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Recommended by our hotel (Le Méridien), we visited Bebek Balıkçısı expecting a true local experience, as it's known to be a long-standing favorite among Istanbul residents. However, our visit revealed something important about dining in Istanbul that’s worth sharing.
In many global cities — like New York, London, or Madrid — restaurants frequented by locals often offer tourists an equally warm and engaging experience. In Istanbul, however, the dynamic is different.
Yes, Bebek Balıkçısı is clearly a spot that locals enjoy. The menu is traditional, with familiar Turkish seafood dishes prepared well. But that’s also part of the issue — most restaurants in this category offer nearly identical menus, with the real difference being location and views, not the culinary identity.
More importantly, first-time visitors are not treated the same as regular local guests. Seating preference, service attitude, and general hospitality felt noticeably less personal for tourists. As a one-time visitor, we felt like we were simply being processed through a well-oiled machine — efficient, but lacking warmth.
Advice for fellow travelers and hotel concierges:
In Istanbul, “go where the locals go” doesn’t always translate into a better or more authentic experience for tourists. Restaurants like Bebek Balıkçısı may be beloved by locals, but unless you're a regular, you're unlikely to be treated as one. For travelers, especially first-timers, consider restaurants that are known for treating all guests with equal attentiveness, even if they aren’t considered local “hidden gems.”
