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Istanbul offers a variety of delectable dishes such as kebabs, dürüm, lahmacun, and pide. One thing you can expect to see on your plate very regularly, however, is fresh fish, thanks to the city's prime location on three seas: the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara, and the Bosphorus Strait, and the numerous famous seafood restaurants in Istanbul! Over twenty different species of fish call the waters surrounding Istanbul home, so no matter what time of year you visit, you'll be able to enjoy a variety of fresh fish at the numerous famous fish restaurants in Istanbul!
There is, of course, an abundance of seafood restaurants in Istanbul. But there are also plenty of tourist traps since it is a very popular tourist spot. Here is a list of places the best seafood restaurants in Istanbul to visit if you want to avoid the tourist traps and save money on Turkish sea bass.
Şen Balıkçılık

Similar to Istanbul Old City, the region around Istiklal Cadessi is a popular destination for tourists. However, despite the abundance of tourist traps, there are still hidden treasures to be discovered. The seafood joint Sen Balikcilik is tucked away from the bustle of the main drag. In addition to a wide variety of seafood and fish dishes prepared according to the seasons, Sen Balickilik serves a variety of meats, both hot and cold appetisers, soups made with fish, and salads. They also serve a shepherd's salad, also known as Coban salata. Imagine it as a Turkish take on the classic Moroccan salad, at one of the best seafood restaurants in Istanbul!
Rumelihisarı İskele

İskele Rumelihisari seafood restaurant has excellent views of the second Bosphorus bridge and the castle of the same name since it is situated practically on the very edge of the Bosphorus. At Rumelihisari İskele, you can enjoy some of the finest seafood Istanbul has to offer in a laid-back setting while watching the Bosphorus traffic. Since its 1992 opening, the restaurant has been a favourite among locals thanks to its delicious seafood. Their loyal customer base can attest to the fact that they provide authentic, high-quality service in addition to delicious, traditional fare and an abundance of fresh, locally caught seafood. Enjoy fresh seafood at one of the best seafood restaurants in Istanbul!
Balıkçı Kahraman

One of the top seafood restaurants in Istanbul, the proprietor is a native of the Black Sea Region, and the restaurant bears his name. It is, unsurprisingly, a warm and welcoming eatery run by a family. People who care more about the flavour than the presentation of their food have been flocking to this seafood spot since the late 90s. Even though the decor isn't flashy, the seafood and meals here are deserving of more attention. They are masters at grilling turbot. Notable politicians, celebrities, and businesspeople from the area tend to frequent this spot.
Sokak Lezzeti Tarihi Balık Dürümcü Mehmet Usta

One of the most well-known seafood restaurants in Istanbul is this mouthwatering establishment. Unlike the other eateries on this list, they have a single item on the menu, Balik dürüm, which is produced with one or two fillets of mackerel. Go for the fish fillets, as this is arguably the best fish wrap one can have had in Istanbul! This dinner is incredibly amazing and substantial enough for a full meal.
Bebek Balıkçısı

Besides the distinguished tastes and service, the restaurant has a mythological atmosphere with Renaissance pictures on the walls. Located by the sea in Bebek, one of the fanciest towns by the Bosphorus, the restaurant is a great example of the best restaurants in Istanbul! Oliver Stone, the King of Bahrain, Jan Claude Van Dame, Al Gore, Jan Claude Van Dame, Gerard Depardieu, Catharine Deneuve, and Jan Claude Van Dame are among the local and worldwide personalities that have dined at this exclusive restaurant.
Some of the restaurant's specialities are cold appetisers such as şevketi bostan root, parsley, eggplant, and Melissa sauce salads. Their famous hot appetizers are calamari, fish balls, ocean delight, and fish cooked on paper. The restaurant’s crowd favourite is Fish in Salt. The highly recommended desserts are sweet pastry with quince, pumpkin dessert and the chocolate soufflé.
Balıkçı Lokantası

This small eatery on the Asian side of Istanbul delivers some of the freshest seafood at the greatest pricing in Kadikoy, and is one of the best seafood restaurants in Istanbul! To start, they bring a basket of bread and a platter of cold appetizers with ezme (Turkish pepper salad) and baba ghanoush (roasted mashed eggplant). They also offer the famous Turkish levrek, or grilled marinated sea bass. Remembering that Balikci Lokantasi doesn’t have a printed menu is vital. Instead, they’ll lead you to the vitrine to show you what fresh food is available on that day.