Pepo&#x27;s Galata

Absolutely delicious and the service was incredible! Check out the mural on the way in and see how…read moremany people you can name.

A MUST TRY. As an American, I have been SO impressed with food here in Turkey and if you are in the…read morearea, this restaurant is an absolute MUST-TRY if you're looking for great food. I had some of THEE BEST chicken kebab I've ever had in this country here. The beef kebab was also tender and flavorful. You cannot go wrong with any of these! The service was quick and prompt, and the servers were great at making recommendations. I came here in the winter so we sat indoors which felt a bit cramped however, there is also outdoor seating during the nicer weather months. If I'm ever back here in Istanbul, I would definitely come back. And if you're reading this, you NEED to try the Old Ottoman!

1.3 km•Hobyar, Hoca Paşa Mh.

Streetside

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Wall outside the restaurant.

Roof Mezze 360

4.9(63 reviews)

I LOVE this spot. The views, the food, the service, the music .. I love it!…read more This is where I was first introduced to adjika, a tasty pepper sauce that is served with their table bread, which is also delicious. I had to grab some at a local market. I highly recommend the chicken kabobs, juicy and well seasoned. Also enjoyed the margaritas, stiff and not overly sweet. Staff is pleasant and attentive. The views are unmatched in the evening. Make your reservation in advance to secure your sunset table. The inside is nice and classy but I simply adore the open air views from the roof. The birds really set off the skyline and you can see several of the mosques around. Not SUPER expensive but it is in the higher end price wise compared to their surrounding competition -- 100% worth it in my book. I will definitely go again on my next visit. Glad I could introduce it to a friend this go round. The only thing I disliked about this place is the "dining dome" as I called it. A portion of the roof now offers seating in a large plastic dome. The dome is scratched up and obstructs the view of the city but does protect diners from the wind. I was not a fan of this dome. I'm sure it's something someone saw on the internet and implemented .. I hope they get rid of it, it's super unnecessary. Otherwise -- LOVE!

Beautiful views, nice restaurant, huge menu. Had some really good mezze and shared the turkish…read moreravioli that we hadn't seen elsewhere and were like dim sum. The views, food, and service make for an unforgettable experience.

1.1 km•Tahtakale, Rüstem Paşa Mh., Eminönü

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Complimentary tea to end the meal

Öz Karadeniz Pide Kebap

5.0(1 review)

We stumbled upon this place, it looked like a well loved place so we decided to stay for lunch. We…read moreeach ordered a durum doner, for which you can choose the amount of meat. I believe the sizes go from 80g of meat to 250g of meat. I ordered the 100g and it was plenty to fill me up. The bread is thin and flavorful, and the filling includes pickles, tomatoes and fries. The larger option comes served with a side of fries and pickles too. Delicious pita bread is complimentary, and it is served with yet another delicious menu item, a tangy and sweet tomato and herbs salsa. The prices are very fair (2 of us ate for ~ 15USD), the staff is very friendly, definitely would recommend.

0.1 km•Müeyyedzade Mh., Şahkulu, Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa

Mrnü

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Galata Kitchen

4.5(30 reviews)

•₺

Everything I ate here was utterly delicious and unique. The staff was lovely and so helpful. Their…read morerecommendation of what to order was spot on. I'm already craving a second visit.

Galata Kitchen is not a doner grill and it doesn't open onto a busy street with a big outdoor…read morepatio. After two days having some great meals in Istanbul of that type, we looked for something different. Not far from Galata Tower, GK is on a side street with little foot traffic. It has a big modern sign back off the street and one of the operators saw us hesitating where to enter and waved us in from the front entrance. Inside it has whimsical and funny decorations and serious books mounted on the wall, but is not atmospheric, more like a diner. BUT the food is displayed in a case, hot and cold entrees separated, so you can see what you are ordering. You pick what you want and they assemble your choices on a plate and bring it to the table. Hot entrees included chicken bites in a tomato sauce and chicken with onions, lamb stew and beef and plenty of salad and vegetable choices in the cold display case. The group of men running the place that night were low key but personable, answering our questions about food items and Turkish literature. Service was prompt but understated and helpful. Our group of four had a great time and the menu is diverse enough that everyone found choices that pleased them. But remember, we came in expecting something very good other than doner kebap and were not disappointed!

