Istanbul’s Michelin-Starred Restaurants: The Complete Guide

In 2022, for the first time, the Michelin Guide introduced its selection of Istanbul restaurants. Starting with 53 restaurants for 2023, the guide has grown each year.
Today, Istanbul has over 70 restaurants featured in the Michelin guide, but only 8 of them are with Michelin stars – one of them holding two stars and seven with one star.

Understanding Michelin Recognition in Istanbul

The MICHELIN Guide Istanbul selection includes restaurants with the following recognitions:

• 1 Two MICHELIN Star restaurant
• 7 One MICHELIN Star restaurants
• 4 Green MICHELIN Star restaurants
• 14 Bib Gourmand restaurants
• 55 recommended restaurants

What These Recognitions Mean

Michelin Stars:

• Two Stars: “Exceptional cuisine, worth a detour”
• One Star: “High quality cooking, worth a stop”

Additional Awards:

• MICHELIN Green Star: Introduced in 2020, this recognition highlights restaurants committed to sustainable gastronomy and care about the environment. These places work especially with local farmers and focus on saving resources, reducing waste, and supporting small food producers.
  
• Bib Gourmand: This is an award for restaurants with remarkable food experiences within a certain price range. They’re popular among both locals and tourists.
  
• Recommended: These restaurants have impressed Michelin’s inspection teams with their overall quality.

The Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Istanbul

Two-Star Restaurant

1. TURK Fatih Tutak

Location: Bomonti area, Şişli district (European side)
Cumhuriyet Hacıahmet Silahşör Cad, Yeniyol Sk. No:2, 34440 Şişli
Cuisine: Modern Turkish
Chef: Fatih Tutak’s
Highlights:

• Famous mantı (Turkish dumplings) pays tribute to the chef’s mother
• Unique dessert service in the open kitchen
• First and only two-starred restaurant in Istanbul

Why visit it:
Located in the trendy Bomonti neighborhood, Turk Fatih Tutak is the first and only restaurant in Istanbul with 2 Michelin stars so far. Chef Fatih Tutak, who gained experience in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, returned home in 2019 to create something truly special.

Walking into TURK feels like entering a modern art gallery but with amazing food. The kitchen is right in the middle of the restaurant, so you can watch how Chef Fatih and his team do their magic.
The mantı here is prepared according to the recipe of Chef Fatih’s mother. It will change how you think about Turkish dumplings – they’re small, perfectly formed, and packed with flavor.

One-Star Restaurants

Kind of like the different neighborhoods of this magnificent city, each of Istanbul’s 7 one-starred restaurants has its own unique personality.

2. Araka

Location: Yeniköy
Yeniköy, Kapalı Bakkal Sk. No:8, 34464 Sarıyer
Specialty: Seasonal vegetables and herbs
Chef: Zeynep Pınar Taşdemir
Notable Dish: Pumpkin purée with za’atar, marinated vegetables, and spicy olive sauce

Why visit it:
Hidden away in the neighborhood of Yeniköy, Araka is your go-to when you need to escape from the city. The focus of Chef Zeynep’s menu is on seasonal vegetables and herbs. The spices are so well-balanced – you can taste each one without any being too strong. The seasonal pumpkin purée with za’atar, marinated vegetables, and spicy olive sauce is a must, if you catch it in the season!

3. Mikla

Location: Rooftop of Marmara Pera hotel, Beyoğlu
 Asmalı Mescit, The Marmara Pera, Meşrutiyet Cd. No:15, 34430 Beyoğlu
Cuisine: Modern Anatolian
Signature Dish: Flash-boiled and grilled octopus with purslane-pickled green bean salad
Feature: Panoramic city views

Why visit it:
On top of the Marmara Pera hotel, you’ll find Mikla – a place that isn’t just about the breathtaking panoramic views (though they’re also pretty amazing). Chef Mehmet Gürs creates here a unique modern interpretation of Anatolian cuisine. Their octopus dish, with its perfect char and sweet glaze, is something that probably won them the Michelin star. Just make sure to request a window table when booking – to have your best experience with a rooftop view of Istanbul.

