Seafood in Istanbul isn’t about menus. It’s about timing, sourcing, and restraint. The city sits between two seas, but not every fish restaurant gets it right. Some places rely on views. Others lean on reputation. The ones worth visiting do something simpler. They cook what’s fresh, when it’s fresh, and don’t interfere too much.
That’s where visitors often struggle. Istanbul has hundreds of seafood restaurants spread along the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, and both coasts of the city. Many look similar from the outside. Prices vary widely. Quality doesn’t always follow.
Our guide focuses on restaurants that consistently respect the basics. Fish that hasn’t been overhandled. Mezes that make sense for the season. Service that understands when to step back.
Whether you want a casual table in Moda, a classic fish house in Tarabya, or a long dinner by the Bosphorus, these are places that reward the choice
Our Picks of the Best Seafood Restaurants in Istanbul
Seafood in Istanbul changes by neighborhood. Some places cook for views. Others cook for locals who know exactly what’s in season. The good restaurants respect timing, sourcing, and simplicity. Fish doesn’t need much help here. It just needs to be treated properly.
These are places that do that consistently.
Fenz Istanbul – in Istinye, Sariyer
€€ · Seafood, Mediterranean, Asian
Fenz sits inside İstinye Marina and leans modern. The room is stylish. The crowd dresses up. Views matter.
The menu blends Mediterranean seafood with light Asian touches. Fish stays clean and balanced. Seasoning never overwhelms. Sushi appears, but this is not a sushi restaurant. Grilled seafood and composed plates lead the experience.
The rooftop bar works well before or after dinner. This is a place for evenings that stretch. Good choice when you want seafood with atmosphere.
Address: İstinye Cd. 12-1 A, Sarıyer
No Regrets Booking Advice
Calipso Restaurant – in Kucukyali, Maltepe
€€ · Seafood
Calipso has been doing seafood on the Asian side for decades. It doesn’t chase trends. The menu follows Aegean logic. Fresh fish. Strong mezes. Hot starters that arrive fast. Portions satisfy without excess.
This is a place locals return to. Service is experienced. Prices stay reasonable for the quality.
We like Calipso for straightforward seafood done properly.
Address: Küçükyalı Sahil, Cumhuriyet Cd. No:2, Maltepe
AQUA Restaurant in Besiktas
€€€€ · Seafood
AQUA sits inside the Four Seasons on the Bosphorus. Everything here is polished. The menu mixes seafood with sushi and Mediterranean plates. Fish quality is high. Presentation stays controlled. Service moves quietly.
This is a destination dinner. Romantic. Calm. Expensive. Choose AQUA when setting and service matter as much as the food.
Address: Çırağan Cd. No:28, Beşiktaş
Azur Restaurant – in Yenikoy, Sariyer
€€€ · Seafood
Azur brings a modern approach to seafood in Yeniköy. The room feels elegant without stiffness. The menu blends Turkish, Mediterranean, and South American influences. Ceviche works well here. Grilled fish stays precise. Portions are thoughtful.
This is a good choice for celebrations or slow dinners with conversation.
Address: Köybaşı Cd. No:71, Yeniköy, Sarıyer
Balıkçı Kahraman in Rumelikavagi, Sariyer
€€€€ · Seafood
Balıkçı Kahraman is a classic. Family-run. Deeply respected. Fish arrives straight from the sea. Turbot is the signature. Cooked simply. Served confidently. The fish kokoreç is unusual and worth trying if available.
The setting feels calm and coastal. Service is warm. This is a place you go for fish first, not views.
Address: İskele Cd. No:15/1, Rumeli Kavağı, Sarıyer
Koço Restaurant – in Moda, Kadikoy
€ · Seafood
Koço has been feeding Moda for generations. It hasn’t changed much. That’s why it works. The menu follows Aegean tradition. Grilled octopus. Stuffed calamari. Salt-baked sea bass. Mezes are generous and familiar.
