The Best Casual Restaurants in İstanbul

Apartıman Yeniköy is a relaxed neighborhood spot in Istanbul, led by chef-owner Burçak Kazdal. Known for its creative use of local ingredients and friendly atmosphere, it’s open for lunch, dinner, and a special Sunday brunch. The laid-back vibe and thoughtful approach to food make it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

Recommended by

Maksut Askar

Chef

If it's a weekend breakfast for me, I go to Apartiman. The chef, Burçak Kazdal is super talented, and her ideas and ways to use products and traditional recipes are incredible. Apartiman is not a breakfast place, they do amazing breakfasts only on Sundays. You will not regret going here.

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Foxy Nişantaşı is a relaxed wine bar in Istanbul from the same team behind Neolokal, highlighting locally grown grapes and natural methods. The knowledgeable staff is happy to share the story behind each bottle, making it easy to discover something new. With its cozy setting and thoughtful menu, it’s an inviting place to enjoy good wine in a laid-back atmosphere.

Recommended by

Gennady Jozefavichus

Food Writer

As natural as the wine This watering hole belongs to Maksut Askar, chef of Neolokal, one of the best Istanbul’s restaurants. Great simple (but not that simple — it’s Maksut!) food like padrónes or beef tartare on the bed of Russian salad or delicious pasta and great selection of natural wines, Turkish first of all.

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Çiya Sofrası is a long-standing restaurant in Istanbul’s Kadıköy district, known for its traditional Anatolian-style cooking. The menu shifts day to day, offering a range of dishes inspired by regional recipes from around Turkey. Its relaxed setting invites you to feel right at home while sampling simple, comforting meals.

Recommended by

Maksut Askar

Chef

In this place in the Kadiköy district you can see the colours of different cooking and recipes from all around Anatolia and it has been there for a while. I remember the first time I went there with my mom when I was in school. I love these staple places that has been around forever. This is a place where they cook all these traditional home cooking dishes and serve them on a marble surface and you just choose what you want to eat. You can have a really good lahmacun and kebab but I mainly focus on the best stuffed intestines the serve, and many other dishes.

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Karaköy Lokantası is known in Istanbul for its warm atmosphere and dependable Turkish cooking, appreciated by both locals and visitors. By day, it serves ready-made meals in a casual lokanta style, then becomes a lively meyhane for evening gatherings. This change in pace makes it a place you can enjoy at any time.

Recommended by

Nick Bril

Chef/ DJ

A fine place for fine Turkish food. Perfect terrace and extremely fresh cooked food. Must visit acknowledged by foodies, confirmed by me. The liver was delicious, aubergine and bechamel and the fresh cold starters from the counter.

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Lades Menemen has been a welcoming spot in Istanbul’s Taksim neighborhood for more than 60 years. They serve simple, down-to-earth meals from morning to evening, with a relaxed atmosphere that has kept locals coming back for decades. It’s a long-standing favorite for anyone looking to enjoy a comfortable and unhurried dining experience.

Recommended by

Maksut Askar

Chef

Breakfast is important for us in Istanbul and my favourite breakfast place is Lades Menemen. It’s been there since the 1950’s and I've been going there for more than 25 years. They do an all day breakfast and it's super casual and delicious food. I would order the typical Turkish breakfast, which is super simple. It's olives, cheese, honey and clotted cream with tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. If we want an egg, which we call menemen, it would be a fried egg with tomatoes and peppers, similar to shakshuka, but a lighter version. They’re also a dairy custard shop and in Istanbul the custard makers also serve traditional chicken breast custards, which we call Tavuk Gögsü. So a sweet dessert with chicken breasts. So they use the chicken breasts for desserts and the eggs of the chickens are used next door for the menemen and the other parts of the chicken goes for lunch.

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Yeni Lokanta in Istanbul puts a modern spin on Turkish cuisine, combining familiar flavors with fresh ideas. The warm, low-key setting invites guests to relax while exploring a variety of menu options. It’s an appealing choice for anyone eager to try local tastes in a new way.

Recommended by

Maksut Askar

Chef

You need to go to Yeni Lokanta and definitely eat their mantı - the traditional Turkish dumplings.

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Zübeyir Ocakbaşı/Taksim is a well-established spot in a lively part of Istanbul, known for its simple charm and welcoming atmosphere. Crowds come here for a taste of traditional Turkish cooking in a busy, authentic setting. Many visitors consider it a go-to whenever they’re in the neighborhood.

Recommended by

Robert Mendoza

Chef

Grilled meats This place is great because of its simplicity. Delicious meze and a variety of charcoal grilled meats. A must whenever visiting Istanbul.

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Adana Ocakbasi offers an inviting Turkish barbecue experience in a local neighborhood of Istanbul. The open grill is at the heart of the restaurant, creating a lively atmosphere that appeals to both locals and visitors. It’s a straightforward spot for enjoying time-honored cooking without the typical tourist crowds.

Recommended by

Maksut Askar

Chef

The specialty of this grill is cooking every part of the animal, so if you like offal you definitely need to go here. For me it's all about eating all cuts of the animal, and that’s why I like going to Adana Ocakbaşı. The restaurant is not touristic, it’s in a local neighborhood, but they always welcome foreigners. You would definitely love it.

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Aheste is an Istanbul restaurant with a modern spin on traditional cuisine. It has a friendly vibe that makes it easy to share food and drinks with friends. The relaxed atmosphere and welcoming service create a comfortable spot for an evening out.

Recommended by

Mehmet Gurs

Chef

If you’re into a friendly and tasty evening with friends to share your food and drinks Aheste is spot on. Great food, service and vibe… If you’re into a friendly and tasty evening with friends to share your food and drinks Aheste is spot on.

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Şehzade Cağ Kebap sits on a street lined with similar spots in Istanbul but stands out thanks to its unique cooking approach. It’s a welcoming place offering a straightforward yet memorable dining experience. Despite the busy surroundings, it manages to maintain a friendly ambiance that invites you to linger and enjoy.

Recommended by

Saku Tuominen

CEO & Restaurateur

In the middle of a street full of kebab joints, this is something else, a culinary gem, serving a real speciality, a horisontally prepared kebabs. A treat!

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Nato Restaurant in Karaköy, Istanbul, has been serving home-style Turkish meals for over 50 years. Its simple, welcoming atmosphere and long history make it a comfortable place to enjoy a taste of local tradition.

Recommended by

Maksut Askar

Chef

In Nato Lokantasi, located in Karaköy, you can find delicious Turkish home cooked meals. They have been there for more than 50 years.

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Pandeli Restaurant is one of Istanbul’s oldest spots, opened in 1901 inside the bustling Spice Market. Its historic atmosphere and welcoming feel have drawn visitors for generations, making it a charming place to experience local culinary traditions.

Recommended by

Maksut Askar

Chef

Pandeli is one of the oldest restaurants in town, located in the spice market. They serve Istanbul classics on their menu, like a really good eggplant salad, good mezes or a really good börek, a savoury pastry. Photo: Gülin Özalp

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Saray Muhallebicisi – Teşvikiye in Istanbul is a laid-back chain restaurant that regulars enjoy visiting, especially in the morning. It’s known for its comfortable setting and the convenience of all-day service. This spot offers a relaxed experience for those seeking a simple, satisfying meal.

Recommended by

Ali Kurshat Altinsoy

Brand Director

I love breakfast here. Great boreks - especially the sulu börek. All day cantina chain across town. I love breakfast here at the Nisantasi spot. Great boreks - especially the sulu börek.

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