Istanbul

Three years after opening his modern Turkish bistro, chef Civan Er remains at the top of the game with Anatolian-inspired dishes like dried eggplant-stuffed manti and green beans cloaked in yogurt. — Travel + Leisure

Mikla provides a magnificent dining experience – if you can get a reservation. — DK Eyewitness

It seems as if Vogue has been around for almost as long as the Republic. In fact, this sophisticated bar-restaurant in an office block in Beşiktas opened just over a decade ago. — Lonely Planet

A cut above the usual kebab shop, this attractive restaurant offers dishes from the southern regions of Gaziantep and Antakya, including a reasonable number of vegetarian options. — DK Eyewitness

Inventive Asian fusion cuisine featuring jazzed-up versions of all the usual suspects – dim sum, tempura, wok-fried noodles – and throwing in a few surprises too. — Rough Guide

This popular dual-format venue is a bustling daytime spot offering a changing menu of reasonably priced vegetable and meat dishes from the Turkish kitchen and a classy meyhane at night. — Fodor's

Thirtysomething owner Batur Durmay speaks fluent English and guides diners through his extensive list of dishes. — Travel + Leisure

The highlights of the menu are meat stuffed grape leaves, ‘su böreği’, lamb ‘tandır’, ‘keşkek’ (a dish made of pounded meat and wheat), smashed aubergine and chocolate souffle. — Time Out

The restaurant, located conveniently in Üsküdar, has visitors from all around the city and is always busy at every hour with its decoration with blue tiles, never changing staff and unique tastes. — Time Out

The menu at Çok Çok is a discovery of modern Thai cuisine innovated by a culinary master whose resume includes personal chef for the Thai royal family. — Frommer's

Grab a seat in the garden of this Sultanahmet seafood restaurant. — Travel + Leisure

Serving authentic recipes sourced from ancient manuscripts like red mullet dolma, saffron ravioli, and lamb kulbasti, the restaurant is set among soaring marble columns. — Travel + Leisure

The ever-changing menu includes vegetarian versions of various Turkish dishes, and Western- style meals such as vegetarian lasagne and quiche. — Rough Guide

The classic meyhane food and quaint atmosphere here are well above average. — Fodor's

Turkish and foreign foodies flock to the "Çiya empire" – three restaurants on the same bustling street – for an ever-changing menu of dishes lovingly collected from all around Turkey. — DK Eyewitness

Only two main dishes: meatballs and lamb skewers...among the best meals you'll find in the city. — Travel + Leisure

Delicacies arrived in rapid succession: a tinglingly fresh salad of oregano leaves, confettied with red strips of tomato and green olives; a succulent dome of firik pilav. — New York Times

Sıdıka, on the other hand, serves delicious fish in a low-key, stylish environment. The mezze are wonderful, but the house specialties are grilled octopus (12TL) and the grilled bass in grape leaves (18TL). — Let's Go

This place evokes class with a capital ‘C’ – for credit-card danger. — Lonely Planet

This historic structure of a restaurant, with its giant columns and mesmerizing domed ceiling, provides an extraordinary ambience...the restaurants Ottoman inspired menu is an absolute treat. — Time Out