Meşale Cafe & Restaurant

This is a lovely restaurant in the Sultanhamet neighborhood. The food was delicious -- some of the…read morebest authentic Turkish food we had the entire time we were in Istanbul. I can highly recommend the Yaprak Sarma (stuffed grape leaves) as a starter. Follow that with the Lamb Stew or the perfectly cooked Sea Bass. The service was friendly, professional and discreet. Put this restaurant on your MUST DO list for your trip.

I love diner kebap. I've had 3 at different places and this was best. I asked to not salt it it…read more Plenty for two

1.0 km•Hobyar, Hoca Paşa Mh.

Streetside

See all

Wall outside the restaurant.

Roof Mezze 360

4.9(65 reviews)

I LOVE this spot. The views, the food, the service, the music .. I love it!…read more This is where I was first introduced to adjika, a tasty pepper sauce that is served with their table bread, which is also delicious. I had to grab some at a local market. I highly recommend the chicken kabobs, juicy and well seasoned. Also enjoyed the margaritas, stiff and not overly sweet. Staff is pleasant and attentive. The views are unmatched in the evening. Make your reservation in advance to secure your sunset table. The inside is nice and classy but I simply adore the open air views from the roof. The birds really set off the skyline and you can see several of the mosques around. Not SUPER expensive but it is in the higher end price wise compared to their surrounding competition -- 100% worth it in my book. I will definitely go again on my next visit. Glad I could introduce it to a friend this go round. The only thing I disliked about this place is the "dining dome" as I called it. A portion of the roof now offers seating in a large plastic dome. The dome is scratched up and obstructs the view of the city but does protect diners from the wind. I was not a fan of this dome. I'm sure it's something someone saw on the internet and implemented .. I hope they get rid of it, it's super unnecessary. Otherwise -- LOVE!

Excellent Turkish breakfast and had a great dinner here too. Nice views of the Bospherous River…read more The evening DJ was good. The servers are attentive and gracious.

1.4 km•Tahtakale, Rüstem Paşa Mh., Eminönü

See all

Complimentary tea to end the meal

Öz Karadeniz Pide Kebap

5.0(1 review)

We stumbled upon this place, it looked like a well loved place so we decided to stay for lunch. We…read moreeach ordered a durum doner, for which you can choose the amount of meat. I believe the sizes go from 80g of meat to 250g of meat. I ordered the 100g and it was plenty to fill me up. The bread is thin and flavorful, and the filling includes pickles, tomatoes and fries. The larger option comes served with a side of fries and pickles too. Delicious pita bread is complimentary, and it is served with yet another delicious menu item, a tangy and sweet tomato and herbs salsa. The prices are very fair (2 of us ate for ~ 15USD), the staff is very friendly, definitely would recommend.

2.4 km•Şahkulu, Müeyyedzade Mh., Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa

Mrnü

See all

Galata Kitchen

4.5(30 reviews)

•₺

Tucked away in a side street this gem of a place is not to be missed. Was in town for three days…read moreand went here two days and a row. The owner was over the top friendly and great with suggesting what we should order. Great staff, amazingly prepared fresh food in a great atmosphere. When I mentioned this place to some locals they knew exactly where I was speaking of and said that it is one of the best places in town.

Everything I ate here was utterly delicious and unique. The staff was lovely and so helpful. Their…read morerecommendation of what to order was spot on. I'm already craving a second visit.

2.1 km•Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa Mh., Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa

Restaurant interior

Lentils with pomegranate

See all

Restaurant exterior

Karaköy Lokantası

4.3(76 reviews)

This restaurant is in the beautiful and posh neighborhood of Karaköy. The moment you walk in, you…read moreunderstand why they are Michelin recognized. The decor is simple, modern, sleek, and very clean, and I love the light blues and the greys, which are very calming. We were immediately seated and made to feel very welcome. The menu looks like it changes very often. The prices were very reasonable, and so much better than the prices for just mediocre, average food in the tourist area of Sultanahmet, so this was a nice break for us. I ordered the meat stew, which was beef and vegetables that were absolutely delicious. The food was very fresh. I had the mantı as well, a traditional dish. It was very delicate and flavorful. What I loved was that the flavors were very balanced, nothing was too overly salty or too sweet. And the wine selection, they have a really nice selection of Turkish wines. It was very delicious, and I would absolutely go back.

