THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN THE PRINCES’ ISLANDS
The Princes’ Islands are not only about sea views, pine-scented walks, and the slow rhythm of island life. They also have a food culture shaped by centuries of movement across the Marmara Sea. Fishermen, gardeners, summer residents, and tavern tables all left their mark here. That is why a simple plate of grilled fish can come with a story, and why a long meze table still feels like the most “island” way to eat.
On the islands, restaurants are part of the landscape. Some are classic seaside fish restaurants with tables lined up near the water, where the menu starts with the day’s catch and ends with a slow sunset. Some are garden places hidden behind old mansions, built for long lunches under trees. And some come alive at night, when the lights turn warm, the conversation gets louder, and the evening turns into a small celebration.
For a long time, island kitchens were closely tied to the sea and to the multicultural life of Istanbul. The Rum (Greek Orthodox) communities of the islands, together with Turkish families and other neighbors, helped carry the classic meyhane tradition into island evenings. The idea is simple and timeless: small plates shared slowly, a glass raised for conversation, and a table that stretches with the night.
This is not a “grab-and-go” food culture. It is the opposite of fast food. An island meal is meant to take time. First come the greens and olive oil dishes. Then the mezes start arriving one by one: seasonal plates, seafood appetizers, and familiar meyhane favorites that keep the table full. After that, grilled fish or a hot main dish takes the center. The real star is the flow of the night, not just one plate.
And yes, the fun nights are part of it. In many places, weekends bring live music, a bit of dancing, and that classic meyhane mood where the table becomes a little stage. You sit for hours, clink glasses, share stories, and keep ordering “just one more” meze, because the night still feels young.
Today, you can still feel that Rum–Türk meyhane spirit in many of the island’s best restaurants, especially where fresh fish is treated with respect, where appetizers arrive one after another, and where the atmosphere matters as much as the menu.
How we picked these restaurants
- Category tags (fish, alcohol/no-alcohol, traditional, fast-food) reflect publicly available menu and review information.
- Each place includes what people order most and an Our recommendation line.
We have brought together the best restaurants of the Prince Islands for you. Prince Islands restaurants are preferred by everyone with their delicious food and magnificent atmosphere. The best examples of Turkish and Greek appetizers are served in places where the freshest fish are served every season. You enjoy your meal in a peaceful way, accompanied by magnificent nature views.
Take a break from your full-day tour of the Princes’ Islands at these trusted venues.
By Şükrü Balık (Büyükada)
Category tags: Fish · Alcohol served · Traditional meyhane-style · Not fast-food
Known as the best fish restaurant of the Prince Islands, By Şükrü Balık is one of the rows of restaurants located on the Büyükada coast. At By Şükrü Fish, you can find the freshest fish at any time of the year, depending on the season. In addition to fresh fish varieties, you can also find many kinds of appetizers and hot appetizers consisting of seafood at By Şükrü Restaurant. By Şükrü Restaurant also broadcasts live music for those who want to have fun on weekends.
What people eat here most: grilled seasonal fish (especially sea bass) with classic mezes, plus seafood starters like calamar and anchovy-style plates.
What to expect: a busy seaside dining room with that classic Büyükada promenade energy, long meze tables, and a dinner pace that leans toward “stay a while” rather than quick service. On weekends, live music is often part of the night, so it can feel more lively and “fun night” than quiet.
Our recommendation: Start with 3–4 cold mezes, add one hot seafood appetizer, then share one whole grilled fish per 2 people for the most “island” table.
Address: Büyükada-nizam, Gülistan Cd. no 95, 34970 Adalar/İstanbul
No 2 Garden Restaurant By Şükrü (Büyükada)
Category tags: Mixed menu (meat + fish) · Alcohol served (bar) · Traditional + modern plates · Not fast-food
No 2 Garden Restaurant is located in Büyükada. This restaurant is a nice alternative to seaside restaurants. Its menu includes many options, from meat options to fish and salad varieties. It is located among fruit trees in the garden of a 100-year-old mansion. It is one of the most preferred venues, especially for invitations and organizations.
