Best Meze Restaurants in Istanbul

Looking for the best meze restaurants in Istanbul? Meze is one of the best ways to experience the city’s Turkish and Mediterranean dining culture, especially in a traditional meyhane, where several small dishes are ordered for the table and enjoyed slowly with bread, seafood and drinks. Three restaurants that offer distinctly different meze experiences are Eleos Restaurant in Beyoğlu, Asmalı Cavit in Asmalımescit, and Çiya Sofrası in Kadıköy. Eleos combines Aegean, Greek and Armenian influences with seafood, Asmalı Cavit focuses on traditional meyhane-style meze, while Çiya approaches meze through the regional cuisines of Anatolia and the wider Middle East.

For more Istanbul restaurant guides and neighbourhood recommendations, bestplacefinder is also a useful starting point.

Eleos Restaurant is one of the more unusual selections of meze restaurants in Istanbul, as its menu is a fusion of the traditions of the Aegean, Greek and Armenian cuisines and seafood. The Beyoğlu branch is situated in the second floor of the historic Hıdivyal Palas on İstiklal Avenue and the restaurant claims to be a traditional “white meyhane” overlooking Istanbul.

The meze is an integral part of the event. Instead of serving as a side dish to the main course, Eleos serves many of its dishes as ‘small plates’ with Aegean herbs, seafood, fish and Greek classics and Armenian meze. Dishes included on its menu and gallery include octopus, lakerda, pilaki, zucchini dishes, saganaki and other seafood dishes.

This makes Eleos slightly different than a Turkish-only meyhane. The menu also showcases the historic ties of the city to Greek and Armenian cuisine, and also brings a lighter Mediterranean aspect to the meal with the addition of seasonal greens and herbs.

The restaurant’s view is another plus as well. The dining room and terrace offer views across parts of Istanbul and the restaurant specifically states views towards the Bosphorus, Maiden’s Tower and towards the Asian side as it is on an upper story. This makes it a perfect location for a longer evening meal, centered around several meze plates and seafood.

Eleos also has a large variety of fish and shellfish to complement its cold and hot starters, and is a seafood lover’s dream! The restaurant is currently focused on seasonal preparation, fresh seafood.

Ordering at Eleos: what should it be?

It’s always a good idea to have multiple starters served at the table instead of just one. Lakerda, octopus, pilaki, saganaki and seasonal Aegean greens are all representative of the restaurant’s menu. Then, you can serve grilled fish or some other seafood dish as the main course.

Eleos Restaurant Details

Address: Şahkulu Mahallesi, İstiklal Caddesi No:231, Hıdivyal Palas, 2nd Floor, Beyoğlu, Istanbul
Phone: +90 212 244 90 90 / +90 212 244 90 91
Opening Hours: Current listings show approximately 14:30–00:00 daily; check before visiting.
Website: eleosrestaurant.com
Instagram: @eleos_beyoglu

2. Asmalı Cavit

Why Visit Asmalı Cavit?

This is a traditional Beyoğlu meyhane, the food is kept to small portions, there is a lot of talking and the pace is not as fast in the evening. It is located on Asmalı Mescit Caddesi and has been related to the neighbourhood’s meyhane culture since 1968. Its current local sources still consider it to be a traditional, intimate place, that has a strong emphasis on meze.

The menu is ideally designed for those who wish to try out various tastes. The meze is served including such dishes as fava, tarama, roasted aubergine, samphire, marinated sea bass and lakerda, and hot starters, seafood and traditional Turkish meat dishes will be served at the restaurant.

The selection of the meze is one of the most characteristic aspects of Asmalı Cavit. The restaurant is small and has been designed in a traditional way to make visitors feel like they are ordering several meals for a table to take their time with. It’s not a place to eat a quick meal, it’s a place to have a long dinner.

It also has an effect on the inside. The restaurant is old-school-ish, with traditional furnishings and framed photos, and the relatively intimate dining room. It is described as cosy and traditional in current listing, and recent local coverage indicates it fills up quickly, so reservations are recommended, as there is only a small dining room.

The balance of seafood and meat is also an interesting aspect. Many dishes are seafood based, but meze and fish are also key in the experience with dishes like yaprak ciğer and köfte also in the menu.

What is recommended to eat at Asmalı Cavit?

Fava, Tarama, smoked or roasted aubergine, marinated sea bass, lakerda (aubergine salad) and seasonal greens are recommended for a traditional meze service. After that, hot dishes like yaprak ciğer can be served, and köfte, for the heavy ones.

Asmalı Cavit Details

Address: Asmalı Mescit Mahallesi, Asmalı Mescit Caddesi No:16/D, 34430 Beyoğlu, Istanbul
Phone: +90 212 292 49 50
Opening Hours: Monday–Saturday, approximately 17:00–00:00; Sunday closed according to current listings.
Website: No current standalone official website was reliably verified.
Instagram: A current official Instagram account could not be independently verified, so it is better not to publish an unconfirmed handle.

3. Çiya Sofrası

The reasons to visit Çiya Sofrası.

In the concept of meze, Çiya Sofrası offers a whole new perception. The restaurant is situated in the middle of Kadıköy Market and is renowned for finding and sharing dishes from all over Anatolia, Mesopotamia, the Balkans, the Caucasus and the Middle East. The restaurant has been serving food since 1998 when the founder of the restaurant, chef Musa Dağdeviren and the family opened a small kebab shop on Güneşlibahçe Sokak.

Unlike the typical “fixed” menu that focuses on a specific cuisine, Çiya’s menu may vary from day-to-day and season-to-season. It is helpful for visitors who would like to taste a couple of vegetable, grain, meat and meze items during a visit.

