An Unforgettable Dining Experience with a View to Match – Resto Galata Terrace
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Resto Galata Terrace during my stay in Istanbul, and I can confidently say it was one of the highlights of my trip. If you’re looking for a restaurant that combines authentic Turkish cuisine, exceptional service, and breathtaking views of the city, this is the place to be.
From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the staff and escorted to our table on the terrace. The view alone is worth a visit — perched near the historic Galata Tower, the restaurant offers panoramic sights of the Bosphorus, Golden Horn, and the rooftops of old Istanbul. As the sun began to set, the sky turned shades of orange and pink, casting a magical glow over the city. It was an unforgettable backdrop for dinner.
Now let’s talk about the food — truly outstanding. We started with a selection of cold mezes, including hummus, muhammara, and stuffed grape leaves. Everything tasted fresh and homemade, with bold and balanced flavors. The bread was warm, soft inside, slightly crispy outside, and perfect for dipping.
For the main course, I ordered the lamb shank, which was cooked to perfection — tender, juicy, and falling off the bone. It was served with a rich, flavorful sauce and a side of creamy mashed potatoes. My companion had the grilled sea bass, and he couldn’t stop raving about how fresh and flaky it was, served with roasted vegetables and lemon-butter sauce that elevated the dish beautifully.
We also tried their traditional Turkish manti (dumplings), which were delightful — small parcels filled with seasoned beef, topped with yogurt and a garlic tomato sauce. This dish alone could easily become my comfort food.
Their dessert menu did not disappoint either. We chose the baklava and künefe. The baklava was buttery and perfectly sweet, layered with chopped pistachios, while the künefe — warm, gooey cheese encased in crispy shredded pastry — was served with a drizzle of syrup and a scoop of ice cream. Both desserts were exceptional and the ideal way to end the meal.
Aside from the food and view, what really made this experience stand out was the service. Our server was incredibly attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. He made great recommendations and was happy to share the story behind some of the dishes. Despite being busy, the staff remained patient and professional throughout. They also spoke excellent English, which made communication very easy for us as international visitors.
Prices are quite reasonable given the quality of food and the setting. It’s not a budget place, but it offers excellent value for a fine dining experience in one of the most scenic locations in Istanbul.
Overall, Resto Galata Terrace is a gem that should not be missed. Whether you’re a tourist seeking a memorable meal with a view or a local looking for a romantic night out, this restaurant delivers on all fronts. I would gladly return and recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone...
Read moreI found out this restaurant by accident yesterday and since I was planning to have breakfast with my friends I thought this place would be the best option for us regarding it has 4.8 star rating. How wrong was I. Today, I went there with 2 of my friends and before I sat down I realized that there were bread crumbs all over the couch and what I believed was the stains of cigarette ashes. That was one thing I was not expecting to see at all. I ignored that and we ordered mixed breakfast. It took them approximately 10 minutes to serve the food which was fine. When the breakfast came it seemed to be really scrumptious and I was quite happy. Just as I was portioning out the foods to our plates I realized that there was a hair strand in between the cheese and I was absolutely disgusted by it. I showed it to my friends hoping that I was just hallucinating but unfortunately I was wrong. They saw it as well and the way it was laying down on the cheese suggested that it was not our hair but from the staff. I showed it to the waiter and he said he's gonna replace it quickly and he did. After 10 minutes when I was putting the sunny side up to my plate I saw another hair strand in the pan (this time I did not take a picture but the waiter did see the hair strand). This time I was shocked even more and I again showed it to the waiter and he said "normally it shouldn't be like that" and that was quite weird really cause everyone would agree that no hair should be found in the food that is served to the customers. My friends were a bit disappointed but we tried to make the most of our breakfast. The tea was really good, it tasted fresh and most of the food tasted fine. But as for the hygiene I would say that it was equivalent to a 1 star restaurant. I would not go back to that restaurant because of what I experienced and the rating of the restaurant was the reason why I chose that one over the other restaurants...
Read moreIn October last, my brother and I were on our way to our hotel (HKK) after a day of exploring Istanbul, but were extremely hungry. A short walk through the neighborhood and along the water brought us to this Rooftop Restaurant. We were warmly welcomed by very nice staff and decided to check out the menu here. There is a wide variety of dishes, which made the choice quite difficult. In the end, we both went for a delicious meat dish with Sarma and a plate of spreads on the side.
We really enjoyed the ambiance and the wonderful view over the water, the bridges and the Galata Tower.
After dinner I decided to order dessert, I have no idea what it is called, but it was delicious! Soft, creamy, pistachio, not too sweet, highly recommended. The evening eloped for us and we decided to go back to our hotel. The staff asked us if we would come back again and of course we did.
After the demonstration regarding Palestine in Taksim Square was over, we returned for lunch with, of course, this delicious dessert again. This time the staff brought us desert with an extra nice surprise ❤️ My heart cried, what a sweet staff work here! After this they offered me something extra and gave me a delicious shisha.
Don't skip this place, the hospitality is phenomenal and the food...
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