A must-try for tourists!…read more The food is absolutely delicious, with a menu offering traditional Turkish dishes. The ambiance is modern yet maintains a relaxed, upscale vibe, making it perfect for both casual outings and special occasions. They are famous for their mezes, and I highly recommend the levrek marin and fava. For mains, the hunkar begendi is amazing! The service is fast, friendly, and attentive, adding to the overall great experience. It's a classic if you're in Istanbul. Also, it's in of the best area to hang, tons to see around. Highly recommended!

1.6 km•Tahtakale Mh., Eminönü, Tahtakale

Inside

03/16/23 Grilled Meatballs

See all

@endoedibles on Instagram 03/16/23

Lezzet-i Şark

4.7(17 reviews)

Go here and get the Beyran soup. I haven't found anything like it in all of Istanbul!…read more This place is just off the main square in the spice bazaar. Their other dishes are good - but Beyran is not served most places - and this is better than the kebab you are eyeing up. Definitely worth checking out!

Soup from Gaziantep!! You need fluid to replace that lost during the day. It may be one of the…read morehealthy choices and this place is among the best in Istanbul. Have it!

Soup make to order....

See all

Inside

Ab-ı Hayat

4.5(2 reviews)

1.7 km•Eminönü

My name is Eddie from Kentucky (USA)This is my spot for my time in Istanbul! I went to a few other…read moreShisha places and was not happy. Two different location give you the flavor you want on top after a minutes you get something else. This place is amazing. I like the love 66 and the blend of love &lady killer. Recommend it. Shahin is the man! Great guy and very friendly! Stop here for sure!!!!

1.4 km•Eminönü, Hobyar Mh., Tahtakale

See all

Tatseven

3.7(7 reviews)

Welcome bread was nice and soft with a nice taste and texture. The service was fine, and the food…read morewas okay... The pepperoni pizza was nice and greasy if you're into that kinda thing. The atmosphere/ambiance was nice and chill.

Fantastic restaurant to eat in Istanbul. The doner is amazing and reasonably priced. Staff is…read morefriendly and service is quick. Must visit while in Istanbul and great views of Yeni Mosque and the water.

1.5 km•Rüstem Paşa Mh., Eminönü, Tahtakale

Doner platter

See all

Hamdi Restaurant

3.7(118 reviews)

Awesome views and delicious food. I tried the lahmacun and the muhammara and baklava and all were…read moredelicious. Service was quick and friendly. Great place for a family dinner or hangout with friends.

Ate upstairs and had an incredible view of the city. Service was very good. The mezze were all…read morevery good with the puffed bread. Entrees were good but the meats were a little dry. Loved the raki.

2.4 km•Şahkulu Mh., Şahkulu, Ekmekyemez

Hamdi Restaurant

See all

Güney Restaurant

4.2(54 reviews)

My favorite restaurant in Istanbul, waiters are fast, and food is really delicious, my family…read moreenjoyed the atmosphere.

First review of 2026 let's goooooo!…read more This is a great rec if you are staying near this area with Galata Tower. The food we ordered ranged from alright to really tasty - noteworthy dishes are the Adana Kebab and the Cubed Meat Pita. Their menu is quite expansive - for instance, they have desserts like the famous San Sebastian Cheesecake, as well as a full bar of booze. Speaking of which, they have Limoncello, so I got a Limoncello Spritz (albeit it wasn't as strong). On its menu, Guney also has non-Turkish/Western Europe dishes like Belgian Mussels. Excellent ambience with indoor and covered outdoor seating, but just a heads up that we were sitting in the covered outdoor seating and people around me were ALL smoking (!) So, if you're sensitive to cigarette smoke, then I recommend getting seating inside. And as a bonus this place opens quite late. Check it out whenever you are in Istanbul! IG: @datglobetrotterlife

