10 Best Rooftop Bars In Istanbul, Turkey

rooftop bars in istanbul
Elmo
Elmo 
Updated
| 5 min read

Istanbul, the capital city of Turkey, holds many stories for each of its visitors – from its intriguing history and fascinating culture to its adorable four-legged residents that seem to be taking over the city. When you visit Istanbul, it’s hard to look away from its culinary scene and its coffee. The long heritage of the culinary culture in Istanbul is a particular blessing for the nation and you can find delectable cuisine on every corner of every street, from humble street food vendors to world-class restaurants, including its rooftop bars. Imagine that you’re sitting outdoors, feeling the balmy weather of Istanbul and admiring the exciting and busy activities below you, while enjoying an exotic menu that melts in your mouth. If this image is something you’re looking for, keep reading to find out the best rooftop bars in Istanbul, Turkey.

1. Istanbul

360 Istanbul"un Salı Sürprizi " Miso Somon " : #çünkübizyemekiçinyaşayanlarız #yourworldis360 #instaturk #food...

Posted by 360 Istanbul on Tuesday, 27 November 2018

The name says it all – this is the rooftop bar where you can get a 360-degree view of Istanbul from above. But, the panorama is not the only thing you can admire here – the friendly staff and service are also something to be appreciated.

Located in the penthouse of a 19th-century apartment, 360 Istanbul holds four core elements in delivering service to their customers – cuisine, entertainment, vibe, and ambience. These four elements can be seen in everything from the way they present their menu to the way they maintain a positive atmosphere that will bring excitement to everyone who visits. This is what makes them popular among locals and tourists and it has even brought them many awards to be proud of.

360 Istanbul

Address: Istiklal Street Misir Apt. No: 163 / 8 Beyoglu, Istanbul

Website: 360 Istanbul

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 12pm - 2am; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 4am

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2. Terrace at Georges Hotel Galata

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Rooftop terrace with an outstanding seaview GEORGES’ rooftop impressive seaview stretches from the first Istanbul...

Posted by GEORGES HOTEL GALATA on Thursday, September 17, 2020

After a long day of exploring the city of Istanbul, come over to Terrace at Georges Hotel Galata and unwind while being surrounded by gorgeous contemporary design. Their French-inspired menu is ready to fill you with bliss before you close the night with a magnificent night view of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn and a glass of wine, champagne, or even one of their signature cocktails.

If you’re looking for a beautiful place to have a Turkish-style breakfast, you can also drop by the Terrace and indulge in the traditional flavours with recipes from generations gone by, made using local produce and ingredients.

Terrace at Georges Hotel Galata

Address: Serdar-ı Ekrem Caddesi No:24 Galata Beyoğlu, Istanbul

Website: Terrace at Georges Hotel Galata

Opening hours: 8am - 2am (daily)

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3. Leb-i-derya


A rooftop bar that serves traditional Turkish cuisine, surrounded by the sea, Leb-i-derya is the place that you need to have on your itinerary when you visit Istanbul. Leb-i-derya is located in the heart of the city, which allows you to see the many faces of Istanbul.

The place consists of three levels, each one with its own unique characteristics. At the top, the Captain’s Quarters might be not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s the floor with the strongest personality and the service is brilliant. One level below is the dining hall, where you can absorb a full vista of Istanbul, one which might be even better if you visit near sunset. Have a nice evening drink with your travelling companion at the Pocket Meyhane on the lower level. You will be charmed by its ambience and menu.

Leb-i-derya

Address: Şahkulu Mah, Kumbaracı Ykş. No:57 Tünel/Beyoğlu, İstanbul

Website: Leb-i-derya

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 4pm - 2am; Sat - Sun: 2pm - 2am

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4. Kat Restaurant

Keyifli bir Eylül akşamı başlıyor:))) • #5katrestaurant #5katrestaurantcihangir #restaurant #terrace #view #romantic ...

Posted by 5. Kat Restaurant Bar on Sunday, 1 September 2019

This restaurant is known as a hidden gem in Istanbul since it’s located quite far away from the busy area of the city. But don’t let its location fool you, since 5. Kat serves some of the best food in the Mediterranean and it’s famous among locals and tourists. With a name that’s inspired by the floor its located on, in Istanbul’s oldest civilian cultural centre, Bilsak, 5. Kat was founded by a local actress/director, Yasemin Alkaya, who’s highly passionate about art. This is reflected in the way she decorates the place and also in the presentation of the food.