What people eat here most: guests often mention breakfast and a garden dinner with starters (including fried-style appetizers) and grilled mains.
What to expect: a leafy, tucked-away garden setting that feels calmer than the seafront, with a “special occasion” mood, soft lighting at night, and a meal that naturally turns into a long sit. Overall it is more calm and romantic than “party,” although the atmosphere can get a little livelier on busy evenings.
Our recommendation: Come for a slow garden meal, choose one grilled main, and build the rest of the table with 2–3 sharing starters so you get the full “mansion garden” experience.
Address: Çınar Cad. Gazi Mihal Sok. No 2
Eskibağ Restaurant (Büyükada)
Category tags: Fish · Alcohol served (rakı-fish culture) · Traditional meze table · Not fast-food
The restaurant is located behind Büyükada, 1 hour away from the center by foot. You can also reach Eskibağ Teras Restaurant, famous for its view, by bus or taxi from the island center. Its rich seafood menu and view include this restaurant in our list.
What people eat here most: this is one of those “rakı, meze, view” places where tables regularly order a spread of mezes and seafood, and reviewers often highlight the octopus as a must.
What to expect: a “worth the trip” terrace feeling, big sky and open sea views, and a dinner that’s as much about the scenery as the seafood, especially around sunset. The vibe is typically chilled and scenic rather than a loud, music-focused night.
Our recommendation: Plan this as your “sunset” dinner: arrive before golden hour, order octopus early, then pick one whole fish to share as the main.
Address: Büyükada-maden, Yılmaz Türk Cd. No:175 D:175, 34970 Adalar/İstanbul
Loca’da Restaurant (Büyükada)
Category tags: Seafood-focused · Alcohol served (wine, rakı, cocktails) · Modern Mediterranean · Not fast-food
Loca Restaurant & Hotel, serving under the same name, is located in Büyükada. The place, which gives its guests the feeling of the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts with its location and atmosphere, is an indispensable place especially for boat owners and celebrities. The restaurant is a nice alternative for special invitations and parties.
What people eat here most: visitors come for a “special occasion” setting with fresh seafood, plus a strong drinks menu (cocktails and wine) that matches the sunset atmosphere.
What to expect: a stylish waterfront dinner with a relaxed, upscale vibe. This is a good pick when the experience matters as much as the food: sunset light, well-set tables, and a menu built for lingering. Expect a calm, date-night feel rather than a live-music “fun night.”
Our recommendation: If you want a more “Büyükada evening” feel, book around sunset and pair one seafood main with a crisp white wine from the menu.
Address: Büyükada-maden, Yılmaz Türk Cd. No:175 D:175, 34970 Adalar/İstanbul
Sahil Ayvalık Cunda Mutfağı (Burgazada)
Category tags: Fish · Alcohol served · Traditional Aegean (Ayvalık/Cunda) meze culture · Not fast-food
Sahil Ayvalık Cunda Mutfağı, which entered our list of the best Prince Islands restaurants from Burgazada, is Burgazada Sahil Restaurant, famous for its appetizers and fish. Most of the regulars of the restaurant, which has been operating for 30 years, are sailing students and boat owners. We definitely recommend you to go to the restaurant, which is open 12 months a year.
What people eat here most: the place is widely associated with Aegean-style mezes and seafood plates, and reviewers frequently mention combinations like shrimp with artichoke style dishes.
What to expect: an Aegean meyhane mood on a small island: lots of sharing plates, a lively table culture, and a menu that encourages you to order slowly, talk, and keep the meal going. It can feel social and lively, but it is usually more about conversation than a late-night party scene.
Our recommendation: Order the Aegean greens first (zeytinyağlı-style), then pick one shrimp hot dish, and finish with one grilled fish shared between two.