This is relaxed, affordable, and honest seafood. If you want to eat like a local in Kadıköy, start here.
Address: Moda Cd. No:171, Kadıköy
Kıyı Restaurant – in Tarabya, Sariyer
€€€ · Seafood
Kıyı has been around since the 1960s and still delivers. The marina view sets the tone. Fish is consistently fresh. Turbot, bluefish, and seasonal catches are handled carefully.
Service is old-school professional. Wine pairing matters. Kıyı works well for long lunches and formal dinners.
Address: Haydar Aliyev Cd. No:186/A, Tarabya, Sarıyer
Park Fora Restaurant – in Kurucesme, Besiktas
€€€€ · Seafood
Park Fora is one of Istanbul’s most established seafood restaurants. It knows its role. The menu is extensive. Daily fish. Premium shellfish. Classic mezes. Everything arrives with confidence.
The terrace looks straight onto the Bosphorus. Service is highly experienced. This is a special-occasion restaurant. Prices reflect that.
Address: Muallim Naci Cd. No:54/A, Kuruçeşme, Beşiktaş
Rumelihisari Iskele Restaurant – in Rumelihisari, Sariyer
€€ · Seafood
Rumelihisarı İskele sits right on the water and feels timeless. Fish is fresh. Mezes stay traditional. Grilled sea bass is a safe order. Lakerda is worth trying.
The atmosphere works for both families and couples. Sunset views help. This is reliable seafood in a beautiful location.
Address: Yahya Kemal Cd. No:1, Rumelihisarı, Sarıyer
About Seafood in Istanbul
Seafood in Istanbul isn’t a trend. It’s habit. The city sits between the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Black Sea routes. Fish has always been part of daily life here, not something saved for special occasions. What changes is what people eat and when.
Season matters more than menus. In autumn, you’ll hear people talk about lüfer like it’s a short-lived event. In winter, anchovies take over tables. Spring brings lighter fish and cold mezes. Summer leans toward grilling and long evenings by the water.
Some fish show up again and again for a reason. Lüfer (bluefish) is prized and usually grilled simply. Levrek (sea bass) and çipura (sea bream) are reliable year-round choices, often cooked whole.
Hamsi (anchovies) come from the Black Sea and are treated with respect when they’re in season. Palamut (bonito) appears in the fall and disappears just as quickly.
Seafood here isn’t just fish on a plate. It’s also street food and shared dishes. Balık ekmek near Eminönü. Midye dolma eaten standing on a sidewalk. Kalamar tava and karides güveç ordered “just one” and followed by another.
Meals usually start with mezes. Lakerda, tarama, smoked eggplant. Not too many. Just enough to set the table.
Istanbeautiful Team tip:
“If a place talks about season before price, you’re usually in good hands.”
Where to Eat Fish in Istanbul
Where you eat fish in Istanbul shapes the experience as much as what you order.
Along the Bosphorus, restaurants focus on long meals. Tables face the water. Fish arrives whole. Service moves slowly on purpose. Areas like Tarabya, Yeniköy, Kuruçeşme, and Rumelihisarı are built for this kind of dining. You come for grilled fish, classic mezes, and time.
On the Asian side, especially Moda and Kadıköy, seafood feels more everyday. Prices are gentler. Rooms are casual. Places like Koço exist for regulars, not occasions. You eat well and leave without ceremony.
Karaköy and Beyoğlu sit somewhere in between. Traditional fish houses mix with modern kitchens. You’ll find both meyhane-style tables and contemporary seafood menus within a few streets.
Then there’s the street level. Eminönü for balık ekmek. Beşiktaş for quick fish sandwiches and fried seafood. These aren’t lesser experiences. They’re part of how the city eats.
If you’re choosing between places, ask yourself one thing first. Do you want a meal that stretches, or something quick and satisfying?
Istanbeautiful Team tip:
“For your first seafood meal in Istanbul, eat by the water. For your second, eat where locals eat after work.”
Both count.