Odessa Restaurant — Restaurant in Beyoğlu

We were attracted to the open terraces facing the river and were seated on the second floor. It was a nice seat and the weather was perfect as it had just started to rain a little so it was cool and breezy. Unfortunately the guest at the table next to us started smoking a cigar and we requested to move to another seat. The only available was inside and as we've already ordered our food, had no choice but to move. So we lost the whole reason of why we are in this restaurant and the cigar smoke did occasionally waft over. We thought it couldn't get worse but wait ...

The bread basket was served cold and hard, without any accompanying dips. This was a first for us as all the restaurants we had visited prior all served a dip of sorts to go with the bread but this place, being a little pricier than the rest, did not. The grilled mackerel fillets I ordered was full of bones despite them being the same fillets you'd find in a balik ekmek for a third of the price. I had to request for lemons which the waiter promptly delivered. The fish was quite basic, nothing too fancy but ok.

They also have a 10% service charge which is stated in the menu, so make sure you take a note of that. Another place we went which had a service charge at least offered us tea at the end of the meal but this...

If you find yourself walking along the Bosporus on the Europen side of Istanbul, either to enjoy the scenery or because you are on your way to or from the ferry, you may feel peckish. For some food or a drink as you wish to take a break and people watch.

I like Odessa because for such a great spot, their food is tasty, service attentive, prices reasonable, and did I mention the food is tasty? Multiple stories give their table great views, though I personally prefer street level.

Drop in for the traditional street food fish in half a loaf of baguette or "balık ekmek", a cup of fish soup, or something more substantial. I enjoy mine with a large mug of beer though they have a full bar for the days hot or cold. If you have vegetarians I'm your party, lentil soup is a good option.

Many of the staff speaks multiple languages, well at least English and German.

I highly recommend...

Lovely Ambiance, Good Food, but Pricey Odessa Restaurant is a fantastic spot if you’re looking for a place with a stunning view and a beautiful ambiance. Whether you’re dining inside or on the terrace, the setting is elegant and makes for a great experience.

The food is good quality and well-prepared, with solid flavors and fresh ingredients. However, while the taste is enjoyable, the portion sizes don’t quite match the price. If you’re looking for a great price-to-quantity ratio, this might not be the best option. That said, if ambiance and quality matter more than portion size, you’ll likely have a great time here.

Overall, Odessa Restaurant is a solid choice for a special night out or a scenic dining experience. Just be prepared for the price to lean more toward the...