Address: Burgazada Mahallesi, Yalı Cd., 34975 Adalar/İstanbul
Barba Yani Restaurant (Burgazada)
Category tags: Fish · Alcohol served (rakı) · Traditional meze house · Not fast-food
Barba Yani Restaurant located in Burgazada. It is a 40-year-old restaurant named after its founder, By Barba Yani. The appetizers made in this restaurant continue to be prepared the way the Master used to make them. You can taste incredibly delicious food at the restaurant, which is preferred by many Istanbulites. The views of Heybeliada and Kaşıkadası are worth seeing. We can definitely recommend it to those who want to have a different experience in Istanbul.
What people eat here most: this is a “meze-first” restaurant where people talk about the classics (fava, pilaki) and a standout stuffed calamar specialty.
What to expect: an old-school Burgazada favorite where the meal is built around meze rhythm. Expect a relaxed pace, familiar classics, and an atmosphere that feels local and conversational. Typically chilled rather than a live-music venue.
Our recommendation: Treat this as a meyhane night: pick 5–6 mezes you will actually finish, then add one fish main so the table still feels balanced.
Address: Gezinti Cd. 2–18, 34975 İstanbul Adalar Türkiye
Kalpazankaya Restaurant (Burgazada)
Category tags: Fish + meat options · Alcohol served · Traditional open-air island dinner · Not fast-food
The restaurants at the end of our list of the best restaurants in the Princes’ Islands are all very good and you should definitely experience them at least once. Kalpazankaya Restaurant is one of them. Kalpazankaya Restaurant, named after the rock where fake money was printed during the Byzantine period, offers you incredibly beautiful views and tastes. The restaurant has been run by the same family for 60 years. The restaurant’s menu includes rich seafood. Lamb tandoori, cooked over wood fire every Wednesday, is one of the best delicacies. Another important thing you should know about the restaurant is that you should definitely make a reservation before going.
What people eat here most: people come for the “late lunch into sunset” rhythm, with a meyhane-style table and a big main to finish.
What to expect: a destination-style meal with panoramic views and an “open-air island evening” feeling. Plan for a longer visit, especially if you time it for late afternoon and stay through sunset. The mood is often lively in a classic meyhane way (big tables, long evenings) more than a club-style party.
Our recommendation: Make a reservation, arrive hungry, and if it is Wednesday, commit to the tandoori and keep the mezes lighter so you still have space for the main.
Address: Kalpazankaya Yolu Sok. No:42 Burgazada, 34975 Adalar/İstanbul
Değirmen Burnu Restaurant (Heybeliada)
Category tags: Turkish grill + meze · Alcohol not clearly promoted (assume mixed) · Traditional picnic-park style · Not fast-food
The only restaurant from Heybeliada included in our list is Değirmenburnu Restaurant. It is a preferred restaurant with its shabby and nature location and Burgazada view. Preferred by locals for its view, the restaurant has food options for everyone. You can choose the restaurant that will give you a quiet day.
What people eat here most: the official venue description highlights grills, zeytinyağlıs, hot starters, cold mezes, and breakfast, so many visitors treat it as an easy nature break meal inside the park.
What to expect: a simple, outdoorsy meal inside a nature-park setting. Think picnic energy, fresh air, families and walkers stopping for a break, and a menu that fits an easy daytime plan. This is more calm and daytime-friendly than a “fun night” spot.
Our recommendation: This is a great “reset” stop on Heybeliada: go earlier in the day, eat something grilled, then stay for tea with the view.
Website: degirmenburnu.com/restaurant
Address: Heybeliada, Denizyolu Sk No:20/A, 34973 Adalar/İstanbul
Jash Restaurant (Kınalıada)
Category tags: Seafood · Alcohol served (often mentioned in reviews) · Traditional (with Armenian touches mentioned by reviewers) · Not fast-food
Last on our list is Jash Restaurant from Kınalıada. This is a restaurant where you can find all kinds of sea food. It is a place where family management and taste accumulation that has been going on for years come together. Many dishes on the menu are prepared according to traditions. You can find the opportunity to taste many dishes and appetizers that you have heard of before.
What people eat here most: reviews often describe a meze display where you choose plates, then follow with a seafood main; several review sources also highlight octopus and casserole-style dishes.
