What are some of the best restaurants in Istanbul and Ankara?

Istanbul and Ankara are both cities with a rich culinary culture, and there are many great restaurants to choose from.

Here are a few restaurants recommendations for both cities:

Istanbul:

Mikla: Located on the rooftop of the Marmara Pera Hotel, Mikla offers modern Turkish cuisine with breathtaking views of the city.
Balikci Sabahattin: This seafood restaurant, located in the Eminönü neighborhood, is known for its fresh fish and traditional Turkish meze (appetizers).
Asitane: Located in the Edirnekapı neighborhood, Asitane serves traditional Ottoman cuisine in a beautiful setting.
Neolokal: This trendy restaurant in the Beyoğlu district offers innovative takes on traditional Turkish dishes.
Borsa: Located in the Beyoğlu district, Borsa serves modern Turkish cuisine in a beautiful setting.
Karaköy Lokantası: This popular restaurant in the Karaköy neighborhood serves traditional Turkish dishes, with a focus on seafood.
Müzedechanga: Located in the Beyoğlu district, Müzedechanga offers modern Turkish cuisine with a focus on locally-sourced ingredients.
Anadolu Medeniyetleri Muzesi: Located inside the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, this restaurant serves traditional Turkish dishes in a beautiful setting.
Yeni Lokanta: Located in the Beyoğlu district, Yeni Lokanta serves modern Turkish cuisine with a focus on locally-sourced ingredients.
Tarihi Salı Pazarı: This popular food market, located in the Kadıköy neighborhood, is a great place to try a variety of traditional Turkish dishes.
Mandabatmaz: Located in the Beyoğlu district, Mandabatmaz is a popular restaurant known for its delicious kebabs and meze.
Durumzade: This chain of restaurants, which has several locations in Istanbul, is known for its delicious durum (a type of Turkish wrap made with grilled meat, vegetables, and sauces).

Ankara:

Özlem Kitchen: This restaurant, located in the Kavaklıdere neighborhood, serves traditional Turkish dishes with a modern twist.
Nusr-Et Steakhouse: This popular chain of steakhouses, founded by chef Nusret Gökçe (also known as “Salt Bae”), has a location in Ankara.
Bosphorus: Located in the Çankaya neighborhood, Bosphorus serves traditional Turkish cuisine in a beautiful setting.
Divan Ocakbaşı: This popular chain of restaurants, which has several locations in Ankara, is known for its delicious meze and grilled meats.
Günaydın: This popular chain of restaurants, which has several locations in Ankara, serves traditional Turkish dishes in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Burç Ocakbaşı: Located in the Kavaklıdere neighborhood, Burç Ocakbaşı is known for its delicious grilled meats and meze.
Zenger Paşa Konağı: Located in the Çankaya neighborhood, Zenger Paşa Konağı serves traditional Turkish cuisine in a beautiful historic setting.
Çıkın Balık: Located in the Kavaklıdere neighborhood, Çıkın Balık is a seafood restaurant known for its fresh fish and delicious meze.
Sıhhiye Çarşısı: This food market, located in the Sıhhiye neighborhood, is a great place to try a variety of traditional Turkish dishes.
Özsüt: This popular chain of dairy shops, which has several locations in Ankara, is known for its delicious pastries and dairy products.
Safran: Located in the Kavaklıdere neighborhood, Safran serves traditional Turkish cuisine in a beautiful setting.
Ankara Kalesi: Located inside the Ankara Castle, this restaurant serves traditional Turkish dishes with a beautiful view of the city.

Both Istanbul and Ankara have a rich culinary culture, with a wide variety of delicious traditional dishes and modern restaurants to choose from. Some popular traditional Turkish dishes that you can find in both cities include:

Kebabs: Grilled meats, typically served in a wrap or on a plate with rice, vegetables, and sauces.
Meze: Small plates of appetizers, such as olives, cheese, bread, and various dips.
Dolma: Stuffed vegetables, typically made with rice, ground meat, and spices.
Börek: A type of savory pastry filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables.
Lokma: Deep-fried dough balls, typically served with a sweet syrup or honey.
Çorba: Soup, typically made with meat or vegetables and served with bread.

In addition to traditional dishes, both Istanbul and Ankara have a thriving food scene with many modern restaurants serving innovative takes on Turkish cuisine. Some popular ingredients and flavors in Turkish cuisine include lamb, beef, chicken, seafood, eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, and various herbs and spices.