Sushi in Istanbul isn’t one thing. It splits quickly. Some places focus on volume. Buffets. Fast rolls. Predictable plates. Others slow everything down and build the meal piece by piece, usually at a counter, usually led by the chef. Then there are hotel dining rooms where sushi shares the stage with views, wine lists, and long evenings.
That range is what confuses first-time visitors. People often ask the wrong question. “Where is the best sushi?” isn’t useful on its own. The better question is how you want to eat. Sit at a counter and let someone guide you? Grab reliable rolls in a relaxed setting? Dress up and make a night of it?
Our guide sorts that out.
We’ve picked sushi restaurants in Istanbul that are clear about what they do. Omakase spots that commit fully. Sushi bars that locals return to. Upscale rooms where sushi fits into a bigger dinner plan.
No guessing. No filler. Just places that deliver what they promise, so you can choose the one that fits your night.
Our Picks of the Best Sushi Restaurants in Istanbul
Istanbul’s sushi scene is broad. Buffets exist. Serious counters exist. Hotel dining rooms do their own version. The key is knowing what kind of sushi night you want before you sit down.
These are places that deliver on what they promise.
Inari Omakase Restaurant – in Kuruçeşme, Besiktas
Inari is about structure and focus. You don’t browse a menu here. You sit at the counter and let the chef lead.
This is a proper omakase experience. Seasonal fish. Clean cuts. Measured pacing. Nigiri and sashimi take priority, with a few modern touches layered in carefully.
The room is quiet and controlled. Seating is limited. Sake and Japanese-style cocktails support the meal rather than compete with it.
We recommend Inari when sushi is the main reason for the evening, not an add-on.
No Regrets Booking Advice
Address: Kuruçeşme Cd. No:11, Beşiktaş
AQUA Restaurant in Besiktas
AQUA sits inside the Four Seasons Hotel on the Bosphorus. The setting does a lot of the work. Calm room. Waterfront tables. Formal service.
Sushi is part of a wider seafood menu here. Sashimi platters are clean and precise. Fish quality is consistently high. This is not a sushi counter experience. It’s hotel dining with Japanese influence.
We suggest AQUA when atmosphere and service matter as much as what’s on the plate.
Address: Çırağan Cd. No:28, Beşiktaş
Nobu Restaurant – in Sisli
Nobu delivers exactly what people expect. Controlled luxury. Recognizable dishes. Consistent execution.
The menu blends Japanese technique with Peruvian flavors. Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail Jalapeño anchor the experience. Sushi is refined rather than experimental.
This is a special-occasion restaurant. You come for the brand, the service, and the polished feel.
Address: Süzer Plaza, Askerocağı Cd. No:6, Şişli
Sunset Grill & Bar – in Ulus, Besiktas
Sunset is known for its view first, food second. Still, the sushi bar holds up.
Sushi and sashimi are prepared cleanly and served alongside a large international menu. This is not a quiet sushi night. It’s social, dressed-up, and busy after dark.
We recommend Sunset when sushi is part of a long evening rather than the sole focus.
Address: Yol Sok. No:2, Ulus, Beşiktaş
Zuma Restaurant – in Istinye, Sariyer
Zuma brings izakaya-style dining to Istanbul. Plates are meant to be shared. The room stays energetic.
Sushi quality is high. Robata grill dishes complement the raw options well. Service moves quickly and confidently.
Zuma works best for groups and nights that stretch late.
Address: İstinye Park No:461, Sarıyer
Udonya Japanese Restaurant in Beyoğlu
Udonya is easy and comforting. It sits inside a hotel near Taksim and attracts regulars.
Sushi is reliable. Ramen and udon bowls are the main draw. Broths are rich. Portions satisfy.
This is a good choice when you want familiar Japanese flavors without ceremony.
Address: Topçu Cd., Taksim, Beyoğlu
Ioki Restaurant in Istinye, Ulus & Kandilli
Ioki balances traditional sushi with modern interpretations. The menu is broad. Rolls, sashimi, robata dishes all coexist.
Fish quality is consistent across branches. Truffle tuna and miso-glazed black cod are popular orders.
This is a reliable mid-to-high range sushi option across the city.
Ulus, Kandilli, İstinye
Miyabi Sushi & Japanese Grill Bar in Beşiktaş
Miyabi sits on a quieter street in Beşiktaş and feels neighborhood-focused. The garden is a plus when the weather allows.
The menu covers sushi, grilled items, and warm dishes. Fish is fresh. Prices stay reasonable.
We like Miyabi for relaxed sushi nights without noise or pressure.
Sushi in Istanbul
Sushi in Istanbul isn’t about copying Tokyo. It’s about adaptation.
The city didn’t grow up with raw fish culture, so sushi here evolved differently. Some places lean precise and traditional. Others mix Japanese technique with local expectations. Portions run slightly bigger. Menus are broader. The experience often matters as much as the fish.
That’s why sushi in Istanbul can feel inconsistent if you walk in blind.
Some restaurants focus on speed and familiarity. Others slow everything down and treat sushi as a guided meal. Knowing which one you’re walking into makes all the difference.
If you’re asking where to eat sushi in Istanbul, location helps narrow it down.
Where sushi works best in the city
Nişantaşı attracts more formal sushi restaurants. Expect polished rooms, higher prices, and careful presentation.
Beyoğlu offers range. Casual spots sit next to hotel dining rooms. Good for flexible plans and mixed groups.
Kadıköy feels relaxed and experimental. Sushi bars here attract locals who eat out often and don’t want ceremony.
Beşiktaş balances both worlds. You’ll find neighborhood sushi places alongside high-end counters and hotel restaurants.
Sushi dishes that usually deliver
You don’t need to order creatively to eat well.
Salmon nigiri is a good baseline. It shows fish quality and rice balance quickly.
Spicy tuna rolls tend to be reliable across most kitchens.
Dragon rolls work well if you like richer flavors.
Philadelphia rolls appeal to those easing into sushi.
Sashimi platters are best ordered only at places that clearly focus on fish quality.
Istanbeautiful Team tip:
“In Istanbul, judge a sushi place by its rice before its rolls. If the rice is right, the rest usually follows.”
Start simple. Adjust from there.