Looking for the best rooftop restaurants in Istanbul? The city has no shortage of elevated dining spaces, but the experience changes considerably from one rooftop to another. Mikla in Beyoğlu combines New Anatolian cuisine with a 360-degree view from the 18th floor, Mürver in Karaköy focuses on live-fire Turkish cooking with a large terrace overlooking the Bosphorus and historic peninsula, while 16 Roof at Swissôtel The Bosphorus combines Mediterranean and modern Turkish dishes with cocktails, music and a panoramic Bosphorus setting. These three give visitors three different ways to experience rooftop dining in Istanbul, from destination dining to a lively evening terrace.
For more Istanbul restaurant guides and neighbourhood recommendations, bestplacefinder can also help you plan where to eat during your visit.
| Rooftop Restaurant | Best For | Cuisine / Style | Main Highlight | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mikla | Special occasions & panoramic views | New Anatolian / Mediterranean | 360° Istanbul panorama | The Marmara Pera, Beyoğlu |
| Mürver Restaurant | Turkish dinner & live-fire cooking | Turkish / Grills | Bosphorus and historic peninsula views | Novotel Istanbul Bosphorus, Karaköy |
| 16 Roof | Cocktails, dinner & nightlife | Mediterranean, Turkish & Asian influences | Bosphorus terrace and DJ atmosphere | Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Maçka |
1. Mikla
Mikla is one of the more famous istanbul rooftop restaurant, situated on 18th floor of Beyoğlu’s The Marmara Pera. The restaurant enjoys an extraordinary panoramic view, thanks to its height, which overlooks the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the historical peninsula. Mikla is currently classified as a Mediterranean restaurant and modern restaurant in the Michelin Guide and it is called New Anatolian Kitchen in its own website.
The cuisine served at the restaurant is from Turkish and Anatolian ingredients but served in a modern way. The cuisine is not the conventional Turkish cuisine that would be found in a traditional restaurant, but rather the kitchen uses local ingredients and methods to come up with more sophisticated combinations.
Michelin’s current description is very well illustrated by the way the dishes are crafted, around some ingredients like smoked duck, hazelnut, samphire, seasonal produce and carefully balanced sauces. The restaurant also has a special vegan meal menu that allows the vegans to dine at the restaurant instead of just having side dishes.
The terrace is especially lovely at the time of sunset. The restaurant is located quite high above the Beyoğlu, so one can see a large part of Istanbul, not just one part of the Bosphorus. The scenery includes landmarks of the old city, Galata and the water, which play a big part in the experience. Furthermore Michelin singles out the restaurant’s 360-degree panorama as one of its characteristics.
Mikla is more of a nighttime restaurant. It is officially open Monday-Saturday and dinners start at 18:00. The restaurant’s hours of operation are until midnight, whereas the rooftop bar operates later until 02:00.
Why Mikla is Special?
When it comes to fine dining and a citywide view in one experience, Mikla is particularly interesting. It’s not an outdoor seating space added to a restaurant, it’s the height that gives the panoramic view on the rooftop.
Also, its contemporary Anatolian cuisine, rooftop bar and sprawling sight of the city make it a perfect venue for an evening centered on sunset and dinner.
Mikla Details
Address: The Marmara Pera, Meşrutiyet Caddesi No:15, 18th Floor, 34430 Beyoğlu, Istanbul
Phone: +90 212 293 56 56
Opening hours: Monday–Saturday, 18:00–00:00; last food order 21:30. Bar: 18:00–02:00. Sunday closed.
Instagram: @miklarestaurant
2. Mürver Restaurant
Mürver Restaurant, a distinctive rooftop restaurant in Istanbul, is located on the top floor of Novotel Istanbul Bosphorus Karaköy and creates a unique rooftop experience centered around fire, Turkish ingredients, and waterfront views. The restaurant describes itself as the first live-fire restaurant in Istanbul, with wood, charcoal, nut shells, and aromatic plants serving as the primary heat sources in its kitchen.
