dodobomba

Hi everybody. I am a master of Istanbul. And the restaurants suggested there are very touristic: Hamdi, Korfez, asitane etc... I would definitelly recommend KIVA situated in GALATA area. This is one of the best to taste real turkish cuisine, inspite of grills or kebabs. For a good kebab Develi in Samatya or Etiler are nice places to eat and drink. Do not miss Babylon concert hall; they have different live performances everyday. Also do not go to eat anywhere in Sultanahmet area. Food is average. As a good fish restaurant i recommend Yaka Balik situated under Galata Bridge (the other restaurants there are VERY touristic and they are cheating with the bill) also Park Fora situated on the Bosphorus coast. For a fine dining; TOPAZ and LA MOUETTE are the nice places. Topaz (near Taksim square) is about modernised turkish cuisine but La Mouette is definitelly the best fusion restaurant about the mixity of Turkish and international cuisine. Do not go back home before eating there. It is situated at the top floor of a small luxury hotel called Tomtom Suites in Galatasaray area (Near Taksim). 360 Istanbul, Leb-i Derya, Ulus 29 or Sunset Grill... Forget them. May be 360 or Lebi Derya only for some drinks; but nut for a good food at all. Topaz and La Mouette hes nice views on the Bosphorus as well ^ - AND DO NOT TAKE ANY TAKSI IN SULTANAHMET AREA, THEY WILL CHEAT WITH YOU FOR SURE !!

DrivingRain

We'll be in IST for three nights from a Thursday afternoon to Sunday in late July. Our food itinerary is as follows and we could use some feedback:

Thursday
Arrive at IST 330pm
Dinner- Looking for very, very casual kebab. We'll be pretty tried and full after our long flight. Currently selected one of two locations of Kobebasi; either the summer Reina location or Levent.

Friday
Breakfast- included in our hotel rate at Aqua at the Four Seasons Bosph.
Lunch- We'll be down in the old city most of the day and are thinking about lunch at Seasons at the FS Sult; but we're wondering if our touristy clothes and sweatiness may not be a good fit. So we might need a new idea here.
Dinner-Looking for a late dinner in the bustle of Nevizade. Considering Boncuk, Neyle Meyle, Imroz, Nevizade, and Refik. So we could really use some help narrowing that list down or picking a different one. Suggestions for bars with live music afterwards would also be appreciated!

Saturday
Breakfast- Aqua
Lunch- We'll be all over the city shopping and sight seeing; going from the stores off Taksim and going from therre. Lunch could be anywhere. We are intrigued by the Turkish pizza at Padeban, but are open to a suggestion; especially for great sandwiches or something lighter.
Dinner- This will be our lux night and we're looking for Turkish; either traditional or modern. We've narrowed it down to the afforementioned Lamoutte or Borsa and would appreciate thoughts on those or more suggestions.

Sunday
We leave IST at 1330 and would like to have lunch at the CIP lounge there. Breakfast at Aqua.

Thanks in advance for any/all help! We really cant wait for our weekend in IST.

Musken

I see that we struggle with the same choices, just our stay will be mid July. We will be at the Four Seasons Bosphoros as well, and have - with help of guidebooks and the concierge at the FS (not fully impressed, though.....) come up with the following plan:

Saturday
Arrive late afternoon. Dinner in Aqua. Very sceptical about this, however, as I have heard there are many weddings "taking over" the hotel especially in week-ends and also we prefer Turkish food, not Italian when in Turkey. Is the kebab-places you mentioned close to the FS? Any other recommendations for restaurants close (preferably walking distance) from the FS Bosphoros. What about the Tugra restaurant? Is it as good as some reviews say and something not to miss?

Sunday
Sultanahmet sightseeing and lunch at the Matbah restaurant located Behind the Haghia Sophia museum.

Monday
Bazaar day with lunch at the Nar Restaurant 5 minutes walk from the Bazaar.

Tuesday
Seafood lunch at the Park Fora restaurant.

(We normally do not manage to eat a real dinner after such lunches, so these will be rather spontanous)

Musken

We are there now and I can tell you about our experiences.

First night we went to Tugra in the kempinsky palace next to FS and had a wonderful meal at their fine dining ottoman Turkish restaurant. Highly recommended. Ask for table at terrasse. 5 min walk max from the fs. Great service and wonderful food.

After sightseeing in old city 2 nd day we had lunch in the Matbah restaurant just behind hagia Sophia. Again ottoman but very different. Tasty food especially mezze. Main dishes we had were a bit bland for our taste. Good service. Relaxed atmosphere. Terrasse nice. Fans available Inside restaurant not so charming. Evening light dinner at Aqua. Really very nice and very good. Do eat here once!

Third day lunch at Nar restaurant close to grand bazaar. More formal than day before. Many business people. Inside seating best here. Food very good. Cold mezze to order or from buffet. Main courses included very good Turkish pizzas. Recommend even though service was not ways great. Forgot to fill our wine glasses several times for example.
Dinner at kösebasi Reina which was quite disappointing. Very rude doorkeepers. Very modern. Food good but very expensive for such rather simple food. Maybe another more traditional branch would be better. Very dressed up even if it is informal. No shorts!!

DrivingRain

Musken,
Thanks so much for the reviews. It seems kobebase is more club than restaurant at that location?

How is the FS for you so far? What did you book into and what did you get at checkin? Enjoying it? We're still wavering a bit between FS and PH as we doubt we'll be in a palace room and are not sure if we'll like the feel of being on the wings.

Musken

I will write you a pm about fs.

You ate right that that location of kösebasi is more like a club. 5 or 6 restaurants there plus bars and lounge areas.

Park fora was good but not great. Very quiet for lunch but fish good. No meat at all. We love fish so no problem for us. Service a bit "proud Turkish " we know best attitude rather than the customer is always right. It we are getting used to that..

mmack

You would LOVE La Mouette...beautiful view, good service, amazing food. Our favorite meal in Istanbul!!!!