0.4 km•Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa Mh., Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa

Restaurant interior

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Restaurant exterior

Karaköy Lokantası

4.3(76 reviews)

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A must-try for tourists!…read more The food is absolutely delicious, with a menu offering traditional Turkish dishes. The ambiance is modern yet maintains a relaxed, upscale vibe, making it perfect for both casual outings and special occasions. They are famous for their mezes, and I highly recommend the levrek marin and fava. For mains, the hunkar begendi is amazing! The service is fast, friendly, and attentive, adding to the overall great experience. It's a classic if you're in Istanbul. Also, it's in of the best area to hang, tons to see around. Highly recommended!

I was excited to try this place but found the food to be just okay. Maybe I picked the wrong items?…read moreI am not sure. We ordered the grilled artichokes, pickles, potato croquettes, and beef tenderloin. The artichokes were my favourite - so delicious! Everything else was alright. It was all cooked well and seemed fresh but I found the price to be a bit expensive for what it was. I've had better meals for much cheaper in Istanbul. One thing I didn't like was a 50 lira charge per person for cover? And our water was not free. On top of that, a 10% service charge. Not really happy about being charged cover and a service charge but it is what it is. Service was good and our food came very quickly.

1.0 km•Tahtakale Mh., Eminönü, Tahtakale

Inside

03/16/23 Grilled Meatballs

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@endoedibles on Instagram 03/16/23

Lezzet-i Şark

4.7(17 reviews)

Go here and get the Beyran soup. I haven't found anything like it in all of Istanbul!…read more This place is just off the main square in the spice bazaar. Their other dishes are good - but Beyran is not served most places - and this is better than the kebab you are eyeing up. Definitely worth checking out!

Soup from Gaziantep!! You need fluid to replace that lost during the day. It may be one of the…read morehealthy choices and this place is among the best in Istanbul. Have it!

Soup make to order....

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Inside

Ab-ı Hayat

4.5(2 reviews)

0.7 km•Eminönü

My name is Eddie from Kentucky (USA)This is my spot for my time in Istanbul! I went to a few other…read moreShisha places and was not happy. Two different location give you the flavor you want on top after a minutes you get something else. This place is amazing. I like the love 66 and the blend of love &lady killer. Recommend it. Shahin is the man! Great guy and very friendly! Stop here for sure!!!!

1.0 km•Eminönü, Hobyar Mh., Tahtakale

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Tatseven

3.7(7 reviews)

Great customer service from a very friendly staff. Pretty good menu with a wide variety of options…read more They do take credit cards. It's outdoor seating with heat lamps and see through plastic walls to block any adverse weather. They spoke enough English and the menu is all pictures, so we had no issues.

Welcome bread was nice and soft with a nice taste and texture. The service was fine, and the food…read morewas okay... The pepperoni pizza was nice and greasy if you're into that kinda thing. The atmosphere/ambiance was nice and chill.

1.0 km•Rüstem Paşa Mh., Eminönü, Tahtakale

Doner platter

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Hamdi Restaurant

3.7(118 reviews)

Awesome views and delicious food. I tried the lahmacun and the muhammara and baklava and all were…read moredelicious. Service was quick and friendly. Great place for a family dinner or hangout with friends.

Ate upstairs and had an incredible view of the city. Service was very good. The mezze were all…read morevery good with the puffed bread. Entrees were good but the meats were a little dry. Loved the raki.

0.1 km•Şahkulu Mh., Şahkulu, Ekmekyemez

Hamdi Restaurant

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Güney Restaurant

4.2(54 reviews)

My favorite restaurant in Istanbul, waiters are fast, and food is really delicious, my family…read moreenjoyed the atmosphere.

First review of 2026 let's goooooo!…read more This is a great rec if you are staying near this area with Galata Tower. The food we ordered ranged from alright to really tasty - noteworthy dishes are the Adana Kebab and the Cubed Meat Pita. Their menu is quite expansive - for instance, they have desserts like the famous San Sebastian Cheesecake, as well as a full bar of booze. Speaking of which, they have Limoncello, so I got a Limoncello Spritz (albeit it wasn't as strong). On its menu, Guney also has non-Turkish/Western Europe dishes like Belgian Mussels. Excellent ambience with indoor and covered outdoor seating, but just a heads up that we were sitting in the covered outdoor seating and people around me were ALL smoking (!) So, if you're sensitive to cigarette smoke, then I recommend getting seating inside. And as a bonus this place opens quite late. Check it out whenever you are in Istanbul! IG: @datglobetrotterlife

Turkish breakfast, must get the kaymak and menemen. Instagram: TianTianEats

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Front entrance

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Manolo K.

