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

Istanbul view from 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.

Feedback about this venue:
"Hello I went with my boyfriend to the 360° restaurant and the muscle man at the entrance treated us very badly saying " do you have a reservation ? do you know ladies ? no gay ! " we didn't feel welcome at all of course ! bad experience thanks for reading ! best regards " Posted by Serge from France on July 20th, 2011

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."

Nar Pera Cafe & Restaurant (09:00- 24:00)
Address:  Gonul Sokak, No: 9/B, Asmali Mescit, Beyoglu/Istanbul.
Web: http://www.narpera.com/
Nar Pera is located in Asmali Mescit which is one of the popular cafe & bar neighborhood of Beyoglu district. It is at the end of the narrow street (Gonul Sokak) across the Russian consulate on Istiklal avenue.  It is not a gay venue, but the managers like to welcome gay and lesbian people and indeed the staff is very gay-friendly. It has a multifunctional concept as cafe, bar and restaurant. The music gets slightly lauder after 10:00 pm. The food is perfect for European taste. The prices are average.
 

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 coast of Marmara sea, behind Sultanahmet with respect to Golden Horn. It is mostly frequented by local people as well as tourists.  The restaurants are next to each other along several small streets, and all put 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.
Click for Google map locating Kumkapi restaurants

Nevizade Street

French Street

The famous Nevizade Street, which has rows of historic pubs and fish restaurants next to each other. It 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 on Nevizade street. Click here for Google Map

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 (French Street) 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. Click here for Google Map

Asmalimescit
The narrow back-street near Tunel (the other end of the Istiklal avenue with respect to Taksim square) 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 will be available. It is packed up on weekend days. Click for Google Map

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 in other parts of the city and Beyoglu.