Looking for the best restaurants in Sultanahmet, Istanbul? The historic heart of the Old City is surrounded by some of Istanbul’s most recognisable landmarks, but the dining scene is much more varied than the tourist menus around Sultanahmet Square might suggest. For a well-rounded experience, three restaurants stand out for very different reasons: Deraliye Restaurant, where Ottoman palace cuisine is the focus; Seven Hills Restaurant, known for its rooftop views of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque; and Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta 1920, a historic address specialising in classic Turkish köfte. Together, they cover refined Ottoman cooking, scenic rooftop dining and a simple Turkish classic.
For more Istanbul restaurant guides and neighbourhood recommendations, bestplacefinder is also a useful starting point.
| Restaurant | Best For | Cuisine / Style | Main Highlight | Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deraliye Restaurant | Ottoman cuisine & special occasions | Ottoman palace cuisine | Historic recipes and elegant setting | Ticarethane Sk. No:10 |
| Seven Hills Restaurant | Rooftop dining & views | Turkish, Mediterranean & seafood | Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Bosphorus views | Tevkifhane Sk. No:8, Kat:3 |
| Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta 1920 | Classic Turkish meal | Köfte & Turkish grill | Historic köfte recipe | Divanyolu Cd. No:12 |
1. Deraliye Restaurant
About Deraliye Restaurant
Deraliye Restaurant is one of the most unique restaurants to visit Sultanahmet since all its concept is based on the Ottoman palace cuisine. It’s located on Ticarethane Sokak, off Divanyolu and is situated in the heart of the historic district, but the dining experience is very different from the typical kebab / grill restaurant around Sultanahmet.
Over the past few years, the chef of the restaurant, Necati Yılmaz, has studied traditional Ottoman recipes and created a menu based on dishes that are linked to the imperial kitchens. The result is a menu that features a variety of combinations of meat, fruit, nuts, spices, honey and vinegar that aren’t used in contemporary household Turkish cuisine.
Some of the most characteristic dishes of the restaurant are Terkib-i Mutancana which is an Ottoman dish made of lamb and dried fruits, Kavun Dolması (melon stuffed with meat), and Kaz Kebabı (goose stuffed with rice and pastry). There are also many traditional and seasonal dishes served in the restaurant.
The experience is designed to be a little more full-on than an Istanbulluncheon. The dining room’s interior is decorated in an Ottoman style and the dishes are based on recipes from history, not just the most popular Turkish dishes.
Additionally, Deraliye is featured in the Michelin Guide listing it as a Turkish restaurant and citing its “Ottoman” inspired cuisine, terrace and extensive menu. The restaurant serves daily from 12 to 23:30 hrs.
This is one of the better reasons to opt for Deraliye for those who wish to enjoy the historical experience along with their meal.
What Do You Order at Deraliye?
Instead of going just for the traditional Turkish classics, for a first visit try one of the restaurant’s signature Ottoman dishes.
In particular, ter kib i Mutancana is an interesting combination, because the lamb is mixed with dried fruits. For something a bit more unique among the restaurant’s many palace-style displays, try out Kavun Dolması.
Some mezze may be served as an appetizer before the main course and the traditional desserts like Levzine and baklava are suitable for the end.
Deraliye Restaurant Information
Address: Alemdar Mahallesi, Divanyolu Caddesi, Ticarethane Sokak No:10, 34122 Fatih, Istanbul, Türkiye
Phone: +90 212 520 77 78 / +90 539 593 77 97
Opening Hours: 12:00–23:30 daily
Website: Deraliye Restaurant
Instagram: @deraliye_restaurant_istanbul
The restaurant’s current official contact page confirms the address, telephone numbers and daily opening hours, while the restaurant’s current materials confirm its Ottoman palace cuisine concept.
2. Seven Hills Restaurant
About Seven Hills Restaurant
One of the most iconic rooftop restaurants in Sultanahmet is Seven Hills Restaurant, and the first thing that comes to mind when you come to this terrace is that Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are visible side by side.
The restaurant is located in the third floor of its building at Tevkifhane Sokak near Sultanahmet square. According to its official location information, the terrace overlooks Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapı Palace, the Bosphorus and the Marmara Sea.
