İstanbul’s centuries-old, rich, multicultural cuisine displays diverse traditions in various locations today. Some restaurants reunite people with the palace cuisine, some reinterpret familiar flavors with a chef’s touch; some try to serve the dishes everyone likes in a usual way, and some recreate familiar dishes from scratch. Frankly, there is room for everyone in this great metropolis.

In almost every country, the capital city evokes images of “refined cuisine” due to its association with palaces and aristocracy. In Türkiye, the spotlight naturally falls on the “old capital,” Istanbul. First established as the capital by Emperor Constantine, Istanbul has maintained this prestigious status for centuries.

Front-of-house teams are made up of professionals who can elevate a dining experience to a whole new level. The team at Restaurant Tuğra in Istanbul, headed up by Ismail Kahveci, is a case in point… and recipient of our Service Award. This article is supported by Mastercard, official partner of the MICHELIN Guide Istanbul, Izmir & Bodrum.

All your questions answered by a MICHELIN Guide Inspector.

Imagine a city where fish has played an important role in its gastronomy since ancient times with fish patterns on its coins and different fish dishes: there, this is Istanbul.

Discover more about our award for good quality, good value cooking

As with all great inventions that have changed the course of history, the MICHELIN Guide didn't start out as the iconic dining guide it is today esteemed to be. In fact, its roots were far more humble : the little red guidebook was originally conceived simply to encourage more motorists to take to the road.