Hanzade Terrace Restaurant — Restaurant in Fatih

Solid recommendation for Hanzade Terrace. The food was well prepared with many distinct flavors and healthy portion sizes. Service was outstanding. We had reservations at 19:30 for 8 people, but due to unexpected circumstances, we arrived early at 18:00 and they were able to seat our large group without a fuss. During our meal, our servers were accommodating and attentive to our party's food allergies and they served us efficiently. It's a small restaurant, so there's no way for a server to really forget your table, but they were highly attentive. As we spoke close to zero Turkish, it was great that our server also spoke English well enough to answer our questions and for us to feel safe about the food allergies (we had a card in Turkish just in case as well). The rooftop view is as advertised -- a wonderful view of the city, the Blue Mosque and the Bosphorus River. While we missed on the night view because we arrived early, the daytime views were equally magnificent. Every table had a good view.

With our larger group, we had a chance to order a lot of different food that we shared. Their grilled chicken (legs/thighs) was a particular standout in terms of flavors and preparation. The chicken was moist and well-seasoned with Turkish spices. Their butter shrimp dish was also excellent. We couldn't stop eating their grape leave meze -- after ordering a mixed meze platter (which were all tasty), we had to order another grape leaves portion to satisfy the group! We ordered three of the grilled fish dishes on the menu -- our particular favorite was the sea bass, followed by the mackerel and then the bream (which was a little dry). They offered us apple tea and a selection of Turkish desserts (some Turkish delight and baklava) on the house to finish up our meal.

Their menu pricing has increased considerably from many of the posts in the last year. While completely understandable given the recent increases in food cost (and the large volume of tourists that were in the restaurant), the value equation for the restaurant is less than before. From the research I did, this restaurant is a higher-priced option in Istanbul and not that dissimilar from other rooftop restaurants downtown (when it seemed to be more of a value in past years). I didn't give 5-stars for the food for this reason. However, Hanzade Terrace is still an excellent place for a atmospheric meal in Istanbul and I recommend...

Small establishment, good food with a nice view. A little hidden in the alleys. You have to climb a few stairs and get into a small elevator to find it at the fifth floor. The staff is friendly and helpful. Price is reasonable from the perspective of someone traveling from the US. Food has good presentations. Fish is fresh, which is important for any fish dish. The mixed kebab platter looks good but too many chicken pieces compared to other varieties of meat. That can be a plus for someone who prefers chicken. I personally would prefer less chicken. A place worth dining at if you are in nearby area looking for a bite. The atmosphere is laidback. The music played is too techno for my taste but others may like it. Anyways, aside from these subjective matters of taste, the place offers good food and service. Constructive suggestions would be to improve the food quality further if capable of, and consider music that is more fitting for the view the terrace offers. One more thing I like about this place is that you do not experience the kind of aggressive marketing and sales strategy some other culinary establishments in Istanbul pursue. Keeping it casual and real, friendly and helpful service, in addition to offering good fresh food are always the winning strategy, for...

Hanzade Terrace offers a truly enchanting dining experience in Istanbul’s historic Fatih neighborhood. Perched on a charming rooftop just steps from the Blue Mosque, the restaurant combines excellent personalized service, mouthwatering Turkish cuisine, and breathtaking panoramic views of the Bosphorus and old city rooftops. Reviewers consistently praise the staff for being attentive without being intrusive—one mentioned they “quickly moved us to a table with a better view and even gave us a complimentary dessert” .

Food highlights include generously portioned meze (stuffed vine leaves that could easily serve as a main), expertly grilled lamb and beef kebabs, succulent chicken, and beautifully prepared sea bass and shrimp dishes.

But it’s the views that steal the show—spectacular panoramas at sunset or during the day make every meal unforgettable. With its warm atmosphere, great food, and top-tier hospitality, Hanzade Terrace is a hidden gem that delivers a stellar experience...