Kadıköy is where people in Istanbul actually go out to eat. Not for views. Not for occasions. Just because it’s dinner time. Restaurants here don’t wait for tourists. They’re busy on weeknights. Tables turn over fast. Menus are shaped by regulars, not trends. If a place survives in Kadıköy, it’s doing something right.
That can make choosing hard for visitors. There are hundreds of options packed into a few streets. Some look exciting online but disappoint in real life. Others don’t advertise at all and quietly serve some of the best food in the city.
Our guide focuses on places that work in practice. Spots we recommend because the food is consistent, the prices make sense, and the experience fits the neighborhood. Seafood in Moda. Italian comfort food. Street food done properly. Vegan kitchens locals trust.
If you want to eat like someone who lives here, not someone passing through, Kadıköy is the right place to start.
Best Restaurants, Places Eat & Drink in Kadikoy
Kadıköy is food-first Istanbul. People eat here because they live here. Restaurants don’t rely on views or ceremony. They rely on regulars.
These are places that hold up on a normal weekday, not just on a good night.
Koço Restaurant
€ · Seafood
Koço sits in Moda and feels like it’s always been there. That’s because it has. Generations matter here. The room is simple. Tables are close. Conversation carries. You come for Aegean-style seafood, not presentation.
Fish is fresh and treated with respect. Grilled octopus is a safe order. Stuffed calamari works well. The standout is the salt-baked sea bass, opened at the table and served clean. Mezes are classic and balanced, made for sharing.
We like Koço because it doesn’t try to modernize itself. It doesn’t need to.
If you want an honest seafood lunch or an unpretentious dinner in Kadıköy, this is one of the safest choices.
No Regrets Booking Advice
Address: Caferağa, Moda Cd. No:171, Kadıköy
Aida Vino E Cucina
€€ · Italian
Aida is in a small house near Moda streets. Three floors. Warm light. Tight tables. It feels personal from the start.
The owner, Elif Uluhan, lived in Italy for years, and that shows in the menu. This is not Italian-inspired food. It’s Italian food done with care. Pasta leads. Sauces are restrained. Ingredients matter.
The winter garden looks onto the street and works well for long meals. The top floor has an open kitchen and is usually booked for private groups.
We come here for homemade pasta and a glass of wine without noise. It works for dates and small groups.
Address: Caferağa, Ressam Şeref Akdik Sok. No:10, Kadıköy
Cotto Gastro
€€ · Italian, Modern
Cotto Gastro is in Suadiye and feels more spacious than most Kadıköy spots. Open kitchen. Clean lines. Calm energy.
The menu stays rooted in Italian cooking but allows modern touches. Fresh pasta is reliable. Pizza comes from a proper oven. Risottos are handled carefully.
The garden is the main reason people stay longer than planned. Drinks arrive easily. Food pacing is relaxed.
This is a good choice for groups that want to sit, talk, and eat without pressure.
Il Boccalino
€€ · Italian
Il Boccalino is in Fenerbahçe and feels like a neighborhood secret. Small room. Limited tables. Strong regular crowd.
The kitchen focuses on fresh pasta and classic Italian dishes. Burrata is fresh. Ravioli is handmade. Desserts matter here. The tiramisu is one of the better versions in the city.
Because seating is limited, reservations help. Especially if you want the garden.
We recommend this place when someone asks for Italian food that feels home-cooked rather than styled.
Address: Operatör Cemil Topuzlu Cd. No:35, Kadıköy
Paul’s Lasagna
€ · Italian, Comfort Food
Paul’s Lasagna is simple and focused. Lasagna is the reason to come. Nothing else competes for attention.
There are 16–17 lasagna options. Meat-based. Vegetarian. Vegan. Portions are generous. Dishes arrive hot in clay bowls.
Before the meal, you get bread with pesto and olive oil. It sets the tone. Comfort first. Vegan versions use avocado instead of eggs and work better than expected. This is not a long dinner place. It’s a satisfying one.
Address: Caferağa Mah., Dr. Esat Işık Cad. No:53, Kadıköy
Pizza Locale – in Bagdat Avenue, and Moda, Kadikoy
Pizza Locale is reliable. Two locations. Same approach. The dough options matter here. Whole wheat. Gluten-free. Vegan-friendly. Ingredients are fresh and portions are fair.
Crust stays crisp. Toppings are balanced. You can customize without feeling like you’re ordering off a checklist.
We like this place for casual meals with friends when no one wants to overthink dinner.
Bağdat Avenue: Köşk Sok. No:4/3, Caddebostan
Moda: Ferit Tek Sok. No:2B, Moda, Kadıköy
Mahatma
€ · Vegan
Mahatma is one of the anchors of Kadıköy’s vegan scene. It sits in Rasimpaşa and keeps a steady local crowd throughout the day.
