stricky

I am going to be in Istanbul for my birthday in late May. It's a round number birthday. A biggy. Can anyone recommend a restaurant where my husband and I can celebrate together? We'd like something nice casual, outside seating (weather permitting) and with a stunning view. And of course, good, Turkish food.

worldinabag

Hi

Try - http://www.360istanbul.com/eng/restaurant.html

otherchelebi

I suggest :

Ulus 29

Divan, Bebek

Bebek Hotel

Aleko, Deniz Ati (fish and meze)


The price range will be from $70 to $200 per person depending on the amount, type and brand of your wine and/or fish.

i.e. turbot will be very expensive. sea bass or sole will be reasonable

You can get a decent bottle of wine for TL90-100 (Doluca Kav or DLC or Kavaklidere Selection) Pendore, Egeo, Corvus, Sarafin will be more expensive and may not be worth the difference.

Ulus 29 will mean more dressed up people and more of a special night out location. The others will be mixed.

sf7307

Otherchelebi, as long as the question has been asked (and we'll be there just a few days after our kids' first anniversary, so we'll definitely make use of your suggestions), what restaurants would you recommend for a non-special occasion dinner, but meeting the same criteria of nice casual outdoor dining (weather permitting), and not quite as expensive as the few special occasion places you mentioned? We'll be there in early June for 6 nights (and paying for 4 people )

otherchelebi

Try any restaurant within Sortie or Reina. Ask for a fixed menu price. Each of these famous supper clubs, right on the Bosphorus have 5 to 8 restaurants, from meat to fish, Turkish to Chinese.
On weekends they have two seatings 8 and 10 PM. If you go for the second seating , you can continue as the whole area turns into a night club / bar scene, sitting at your table. Your kids will love it. Our son in law's grand mother at 84 did not want to leave at midnight.

Fixed menu prices should be about TL 100-120 this year including half a bottle of wine or similar local drinks per person.

Another option is Kydonia, a new place which is not on the Bosphorus but close on a terrace with good view and good service. This is a three storey establishment. First floor is a wine bar, second floor is Kydonia fish and third floor is La Mancha. We were at La Mancha tonight and I wrote a review on Trip Advisor which should be available in a few days.

You may also be interested in reading my other reviews on TA among which there are quite a few Istanbul restaurants.

sf7307

Thanks!

stricky

Thanks Otherchelebi. We'll also take your recommendations for the more casual places too!