Poseidon

Why go anywhere else other than Poseidon if you want seafood in Istanbul? Poseidon is an institution and the staff will make you feel welcome at all times! Sit by the Bosphorus, slowly sip your Raki and enjoy the best seafood in town. You will not see (m)any tourists around :)

Service was ok, but I think the waiter served us less appetizer than another table near by who ordered the same thing. My fish was decent, but overpriced for what it was. No memorable flavor explosion. Nice ambiance though.

Direkt am Bosporus gelegen, mit Außenterrasse und hervorragender Fischküche, da lässt es sich genießen. Es ist DIE Empfehlung für Istanbul, auch für fischverwöhnte Hamburger. Wer die Möglichkeit hat, sollte bei mildem Klima um die blaue Stunde herum einen Tisch direkt am Wasser reservieren: die vorbeifahrenden Yachten und Frachter schaffen eine wunderschöné, erinnerungswürdige Atmosphäre. Wer das alles mit Freunden genießen kann muss in diesem Moment sehr glücklich sein.

Whenever I’m in Istanbul I visit Poseidon, a longtime favorite of mine, locals and visitors alike. The back room is perched right on the Bosperos – the narrow navigable seaway between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. We arrived early so not all of the fish that Poseidon ordinarily offers were available as the fisherman hadn’t yet returned from the day’s catch. The fish that were available were small Perch-​esque creatures served grilled.
We also ordered an array of traditional Turkish favorites like baked fava beans in tomato sauce, a pleasant salad with Turkish white cheese (not to be confused with feta cheese because feta is exclusively Greek. Feta is to cheese what Cognac is to brandy), smoked herring, and several slices of melon.
We topped-​off our meal with Turkish coffee and several dessert delicacies. Walnut cake in syrup, quince cake, quince in syrup and traditional yogurt were among the desserts we received.
Although for the most part Poseidon hadn’t lost its luster service was a bit off from what I remembered it. I asked my local guests if anything had changed, to which they replied that earlier in the season Poseidon was sold by the family that owned and operated the restaurant for many years. Since my overall experience was fantastic I will chalk up the service issues to the new owner’s growing pains. Can’t wait to return in the spring.

— located in Bebek, next to the Bosporus
— at the entrance you can already admire the fresh fish
— homely but at the same time classy fish restaurant
— reservation recommended (esp. for tables next to the Bosporus)
— great view
— friendly, obliging staff (dressed in white sailor suits)
— starters: the waiter shows a tray with different starters you can choose of (fish and non-​fish starters); all startes, esp. the fish-​starters were excellent
— main course: grilled seabream tasted fantastic
— you should drink some raki during the meal and for dessert a Turkish coffee or tea
— price high-​level (perhaps a little bit too high)
Conclusion: If you like fish and want to enjoy a great view on the Bosporus, you should reserve a table at the Poseidon (even though it is really expensive)!