The room feels relaxed and informal. People come to sit, eat properly, and take their time. The menu covers bowls, salads, mains, and desserts, all fully plant-based. Ingredients lean organic and seasonal when possible.
Desserts are what convert non-vegans. The vegan tiramisu is rich and balanced, not overly sweet. Lemon pie sells out often.
This is a good stop if you want vegan food that feels complete, not restrictive.
Address: Rasimpaşa Mah., Macit Erbudak Sok. 50/A, Kadıköy
Dün
€€ · Turkish, Casual
Dün sits close to Moda’s tea gardens and works well at almost any hour. Breakfast, lunch, or early dinner all make sense here.
The menu is broad without being messy. Turkish comfort food, simple plates, and solid breakfast options. Menemen is a popular order and arrives the way people expect it to.
The space feels calm even when busy. Staff don’t rush tables. That’s why people linger.
We recommend Dün when you want a reliable meal between walks, without committing to a long restaurant stop.
Address: Caferağa, Lütfü Bey Sok. No:60, Kadıköy
Arafta – A Hidden Gem for Meat Lovers
€€ · Turkish, Meat-Focused
Arafta is in Moda and stays slightly under the radar. That’s part of its appeal. The menu focuses on grilled meats and classic mezes. Lamb kebabs are the main draw. Cooked carefully. Served without excess. Mezes arrive fresh and well-seasoned.
The room is quiet compared to nearby streets. Tables encourage conversation rather than turnover.
This is a good choice if you want traditional Turkish flavors without noise or show.
Address: Moda Cd. No:161/B, Caferağa, Kadıköy
Say Cheese – A Pasta Lover’s Dream
€ · Pasta, Takeaway
Say Cheese is small and focused. No seating. No distractions. Pasta is cooked fresh and finished inside a large parmesan wheel. You choose the sauce. You wait briefly. You eat outside or on the move.
The smell alone pulls people in. Portions are filling. Flavors stay bold and creamy.
This works best as a quick meal while walking through Moda, not as a sit-down plan.
Address: Dr. İhsan Ünlüer Sk. No:12, Caferağa, Kadıköy
Basta Street Food Bar – Gourmet Street Food Redefined
€€ · Street Food
Basta started with chefs who knew fine dining and wanted to simplify it. The result is focused street food done well.
Dürüm wraps lead the menu. Slow-cooked lamb. Smoked spices. Charred onions. Meat is tender because of sous-vide cooking, not shortcuts.
Desserts matter here too. Paris Brest is popular for a reason. We like Basta for quick meals that still feel considered.
Address: Caferağa Mah., Sakız Sok. No:1, Kadıköy
Orōro Sushi Bar – A Cozy Sushi Spot in Moda
€€ · Sushi, Japanese
Orōro is a small neighborhood sushi spot in Moda. It’s not formal. It doesn’t try to compete with high-end counters. The menu covers sushi rolls, nigiri, ramen, and a few warm dishes. Fish stays fresh. Portions are fair. Prices match the setting.
Service is friendly and unpretentious. It works well for a casual sushi night without planning.
Address: Caferağa, Fırıldak Sok. No:17, Kadıköy
What to Eat in Kadıköy?
Kadıköy doesn’t have one signature dish. It has habits. People eat certain things at certain times, often without thinking about it. That’s what makes the food scene feel real.
Seafood still matters, especially around Moda. Grilled fish, fried calamari, octopus, and classic mezes show up on many tables. Places like Koço work because they don’t overdo it. Fresh fish. Simple cooking. You taste the ingredient, not the technique.
Italian food has quietly become part of daily life here. Fresh pasta, pizza, lasagna. Not special-occasion Italian. Weeknight Italian. You’ll see tables split between pasta bowls and conversation, not phones. That’s why places like Aida, Il Boccalino, and small pasta spots stay busy.
Street food plays a bigger role than visitors expect. Dürüm wraps, kokoreç, midye dolma, and modern takes like Basta’s slow-cooked lamb wraps are normal meals, not snacks. People grab them between errands. Or late at night. Or both.
Kadıköy is also one of the easiest places in Istanbul to eat plant-based without planning ahead. Vegan and vegetarian kitchens aren’t niche here. Bowls, desserts, comfort food, all done without apology. Mahatma is a good example. You don’t need to be vegan to eat there comfortably.
Breakfast deserves its own mention. Menemen, eggs, fresh bread, and tea fuel long mornings. Cafés open early. Locals sit longer than they planned.
If you’re unsure what to order, here’s a simple rule.
- Lunch leans casual. Street food or simple plates.
- Dinner slows down. Seafood, pasta, or grilled dishes.
- Dessert happens late. Often after walking.
Istanbeautiful Team tip:
“In Kadıköy, follow the crowd at normal hours. Busy usually means good.”