The most romantic New Year’s restaurants in Istanbul feature exquisite menus created by world renowned chefs, and impeccable rooftops views of the Bosphorus fireworks and glowing city lights. Choosing just one restaurant to romance your significant other with will be the hardest part of your celebration.
Ulus 29
An elegant club and restaurant is located near the Bosphorus atop Ulus Park. Packages begin at 1500 TL plus 10% service fee which is inclusive of diner and drinks. This is your ticket to enjoying the whole evening. You get to eat whatever you wish as long as it’s on the menu and you can accompany it with local liquors and spirits.
For those who came just to party, the price is 800 TL plus a 10% service fee per person. For this much, you can enjoy unlimited alcohol throughout the night.
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Sunset
Is one of the clubs that offer you a magnificent view of the city of Istanbul. The spot offer dinner which is handled by Creative Kitchen’s chef Fabrice Canelle. It all begins with cocktails at 8 p.m. and the mouthwatering meals then will follow until dinner is done. As you enjoy your dinner the sweet voice of Esra Güner will be entertaining you.
During the after-party, DJ Evren and DJ Mert Levent will entertain you throughout the night with music from popular musicians of the world. Packages cost 1200 TL per person and are inclusive of dinner. The price is exclusive of drinks and service fee.
For those who just want to party after dinner time, the price is 600 TL per person. This will get you unlimited alcohol throughout the night.
Banyan
Found in Ortakoy, this restaurant probably is quite amazing. It is believed that the bar here has the most spectacular view.
From the bar, you get an impeccable view of the Bosphorus, and the fabulous Ortakoy Mosque, a jaw-dropping view of the first bridge, and a glimpse of the Sultanahmet district.
For NYE the restaurant serves from their special menu delicious Asian cuisine. Thereafter, DJ Umut Yapgu infuses the atmosphere with electro music throughout the night. A night of fun here will cost you 950 TL per person.
360 Istanbul
Located in Beyoglu in a 19th-century building on Istiklal Street, 360 Istanbul is one of the most famous rooftops restaurants in Istanbul. The name comes from its jaw-dropping, 360 views which span over the Galata Tower and Bosphorus. The menu consists of original Turkish recipes and the upscale clientele has been known to include numerous celebrities.
Ruby
A high-end restaurant on the shores of the Bosphorus in Ortakoy that turns into a dance club at night, Ruby offers a luxurious atmosphere combined with wondrous waterfront views. Their bartenders are of award-winning quality who add their own flair to classic and Ruby signature cocktails. Their dinner menu created by Chef Ertan Özturan is a synthesis of east meets west and includes sushi by Itsumi. The DJ performances have at times been legendary and the music fills the night until the sun rises.
Seven Hills
Located in Sultanahmet, this restaurant is popular for its hilltop views that look over Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, and the Bosphorus fireworks.
Dinner kicks off with a large selection of rich vegetable and seafood orientated appetizers. Some cold starters include smoked salmon, octopus salad, and fried zucchini with aubergine and yogurt. A few of their hot starters include butter shrimps, boiled mussels, stuffed chard, and pacanga boregi pastry.
Their main course is a choice of stuffed turkey or fresh fish. For dessert, they serve sweet pumpkin with tahini and their famous cherry chocolate cake.
The NYE package comes with unlimited local and exotic drinks with a champagne toast on the terrace when the fireworks start. There’s a Turkish night show for dinner entertainment, while the after-party is dance orientated with live keyboard music and DJ selections.
Del Mare
A popular fish restaurant located on the Bosphorus along the Asian side of the city. It’s suitable for those who want to enjoy delicious fish meals while having a shoreline view of the fireworks. Boat service pickup is available for those on the European side, which can add a unique experience to the evening.
This New Year they have designed a special menu for their guests. It consists of 7 starters and a grilled bar fillet main course. The basic NYE package costs 370 TL plus a 10% service fee per person. This is inclusive of non-alcoholic drinks.
The standard package costs 407 TL plus a 10% service fee. It is inclusive of soft drinks. For access to unlimited local alcoholic drinks, it will cost you an extra 97TL with their premium package starting at 550TL per person.
Spago
An iconic restaurant located in the Nisantasi neighborhood atop the St. Regis Hotel, Spago is an iconic creation of master chef Wolfgang Puck. Aside from the fancy menu, it’s also for its signature cocktails, high-end spirits, ambient music, and fine champagne. The rooftop patio and lounge also offer excellent views of the Bosphorus over Macka Park.
Alaf
This exquisite restaurant is located in Kuruçeşme. You get to enjoy an exceptional view of the Bosphorus and the lighting of the first bridge. With dim lights and open clean well-lit kitchens, the restaurant offers a rather chic and romantic atmosphere.
If you are a foodie who can taste Anatolian, Armenian, Kurdish, and Yezidi specialties this place is likely to quench your desires. For this NYE, there will be cocktails and detailed dishes cooked over a wood fire.
Uskumru
Established in a mansion near the sea in Beykoz, Uskumru enjoys unbeatable views of the Bosphorus from the Anatolian side. Everything about this place is interesting. First, you can only access it by boat. The restaurant picks up their customers from the quay at Rumeli Hisari and returns them there afterward.
Uskumru has no special menu for NYE, however; from their uniquely designed menus, you can choose à la carte as you may desire. You can sit enjoy your meal as small waves from the Bosphorus gently hit the edge of the restaurant.
Firuze
A magnificent restaurant found in the Pera district. It offers a unique view of the Golden Horn. They have specially designed menus for NYE which consists of six meze dishes with cooked meat and fish. The meal is accompanied by dessert afterward and an unlimited variety of wines and local spirits.
For entertainment, they have a live DJ performance to keep you hyped up through the evening. On the rooftop, they have what they call the Monkey Bar where the after-party will be happening. With the impeccable view of the city, you get to enjoy awesome music as you dance the night away.
Sardunya Karakoy Yali
Eating at this restaurant is almost similar to floating on a Bosphorus. Their menu offers up a variety of seafood and meat cooked with different techniques, and an alchemist’s meticulousness. Fish specials are added to the menu in line with the current season.
You’ll find it next to the illustrious Minmar Great Arts University and the restaurant to have one of the most robust views of the Bosphorus in Karakoy. For New Years’, the fireworks will be easily visible from the restaurant as it looks straight into the Marmara Sea.
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