These are places on the European side from my saved lists: two old Istanbul traditions by the Süleymaniye mosque, Uyghur, Indonesian and Vietnamese food in Fatih and Sultanahmet, and bowls in Nişantaşı. Where I have my own notes, they come first; the rest is put together from Google Maps reviews.
Prices are Google's average spend per person, valid as of 30 September 2026. Rate: 1 ₺ ≈ $0.020.
In short
- Two old traditions side by side: kuru fasulye by the Süleymaniye mosque and boza at Vefa Bozacısı, open since 1876.
- When you're tired of kebabs: Uyghur noodles at Sahra, Indonesian at Warung Nusantara and Vietnamese pho at Nhà Ginza Ginza.
- Cheap: Sahra and Vefa Bozacısı, under 400 ₺ (≈$8) per person.
- Lunch on your own: filling bowls at Kase No 16 in Nişantaşı.
Fatih: Süleymaniye, Vefa and around
Mimar Sinan Tarihi Süleymaniye Kuru Fasulyecisi
Süleymaniye · beans & Turkish food · 400–600 ₺ (≈$8–12) · daily 9:00–0:00, Thu until 22:00
Google Maps · Prof. Dr. Sıddık Sami Onar Cd. No:29
According to Google Maps reviews (4.1 from 570+): a traditional white-bean stew house, a cuisine that goes back to the Ottoman soup kitchens around mosques; guests say it has been running since 1924. The beans come with rice and salad, and the baked rice pudding (fırın sütlaç) gets its own praise. A view of the Süleymaniye mosque, warm waiters, reasonable prices.
Vefa Bozacısı
Vefa · boza & drinks · up to 200 ₺ (≈$4) · daily 8:00–0:00
Google Maps · website · Vefa Cd. No:66
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 19,700+): the oldest boza shop, opened in 1876. Boza is a thick, sweet-and-sour drink of fermented grain, served with cinnamon and roasted chickpeas (leblebi); in summer it gives way to grape şıra. The interior is wood and worn marble, and on the wall hangs the glass Atatürk drank from. You take a glass, drink at your own pace and pay on the way out; a few reviewers wish the staff were friendlier.
Sahra Uygur Restaurant
Fatih, İskenderpaşa · Uyghur · 200–400 ₺ (≈$4–8) · daily 11:30–21:30
Google Maps · Şekerci Sk. No:10/1
A Uyghur restaurant with pho bo.
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 790+): a few minutes from the Aksaray tram stop; reviewers praise the handmade noodles, spicy cumin chicken and lamb kebab at low prices, but spicy here means very spicy, and the soup and dumplings don't win everyone over.
Warung Nusantara
Fatih, Şehremini · Indonesian · 200–1000 ₺ (≈$4–20) · daily 11:00–21:00
Google Maps · website · Kerpiçhane Sk. 2A
Indonesian food.
According to Google Maps reviews (4.4 from 1,400+): a clean, comfortable room, quick service and staff who speak Bahasa; reviewers praise the beef nasi goreng, the prawns and the chilli sauce, though Indonesian guests find too much cabbage in many dishes, and drinks aren't cheap.
Nhà Ginza Ginza
Sultanahmet · Vietnamese, on a rooftop · check the hours — Google marks it as temporarily closed
Google Maps · Utangaç Sk. No:19
Phở bò.
According to Google Maps reviews (4.7 from 380+): a rooftop Vietnamese restaurant in Sultanahmet with views over the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Bosphorus. People praise the authentic menu and the service; the downsides are a sometimes long wait for food, and some find the prices touristy. There's also a branch in Ortaköy.
Nişantaşı
Kase No 16
Nişantaşı, Teşvikiye · bowls & cocktails · 600–1600 ₺ (≈$12–32) · Mon–Fri 12:00–0:00, Sat 13:00–0:00, closed Sun
Google Maps · Instagram · Teşvikiye Fırın Sk. No:16
According to Google Maps reviews (4.1 from 600+): a cosy spot with fresh, hearty bowls, vegan ones included; reviewers like the mantı bowl, the burrito bowl, the artichoke salad and a limited-time bagel with ribs. Good for a solo lunch. There are signature cocktails, but they get less praise than the food, and service slows down when the room is full.
One last thing
Dinner in Fatih is early: Warung Nusantara closes at 21:00, Sahra at 21:30. Vefa Bozacısı, on the other hand, stays open until midnight, a good place to end the evening with a glass of boza. Google marks Nhà Ginza Ginza as temporarily closed, so check before you go; Kase No 16 is closed on Sundays.
More on Istanbul: where to eat in Kadıköy and Moda, where to drink.