4. Neolokal

Location: Salt GALATA
 Arap Cami, Mahı, Bankalar Cd. No:11, 34420, 34421 Beyoğlu
Distinctions: Both Michelin star and Green star
Chef: Maksut Aşkar
Specialty: Modern Anatolian cuisine
Notable Initiatives: Focus on preserving endangered Turkish culinary heritage
Signature Dishes: Spiced bulgur cupcakes, chicken with creamy sauce and potato crisps

Why visit it:
Located in the historic SALT Galata building, Neolokal is dedicated to keeping old Anatolian and Turkish recipes alive like cultural heritage while making them new. Chef Maksut Aşkar is committed to sustainability (hello, Green Star!) and he successfully shows that fine dining can be both delicious and responsible. Their bulgur “cupcakes” are one of the special dishes you shouldn’t miss.

5. Nicole

Location: Beyoğlu district, on the top floor of a historic building from 1901,
now Tomtom Suites ( an SLH Hotel )
Tomtom, Tomtom Kaptan Sk. No:18, 34433 Beyoğlu
Chef: Serkan Aksoy
Cuisine: Turkish-Middle Eastern fusion
Notable Dish: Dolmas with smoked yogurt and lamb
Highlights: Bosphorus views

Why visit it:
In Beyoğlu’s historic quarters, Nicole’s dishes are a mix of Turkish cooking with spices from all over the Middle East. Chef Serkan Aksoy focuses on his network of local producers to guarantee high quality and the origin of every ingredient. A bonus to your exceptional food experience here will be the amazing Bosphorus views and city panorama from the top floor.

6. Arkestra

Location: in Historic 1960s villa
 Etiler, Dilhayat Sk. No:28, 34337 Beşiktaş
Chef: Cenk Debensason
Style: French-Asian fusion
Unique Features:

• Listening Room for pre/post-dinner drinks
• DJ performances
• Connected mezze space called Ritmo

Why visit it:
Chef Cenk Debensason’s journey from Istanbul to France to the USA comes through in every dish at Arkestra. Housed in a stunning 1960s villa, Arkestra is a place where French techniques meet Asian flavors in the most unexpected ways. Don’t skip the Listening Room upstairs – it’s where you can have a nice drink before or after your dinner while listening to a playlist especially selected by the Chef.
A once in a life time experience, I promise!

7. Sankai by Nagaya

Location: Bebek
 Bebek, Cevdet Paşa Cd. No:34, 34342 Beşiktaş
Chef: Yoshizumi Nagaya
Cuisine: Japanese-European fusion
Highlights:

• 48-hour slow-cooked veal cheeks
• Local fish sushi by Hiroko Shibata
• Complimentary luxury shuttle service
• Bosphorus views
  

Why visit it:
In beautiful Bebek, Chef Yoshizumi Nagaya has created something truly unique. The 48-hour cooked veal cheeks will make you question everything you thought you knew about Japanese cuisine. Depending on your wishes, you can choose here between a sushi set menu or the signature set menu, both are amazing and you won’t regret it.
Here’s an insider tip: they offer a free luxury shuttle service – use it, especially after enjoying their sake selection!

8. Casa Lavanda

Location: 40km from Istanbul
 Ulupelit, Lavanda Hotel, Seçilmiş Sok No:2, 34980 Şile/İstanbul
Chef: Emre Şen
Features:

• On-site hotel
• 2000m² agricultural area providing 80% of ingredients
• 300-label wine list
• Garden terrace dining
• Sustainability Focus:
  • 3-star SRA “Food Made Good Standard” certification
  • Renewable energy use
  • Rainwater management
  • Organic composting
  • Pesticide-free farming
  • Local producer support

Sometimes the best experiences require a bit of effort. About 40km from Istanbul, Casa Lavanda is that hidden gem that makes you feel like you’ve discovered a secret. Chef Emre Şen grows 80% of his vegetables in the restaurant’s garden, and it’s definitely recognizable. Their wine selection includes over 300 labels you can choose from. Make a day of it and enjoy the terrace views – you won’t regret it.

Pro Tips for Your Istanbul Michelin Adventure

Here are some helpful tips to have your best experience in these places:

• Book well in advance, especially for TURK Fatih Tutak – you can wait about three months for a Saturday night reservation
• Consider lunch for better reservation availability and often lower prices
• Ask about dress codes – each place has its own vibe
• Save room for dessert! 😉

Beyond the Stars

While these 8 Michelin-starred restaurants represent the best of Istanbul’s fine dining scene, remember there are over 70+ more recommended in the Michelin guide and also worth visiting!

The best part? Istanbul’s Michelin scene continues to evolve.
Every year there are new surprises and innovations here and this makes Istanbul city one of the most exciting dining destinations in the world.
For serious foodies, as well as just for someone looking for a new food experience, Istanbul’s Michelin-star restaurants offer memories that will stay with you long after the last bite.