Istanbul’s Award-Winning Seafood Restaurants with a Scent of the Sea

Award-Winning Seafood Restaurants on Istanbul’s Asian Side:

Calipso Fish Restaurant // 1 TOQUE – 12,5/20

Address: Küçükyalı, Cumhuriyet Cad., No:2, 34840, Maltepe/İstanbul 

Phone: 0216 489 28 58 

Co-Founders: Hakan Veli Şahin, Ziya Kaçar 

Founded in 2014 with the partnership of Hakan Veli Şahin and Ziya Kaçar, Calipso Fish Restaurant offers a remarkable fine dining service specializing in seafood. The flavors of Calipso Fish, the result of a meticulous product, offer an experience full of fresh Aegean herbs, appetizers, fish, and special dishes. As for the bar, the restaurant offers a wide variety. 

Del Mare // 1 TOQUE – 11,2/20

Address: Çengelköy, Kuleli Cad., No:45/1, 34680, Üsküdar/İstanbul 

Phone: 0216 422 57 62 

Executive Chef: Serkan Pakkan 

Del Mare offers fresh seafood and seasonal delicacies on its large terrace overlooking the sea. The menu, prepared with special recipes, has options that appeal to everyone’s tastes. Offering a unique experience with old and new world wines in their wine list, the restaurant takes its guests on a unique flavor journey with the view of the Bosphorus. 

Lacivert Restaurant // 1 TOQUE – 11,5/20

BEST BRUNCH VENUE AWARD 

Address: Anadolu Hisarı, Körfez Cad., 57/A, 34410, Beykoz/İstanbul 

Phone: 0216 413 42 24 

Executive Chef: Rüştü Öztürk 

Lacivert Restaurant, the darling of Anadolu Hisarı, which adopts the policy of ‘respect for the local,’ offers a unique menu to its guests by working in cooperation with nature. Presenting rich flavors of the Mediterranean by telling a story on each plate, the venue brings the past and the future together. Combining retro and modern designs, the restaurant welcomes its guests gastronomically and with a pleasant atmosphere. Lacivert takes the guests on a feast of flavors, from appetizers to main courses, especially with octopus cooked with traditional techniques and fresh, seasonal, and local fish dishes prepared by Chef Rüştü Öztürk. 

Uskumru Restaurant // 1 TOQUE – 11,5/20

Address: Anadolu Hisarı, Körfez Cad., No:55, 34810, Beykoz/İstanbul 

Phone: 0541 275 75 75 

Executive Chef: Burak Kılıç 

Located within a mansion in Beykoz, one of the seaside-view districts of İstanbul, Uskumru Restaurant serves seafood that tastes freshly caught from the sea. The restaurant enchants its guests with salads and appetizers prepared with seasonal greens. It promises unforgettable moments with an extensive drink menu and desserts. 

Villa Bosphorus // 1 TOQUE – 11,2/20

Address: Beylerbeyi, Beylerbeyi İskele Cad., D:18A, 34676, Üsküdar/İstanbul 

Phone: 0216 318 68 10 

Executive Chef: Halil Can Askeroğlu 

Villa Bosphorus is one of the most well-known restaurants in İstanbul, serving delicious fish in a historic mansion adjacent to Beylerbeyi Palace, right at the foot of the Bosphorus Bridge, which connects Asia and Europe, located on the Anatolian side. Serving approximately 400 people in the outdoor area and 300 people in the indoor area, the venue serves a rich menu of high-quality dishes such as fresh fish and seafood, seasonal appetizers, and desserts to local and foreign guests daily. 

Award-Winning Seafood Restaurants on Istanbul’s European Side:

Balıkçı Kahraman // 2 TOQUE – 13/20

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT AWARD

Address: Rumeli Kavağı, İskele Cad., No:15, 34450, Sarıyer/İstanbul 

Phone: 0212 242 98 99 

Founder & Executive Chef: Kahraman Altun 

Established in Rumeli Kavağı by Kahraman Altun in 1996, Balıkçı Kahraman is known for its quality, service, and innovative style. The restaurant uses seasonal seafood paired with modern touches, where the most favored dish is the turbot in tandoori. Additionally, other delicacies stand out at Balıkçı Kahraman, such as grilled calamari, fish “kokoreç,” lakerda (salt-cured bonito fish), grilled fish, and lakerda made from tuna. 

