Best Organic Restaurants & Cafes in Istanbul

3 minutes read

The organic food movement has reached its peak in Istanbul, where restaurants now boast ingredients that have been acquired from organic markets and natural producers from all over Turkey. Of course, some of them are real standouts because of the original dishes created through the use of these both seasonal and organic ingredients. Read on for our top picks.

7 Best Organic Cafes and Restaurants in Istanbul

1. Aheste Pera Restaurant

Sample local Turkish wine at Aheste | © Baris Ozcetin

A modern take on the Turkish meyhane (tavern), Aheste is a real lover of slow food and mezze-style dishes made from organic ingredients. Mezze dishes from Anatolia, as well as Armenia, Iran, Syria, and Lebanon are all given a contemporary twist, and are absolutely delicious because of the focus on produce from organic markets, special spices from Antakya, and fresh fish directly from the sea.

We recommend you order the tasting menu to get a taste of everything including Erzincan cheese with melon, grilled okra, caramelized eggplant, and slow cooked lamb with rice, to name just a few.

Aheste Pera Restaurant contact info

address: F, No:107 Meşrutiyet Caddesi, İstanbul, 34430, Turkey
Tel +902122432633
Website: Visit Website

2. Nicole Restaurant

A fine French spread – and organic, of course | Courtesy of Nicole Restaurant

One of Istanbul’s best haute cuisine restaurants, the chefs of Nicole wander the city’s organic markets to get inspiration for their tasting menus, which change according to the seasons. Their dishes are unique, because they combine local and organic ingredients with very fine French cooking techniques, for a culinary experience that’s definitely unforgettable. Some examples include almond soup with asparagus and peas; duck, peas and olives; and ox tongue with beet salad.

Nicole Restaurant contact info

Address: 18 Tomtom Kaptan Sokak, İstanbul, 34433, Turkey
Tel: +902122924467
Website: Visit Website

3. Kilimanjaro

The restaurant’s stylish interior | Courtesy of Autoban

One of the latest additions to Istanbul’s restaurant scene, Kilimanjaro not only stands out for its interior design (completed by Istanbul’s famous design firm Autoban) but also for its original menu.

The restaurant guarantees that all its ingredients are either homemade, free from any additives, made with natural techniques or acquired locally from organic producers. One of the highlights is the Feriköy Organic Market dish, which serves up seasonal vegetables from the nearby neighborhood organic market with special dip.

It’s recommended to get a few mezze dishes to share, such as the warm celery with orange, strained yogurt, and roasted walnuts; or the the baked beets with Ezine cheese cream and pine nuts, just to name a few.

Kilimanjaro contact info

Adress: No: 1 Birahane Sokak, İstanbul, 34384, Turkey
Tel: +905497910734
Website: Visit Website

4. Journey

A paradise for freelancers because of the cozy communal table upstairs, Journey is a great café and restaurant where you can hang out all day and feel completely at home. Their menu is also very much focused on organic ingredients, such as Himalayan salt, olive oil from Edremit, organic chicken from Bolu, desserts and ice cream made from organic milk and yogurt, free-range eggs, and much more. The Journey Breakfast (with Turkish cheeses, homemade jams, olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggs, and a walnut pastry) as well as the homemade Papardelle with porcini mushrooms, organic chicken, and cream sauce are some of our favorites.

Journey contact info

Adress: 21/A Akarsu Yokuşu Sokağı, İstanbul, 34425, Turkey
Tell: +902122448989
Website: Visit Website

5. Zencefil Restaurant

Zencefil was one of the first places to serve vegetarian cuisine in Istanbul | © Haldun Kirkbir

The city’s favorite vegetarian restaurant is also one of the best places to go if you’re looking for a healthy meal cooked with organic ingredients. You’ll already feel healthier when you walk into Zencefil because of its brightly colored walls, simple wooden tables and chairs, and outside terrace with plenty of potted plants. On the menu there’s lots to choose from, including pumpkin soup, stuffed dried eggplant, okra with chickpeas, and smoked bulgur with vegetables.

Zencefil Restaurant contact info

Address: 10, 8 Kurabiye Sokak, İstanbul, 34435, Turkey
Tell: +902122438234
Website: Visit Website

6. eat pro diet

In case the rain took you by surprise during the promenade around Bebek, stop by this restaurant. Savor Gluten-free food that will combine many elements of culinary traditions. Nothing can be better than ordering good chicken. Come here for nicely cooked waffles if you are hungry.

eat pro diet contact info

Adress: Manolya Sk. No:12, Istanbul, İstanbul, Turkey
Tell: +902122656569
Website: Visit Website

7. Galata Kitchen

hey have absolutely great food. Whether you try different flavors or what you are used to. People who are friendly, polite and definitely problem-solvers if anything happens. Which is usually not a problem. They actually get what they deserve as a fee. The chef is great, the menus are great. They are also very fast in takeaway.