Cooking is an essential part of Mürver’s culture to cook while it is still alive. Fire is used in the restaurant for cooking, not just grilling, but also smoking, baking and stewing, providing a smoky flavor to the entire menu.
Some of the ingredients like sucuk (cured beef) and pickles are even made at the restaurant, while meat and fishes are dry aged at the restaurant as well. This way, the menu is both firmly in the Turkish tradition and up-to-date in terms of presentation and technique.
Another big feature of the area is the terrace. According to the official site of Mürver, it is a large terrace with a view to the Bosphorus and the historic peninsula of Istanbul, and according to the Michelin Guide, it’s a view overlooking the Golden Horn and passing boats on the Bosphorus.
The interior of the restaurant features an open kitchen, allowing guests to witness the cooking process. The hotel says that the kitchen counters are inspired by the ‘open fire’ idea, featuring Nero Picasso marble and a close working relationship with the kitchen area.
Mürver is a place to go to eat dinner. The official website now has the restaurant open for dinner between 18:00 and 22:00, while the bar is open earlier and will stay open longer.
So, what are some of the things you can do at Mürver?
Depending on the season, the menu is updated, but the dishes featuring grilled meat, seafood, vegetables and Turkish meze are natural fits for the restaurant’s fire-based cooking methods. Nowadays, Michelin focuses on some options like grilled squid with green beans, muhammara, a 28-day-aged ribeye and more.
Why Visit Mürver?
Mürver is especially ideal for guests who wish to enjoy a terrace with a view of the Bosphorus, open-fire cooking and contemporary Turkish food in one. This cooking method makes the restaurant stand out from other Turkish-style restaurants and its rooftop presents it as a unique experience.
Mürver Restaurant Details
Address: Novotel Istanbul Bosphorus, Kemankeş Caddesi No:57–59, 34425 Beyoğlu, Istanbul
Phone: +90 212 372 07 50
Dinner: 18:00–22:00 according to the official restaurant website. Bar service begins at 17:00 and continues until midnight on weekdays and 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Instagram: @murverkarakoy
3. 16 Roof Bar & Restaurant
On the top floor of Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul in Maçka, 16 Roof does not take the same zen-like approach to rooftop restaurant fare. It’s not just a restaurant, but also features a large terrace overlooking the Bosphorus, music, and cocktails. According to the official Swissôtel website, it’s a restaurant and bar with views of the countryside, and today it’s set to be a late-night affair.
The menu is influenced by a number of factors. Swissôtel calls it a modern take on Mediterranean cuisine, with a touch of Turkish and Asian flair and sushi. The present description of the restaurant’s menu also features items like eggplant ring ravioli, parmesan creamy beef cubes and warm Yedikule salad with Gorgonzola.
The venue’s cocktail programme is a significant part. Cocktails and wines are available, and there are DJs. In fact, this makes 16 Roof more of a social rooftop than a fine dining restaurant.
The terrace also has a special advantage thanks to its location within Swissôtel. The hotel is located at the European bank side of the Bosphorus on the neighbourhood of Maçka and Dolmabahçe, and as a result, the hotel’s rooftop faces the water, while being close to Beşiktaş, Nişantaşı and city centre.
Service is currently offered from 17:00 to 02:00 and the restaurant’s official page indicates that dinner is extended into the evening, and lighter food and drinks later on. The dress code is smart-casual.
Why Visit 16 Roof?
16 Roof is particularly apt for guests that are keen to enjoy dinner, then cocktails and music, instead of dinner and then a foodie fix. The mix of the terrace, Bosphorus view and DJ shows makes the night vibe of the venue very evening oriented.
It’s also convenient if you don’t want to stay around the historic peninsula, but prefer a rooftop in Beşiktaş and Maçka.
