10 Genuinely Good Istanbul Restaurants for Vegetarians
Ten restaurants where vegetarian food is treated as part of the kitchen rather than an afterthought. Not every address is fully vegetarian, but each can build compelling plates from vegetables, grains and seasonal produce and take special-menu requests seriously.
How was this list selected?
Current vegetarian range, vegetable-led cooking, flexibility for special menus and the complete dining experience shaped the selection. Confirm vegan requirements and allergens when booking.
The order is based on current Choose Istanbul editorial judgement, not advertising or user-review scores.- Karaköy, Beyoğlu
Neolokal
To understand not only how a dish tastes, but also which culinary tradition it helps preserve.
- What to eat or drink
- The seasonal tasting menu, available in a vegetarian version, with Turkish wine pairing.
- When to go
- Reserve dinner early and leave time for the wine pairing.
- Tepebaşı, Beyoğlu
Mikla
To experience the New Anatolian approach together with a sweeping city view.
- What to eat or drink
- Choose the three-course prix fixe or seven-course tasting; a vegan tasting is available.
- When to go
- Arrive before sunset; the final food order is at 21:30.
- 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.
- Ulupelit, Şile
Casa Lavanda
To leave central Istanbul and combine the garden, the farm and a long meal in one trip.
- What to eat or drink
- Garden produce, daily fish from the Şile coast and seasonal house-made pasta.
- When to go
- Go for weekend lunch to see the garden in daylight, and book ahead.
- Teşvikiye, Şişli
Rawsters Topağacı
Choose it when you want a garden or outdoor table.
- What to eat or drink
- Start with Iced Matcha Latte, Belçika Çikolatalı Kruvasan, Hindi Füme & Cheddar Kruvasan Sandviç.
- When to go
- Walk-ins work; choose an earlier hour for a calmer table and check current opening hours before setting out.
- Bomonti, Şişli
Casa Cooklife
Choose it when you want a calm, work-friendly Japandi space with a library.
- What to eat or drink
- Follow a seasonal bowl or brunch plate with coffee and dessert.
- When to go
- Go on a weekday for work or meetings, or at the weekend for a longer brunch.
- Teşvikiye, Şişli
Avokado Bar
Choose it when you want an easy table to add to a Nişantaşı walk.
- What to eat or drink
- Start with Avocado & Egg Tartine, Hungry Açık Tost, Avokado Ezmeli Nohut Köftesi Tabağı.
- When to go
- Walk-ins work; choose an earlier hour for a calmer table and check current opening hours before setting out.
- Gümüşsuyu, Beyoğlu
BİZ Istanbul
To combine a Taksim arts itinerary, a broad Istanbul panorama and a kitchen focused on the city's culinary heritage in one stop.
- What to eat or drink
- Seasonal Istanbul recipes, the day's fish, vegetable plates and meze for sharing.
- When to go
- Arrive before sunset for the terrace light; it opens daily from 12:00 to 01:00 and dinner reservations are recommended.
- Suadiye, Kadıköy
Strada
For a mixed-preference table, an unhurried meal that can roll into the evening, and cocktails without changing venues.
- What to eat or drink
- The signature crispy duck, a seasonal starter and either a classic or more adventurous cocktail chosen to your taste.
- When to go
- Reserve for evenings and Friday or Saturday. Hours are 12:00-00:00 Sunday-Thursday and 12:00-01:00 Friday-Saturday; confirm any seasonal brunch programme before going.
- 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.
