Initially, our food arrived within 15-18 minutes of ordering; soup would be a good start to the meal. We entered the restaurant in order through a system, and we went in after receiving a notification on our phones. We ordered a salad, but the vegetables seemed a bit bland and dry. Although we ordered cheese meatballs, there wasn't much cheese on top; the taste wasn't bad, it was slightly firmer than average. The meatballs seemed like they were mixed and pressed without being rested. I'd like to thank the waiters for their attentiveness; they answered all my questions and requests. As an extra, the water was unfortunately in plastic cups, which was a nightmare for someone like me who loves water. The surroundings and atmosphere were very nice, the view was great, but the constant message about people waiting in the back made us feel guilty and leave without fully enjoying our meal.
What to eat in Istanbul?
BiteCritic critics have posted 22 dish reviews in Istanbul, with an average score of 7.4/10. The most-reviewed dish is Adana kebap, rated 8.1/10 across 3 reviews. Critics also keep coming back for Kahvaltı, Burger and Mixed Grill. Dürümcü Mustafa leads the area with 1 review; its highest-rated dish is Adana kebap. Most of the activity is in Başakşehir and Küçükçekmece. The latest review was posted on 19 June 2026.
What are the best dishes to eat in Istanbul?
Where are the best places to eat in Istanbul?
| Rank | Place | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dürümcü Mustafa Top dish: Adana kebap | 9.62 |
| 2 | Döner Bank Başakşehir Tümsan (Gündüz&Gece Dönercisi) Top dish: Gyros | 8.89 |
| 3 | Imren Lokantasi Top dish: Tas kebabı | 8.71 |
| 4 | Hebun çorba evi Top dish: Kelle paça çorbası | 8.69 |
| 5 | Kokoreççi Tekin Usta Top dish: Kokoreç | 8.29 |
| 6 | Nezih Kebap Yuvalama Top dish: Kahvaltı | 8.21 |
| 7 | Sushi-Şah restaurant Top dish: Shrimp Bisque | 8.11 |
| 8 | Snug Top dish: Kahvaltı | 8.04 |
| 9 | Kaburgacı Cabbar Istanbul Top dish: Adana kebap | 8 |
| 10 | Et Yiyelim Avcılar Top dish: Dana spagetti | 7.77 |
Which parts of Istanbul should you explore?
What do critics say about food in Istanbul?
When I first went, we placed our order and it arrived in about 17-20 minutes, but it was amazing! It came with three types of meze, and they also gave us mustard and toast as extras. Initially, after thinly slicing the meat, I noticed it was cooked well over a soft flame. Then I took the first bite of the meat plain, and I'd never eaten such a slightly fatty but melt-in-your-mouth meat before. Later, when I tried it with mustard, although there was a strange, slightly tart taste between my tongue and mouth, it was seriously delicious.
About the place: First of all, let me say it was a unique experience. Initially, the welcome at the restaurant was good. Unfortunately, there's no physical menu available, so you order via QR code, and the order is ready in 15 minutes. You can also eat in private, conservative areas for families if you wish (I wish I had chosen this place to hide my experience with the sticks ;-; ) About the soup: - I chose the soup on the recommendation of our waiter. When it first arrived, it was quite hot, and as soon as I dipped my spoon in, I knew something good was coming from the light fish and spice aroma. And when I took my first spoonful, oh my God, it was amazing! The intense fish and spices are blended in a way I can't even describe. It's very clear they added tomato sauce, which partially dominates the soup's flavor and blends beautifully with the fish. I take a second spoonful, and a large shrimp shell falls into my spoon, and when I put it in my mouth, I can't quite get enough of the initial enthusiasm (the chefs know better than me, but perhaps it would have been softer if it had been cooked over low heat for a longer period instead of high heat). Another negative point is that the bread, a true symbol of Turkishness, was unfortunately not included with the soup, and in my opinion, it would have suited this soup perfectly. I hope the restaurant also sells fish soup as a standalone dish. As a soup fan, I definitely recommend trying it. Overall, it's a unique taste, with both its positive and negative aspects.
Upon first entering, we found the atmosphere to be quite modest and the staff were very helpful. You can choose to eat your dessert in a cup, either inside or outside. Regarding the dessert, I can tell it's fresh from the firmness of the strawberries on top. The first spoonful was evenly distributed: the cream, strawberries, and cake pieces were perfectly balanced. It was very pleasant to eat, and the soft chocolate cream and cake made it a great pairing with tea.
I had ezogelin soup before the meal; it wasn't bad, but it came hot, so I recommend adjusting the salt yourself. The mixed platter had well-cooked meat, neither too tough nor too soft, just right. The Adana kebab was pretty much the same. The lahmacun (Turkish pizza) was excellent, and they also serve meze, salad, and complimentary raw meatballs. Overall, I'd say it's two notches above average.
We went there for iftar (breaking the fast), and overall, it's considered good value for money. The stewed meat dish used to taste great, but now it seems to have a little less to it compared to before. The taste of the stewed meat is still very good, and the extra pizza sauce on the side is excellent. It's a great value for money, definitely worth the price.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the most popular dish in Istanbul?
- On BiteCritic, Adana kebap is the most-reviewed dish in Istanbul, with 3 reviews and an average score of 8.1/10.
- Which restaurant in Istanbul has the most dish reviews?
- Dürümcü Mustafa has the most dish reviews so far (1), with a score of 9.6/10.
- How many places in Istanbul are reviewed on BiteCritic?
- 22 places in Istanbul have at least one dish review on BiteCritic (22 in total).
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