16 Roof Details
Address: Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Vişnezade Mahallesi, Acısu Sokak No:19, 34357 Maçka, Beşiktaş, Istanbul
Phone: +90 549 326 11 12
Opening hours: Daily 17:00–02:00; dinner 17:00–23:00 according to the current venue page.
Dress code: Smart casual.
Instagram: @16roof
Why Is Rooftop Dining So Popular in Istanbul?
Istanbul’s geography makes rooftop dining particularly interesting. The city stretches across two continents and is divided by waterways including the Bosphorus and Golden Horn, while historic landmarks are spread across hills and waterfront districts.
A restaurant at street level often gives you one particular perspective. A rooftop changes that completely. From higher floors, you can see domes and minarets across the old city, the Bosphorus, Galata, the Golden Horn and the hills of the Asian side depending on the location.
This is why even the best rooftop restaurants Istanbul has to offer can feel different from one another, despite serving similar cuisines. Mikla looks across a huge section of the historic city, Mürver is closely connected to the Bosphorus and Karaköy, while 16 Roof’s position in Maçka creates a different perspective towards the water.
What Is the Best Time to Visit a Rooftop Restaurant in Istanbul?
Sunset is one of the most popular times to visit a rooftop restaurant in Istanbul, particularly for visitors who want to see the city change from daylight into its evening skyline. However, the best timing depends on whether the view or the dining experience is your main priority.
At Mikla, arriving around sunset lets you see the city from daylight before the lights come on across the historic peninsula. At Mürver, the Bosphorus and Golden Horn become increasingly atmospheric after sunset, while 16 Roof is particularly suited to a later evening because of its cocktail and DJ programme.
For popular rooftop restaurants, especially during weekends and high tourist periods, making a reservation in advance is sensible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooftop restaurants in Istanbul with a Bosphorus view?
Mürver and 16 Roof both have prominent Bosphorus views. Mürver’s terrace looks across the Bosphorus and historic peninsula, while 16 Roof is positioned above Swissôtel The Bosphorus with a panoramic water view.
Which rooftop restaurant in Istanbul has a 360-degree view?
Mikla is known for its 360-degree panorama from the 18th floor of The Marmara Pera. The view includes Istanbul’s historic peninsula, Golden Horn, Bosphorus and surrounding cityscape.
Which Istanbul rooftop restaurant is best for Turkish food?
Mürver has the strongest focus on contemporary Turkish cuisine among these three, with its menu built around regional ingredients and live-fire techniques. Michelin currently categorises it as Grills and Turkish cuisine.
Which rooftop restaurant is good for a special occasion?
Mikla is designed around destination dining, with contemporary New Anatolian cuisine, a rooftop setting and a panoramic view from the 18th floor. It also currently holds a Michelin star.
Which rooftop restaurant is good for cocktails and nightlife?
16 Roof is particularly suited to cocktails and a livelier evening because it combines rooftop dining with a bar, panoramic Bosphorus views and DJ performances.
Are Istanbul rooftop restaurants open for lunch?
Not all of them. Mikla currently operates dinner service only and is closed on Sundays, while Mürver’s official site also lists its main restaurant service in the evening. 16 Roof currently operates from late afternoon into the night.
Should I reserve a table at a rooftop restaurant in Istanbul?
For popular venues, especially when you want terrace seating around sunset, making a reservation in advance is advisable. Mikla has a dedicated reservation system, while Mürver and 16 Roof also provide reservation options through their official sites.
What should I wear to a rooftop restaurant in Istanbul?
Dress codes vary. 16 Roof currently specifies smart casual, while upscale restaurants such as Mikla generally suit polished evening attire. Checking the venue’s current dress requirements before visiting is advisable.
Are rooftop restaurants in Istanbul good for sunset?
Yes. Sunset is particularly popular because elevated restaurants provide wide views over the city’s skyline and waterways. The effect is especially noticeable at venues such as Mikla, Mürver and 16 Roof because their terraces face broad sections of Istanbul rather than a single street.
