Rooftops in Istanbul aren’t just about being high above the city. They’re about knowing when to look out and when to sit back.
Some rooftops shine at sunset, when the Bosphorus catches the light and the city feels calm for a brief moment. Others don’t really wake up until after dark, when music drifts in, glasses clink, and Istanbul turns into a sea of lights below you. That difference matters more than most people expect.
First-time visitors often search for “the best rooftop” and assume there’s one clear answer. There isn’t. A rooftop that feels perfect at 7:30 pm can feel wrong at 10:30 pm. A place built for long dinners may fall flat if you just want a drink and a view. The nights that work are the ones where timing and mood line up.
Our guide is built around that idea. But how these rooftops actually feel when you’re there. Calm terraces for slow evenings. Polished spaces for special nights. Lively rooftops where dinner turns into music. Garden-style venues where the city softens around you.
Inside, you’ll find the best rooftop restaurants and bars in Istanbul chosen for rhythm as much as view. Places we return to ourselves. Spots where the setting adds something instead of demanding attention.
Istanbeautiful Team insight:
“A good rooftop doesn’t rush you. It lets the city come to you.”
Pick the hour. Pick the mood. The skyline will take care of the rest.
Best Rooftop Restaurants & Bars in Istanbul
Tershane Restaurant
Tershane sits high above Karaköy on the top floor of Hotel Momento, looking out over the Golden Horn. The menu leans into familiar Turkish flavors but keeps things clean and contemporary.
Expect generous mezze plates, well-grilled meats, and dishes that feel familiar but carefully prepared. The open kitchen adds energy to the space, and the views do a lot of the talking once the sun starts to set.
Our take: Come for the view, stay for the food. The grilled lamb was spot on, and the setting makes it easy to slow down.
Address: Tersane Caddesi No:24, Hotel Momento, 8th floor
Mürver Restaurant
Fire is the main character at Mürver. Everything revolves around the wood-fired grill, from seafood to vegetables to meat. The open kitchen lets you see exactly what’s happening, flames included.
No Regrets Booking Advice
Smoky octopus, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, charred vegetables with depth and texture. The Bosphorus view and cocktail bar give the place a lively edge without turning it into a party spot.
Our take: Bold flavors, strong atmosphere. The octopus alone is worth the visit.
Address: Kemankeş Caddesi No:57-59, Karaköy
Balkon Restaurant & Bar – in Beyoğlu
Balkon feels like a hidden reward above Asmalımescit. From the terrace, the historical peninsula opens up in full view.
Menus mix world cuisine with easy snacks and good cocktails. Daytime suits lunch or a late coffee. Nights bring jazz, soul, then gradually move into funk, disco, and house as the evening deepens. The room stays cozy even when the music shifts.
This works when you want atmosphere without formality.
Address: Şehbender Sk. No:5, Kat 6, Asmalımescit, Beyoğlu
Octo Restaurant
Octo sits on the top floor of the JW Marriott Bosphorus and leans Mediterranean with a strong seafood focus. The menu feels international but grounded, with careful attention to technique.
Sea bass, octopus, seasonal vegetables, and clean plating dominate the menu. The wine list is well thought out, and the service stays smooth without hovering. Views stretch across the Golden Horn and Bosphorus.
Our take: Refined but not stiff. Ideal for a long dinner when you want the city lights as part of the experience.
Address: Kemankeş Caddesi No:49, JW Marriott Istanbul Bosphorus, Karaköy
Moise Karaköy Restaurant
Moise sits on a rooftop above Galata, and sunset is its moment. Views stretch across the Historical Peninsula, and the mood shifts as the sky darkens.
The menu leans into meze and ocakbaşı-style grilling. Smoky flavors, generous plates, and a pace that encourages sharing. It works just as well for drinks as it does for a full dinner.
Our take: Come around sunset if you can. Start with meze, move slowly into grilled dishes, and let the city lights do the rest. Easy to enjoy, hard to rush.
Address: Bereketzade Mah., Felek Sokak No:2, Beyoğlu
360Istanbul Restaurant & Bar – in Istiklal Street
360Istanbul sits above Istiklal in a 19th century building and uses its position well. You don’t just get a view. You get context. Old rooftops, distant water, and the slow movement of Beyoğlu below.
The menu blends modern Turkish meze with international dishes without overcomplicating things. Lunch is calm. Dinner stretches. Later in the evening, the space shifts toward bar energy, especially on weekends. This is a good choice when you want one place to carry the whole night.
Arrive before sunset if you can. The city does half the work for you.