5. Kat Restaurant

Address: 3 Soğancı Sokak, Cihangir, Istanbul

Website: 5. Kat Restaurant

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 5pm - 2am; Sat - Sun: 10am - 2am

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Istanbul Tour Guide

Safiye Kaban

Safiye Kaban

Hi there, this is Safiye from istanbul. I am a professional licensed tour guide and travel expert over 12 years. I have guided thousands of travellers from all around the world. I love meeting with new people, making new friends and building bridges. I orgnize cultural, historical, shopping and food tours to small groups, I mostly guide to private tours. I am also a foodie, I love discovering new restaurants and tasty stops of the city. I am here to guide you and share all my knowledge with you.

Istanbul Tour Guide

Dilek Orubegarcia

Dilek Orubegarcia

My name is Dilek, a national-licensed tour guide. I am 40 years old and have been guiding for 12 years. My husband is from Mexico as a Mexican Turkish family and with our two young kids we live in Istanbul. When I don't work I spend most of my time outdoor with my family, enjoying Istanbul as much as we can. We go out, try to discover new restaurants, new museums, art galleries, children's activities. I am qualified in the knowledge of Turkish history, mythology, archaeology, history of religion, and history of art. I speak English and Spanish. Following my university graduation, I lived in England for 5 years where I continued my education studying Travel and Tourism at Greenwich School of Management. After I lived a short time in Guatemala, Cuba to learn Spanish. On my tour I would like to show you architectural styles, historical fun facts, famous historical monuments, tell you about the people's life in Istanbul, how we spend our days, where do people go to eat, what we eat, where we shop, what we listen, the best places to eat, drink and party. As your local guide, I am flexible to your wishes and needs. Making it interesting and enjoyable for you is my wish. With all of my years of experience in the travel industry, I hope to help you make the most of your time in beautiful Istanbul by taking a tour with me. I very much look forward to meeting you all!

Istanbul Tour Guide

Rose TheGuide

Rose The Guide

Professional Tour / Travel Guide and Photographer Certified by Turkish Republic Ministry of Culture and Tourism. I am a knowledgeable and motivated individual with years of experience in organizing group tours in several areas; have the ability to motivate different sets of audience; have the ability to communicate effectively and possess high degree of energy and enthusiasm.

Istanbul Tour Guide

Guide Hamide

Guide Hamide

Hello, everyone! I'm Hamide, a professional tour guide in Istanbul. I studied archeology, mithology, history of art, anatolia, and religions. After my bachelors' degree graduation, I started to work in Cappadocia for 4 years. I came and settled in Istanbul when I realised that Istanbul has a very deep history, a unique multiple culture and stunning geography! I still keep experiencing new tastes and much deeper traditions as a lifetime learner in Istanbul! I'm just looking for fellow travellers to collect more memories together!

Tours by Guide

Istanbul Tour Guide

Erol Savda

Erol Savda

born in istanbul, grew up in İstanbul ,live in İstanbul. During my childhood , i was hanging around tourist attractions of Istanbul to develop my English Language skills with tourists and this is how my want to be a tour guide had started 40 years ago. While i was studying to get a degree in English Language Teaching, i took further training to be a tour guide and here i am in the field since 1996.

5. Mikla Restaurant

View of the Golden Horn from The restaurant. #mikla #istanbul
Source: Photo by Flickr user TracyElaine used under CC BY 2.0

Reflecting the roots of the owner who was born to a Turkish father and a Finnish-Swedish mother, Mikla Restaurant got its name from the Old Norse word for Istanbul, Miklagard, which means the Great Town. The restaurant has a strong Scandinavian influence in its design, while the food praises the heritage of Turkish cuisine that’s been passed down for generations.

Enjoy this unique restaurant that seems to perfectly reflect the blended Asian and European background of Turkey, while having a view of the city as your background to admire.

Mikla Restaurant

Address: The Marmara Pera, Meşrutiyet Caddesi 15 34430, Beyoğlu, İstanbul

Website: Mikla Restaurant

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 6pm - 11:30pm

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6. Roof Terrace Bar (Swissotel The Bosphorus, Istanbul)

Seafood Ceviche, perfect dish for the summer season. It’s a fresh, healthy dish that everyone loves!

Posted by Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul on Wednesday, 24 July 2019

Enjoy a vibrant night at the 16 Roof Terrace Bar with your friends when travelling to Istanbul and create amazing stories to tell back home. Located in the Swissotel, this rooftop bar has four levels that you can choose from, depending on the experience you want to have. The higher the level, the more lively the atmosphere and the view is better and broader, too.