9

12

6

5 years ago

We'd been walking by Pepo's for days before we finally stopped in for dinner - and we weren't disappointed! The staff were warm and welcoming, the atmosphere was cozy and relaxing, and the food was absolutely amazing. We would definitely recommend dropping in here read more

Anas Crecca T.

2

10

1

2 years ago

Şahane bir yer. Acentemize gelen, akşam yemeği için Galata'da önerdiğiniz bir yer var mı diyen müşterilerimize önermekteyiz.

Sasha M.

2

4

7

5 years ago

Excellent service. Friendly staff and service. Incredibly tasty food. If you're in the area, definitely stop by!

Selen T.

0

2

0

10 years ago

ben bu işletmeye hayran kaldım hakkı bey ve ekibi iyi şler yapıyor ve saygıyı hak ediyor

Pepo's Galata - turkish - Updated September 2026

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Güney Restaurant

4.2

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My favorite restaurant in Istanbul, waiters are fast, and food is really delicious, my family…read moreenjoyed the atmosphere.

First review of 2026 let's goooooo!…read more This is a great rec if you are staying near this area with Galata Tower. The food we ordered ranged from alright to really tasty - noteworthy dishes are the Adana Kebab and the Cubed Meat Pita. Their menu is quite expansive - for instance, they have desserts like the famous San Sebastian Cheesecake, as well as a full bar of booze. Speaking of which, they have Limoncello, so I got a Limoncello Spritz (albeit it wasn't as strong). On its menu, Guney also has non-Turkish/Western Europe dishes like Belgian Mussels. Excellent ambience with indoor and covered outdoor seating, but just a heads up that we were sitting in the covered outdoor seating and people around me were ALL smoking (!) So, if you're sensitive to cigarette smoke, then I recommend getting seating inside. And as a bonus this place opens quite late. Check it out whenever you are in Istanbul! IG: @datglobetrotterlife

Karaköy Gümrük

4.3

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This is probably one of the best dinners we had in Istanbul. It's super vegetarian friendly, and…read morethe food tastes so fresh. We got the halloumi-pomegranate salad and it was amazing. By far the best thing we ate We also tried their hummus and pita, which were good. The last thing we ordered was their white pasta, which was ok. We would have skipped it entirely, as the amount of food was too much and we liked the other dishes better.

Reasonable and large portion! We went for lunch and had the…read morecrispy chicken. One beer and the price was 1500 lira with tip

Şerbethane

4.6

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I came with a tour group and the menu was set for us, so that may have made it different from the…read moreregular experience. But wow, was it wonderful! Everything was so flavorful and satisfying. High marks for the lentil soup and the lamb and chicken kebab. And the baklava was just dreamy. Just fantastic!

This place it's a little hard to find but trust me it's worth it. It's truly a hidden gem. It's…read morelocated at the on of the ends of the Artesanal Market outside the Blue Mosque. Staff is very attentive and helpful with recommendations. The food it's truly the most authentic I was able to find in a touristy place. it's really tasty and fresh. They have outdoor sitting area is nice. Their desserts are amazing. At first looks like a small place but it quite big.

Faros Kebap

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Although Faros Kebap isn't as authentic as other restaurants within the area, the food here was…read moredelicious! Coming from a vegetarian, I was appreciative of the fact that they had so many options for me - I really enjoyed the hummus, falafel, fries and pide. Had a super filling meal for quite the reasonable price.

Really descent food with lots of options. Portions were on par and didn't leave still hungry or…read moreoverly full. Beer was super cold !!

Bitlisli

5.0

(14 reviews)

Loved this place! We ordered a kiwi juice and a mixed kebab platter. They gave us a lamachun for…read morefree and it was delicious! It came with a yogurt dip and another delicious peppery dip. The kebab platter for one was a very good sized portion and I couldn't finish it. They had chicken, lamb and beef kebab. Everything was soft and juicy. The service was friendly and we ended the meal with free tea.

If you'd like to try awesome pide and lahmacun, this is a great spot. The restaurant is…read moreconveniently located in Sirkeci and has a lively vibe. Getting seated for two during dinner time was not a problem, the staff was very friendly, and there's a lot to choose from on the menu. We had an Adana kebab, Zeytinyagh Yaprak Sarma (stuffed grape leaves), Kiymali Pide, and Sarimsakl Antep Lahmacun. All of our food tasted great and was done quickly + portion sizes were decent. Highly recommend!