The cuisine is based on Turkish and Mediterranean dishes and features a good amount of seafood. The restaurant claims that fish is delivered fresh from the Marmara Sea and the menu features Turkish mezze, grilled meats, soups, salads and desserts.
One of the other key attractions of the restaurant is breakfast. Bigger Turkish breakfast consisting of cheese, olives, vegetables, pastries, eggs and tea is offered in the morning so that visitors can enjoy the roof top before the main crowds of tourists.
The terrace is especially romantic at dawn and dusk. By day, the historic buildings immediately dominate the skyline, but by night it’s completely different, with both domes and minarets lit up.
Seven Hills is open daily from 08:30 till 23:00, and it is possible to make reservations via its website, via WhatsApp or email.
Seven Hills is particularly popular with tourists due to the view. This can mean the atmosphere can be active at peak times, especially at dusk.
What should you get at Seven Hills?
If the view is the main draw to your trip, the Turkish breakfast spread is one of the most helpful one might find at breakfast.
A wide variety of seafood and Turkish mezze are suitable for lunch or dinner. There are plenty of fish and seafood options, such as grilled fish, calamari, and shrimp dishes and grilled meats.
If the view is important, then consider a table on the outer terrace.
Seven Hills Restaurant Information
Address: Cankurtaran Mahallesi, Tevkifhane Sokak No:8, Kat:3, 34400 Sultanahmet, Fatih, Istanbul, Türkiye
Phone: +90 212 516 94 99
Opening Hours: 08:30–23:00 daily
Website: Seven Hills Restaurant
Instagram: @sevenhillsrestaurant
The official restaurant pages confirm the exact address, phone number, rooftop location, menu style and current daily opening schedule.
3. Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta 1920
About Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi
Perhaps the simplest of the three dining experiences is Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta 1920, which is all the more relevant. One of the historic names of Sultanahmet köfte, the restaurant has been cooking köfte since 1920.
It is situated on one of the main streets in the historic centre, Divanyolu Caddesi. It is conveniently located in the center of the city, making it a convenient stop between Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar.
It’s set to Turkish comfort food. The signature order is köfte that are grilled, and typically eaten with plain accompaniments, like white beans, pickled peppers and bread. Piyaz and semolina halva also have close connection with the restaurant’s classic meal.
Instead of having a big tourist restaurant that sells scores of foods, it’s about doing a couple of traditional things regularly. Quick service and simple dining format make it convenient for travellers who wish to have a quick Turkish lunch when busy sightseeing.
The restaurant has a much more functional atmosphere than Seven Hills or Deraliye. No rooftop view or elaborate Ottoman presentation, it’s all about the köfte and the long history of the restaurant.
Which is a great option for those who want to sample a well-known turkey dish without investing hours over lunch.
What to order at Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi?
The obvious one is the signature köfte.
Enjoy it with piyaz or beans, pickled peppers and ayran for a simple Turkish dish. One of the traditional desserts that can be ordered in the restaurant is irmik helvası, or semolina halva.
Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Information
Address: Alemdar Mahallesi, Divanyolu Caddesi No:12, 34110 Fatih, Istanbul, Türkiye
Phone: +90 212 513 64 68
Opening Hours: 10:30–22:30 daily
Website: sultanahmetkoftesi.com
Instagram: @tarihisultanahmetkoftecisi1920
Current listings confirm the Divanyolu No:12 location, daily 10:30–22:30 hours and the restaurant’s current website and Instagram profile.
What Makes Sultanahmet a Great Place to Eat?
Sultanahmet is at the centre of Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula, surrounded by some of the city’s most important monuments. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace and Sultanahmet Square are all within the same compact sightseeing zone.
This naturally creates a large restaurant scene, but the quality and style vary considerably. The area includes everything from simple köfte restaurants to Ottoman-themed dining rooms and rooftop terraces designed around the historic skyline.
The most useful approach is to decide first what kind of meal you want and then choose the restaurant. The view-focused restaurants are best around sunset, while traditional restaurants such as Sultanahmet Köftecisi are especially convenient around lunchtime.
What Type of Restaurant Should You Choose in Sultanahmet?
For Ottoman Cuisine
Choose Deraliye Restaurant when you want historic recipes, Ottoman ingredients and a more distinctive dining experience.
