Looking for the best halal restaurants in Istanbul? Finding halal food is generally straightforward in Istanbul, but travellers who follow stricter halal requirements may also want to avoid alcohol service or confirm how meat is sourced and prepared. For a practical mix of traditional Turkish dining, three restaurants worth considering are Filizler Köftecisi Üsküdar, Şehzade Cağ Kebap in Sirkeci, and Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta 1920 in Sultanahmet. Filizler is especially useful for halal meat and a waterfront setting, Şehzade focuses on traditional Erzurum-style cağ kebab in a compact restaurant, while Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi offers a classic Turkish köfte experience in the historic centre.
For more Istanbul food guides, neighbourhood recommendations and places to visit, bestplacefinder is also a useful starting point.
| Restaurant | Best For | Cuisine / Style | Area | Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filizler Köftecisi Üsküdar | Halal Turkish food & Bosphorus views | Köfte, grills & Turkish breakfast | Üsküdar | Harem Sahil Yolu Cd. No:61 |
| Şehzade Cağ Kebap | Cağ kebab | Erzurum-style Turkish | Sirkeci / Hocapaşa | Hocapaşa Sok. No:6 D:4 |
| Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta 1920 | Classic Turkish köfte | Turkish barbecue & köfte | Sultanahmet | Divanyolu Cd. No:12 |
1. Filizler Köftecisi Üsküdar
Filizler Köftecisi Üsküdar is perfect for people who have an interest in halal and offers no alcohol, waterfront location and Turkish meat.
Established since 1994, the business is especially known for its köfte and grilled foods. According to its official information it is halal and its branches do not serve alcohol.
The Salacak waterfront is located next to the Maiden’s Tower and the Üsküdar branch is situated on it. This allows diners to see on the contrary side of the Bosphorus to the historic peninsula during the meal.
There is more than köfte on the restaurant’s menu. They have Turkish breakfast, soups, grilled meat, salad, rice dishes and desserts, which will be available throughout day.
The köfte is made from the beef of Gönen in Balıkesir and the restaurant claims that its meat is cooked without any additives. The signature köfte is eaten with simple traditional side-dishes like potatoes and rice and grilled peppers.
The site is also suitable for people who want to see Üsküdar. The restaurant is located in the vicinity of the ferry area and public transport, making it a perfect addition to a day on the Asian side of Istanbul.
A guide to what you can order at Filizler.
The first one that springs to mind is the house köfte. Other alternatives are steak köfte and mixed grilled dishes, or the Turkish breakfast, depending on your time of day.
An outdoor table overlooking the area towards the Bosphorus and Maiden’s Tower is especially inviting.
ilizler Köftecisi Information
Address: Salacak Mahallesi, Harem Sahil Yolu Caddesi No:61, 34668 Üsküdar, Istanbul, Türkiye
Phone: +90 216 342 00 00
Opening Hours: 08:00–22:30 daily
Website: filizler.com
Instagram: @filizlerkoftecisi
2. Şehzade Cağ Kebap
A little bit about Şehzade Cağ Kebap
The Şehzade Cağ Kebap is a specialty restaurant focusing on one of the unique dishes of the region in Turkey, the cağ kebab of Erzurum.
Cağ kebab is a traditional dish that has been prepared with the lamb grilled horizontally over a wood fire. Meat is cut from the meat on the rotating horizontal spit and served on small skewers rather than being served as a traditional vertical döner.
The restaurant is situated in the Hocapaşa Sokak in Sirkeci, which is ideal for visitors who come from Eminönü, Sirkeci and Sultanahmet.
It’s a very simple idea. The menu features fresh lamb and various traditional items and side dishes, not a proliferation of unrelated items.
The meat is barbecued over wood fire, and the kebab has a smoky taste which does not detract from the rich flavor of lamb. This is indeed a restaurant worthy of their attention if travelers are looking for a regional specialty of Turkey instead of a typical kebab.
Travellers with severe dietary needs should check with the restaurant in question about the current policies for halal and alcohol-free meals for Şehzade, as this is mentioned in the current dining listings.
What to Order at Şehzade
It’s only logical that the first choice would be cağ kebab. It is usually consumed with lavaş, onion and simple side dishes and is traditionally served in a skewer.
An ayran is also a natural accompaniment for a complete Turkish-style meal.
Şehzade Cağ Kebap Information
Address: Hoca Paşa Mahallesi, Hocapaşa Sokak No:6 D:4, 34110 Fatih, Istanbul, Türkiye
Phone: +90 212 520 33 61
Opening Hours: Approximately 10:00–22:30 Monday–Saturday and 11:00–22:00 Sunday, according to current listings.
Website: sehzadecagkebap.com
Instagram: @sehzadecagkebap
3. Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta 1920
About Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi
One of the popular names for Sultanahmet köfte is Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta 1920, which is a convenient place for visitors to the old city of Istanbul.