Turkish breakfast, must get the kaymak and menemen. Instagram: TianTianEats

See all

Front entrance

Meşale Cafe & Restaurant - kebab - Updated November 2026

Browse Brands

Brands by name

Browse Articles

Articles by date

People who viewed Meşale Cafe & Restaurant also viewed

Ziya Şark Sofrası

3.5

(14 reviews)

Great kebabs! The "sushi' kebab is not to be missed. The chicken kebab was so flavorful and it was…read more2 skewers! Friendly staff and delicious juices, especially the pomegranate. Their bread, tomato sauce, and yogurt sauce were top notch as well.

Okay going to be honest here we never had a bad meal in Istanbul. However, after the flight from…read moreSan Francisco in the hell that is Turkish airlines economy, coupled with a nearly 4 hour ride from the airport to the hotel (EID holiday celebrations) we were literal zombies by the time we checked in. We wandered about Sultanament and stumbled on this place. I will be honest it was more desperation that anything else and had a excellent mean. The outside tables made for excellent people watching. The service was friendly and on point, and the food was fantastic. The Food: After our order the waiter brought bread and Spicy Antep Ezmesi. This heavenly concoction of spicy crushed tomatoes with herbs, cucumbers, with big hit of acid was bright and refreshing. Think salsa meets gazpacho. The minty yogurt added a rich element that helped tame the heat. Fresh Squeezed Pom / Orange juice. Sweet, tart, all in one. Literally squeezed into the glass and served. Aryan: A yogurt drink. This may be an acquired state for many but is yogurt, water and salt. It hit the spot. I do prefer Persian Dough which usually has sparkling water and mint with a bit more aggressive sour profile. Combo Pide: Basically a canoe shaped pizza that was topped in thirds. One side had some kind of minced meat, the center spicy sausage, and another more tomatoey topping. Freshly baked and super tasty each third had a different flavor profile and it was fun to try all three Kabob Platter for 2: Basically 4 typed of kabob served over rice with roasted peppers and tomatoes. Each kabob had a unique flavor taste to it. My favorite was the Beyti Kebab which had flavorful ground meat wrapped in a pita then sliced into bite sized chunks. The lavosh soaked up the kabob juices and the meat was so tasty. The others were as good but this one stood out for me. As noted service was great and prompt, and the prices were actually reasonable given its a prime tourist area

Hatay Medeniyetler Sofrası

3.8

(33 reviews)

Great food but very pricey. I went here for lunch and the food is exceptional, the restaurant is…read morebeautiful and there's a view of a little park and a gorgeous church next-door. The service is on point and the servers are so nice. I just found it outrageously expensive, especially for lunch because they don't do any of the "performance food" that is shown on their photo wall or in their videos. One smallish mezze side of yogurt and mint sauce and one mixed grill for two people with water (they charge for table water) and 2 soft drinks was about $105 USD. It's just a lot, especially considering the prices of other places in Istanbul; there is no spectacular view or anything. It's obviously popular with a lot of celebrities, especially from Turkey, so if that impresses you then you'll love it because they have a huge gallery of celeb photographs. Again, I think these are mostly photos from the more elaborate dinner service. The food is really good and the waiters are excellent, but you can basically get a mixed grill like they serve in so many other restaurants with great service at half the price. I think the secret here is to come for dinner and to order a lot of really crazy exotic items so they do the "performances" when they serve them. While you're eating there are these gigantic video screens showing how elaborate the food performances are. At the end of dinner, they serve a really nice fruit plate as a "gift" with smoking dry ice that comes out of the top. Otherwise, I would pass for lunch. Go for a festive dinner.

The food was fabulous. My favorite was the warm hummus with flavorful meat sauce over it. This…read morerestaurant is a must when in Istanbul.