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We paid ~$85pp for this place! Overall, it's a beautiful ambiance since we were seated on the…read morerooftop and got to witness the sunset and fireworks. I didn't think the food was all-that to be quite frank. I ended up liking the drinks more than the food. Additionally, we asked the waiter for a birthday surprise for our friend, and they ended up auto-choosing the dessert without asking us and charging us as well without checking in.

Finally.... a restaurant with a great view and good food. Plus, overall a great ambience…read more Service was very attentive and accommodating! Also, very good for those with gluten intolerance - lots of options, Started with excellent sour dough bread - super crunchy (almost burnt) on the outside, and soft (nearly gooey on the inside) to soak up some peppery olive oil and very tart goat cheese. This was followed by a salad with thinly sliced winter fruit (apples, pears?), beets, and some berries (looked like blueberries without the flavor) and some things that looked like lentils but could have been mung beans (whatever, they were good). This was followed by octopus that was grilled with a pomegranate molasses, which made them a tad too soft and a bit boring, but nontheless well cooked. It was followed by grilled calamari that was nicely charred. The baby radishes were liked by some and not others. The sausage was like N'duja sausage in square logs that was sauteed. It was tasty (obliviously) but a bit too oily. It came with some mashed potatoes and the tartest/pickles ever. Odd combo. The two Turkish wines were tasty and satisfying. As of 11/11/2025, in the running for the best restaurant experience of 2025!

Cafe Privato

4.5

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A great Turkish breakfast! We ordered the breakfast for 1 and a lentil soup. It was more than…read moreenough for 2 people. The prices have gone up since menu photos were last posted so keep that in mind. It was about $40 USD, but the quality was amazing. Tons of sweet kittens outside!! We went early, soon after they opened and the service was great and it was peaceful inside. Definitely recommend!!

Food: We ordered the traditional Turkish breakfast, and…read moreeverything tasted incredibly fresh. They source much of their ingredients from their own farm, and you can tell. The tomatoes were unbelievable, the walnuts were some of the best I've had, and every plate felt thoughtful and vibrant. It's the kind of breakfast that reminds you how simple food can be exceptional when the ingredients are high quality. Ambiance: Beautiful setting on a quiet street with a clear view of the historic Galata Tower in the background. The space is clean, cozy, and welcoming. It has that warm, tucked-away charm that makes you want to linger a bit longer. Location/Getting There: Be prepared: it's an intense uphill walk from the Karakoy Ferry Port. There is a cable metro that takes you up, so it's worth finding if you want to skip the climb. Once you're up there, the area is great and the walk becomes part of the experience. Reservations: We were able to go without any issue, but it's a popular spot. If you're planning a weekend visit, a reservation wouldn't hurt. Price: About $100 USD for four people. A bit on the pricey side, but worth it--especially considering how fresh everything is. Prices across Istanbul have gone up in general, and this felt fair for the quality. Service: A+. Friendly, attentive, and warm. I went with my cousin, who is a regular here, but even aside from that, the service was excellent. You can feel they take pride in what they do. Overall: Cafe Privato is a great find with amazing food, a charming atmosphere, and a unique location. Five stars all around and absolutely worth visiting. I highly recommend it.

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amazing restaurant, beautiful view, helpful staff, and delicious food. I ordered grilled octopus,…read morewhich was amazing. It was a mix mixture of Greek culinary with Turkish spices. The Greek salad was fabulous and of course I ordered a whole Seabass grilled which they were kind enough to give me half portion because I was by myself and they charged me for half meal. I absolutely recommend this place and remember you're going there for a beautiful view of the city.

Good, not great. The waiter seemed put off by us, not very helpful when we asked for suggestions…read more The shrimp we ordered was served on a hot skillet which continued to cook the shrimp so by the time we ate it, it was overcooked. The crab appetizer was very good. The salad was filled with parsley that overpowered the whole salad. Also be prepared for smoke filled rooms. Only about five smokers but they were non stop and made dinner uncomfortable. The positive was the beautiful view!

F&B Culture

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Quality mixed meat platter. The side grilled veggies and the yogurt dipping enhanced the flavor of…read morethe platter. Loved hearty fresh salad paired with sweet seafood such as salmon cubes, shrimps, squids. Relaxing background jazz and a appropriate service.

Just an average meal compared to everything else we've been eating in Istanbul. The seafood…read morelinguine was just alright and the mixed grill wasn't nearly seasoned as well as many of the other meats we've been eating here.

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