Main branch are located on one of the main streets between Sultanahmet and Grand Bazaar and Beyazıt (Divanyolu Caddesi).
The restaurant is based on köfte and the traditional accompaniments of Turkey. There are no frills restaurants in Sultanahmet, and the menu is simple with a focus on grilled meat and traditional Turkish dishes.
A typical meal is the restaurant’s signature köfte along with simple side dishes like peppers, salad and piyaz. Another traditional accompaniment is called Ayran.
It is centrally located which is very convenient. It is a good place for a lunch break on a sightseeing day as one can walk here after visiting Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque or the Basilica Cistern.
The restaurant is listed as a halal restaurant in the current dining list.
The dishes you will find at Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi
Start with the signature köfte, accompanied by piyaz and ayran.
Traditional Turkish dessert is also served at the end of the day, depending on the menu.
Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Information
Address: Alemdar Mahallesi, Divanyolu Caddesi No:12, 34110 Fatih, Istanbul, Türkiye
Phone: +90 212 520 05 66
Opening Hours: Approximately 10:30–22:30 daily according to current listings.
Website: sultanahmetkoftesi.com
Instagram: @tarihisultanahmetkoftecisi1920
But what exactly is halal when eating in Istanbul?
Many travelers consider halal food as being free from unacceptable sources of meat as well as ingredients forbidden by Islam like pork.
But there are variations among people as to their halal requirements. Some guests are primarily interested in halal meat, and some guests, in addition to avoiding alcohol, want to ensure that no alcohol is used in sauces and cooking.
This is significant if you are looking to choose restaurants. Halal food is allowed in restaurants even if they serve alcohol.
Filizler is extremely easy to identify – not only does their official information state that they have halal meat but they also don’t sell alcohol.
What Turkish Food is Halal for Turkey Lovers?
There are numerous dishes throughout Turkey that are natural halal-friendly items in traditional cuisine such as:
- Köfte
- Döner
- Kebabs
- Cağ kebab
- Lahmacun
- Pide
- Lentil soup
- Vegetable meze
- Grilled vegetables
However, ingredients may differ from restaurant to restaurant, so be sure to check with any restaurant if necessary when traveling if you have strict dietary requirements.
How to Choose a Halal Restaurant in Istanbul
In order to make the decision of choosing a halal restaurant in Istanbul, the following points need to be taken into consideration.
It is recommended to consume it with Halal Food With a Bosphorus View Halal Food.
Established on the waterfront of Salacak, Filizler Köftecisi Üsküdar has halal Turkish cuisine and offers Bosphorus and Maiden’s Tower views.
For Regional Turkish Kebab
For Erzurum style cağ kebab and a very narrow traditional meat menu, Şehzade Cağ Kebap is the specialty restaurant.
For Classic Turkish Köfte
The Tarihi Köftecisi Selim Usta 1920 is especially useful for those who are exploring Sultanahmet and searching for a simple Turkish köfte dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easy to find halal food in Istanbul?
Yes. Halal food is widely available across Istanbul, particularly in traditional Turkish restaurants, kebab shops, lokantas and restaurants around the historic districts.
Which halal restaurant in Istanbul is alcohol-free?
Filizler Köftecisi explicitly states that its meat is halal and that none of its branches serves alcohol.
Where can I eat halal food with a Bosphorus view?
Filizler Köftecisi Üsküdar is located on the Salacak waterfront, with views towards the Bosphorus and Maiden’s Tower.
Where can I try halal cağ kebab?
Şehzade Cağ Kebap in Sirkeci specialises in Erzurum-style cağ kebab and is currently listed as halal and alcohol-free by dining references.
Where can I eat halal köfte in Istanbul?
Filizler Köftecisi and Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi are two established options for Turkish köfte, with Filizler explicitly confirming halal meat.
Which halal restaurant is good for families?
Filizler Köftecisi Üsküdar is particularly suitable for families because of its spacious setting, breakfast menu, outdoor seating and broad Turkish menu.
Can I find halal Turkish breakfast in Istanbul?
Yes. Filizler Köftecisi Üsküdar serves Turkish breakfast from the morning and is a useful option for travellers looking for halal food.
Is Turkish köfte halal?
Köfte can be halal when the meat and other ingredients meet halal requirements. The dish itself is not automatically halal simply because it is Turkish, so restaurant policies still matter.
Do halal restaurants in Istanbul serve alcohol?
Some do and some do not. Halal meat does not automatically mean that a restaurant is completely alcohol-free.
Which restaurant is best for traditional Turkish meat?
Şehzade specialises in lamb cağ kebab, Filizler focuses on köfte and grilled meat, and Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi specialises in traditional köfte.
Are restaurants in Sultanahmet generally halal?
Many traditional Turkish restaurants in Sultanahmet offer halal food, but individual policies vary. Travellers with strict requirements should check the specific restaurant before ordering.
