Things to Do in Beşiktaş, Istanbul 2026
All 32 places within Beşiktaş. Every location has been individually verified; ratings are shown separately as our editorial score and the Google score.
32 places
Bread & Burger - Bebek
On Manolya Street in Bebek, one of Istanbul's highest-rated burger joints with a 4.8 Google score. A small but ambitious spot that invests in its bread and beef quality.
Sankai by Nagaya
A Michelin-starred restaurant on the Bosphorus interpreting traditional Japanese kaiseki cuisine with meticulous presentation.
Arkestra
A Michelin-starred restaurant known for a fusion tasting menu that brings together different culinary cultures.
Büyük Mecidiye Mosque / Ortaköy Mosque
The common name for the Büyük Mecidiye Mosque, built in neo-baroque style in 1856 right beside the Bosphorus Bridge.
Dolmabahçe Palace
Completed in 1856, this Bosphorus-side palace reflects the Ottoman Empire's era of Westernization.
Sunset Grill & Bar
On Ulus hill, serving modern Mediterranean cuisine against a breathtaking Bosphorus view — a long-time Istanbul favorite; in the Michelin Guide.
Emporio Ristorante Akaretler
Set in one of Akaretler's elegant row houses, this table carries the spirit of Italy with surprising fidelity — the burrata and homemade pastas, paired with an extensive wine list, turn into a full ritual of pleasure. Best visited during happy hour with the aperitivo menu.
İzmirli Söğüş
Made with 55 years of craft, this İzmir-style söğüş is one of the few places in Istanbul serving it with this much care — the head-meat söğüş is a must, fresh and unpretentiously prepared. An unexpected find on a quiet Türkali street.
16 Roof Bar & Restaurant (Swissôtel The Bosphorus)
Sitting on the 16th floor of Swissôtel The Bosphorus, this terrace pairs a postcard-perfect Bosphorus view with nightly DJ sets starting at 7pm. Open May through October, it blends modern Mediterranean dining with a proper nightlife edge.
Otuzyedi
Housed in a two-story historic Arnavutköy mansion on Arnavutköy Deresi Sokak, Otuzyedi splits the night in two: live music downstairs, DJ sets upstairs.
Arnavutköy
A historic Bosphorus district between Ortaköy and Bebek, lined along the shore with 19th-century wooden Greek and Ottoman waterfront mansions.
Yıldız Park
A vast, wooded Ottoman-era park that was once the hunting and strolling garden of Yıldız Palace, home to the Malta and Çadır Pavilions.
Karadeniz Pide ve Döner Salonu (Asım Usta)
Right in the heart of Beşiktaş Çarşı, arguably one of Turkey's most talked-about döner spots. Those who brave the queue are rewarded with tightly-textured, perfectly cooked döner.
Sortie İstanbul
Perched on the Bosphorus shore in Kuruçeşme, Sortie is one of Istanbul's most prestigious nightlife destinations. Combining live music, DJ sets and refined dining with a Bosphorus-front setting, it's a summer-season staple where a table without a reservation is nearly impossible to find.
Vogue Restaurant & Bar
Perched on the 13th floor of BJK Plaza, Vogue is one of Istanbul's iconic rooftop spots, prized for its minimalist design and sweeping Bosphorus views.
Nite İstanbul
On Ortaköy's Dereboyu strip, a restaurant-and-nightlife venue that runs late.
Zorlu PSM
Opened in 2013, a multi-hall complex that is Turkey's largest private performing arts and concert venue.
Bebek Badem Ezmesi
Producing the same marzipan recipe on the Bebek waterfront since 1904, Istanbul's most famous marzipan and candy shop.
Akali
A chain upholding its 'boutique burger' claim since 2014, aiming to rise above the industrial standard through traceable sourcing and centralized production. With beer on the menu, it also works well for an evening break.
Özen Kokoreç
Open into the small hours, this corner is a lifesaver for Ortaköy's late-night cravers — the classic kokoreç wrap here has that perfect crispy-intestine, balanced-fat combination. The fried mussels are worth the wait too.
Beşiktaş Çarşı
Wedged between the Bosphorus, Abbasağa Park and Barbaros Boulevard, Beşiktaş Çarşı is one of Istanbul's densest student and youth bar districts. The affordable bars lining the narrow streets around Ortabahçe Caddesi fill with match-night fervor and weekday university crowds alike.
Ulus 29 / 29 İstanbul
Perched on the hillside inside Ulus Park with a commanding Bosphorus view since 1983, Ulus 29 is a Michelin Guide-recommended institution. Modern Turkish cuisine with Mediterranean touches gives way to live music and a dance floor as the night wears on.
The Tempest Social House
Tucked on Mısırlı Bahçe Sokak near Akaretler, The Tempest Social House is one of Beşiktaş's newer-generation cocktail bars, known for its energetic vibe and inventive drinks menu.
No 24 Pub Beşiktaş
Sitting on Alaybeyi Sokak in Sinanpaşa, No 24 Pub is a long-running Beşiktaş favorite for affordable beer, hearty pub food, and a relaxed gastropub feel.
Upperdeck American Diner
A classic American diner concept in Beşiktaş's Sinanpaşa area, known for its signature Oklahoma Smash Burger alongside mac 'n cheese, waffles and milkshakes.
Coq Rôti
A rotisserie chicken spot in Beşiktaş's Sinanpaşa quarter, run by chef Umur Soylu. The chicken is brined for a day, air-dried for at least 36 hours, then charcoal-roasted and served with Portuguese-inspired crispy potatoes and salads.
Lades Kokoreç
Serving in the same spot in Beşiktaş's market for decades, one of Istanbul's most famous kokoreç and şalgam stops.
Zeffirino Istanbul
The Istanbul outpost of the Genoa-born Zeffirino, serving classic Italian cuisine by the Bosphorus.
1991 Tarihi Ortaköy Kumpircisi
A fixture on the Ortaköy waterfront since 1991 — a mountain of toppings over crushed potato, the sausage-corn-cheese classic still made with old-school skill. The most laid-back snack to pair with a Bosphorus view.
Oligark İstanbul
A sprawling 5,000-square-meter Bosphorus-front entertainment complex, Oligark runs as a Wine & Dine restaurant by day and turns into one of Istanbul's largest nightclubs after 11pm, complete with a beach bar, lounge bar, and VIP booths. Smart dress code and reservations are essentially mandatory.
Korto İstanbul
Originally from Alaçatı, Korto brings its sushi-focused menu to Kuruçeşme, split into two experiences: Korto Live and the Bosphorus-view Korto Roof. Live concerts and signature cocktails keep the night going late.
Goose No.25
On the Kuruçeşme waterfront, Goose No.25 moves guests through three distinct moods — an Italian-inspired entrance, a Berlin-style bar, and a terracotta Marrakech-toned garden — coming alive with live music and DJ sets on select nights.