Finally getting our quick trip to Istanbul settled! Have the hotel (the President - because I like the location and the price), getting the tours set up, and know the shopping I want to do.

Now - I need a little more help from you experts!

My husband really enjoys good food (and wine). Can anyone recommend some really nice restaurants? While price is not an issue at this point, I don't want to go anyplace that requires a coat and tie!

In particular, any seafood recommendations? I can't eat the stuff (there is always something else on the menu!), but my husband and teens are really anxious for some good, FRESH seafood. All we get is frozen seafood and it's driving them nuts! There are a couple of casual fish restaurants just a few block from the President, and that will be fine for 1 meal, but I'm also looking for other options.

I would appreciate any and all help!

We had a wonderful meal at a restaurant named Mosiacz(sp?) right near the Hippodrome and the tram stop that will take you to the Grand Bazaar.The meal was reasonable,delightfully delicious with flaming meat,etc.We did not order any fish as I am the only one in the family who eats it but it was a wonderful dining experience!

Here are a pair of the best fish places:

Doga Balik in Cihangir
Balik Sabahattin in Sultanahmet

You should book for either one; neither needs coat and tie. Be sure to ask which fish is in season and order that. At Balik Sabahattin you can either eat indoors or out on the patio.

Thanks for the recommendations.

Do these places have just fish (some are like that) or other seafood as well? I know shrimp and crabs would be a big hit with the family!

I did not see much shellfish in Istanbul. There were some local small shrimp but that is about it. I am sure that many places offer them on their menus but they may be frozen. You have to remember where you are; I don't think there are large crab and large shrimp in local waters and if you want the freshest items, you will always ask for the local seafood. Maybe the high-end hotels have what you want; I know, I would have loved those things but I just did not see them aside from the smaller shrimp which were served in a casserole and were excellent. It depends, I think, on the season you are there. There is an area with a large congregation of fish restaurants on the water; maybe someone will supply the name. Perhaps that is a good bet for you but I did not go so cannot comment. You can read some great reports of eating in Istanbul if you do a search on www.chowhound.com.

The area I mentioned is Kumkapi, on the water. Here is the name of a place that specializes in shellfish: Yengec, Telli Odalar Sok, Kumkapi, Istanbul.

Balikci Sabahattin (The Fisherman)
http://www.armadahotel.com.tr
Great seafood and mezes

Develi
http://www.develikebap.com/
Great meat dishes

Mavi Balik
http://www.mavibalik.com/
Great views of the Bosphorus + seafood.

Asitane
http://www.kariyeotel.com/
Wondeful authentic recipies from the ottoman period - lacated next to St. Chora (must see Byzantine mosaics and frescos)

I would not bother with Tugra at Ciragan Palace - something about the room left me cold, though the food was very competent

My vote goes to Doga Balik and Sabahattin as Ekscrunchy suggests

Bon A petite

Sabahattin was my favorite meal in Istanbul this past June. I loved their fresh sardines in olive oil (which I usually do not like) and they had this amazing dessert that (I think) was made of semolina, honey and a scoop of ice cream. We sat outside & there were cats everywhere, which I don't mind.

When are you going to Istanbul? First of all lets talk about fresh fish in in Istanbul; on the surface, the water flows from Black Sea through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles to the Aegean sea and and the opposite direction in deeper parts of the sea. When in Istanbul, if you look carefully, at the point of Topkapi Palace you can notice it very clearly. Similarly, fish migrate bothways depending on the season. Last September, October and November when I was there, the fish were so bountifull the fishing boats were catching blue fish and bonitos right there in the Bosphorus in front of our eyes. And restaurants under neath the Galata bridge, not too fancy but clean and serving fresh fish. In Kumkapi, the area between the Marmara sea and Sultan Ahmet area there are numerous fish restaurants. Basically, you will get bonito, blue fish and mackarel as local fish and fresh depending on the SEASON. There is another kind of fish called Turbot (Kalkan) in Turkish, looks like flounder. Fishermen catch Kalkan in Black Sea. It is not as bountiful as the others and a bit expensive. Now, if you are around Spice market during the day time, you may like to eat at "Pandeli" in the spice market. It is a very famous restaurant and the history of it goes back to l927-30. It is only open for lunch till 3:00 pm and not open in the evenings. If you really want to eat in a very nice restaurant, "Feriye" is the place. Feriye is situated right along the water in Ortakoy after the Ciragan Hotel (Kempiski) complex and just before the Ortakoy Mosque. The building used to be an old Ottoman Police Station. It seems like continuation of the Ciragan Palace complex and it looks like a little palace. The Chef Mr. Vedat Basaran used to work for the Ciragan Palace's Tugra Restaurant. The foundation of the Kabatash High School, asked him to come do something with this place and Mr. Basaran is now the chef who runs the place. As I said, it is situated by the water in summer, you may have to make a reservation. In winter months, meal is served in the building and it is really out of this world. It is not as expensive as Ciragan (Kempiski)'s Tugra, and the food absoulately fantastic. I think you can get them at their own website ; www.Feriye.com. I had taken a group of food editors/writers to Turkey in September and Feriye was one of the places that I had chosen. And everybody was happy. You have to take a taxi to get there. Remeber taxis in Istanbul have day fare and night fare in their meters. When you take a taxi, they will turn their meter on. You can take public transportation almost anywhere in Istanbul as well as in the whole country as well. Now, if you go further up along the Bosphorus towards Black Sea, in Tarabya district there is another restaurant called "Garaj" (Garage), always will have fresh fish. Most of these restaurants will have other food in their menues as well as fish. Along the Boshporus, in Istinye district along the water, they will have fish restaurants side by side like road side cafes in Paris. When in Istanbul, you may enjoy seeing the city from the water by taking one of the Turkish Maritime boats that leave from the Spice Market end of the Galata Bridge that goes up along the Bosphorus. One will leave around 10:00 am and another around 1:00 or 1:30 pm. (you have to check times). Take the one that leave early. It will take you all the way to Anadolu Kavak at end of the Bosphorus on the Asian side. You get out, have your lunch in one of the restaurants, stroll around and take the boat back around 3:15 pm. These tours along the Bosphorus also available through the private boats as well, but I dont think they go up that far and they cost a bit more. Visit Turkish Turism websites, I think www.go Turkey.com., www.kulturturizm.org.tr. are websites you can get every information you need, including museum hours, fees. www.turkish embassy.org in Washington, DC, may furnish you with maps and other pamphlets. I hope you will enjoy your visit to this wonderful land with fascinating fascinating history that goes back 7000 BC.

yakamozkar - Thanks for the detailed info! I will definitely check out some of those sites.

We will only be there for 3 days at the end of March, so it will be quick but I think we'll have fun. I already have my list of things to get at the Grand Bazaar and we will hit the big/modern malls for some things we can't get where we live (and so my kids can eat at Burger King!). We are just going to hit the highlights this trip. My younger son and I did am 8 day tour of Turkey last spring and loved it. This is a chance for my husband and older son to get a taste.

Thanks for all the advice.