10 Right Istanbul Restaurants for a First Date
Ten restaurants that allow conversation, avoid unnecessary formality and make it easy to extend the evening over another drink. Selected across neighbourhoods and budgets, they balance warm lighting, comfortable tables, shareable menus and straightforward access.
How was this list selected?
Noise level, table comfort, shareability, service pressure, drinks and the ability to extend the date naturally were considered. On Friday and Saturday, request a quieter table when booking.
The order is based on current Choose Istanbul editorial judgement, not advertising or user-review scores.- Moda, Kadıköy
Dieci Moda
For a flexible Moda plan that can be a relaxed breakfast, a long lunch or a more polished dinner with wine and cocktails.
- What to eat or drink
- Fresh pasta, a stone-oven pizza and Diecimisu for the table.
- When to go
- Try a weekday late lunch or early dinner; Friday and Saturday run until 01:00, while the other days close at midnight.
- Tomtom, Beyoğlu
Giardin
Pizza, pasta and wine at an easy Italian table; a current, characterful stop when exploring Tomtom.
- What to eat or drink
- Pizza, pasta and wine at an easy Italian table
- When to go
- Close to sunset
- Bomonti, Şişli
Isola Bomonti
Choose it when you want a neighbourhood room that shifts from calm days to livelier evenings.
- What to eat or drink
- Pair a house-made pasta or pizza with a starter for the table.
- When to go
- Choose early evening for a calmer table or a weekend for the DJ programme.
- Bomonti, Şişli
The Ordinary Refettorio & Bar
Choose it when you want a refined yet relaxed garden room inside Now Bomonti.
- What to eat or drink
- Share a fresh pasta, a wood-fired plate and a seasonal starter.
- When to go
- It states daily 12:00–00:00 hours; reserve for a garden table.
- Asmalımescit, Beyoğlu
Bağ Pera Wine Bar
Wines by the glass, cheeses and small plates for a long conversation; a current, characterful stop when exploring Asmalımescit.
- What to eat or drink
- Wines by the glass, cheeses and small plates for a long conversation
- When to go
- From late afternoon
- Asmalımescit, Beyoğlu
Kontuar Pera
A compact seasonal menu with a considered bar list; a current, characterful stop when exploring Asmalımescit.
- What to eat or drink
- A compact seasonal menu with a considered bar list
- When to go
- Around 19:00, Tuesday to Saturday
- Barbaros, Ataşehir
Sensus Wine & Food Atasehir
To compare bottles from different Turkish producers, have an easy wine-friendly dinner or join a scheduled tasting.
- What to eat or drink
- Ask for guidance on a Turkish wine, then add a cheese starter and pizza or pasta for the table.
- When to go
- Reserve on event nights and confirm the programme on Instagram; open daily 10:00-00:00.
- Karaköy, Beyoğlu
Topside Bar
For a special sunset, a carefully made cocktail and a polished but easy meeting point in Karaköy, before or after Gallada.
- What to eat or drink
- Describe your flavour preference to the bar team, choose a signature cocktail and add one current Fatih Tutak bite to share.
- When to go
- Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunset. Reserve through the official page for Friday, Saturday or a view-facing table.
- Asmalımescit, Beyoğlu
Gaia Cocktail Bar
For a high-angle sunset, a pre-dinner drink in Pera or a view-led bar to continue the night.
- What to eat or drink
- Describe the flavours you enjoy and choose a signature cocktail, adding olives or a small bar snack for the table.
- When to go
- Book for 30-45 minutes before sunset. Closed Monday; open Tuesday-Sunday 18:00-01:00.
- Tomtom, Beyoğlu
Nicole
For Pera’s historic setting, the terrace panorama and a structured tasting experience in one evening.
- What to eat or drink
- Choose the long or short tasting menu; request vegetarian service when booking.
- When to go
- Arrive before 20:30 for the long menu or 21:00 for the short menu.
