Three Istanbul restaurants that made an impression on our inspectors

"Steps from the world-renowned Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, these stately premises reveal fresh angles on the monument and, in summer, a secluded garden where the beautiful minarets tower overhead. Adjacent to the historical Caferağa Madrasa, the terrace’s traditional turquoise, green, and khaki pastels create a quintessentially warm Turkish ambience, while upstairs a covered winter garden looks over Zeynep Sultan Mosque and the Sultanahmet neighborhood. Classic, typically Turkish opulence resides in every detail, and we were enchanted by the kitchen’s sense of history: time-honoured dishes such as lentil-stuffed cabbage leaves (following an 1844 recipe) and goose kebab (a 1539 recipe) are revived with deep respect for tradition. Matbah brings Turkish history to life." - MICHELIN Guide