Kıyı Restaurant // 2 TOQUES – 13/20

CONTRIBUTORS TO THE SECTOR AWARD

Address: Tarabya, Haydar Aliyev Cad., No:186/A, 34457, Sarıyer/İstanbul 

Phone: 0212 262 00 02 

Founder: Yorgi Sabuncu 

Located in Tarabya, one of the distinct neighborhoods of the Bosphorus, Kıyı Restaurant has been in business under the leadership of Yorgi Sabuncu for 52 years. Many gourmands praise the traditional cooking techniques and the fresh and careful selection of fish. Guests’ favorite appetizers are lakerda (salt-cured bonito), calamari, shrimp casserole, thinly sliced liver, and seasonal fish cooked grilled, steamed, or fried based on preference. 

Arnavutköy Balıkçısı // 1 TOQUE – 11,5/20

Address: Arnavutköy, Bebek Arnavutköy Cad., No:4, 34345, Beşiktaş/İstanbul 

Phone: 0212 257 05 25  

Executive Chef: Mahmut Cansever 

At Arnavutköy Balıkçısı, seafood, which adorns the tables with delicious and innovative touches, is combined with the unique Bosphorus view. Notably, the ingredients are fresh and seasonal, and the menu consists of appetizers, starters, and fresh seafood that leave a pleasant taste on the palate. 

Balat Sahil Restoran // 1 TOQUE – 11,2/20 

Address: Balat, Mürselpaşa Cad., No:245, 34087, Fatih/İstanbul 

Phone: 0212 525 61 85 

Founder: Mustafa Akdemir 

Balat Sahil Restaurant, which stands out with its quality appetizers, serves freshly prepared dishes and emphasizes guest satisfaction. Notably, seafood and liver dishes are restaurant favorites and cater to guests’ palates. 

Bebek Balıkçı // 1 TOQUE – 12/20

Address: Bebek, Cevdet Paşa Cad., 26/A, 34342, Beşiktaş/İstanbul 

Phone: 0212 263 34 47 

3rd Representative Generation & Executive Chef: Zeynep Petek Dursun 

Located at the entrance of Bebek, Bebek Balıkçı has been serving seafood lovers for more than 70 years. The open kitchen concept, managed by Chef Zeynep Petek Dursun, offers transparency to their guests. Traditional Turkish cuisine and Mediterranean classics are served, emphasizing using only the freshest and local ingredients. In addition, a wide selection of Turkish and international wines offered to accompany the dishes. 

Park Fora // 1 TOQUE – 12/20

Address: Ortaköy, Muallim Naci Cad., 54/A, 34347, Beşiktaş/İstanbul 

Phone: 0212 265 50 63 

Executive Chef: Musa Değirmenci 

Park Fora Balık Restaurant, located in Kuruçeşme, has taken its guests on an unforgettable gastronomic seafood journey for over 40 years. Paying attention to the responsible consumption of fresh and seasonal fish, the venue uses various methods such as grilling, frying, steaming, salt-encrusted, sauteed with milk sauce, and baking to prepare the fish. Additionally, cold appetizers such as “lakerda” (salt-cured bonito) and tarama (whipped carp roe) and hot appetizers such as fried calamari and grilled octopus are served. The venue, which sources local lobster and oysters from Saroz Bay when in season, also serves Far Eastern flavors. 

Yeniköy Balıkçısı // 1 TOQUE – 11,5/20

Address: Yeniköy, İskele Sok., No:3, 34464, Sarıyer/İstanbul 

Phone: 0212 299 82 33 

Executive Chef: Kaan Kayhan 

The freshest flavors of the sea come to life at Yeniköy Balıkçısı in the skillful hands of Chef Kaan Kayhan and his team. Offering a unique experience with every bite, the kitchen team adds style to each menu item and produces flavors that tell stories. The menu includes seasonal fish and fresh greens, and appetizers such as atom (thick yogurt with fried hot peppers), artichoke with olive oil, sea beans, fava (fava bean paste), lakerda (salt-cured bonito), and fried cheese croquettes, which are among the favorites. 

Yüksel Balık // 1 TOQUE – 12,5/20

Address: Tarabya Mah., Sahil Yolu, Haydar Aliyev Cad., No:208, 34457, Sarıyer/İstanbul 

Phone: 0212 223 33 33, 0212 262 44 00 

Founder: Yüksel Karakış 

Yüksel Balık, founded by Yüksel Karakış, brings a breath of fresh air to the fish and appetizer culture. Seafood prepared with traditional methods greets the guests in Tarabya, one of the popular districts of İstanbul. In search of the best and highest quality ingredients, the chef offers his guests a unique experience with fresh seafood and delicious appetizers. Local and foreign drinks and unique cocktails prepared by master bartenders offer guests an unforgettable experience.