, because its chef, Zeynep Pınar Taşdemir, loves to express his personality and creativity through vegetables and herbs.