Dining

When eating out in Istanbul, you can be adventurous and experience cuisines you have never even heard of. This is one of the few places in the world where a person can get a variety of international delicacies at several eat outs.

However, since this is a visit to Turkey, eating Turkish food should be on top of the agenda. Turkish cuisine is a delightful combination of taste, smell and sights. Mediterranean herbs like garlic, rosemary, sage, dill and oregano are some key ingredients used to flavor the dishes. The Turks almost exclusively use Olives as their source for oil and very often meats and vegetables are just seasoned and sautéed in the oil. The main ingredients are largely soaked in yogurt-based marinades. It is advisable to enquire about the preparation if you are allergic to dairy products and make this known before you place your order.

Meats such as lamb, camel and fish are widely used in the cuisine. The Turks are very fond of big portions and most dishes are served in chunks and wholes if it can be helped. That means whole goats, skewered and roasted on open fires are the order of the day. Grilled fish is another conventional item on the menu and often the whole fish is just dribbled with lemon juice and barbequed in a Turkish style open stove.

Native fares are generally the best and cheapest at any Turkish café style restaurants, locally referred to as ‘lokantas'. Along with main course dishes, these places also serve fast food preparations like mince meat in pitta bread. A patty like savory dish made of minced meats is called the ‘kebab'. Kebabs come in a variety of different styles and are sold as individual dishes with seasoning or with bread by street vendors as well as high-end restaurants.

Due to strict Islamic norms, alcoholic beverages are generally available with only top restaurants.

A. Top Restaurants

The Four Seasons Restaurant

Location: Istiklal Cad. No: 509

Phone: 0212-293-3941

An internationally acclaimed restaurant that gets top credit for its food as well as ambience. It is a bit on the expensive side but the authentic Turkish fare and the Indian dishes are well worth spending on.

Parsifal

Location: Kurabiye Sokak No: 13, Beyoglu

Phone: 90-212-245 2588

The Parsifal is one of Turkey's main European joints that serve authentic French delicacies. It is also one of the few completely vegetarian restaurants. The variety of breads served with herbed, spiced butter and starters are a delight as are the prices and service.

5th Floor Restaurant

Location: Sirselviler Cad. Soganci Sk. No: 7

Cihangir

Istanbul

Phone: 212 293 37 74

Okay so its name is not that innovative, but this restaurant with a splendid view of the Bosphorus Bay is a great place to try out some Asian cuisine. All specialties like sushi, Thai dishes and Chinese are on offering here. The price range again is moderate.

Musafir

Location: La Martin Cad. No: 24/1

Phone: 0212 235 27 41

The only Indian/Pakistani restaurant in the Taksim region, Musafir serves up a delightfully colorful menu with all the dishes you've been dying to try ever since you heard of them. Biryanis, curries, cottage cheese preparations are all there to tempt you.

Rami

Location: Utangaç Sokak 6

Cankurtaran

Istanbul

Phone: 212 6385321

Fine dining cannot get better when you can look across and view one of the best monuments in Istanbul - the Blue Mosque. Rami has an excellent selection of international and local cuisine as well as an outstanding wine list.

Bekeret

Location: Hava Soyak

Not one for those who prefer fine, exclusive dining. This restaurant is cheap, and it is not just the price we are speaking of. Nonetheless, the food is great and at that price it can just taste better. There is also a separate room for non-smokers.