Soganci Sokak is a small street opposing Taksim Ilk Yardim Hastanesi (state hospital) This roof restaurant-bar is on the 5th floor of the same building with the senior gay club called Barbahce. Meals are not very cheap but still reasonably priced when you consider the painstakingly prepared meals and breathtaking view of Bosphorus straight and Asian part of Istanbul. Its also has a small bar usually busy in the evenings and open until around 01:00 am. Drinks at the bar is cheaper than most gay clubs. It would make you feel special to know you are eating your meal or drinking a cup of wine on Europe , while watching the beginning of Asian continent laying in front of your eyes.

360 Restaurant  
Address: Istiklal Caddesi, Misir Apartmani K:8 No:311, Beyoglu - Istanbul.
Web: http://www.360istanbul.com/
The restaurant is named 360, referring to a view 360 degree. Although it is less than that, the sea view is breathtaking. Located on the top (8th) floor of historical building (Misir Apartmani) right on Istiklal Caddesi, close to Galatasaray square, across the high Odakule building, right before St. Antoine Cathedral. The prices are reasonable compared to the ambiance, but naturally not a place to eat daily. Recommended if you want to have a special dinner watching a great Istanbul panorama.

Cok Cok Thai Restaurant  
Address: Mesrutiyet Cad. No:51, 34344 Beyoglu-Istanbul. Phone: +90 212 292 6496
Web: http://www.cokcok.com.tr/
The people from Cok Cok (means something like many, many) themselves wanted to be listed on our website as a gay-friendly venue in July 2010. It is Thai restaurant located on Mesrutiyet street parallel to Istiklal avenue. When you walk from Taksim turn right from Galatasaray square, and take the first turn to left, and pass British Consulate.  According to their own description: "The name Cok Cok precisely captures the wide variety of flavors found in each dish of this much talk-about restaurant. Established since 2006, it has fast gained followers both local and foreign. The fresh spices and herbs used in the cooking, purely Thai and South East Asian, relate back to the Silk Route that once connected with Istanbul, where the restaurant is now located."

101 Resturant - HALANIN ALTIN CAFE'SI  10:00-22:30
Address: Akyol Cad. No:37/A Cihangir, Beyoglu - Istanbul. Telephone: +90212 2932101
Nick named "Hala" (meaning Aunt) is a famous figure who used to be in show business in gay life of Istanbul has opened a cafe restaurant offering delicious home-made food from various regions of Turkey. It is a small but very friendly and homely venue located in lower part of Cihangir, residential neighborhood of Beyoglu/Taksim widely inhabited by foreigners and local gay men. This sweet chubby guy deserved to be supported in his new business.

Address: Galata Kulesi, Sishane, Istanbul
There is a tourist restaurant at the top floor of famous Galata Tower, which had 360 degree view of Istanbul. Galata tower is a medieval stone tower in the Galata district of Istanbul, Turkey, just to the north of the Golden Horn.
Web: http://www.galatatower.net/ 


Major Restaurants Districts.

Kumkapi Quarter
Kumkapi is famous traditional fish restaurant street/quarter close to the cost of Marmara sea, behind Sultanahmet. It is mostly visited by local people as well as tourists.  The restaurants are next to each other along the street, all with tables outside in summer. Local musicians wander from one restaurant to another playing traditional music, expecting to be tipped.  During late Ottoman period Kumkapi was mostly inhabited by Armenians, who still have a community school and several churches there. It is also the seat of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople. It is best reached by a short taxi from Sultanahmet. Kumkapi has a station on the suburban train line Sirkeci-Halkali.

French Street

Nevizade Street
The famous Nevizade Street, which has rows of historic pubs and fish restaurants next to each other is located behind Cicek Pasaji close to Galatasaray square on Istiklal avenue. It is the traditional night -life area of Beyoglu and always busy, if the weather is fine. Cicek Pasaji itself is also a famous venue with many restaurants located next to each other along the L-shaped passage passing through the historical building. Cumhuriyet Restaurant is one of the oldest and most popular restaurant out of many others.

Fransiz Sokagi
Some historic neighborhoods around Istiklal Avenue have recently been recreated, such as Cezayir Street behind Galatasaray Lisesi, which became known as La Rue Française and has rows of francophone pubs, cafés and restaurants playing live French music. Artiste Terasse (Artist Teras) on Cezayir Street is a popular restaurant-bar which offers panoramic views of the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Sultanahmet Mosque and Galata Tower.

Asmalimescit
The narrow back-street near Tunel (the end of the Istiklal avenue) has rows of traditional Turkish restaurants and Ocakbasi (grill) houses. It first had an intellectual atmosphere as a meeting point of artists, painters etc, but later become more commercialized with the opening of new restaurants. The restaurants are average priced, but there are alternative places dotted around where cheap-bear and food are also available. It is packed up on weekend days.

Vegetarian Food.
Vegetarian restaurants are concentrated on Kurabiye Sokak (street) connecting to Istiklal via Zambak Sokak near Taksim Square. Parsifalde,  Zencefil Cafe are good samples of venues where you can eat vegetarian food.  There are also vegetarian restaurants on other parts of the city and Beyoglu.