For a Rooftop View
Choose Seven Hills Restaurant when the main attraction is seeing Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the surrounding historic skyline while eating.
For Classic Turkish Köfte
Choose Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta 1920 when you want a focused, traditional Turkish meal built around köfte.
What Should You Eat in Sultanahmet?
Ottoman Dishes
Sultanahmet is one of the better areas to explore Ottoman-inspired cuisine, particularly at restaurants such as Deraliye. Expect combinations of lamb, vegetables, dried fruits, nuts and spices that are not necessarily common on everyday Turkish menus.
Köfte
Köfte is one of the easiest Turkish classics to try in the historic centre. A plate of grilled köfte with beans or piyaz and ayran makes a simple and filling meal.
Seafood and Mezze
Restaurants such as Seven Hills combine fresh fish, seafood starters and Turkish mezze with the atmosphere of the old city.
Turkish Breakfast
A rooftop Turkish breakfast is another popular Sultanahmet experience. Seven Hills serves an extensive breakfast spread in the morning, making it possible to combine breakfast with views of the historic skyline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best restaurants in Sultanahmet?
Deraliye Restaurant, Seven Hills Restaurant and Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta 1920 are three strong choices for very different reasons: Ottoman palace cuisine, rooftop dining and traditional Turkish köfte.
Which restaurant has the best view in Sultanahmet?
Seven Hills is particularly known for its rooftop panorama, with Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque visible from the terrace, along with views towards the Bosphorus and Marmara Sea.
Where can I try Ottoman cuisine in Sultanahmet?
Deraliye Restaurant specialises in Ottoman palace cuisine and recreates historic recipes researched by its culinary team.
Where can I eat traditional köfte in Sultanahmet?
Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta 1920 is one of the area’s historic köfte addresses and has been associated with the dish since 1920.
Is Seven Hills good for breakfast?
Yes. Seven Hills serves a large Turkish breakfast spread and opens from the morning, making it suitable for travellers who want to start their sightseeing day with breakfast and a rooftop view.
Which Sultanahmet restaurant is best for a special occasion?
Deraliye is particularly suitable for a special meal because of its Ottoman palace concept and more elaborate menu. Seven Hills is another strong option when the view is an important part of the occasion.
Can I see Hagia Sophia while eating?
Yes. Seven Hills has a rooftop terrace specifically known for its view of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
Which restaurant is best for a quick lunch?
Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi is particularly suitable for a quick lunch because the menu is focused on köfte and other straightforward Turkish dishes.
What should I order at Sultanahmet Köftecisi?
Try the signature köfte with piyaz or beans, followed by semolina halva and ayran for a simple traditional meal.
Is Deraliye suitable for vegetarians?
Yes. Current restaurant information identifies vegetarian options, including vegetable and mezze dishes, although the menu is strongly focused on Ottoman meat and traditional Turkish cuisine.
Does Deraliye take reservations?
Yes. Deraliye has a reservation system on its official website and current restaurant listings also support booking.
Does Seven Hills accept reservations?
Yes. Reservations can be made through the restaurant’s website, WhatsApp or email.
Are Sultanahmet restaurants expensive?
There is a wide range. Sultanahmet contains both higher-end restaurants and simple traditional eateries, so the price depends heavily on the type of restaurant and meal you choose. Current 2026 guides specifically note the contrast between tourist-oriented restaurants and more focused local-style options.
Are these restaurants close to Hagia Sophia?
Yes. All three are in the Sultanahmet/Historic Peninsula area and can be combined with visits to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern and nearby historic attractions.
What is the best time to eat at Seven Hills?
Late afternoon and sunset are particularly attractive if you want to experience the rooftop view as the light changes over Sultanahmet.
Can I walk from the Grand Bazaar to these restaurants?
Yes. Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi is on Divanyolu, while Deraliye and Seven Hills are also within the walkable historic centre.
Which restaurant is best for authentic Turkish food?
That depends on what you mean by authentic. Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi focuses on a classic everyday Turkish dish, while Deraliye specialises in historically researched Ottoman cuisine. Seven Hills combines Turkish and Mediterranean cooking with seafood and a rooftop setting.