One of the key factors is their use of vegetables. In addition to meat and fish, current descriptions include regional vegetable dishes, stuffed vegetables, eggplant dishes, lentil dishes and other traditional dishes. The result is wider and more regional a view on meze than you would get in a classic meyhane in Istanbul.

Another difference is that the restaurant has had an affinity for recipes that are becoming obsolete. As the name suggests, the kitchen has always been about the dishes that aren’t as popular as they are on the tourist menu, but rather the ones the less-travelled culinary enthusiast might not be familiar with. It is for this reason that Çiya is frequently mentioned in the international food coverage and has been featured in culinary media such as Chef’s Table.

Also, Çiya is not similar to the first two restaurants because it does not focus on rakı and meyhane culture. It is more about discovering regional Turkish cuisine, which makes it interesting for visitors, who don’t need to seek a tavern-like evening, but rather a meze session.

So what should be the items ordered at Çiya Sofrası?

It’s best to consider and select dishes that are available on that day, and then find some to share. These include a variety of vegetable mezes, stuffed vegetables, aubergine dishes, regional pilafs and lesser-known Anatolian dishes. The menu varies, and that’s when it’s better to check in with the staff for the specials of the day than to have a particular dish in mind.

Çiya Sofrası Details

Address: Caferağa Mahallesi, Güneşlibahçe Sokak No:43, 34710 Kadıköy, Istanbul
Phone: +90 216 330 31 90
Opening Hours: Approximately 11:30–22:00 daily, with slightly later closing on Friday and Saturday according to current listings.
Website: ciya.com.tr
Instagram: @ciyasofrasi

What Is Meze in Istanbul?

Meze refers to a collection of small dishes served for sharing, rather than one large main course. In Istanbul, the tradition has developed through Turkish, Greek, Armenian, Balkan and broader Eastern Mediterranean food cultures.

Typical cold meze can include fava, tarama, hummus, eggplant salads, stuffed vegetables, yoghurt-based dips, marinated fish and olive-oil vegetables. Hot meze may include börek, fried seafood, grilled vegetables or small seafood casseroles.

The important part is how the dishes are eaten. Instead of ordering one dish per person, a group can choose several plates and share them across the table. That makes meze especially suitable for long dinners where conversation is as important as the food.

What Is a Meyhane?

A meyhane is a traditional Turkish tavern where meze, seafood, grilled dishes and drinks are served over a long social meal. Istanbul’s meyhane culture is closely connected to neighbourhoods such as Beyoğlu, Asmalımescit, Kumkapı and Kadıköy.

The format explains why restaurants such as Asmalı Cavit and Eleos place such a strong emphasis on small plates. Rather than rushing through a three-course meal, diners can order several meze, try them gradually and add hot dishes or fish later.

This style also makes meze restaurants particularly suitable for groups. Different people can choose different dishes without having to commit to the same main course.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best meze restaurants in Istanbul?

Eleos, Asmalı Cavit and Çiya Sofrası offer three distinctly different interpretations of meze. Eleos combines Aegean, Greek and Armenian influences with seafood, Asmalı Cavit focuses on traditional meyhane-style small plates, while Çiya explores regional Anatolian dishes.

Where can I try traditional Turkish meze in Istanbul?

Asmalı Cavit is particularly focused on the classic meyhane-style meze experience, while Eleos offers a seafood-heavy interpretation with Aegean and Greek influences.

Which restaurant is best for seafood meze?

Eleos is especially focused on seafood and includes dishes such as octopus, lakerda, grilled fish, saganaki and other seafood-based starters.

Where can I try regional Turkish meze?

Çiya Sofrası in Kadıköy is particularly useful for regional Turkish food. Its menu draws from Anatolia, Mesopotamia, the Balkans, the Caucasus and neighbouring culinary traditions.

Is meze served as a main meal in Istanbul?

Yes. At a traditional meyhane, diners commonly order several meze for the entire table and treat them as the main part of the meal, followed by seafood, grilled dishes or another hot course.

What meze should I try for the first time?

A good starting selection could include fava, tarama, eggplant salad, lakerda, stuffed vegetables and one hot meze. This gives you different textures and flavours without ordering too many similar dishes.

What is lakerda?

Lakerda is a traditional preparation of salt-cured fish, usually bonito or a closely related fish. It is commonly served cold as part of a meze spread.

What is fava in Turkish cuisine?

Turkish fava is generally a smooth dip made from dried broad beans, olive oil and aromatics. It is commonly served cold and is a classic part of meze menus.

Is meze suitable for vegetarians?

Very often, yes. Many classic meze are based on vegetables, legumes, olive oil, herbs and yoghurt, although seafood and meat-based dishes are also common. Eleos and Çiya both offer a substantial selection of vegetable-based dishes.

Do I need a reservation for a meze restaurant in Istanbul?

For popular meyhanes, particularly small venues such as Asmalı Cavit, making a reservation is advisable. Current local information specifically recommends booking ahead there.

Is Kadıköy good for meze?

Yes. Kadıköy Market has a long-established food culture, and Çiya Sofrası offers a regional approach to Turkish dishes in the middle of the market district.

Is Beyoğlu good for meze?

Yes. Beyoğlu and Asmalımescit are closely associated with Istanbul’s meyhane culture, with restaurants such as Eleos and Asmalı Cavit offering different interpretations of meze and seafood dining.

What should I drink with meze?

Traditionally, rakı is one of the classic drinks associated with Turkish meyhane dining, although wine, beer and non-alcoholic drinks are also available at many restaurants.