16 Roof Terrace Bar serves a variety of cuisine – the favourites are Asian and Mediterranean. If you’re looking for a fun and exciting time while having a night out in Istanbul, the fourth and top floor is ready to entertain you with their DJ sets and interesting drinks.

16 Roof Terrace Bar

Address: Visnezade Mah. Acisu Sok. No. 19 Macka, Besiktas Istanbul

Website: 16 Roof Terrace Bar

Opening hours: 5pm - 2am (daily, May - Oct)

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7. Vogue Restaurant & Bar

Farklı sunumları ve panoramik İstanbul manzarasıyla Vogue'da her an çok daha keyifli. #vogue #vogueistanbul #voguepeople

Posted by Vogue Restaurant&Bar on Wednesday, 22 February 2017

Dine in style at the Vogue Restaurant & Bar and experience one of the high-end restaurants of Istanbul that will serve you a gorgeous menu with a fantastic view of the Bosphorus. This is also the place to enjoy Japanese or European food with a cosy and relaxing atmosphere.

Even if you’re only dropping by for a nightcap, you will still have a wonderful time at the Vogue Restaurant & Bar. Their chief bartender is always exploring new combinations of cocktails that are sure to delight you. If you’re dropping by on a Sunday for brunch, you’re in for a treat, as they serve a range of classic breakfast items accompanied by equally delectable desserts.

Vogue Restaurant & Bar

Address: Süleyman Seba Caddesi, No:92 BJK Plaza, A Blok Kat:13, BEŞİKTAŞ, İSTANBUL

Website: Vogue Restaurant & Bar

Opening hours: 12pm - 1am (daily)

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8. Balkon Restaurant & Bar

Posted by Balkon Restaurant & Bar on Saturday, 26 September 2015

If you’re travelling to Istanbul with your family, then Balkon Restaurant & Bar is the right place for you and your group to have a nice meal while enjoying a fantastic view of Istanbul. This lovely place offers you a range of food from many cultures and you will never order the wrong thing here.

All dishes are amazing and come at a reasonable price. For those who drink, Balkon Restaurant & Bar also has an extensive array of alcoholic beverages that you can enjoy to wash your dinner down. People say that it is best to visit this spot near sunset, to get the best view of the night sky.

Balkon Restaurant & Bar

Address: Şehbender sk. No:5 Kat 6 Asmalı Mescid, Istanbul

Website: Balkon Restaurant & Bar

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 2am; Fri - Sat: 11am - 3:30pm

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9. Neolokal

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Enjoy local Turkish food in a modern, fine dining atmosphere at Neolokal. The team behind the menu holds their heritage and traditions highly and it shows in the way they design their dishes that have been known for generations in Turkey, but with a modern and stylish presentation. The staff also serve you with the renowned Turkish friendliness and they will make sure you’re having a great time while dining here.

If you book in advance, you can ask for a table near the window, so you can make your dining experience at Neolokal even more memorable with a magnificent view of Istanbul.

Neolokal

Address: SALT Galata, Bankalar Avenue, Karaköy 34420, İstanbul

Website: Neolokal

Opening hours: Thu - Sat: 6:30pm - 2am (closed on Sun & Mon)

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10. A'YA Rooftop Lounge


Located at the world-class Four Seasons Hotel, A'YA Rooftop Lounge will give you an authentic Istanbul experience, with the magnificent Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque in the background for you to admire. Your evening will be even better when accompanied by their extensive menu that ranges from traditional Turkish to European cuisine. All can be enjoyed along with your choice of local Turkish wine. Dining at the A'YA Rooftop Lounge might be the experience to close your holiday in Istanbul.

A'YA Rooftop Lounge

Address: Tevkifhane Sokak No: 1 | Sultanahmet, Four Seasons Hotel, Istanbul

Website: A'YA Rooftop Lounge

Opening hours: 1pm - 7pm (daily)

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Admire the perfect blend of Asia and Europe from above

Istanbul (8274724020)
Source: Photo by user Moyan Brenn used under CC BY 2.0

Both cultures that shape Istanbul play a massive part in the way the city welcomes its guests. Here, you can enjoy the city and its vibrant European lifestyle, while taking in the exotic Asian cuisine. Explore it all while admiring a fabulous view of Istanbul, especially after sundown, and you will experience a journey that will stay with you for a long time.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!

In light of the February 2023 earthquake that devastated Turkey and Syria, Trip101 urges you to be apprised of the latest news if you have any plans to travel to Eastern Turkey. Other parts of the country remain open to travelers.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Elmira, also known as Elmo, is a dedicated travel writer who lives by the belief that visiting at least one new place each year broadens knowledge and enriches the heart. Her passion for exploring...Read more

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