Bago Caffe

5.0

(1 review)

Great service. It's located on a charming little pedestrian street near Galata port. Try the fresh…read morejuices and delicious gözleme, a traditional Turkish flatbread made from hand-rolled, unleavened dough that is stuffed with various fillings, folded into a pocket, and cooked to order....and you can watch them make it. Everything is decorated with rich Turkish fabrics. Great service. They have authentic Turkish coffee too that comes from a stand with all the fun cups and pots and things. A cultural experience.

Ali Baba Kebap Karaköy

5.0

(1 review)

Delicious and incredibly fresh Turkish food. Ask for Francis...he's the most amazing guy who…read morewelcomes all the guests to this restaurant. He's very charming and will recommend you all their best dishes. Francis was incredibly nice and gave us great advice about what to eat, and every dish we tried exceeded expectations. The food tasted incredibly fresh and was packed with flavor. The freshly baked bread was outstanding, and the "lamb on brick" was truly unforgettable. The meat was tender, delicious, and beautifully presented. They bring it right to the table and slice it open in front of you, which makes the meal even more special. With so many restaurants to choose from on this busy street, Alibaba Kebab really stands out. The food is exceptional, the presentation is wonderful, and the service is warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a memorable Turkish meal.

Karadeniz Aile Pide & Kebap Salonu

4.5

(2 reviews)

Delicious! I had a wonderful Adana kebap here and the bread tasted fresh baked. It makes sense…read moresince they are also specialists in making fresh pide (Turkish flatbread pizzas). The service was great and the portions were big. It's also a good value and I don't feel like it's a tourist trap.

My boyfriend and I enjoyed our meal here. We got the mixed pide and shared a lentil soup and…read morehummus. Very tasty!

Babylonia Garden Terrace Restaurant

4.2

(10 reviews)

The food in this restaurant is top quality and the service is amazing…read more The owner is very friendly and always listening. Great place.

We visited Babylonia restaurant the last time we were in Istanbul, 8 years ago in 2013. We liked…read morethe food so much that not only we kept visiting it then multiple times, we also decided to revisit again this time in 2021 and we are so glad that we did. The food was simply delicious and the service amazing. Highly recommended if you want to eat something super delicious.

Armada Teras Restoran

4.3

(4 reviews)

For a hotel restaurant, this place was pretty good. Service was impeccable. Prices seemed…read morereasonable. Awesome view (it's a rooftop restaurant) of the strait. My meal was good. Had issues with communication several times.

Food 3 stars - view 5 stars ... that makes 4…read more Istanbul has many rooftop restaurants with views. This place here offers views of both the Blue Mosque and the ocean. It's located on top of a Hotel....just walk through the lobby. We came here on a warm and sunny day in October for lunch and there were only two more tables. Views are really amazing, the Blue Mosque in the back and the nice and calm sea in front. We ordered a chicken Kebab with sides and a plate of different Mezze and two glasses of Raki. The Kebab was okay....lacked a bit of seasoning, but had a nice grill-flavour. The Mezze plate was pretty good, the one made from Eggplant (with garlic) being our favourite. Prices are fair. Service was fine. It wasn't an outstanding meal....it's something you could find anywhere in this city. But combined with the views it's a pretty nice place. But since there are so many other restaurants around, one time was enough.

Taksim Bahçıvan

5.0

(5 reviews)

Seems to be a locals place! The lahmacun was the best I've…read morehad in Instanbul. Not only did it have more flavor than most but the bread was crusty and perfect! The Shish Tavuk was excellently seasoned.

This is a very local and authentic restaurant. We ordered Lahamachun, chicken kebpap and lamb…read morekebpap. They bring you complimentary vegetable plate, 2 types of bread and finish it off with a complimentary tea. Highly recommend. Everything was so delicious and great service.

Derman Kebap

4.7

(3 reviews)

Best lamb kebab I've had in Istanbul so far. It's a little hole-in-the-wall place in the outer ring…read moreof the grand bazar, but they have a small section of an air conditioned room and their mixed grill is seriously delicious. Great for an inexpensive delicious lunch.

A little air-conditioned haven in the market that makes a nice and tasty kebap and a healthy salad.read more

Köşk Cafe & Restaurant

4.4

(11 reviews)