Address: İstiklal Cd., Mısır Apt. No:163/8, Beyoğlu
Spago Restaurant & Bar – in Nisantasi
Spago feels composed from the moment you arrive. Set above Maçka Park at The St. Regis, it looks out toward the Bosphorus without making a spectacle of it.
This rooftop leans polished. Signature cocktails. A strong wine list. Lounge seating that encourages you to slow down. It’s also one of those places where you might spot familiar faces from Istanbul’s fashion and art circles.
It’s not casual, and it doesn’t try to be. Best saved for special nights or when the view is part of the plan.
Address: The St. Regis Istanbul, Mim Kemal Öke Cd. No:35, Nişantaşı
Mesai Bar – in Beyoglu
Mesai Bar sits quietly on top of The Galata Istanbul Hotel and looks straight toward the Golden Horn and the historic peninsula.
This is a lighter, calmer rooftop. Cocktails are easy. Snacks are simple. The view carries the evening rather than the menu. It works well as a pause between dinner and whatever comes next, or as a low-key end to a long day.
Not loud. Not rushed. Just steady.
Address: Arap Camii Mah., Bankalar Cd. No:21, Beyoğlu
16Roof Swisshotel Restaurant & Bar – in Besiktas
16Roof takes its setting seriously. High above the Bosphorus, with a wide terrace and a DJ-led atmosphere, it blends dining and nightlife without forcing either.
Evenings start with food and conversation. As the night moves on, the mood lifts. Shisha, Turkish coffee, cocktails, and music carry the experience forward. This is a place where people arrive dressed and expect to stay a while.
Good for celebrations or nights when energy matters as much as the view.
Address: Vişnezade Mah., Acısu Sk. No:19, Maçka, Beşiktaş
Mikla Restaurant & Bar, Beyoğlu
Mikla sits at the top of The Marmara Pera and feels deliberate in every sense. The food leads here.
Chef Mehmet Gürs’ New Anatolian Kitchen treats local ingredients with respect, then rethinks them through modern technique. The view is wide and dramatic, but it never distracts from the plate. Music stays subtle. Service stays measured.
This is a destination rather than a stop. Book ahead and give the evening the time it deserves.
Address: The Marmara Pera, Meşrutiyet Cd. No:15, Beyoğlu
Backyard Restaurant & Bar – in Bebek, Besiktas
Backyard sits inside the gardens of the old French Orphanage, between Arnavutköy and Etiler, and feels like a pause from the city.
Mornings belong to brunch. Afternoons stay relaxed. Evenings move toward aperitivo, cocktails, and DJs at the Backbar. The garden setting and Bebek Bay view soften everything.
It’s one of those places where time slips quietly.
Address: Bebek Mah., Bebeköy Sk. No:4, Bebek
Pera Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
Pera Bar balances old Beyoğlu texture with a relaxed, social mood. It’s warmer than flashy. Easier to talk. Easier to stay longer than planned.
Groups tend to spread out here. Live music adds energy without overwhelming the room. This works well if you want movement but still want to hear each other.
Katip Mustafa Çelebi Mah., Billurcu Sk. No:14, Beyoğlu
Quick-pick guide by rooftop mood
Rooftops hit differently depending on timing and intent. Pick the mood first. The place usually becomes obvious.
You want sunset and a slow start
Choose rooftops that shine before dark. 360Istanbul and La Boom–style open terraces work best when the city is still visible and conversations matter. Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset. Order lightly. Let the view do the heavy lifting.
You want polished, special-occasion energy
Go refined and contained. Spago or Mikla suit anniversaries, celebrations, or nights when dinner is the anchor. Expect measured service, thoughtful menus, and a room that stays composed all evening. Book ahead and give it time.
You want calm drinks with a historic view
Pick quieter rooftops where the skyline frames the night. Mesai Bar is ideal when you want cocktails, space, and a view without noise. This works well midweek or as a soft landing after a long day.
You want dinner that turns into nightlife
Choose rooftops that transition naturally. 360Istanbul and 16Roof Swissôtel start with food and end with music. Dress with intention, arrive early, and stay put. No hopping required.
You want music and movement later
Lean toward rooftops that lift after dark. 16Roof brings DJs and momentum. Balkon shifts from jazz and soul into funk and house as the night deepens. These suit friends and longer evenings.
You want a garden feel over height
Skip the skyline and choose atmosphere. Backyard offers greenery, aperitivo vibes, and DJs without the rush. Great for afternoons that drift into night.
Istanbeautiful Team shortcut:
“Rooftops are about timing. Match the mood to the hour, not the hype.”