What to expect: a more intimate, choose-your-meze experience where the table starts with whatever looks best in the display, then builds into a shared seafood main. Great for a slow lunch by the sea. The vibe is usually quiet and relaxed, not a live-music party night.
Our recommendation: Go with a “choose-your-meze” strategy: pick 4–5 plates from the display, then order one hot seafood main to share so the meal feels complete.
Address: Kınalıada, Alsancak Cd., 34977 Adalar/İstanbul
Elio Restaurant (Sedef Island )
Category tags: Seafood + mixed Mediterranean menu · Alcohol served (wine/cocktails) · Special-occasion / beach-club style · Not fast-food
Elio is one of the best-known venues on Sedef Island, and it is often chosen for long summer lunches, sunset dinners, and events. The vibe is more “island club / special day out” than classic meyhane, with a focus on atmosphere, sea views, and a menu built for lingering.
What people eat here most: visitors often come for seafood and grilled mains, plus sharing starters and salads that fit a long table by the sea.
What to expect: a stylish, beachy setting where the experience matters as much as the food. Think a slower pace, a “dress up a little” mood, and a day that can easily stretch from late lunch into sunset drinks. The overall vibe is usually calm and upscale, rather than a live-music meyhane night.
Our recommendation: Make this your “Sedef day” anchor: arrive earlier, start with 2–3 sharing starters, then choose one grilled seafood main to share and keep space for dessert or a drink at the end.
Website: eliosedef.com
Address: Sedef Adası, İstanbul
Conclusion: plan your island day (and your table)
The Princes’ Islands are best enjoyed when food is part of the route, not an afterthought. A good island meal is not just “where to eat.” It is how you slow down, how you take in the sea air, and how you turn a simple visit into a full island memory.
That is why we wrote this guide with category tags. They are not here to label a restaurant. They are here to help you match your mood, your timing, and your route to the right kind of table.
- If you want classic rakı–fish culture and a long meze table, choose a traditional meyhane-style place.
- If you want a calm, special-occasion atmosphere, choose a garden / mansion-style setting.
- If you want sunset views and a “worth the trip” feeling, choose a scenic terrace / destination restaurant.
- If you want a lively night with music, choose a place where live music is part of the weekend rhythm.
- If you want a simple, daytime nature break, choose a park / outdoorsy spot.
Where this becomes really useful is when you combine the restaurants with the kind of tour day you want. Our tours are designed around pace and experience, so it is easy to place the “right” meal into the route:
- On the Full Day Private Princes’ Islands Tour (6–8 hours, usually Büyükada + Heybeliada), you have time for one “main event” meal. This is where a scenic terrace / destination stop makes perfect sense. For example, you can plan a stop at Eskibağ Teras so the view feels like part of the sightseeing, not just lunch or dinner.
- On the Half Day Private Princes’ Islands Tour (4–5 hours), the best fit is usually a table that keeps the day smooth. For a classic, easy-to-reach waterfront meal, By Şükrü Balık is a strong match.
- On the Princes Islands’ E-bike Tour (4–5 hours), food works best as a well-timed break. A simple, daytime-friendly stop like Değirmen Burnu Restaurant fits the “recharge and keep riding” rhythm.
- On the Island Local Food Tasting Tour (5–6 hours, visiting 3 islands and trying 10+ local foods), the meal is the experience. If you also want one “sit-down” moment to anchor the day, a meze-first stop like Barba Yani fits the mood.
- On the A Romantic Night in Buyukada (overnight), dinner becomes part of the memory. A special-occasion setting like No 2 Garden Restaurant By Şükrü is a natural match for the calm, romantic pace.
- On the Full Day Princes’ Islands Group Tour (6–8 hours, Büyükada + Heybeliada), it helps to pick something practical and reliable for a group rhythm. A waterfront classic like Sahil Ayvalık Cunda Mutfağı works well for that kind of day.
However you plan it, the best island meals are the ones you give time to. Walk a little, sit longer than you expected, and let the table stretch with the day.
You can contact us for more information and reservations about the restaurants.
