Octo

A wonderful experience. The view is well worth the visit by itself. Uniquely prepared dishes. I asked for the olive oil the waiter immediately brought us a box as a gift.

We had an amazing dinner at Octo Restaurant inside the JW Marriott Istanbul. The food was absolutely delicious, the service was top-notch, and the view of the Bosphorus was just stunning. The highlight of the night was meeting Chef Safak what a great guy! You can really feel his passion for food and hospitality. He told us many of the recipes come from his grandmother, which made everything feel extra special and full of heart. We also loved the touch of Latino warmth he brings to the experience—it really made us feel at home. This was one of the most memorable meals of our trip, and honestly, Istanbul has become one of my favorite places in the world. We’ll definitely be back!

Met Chef Fak, and he personally invited us to this twice Michelin awarded restaurant! We tried all his recommendations, and now we know why his restaurant was awarded the distinction! Not only were the food delicious, but you can taste the freshness and farm-to-table qualities!! Totally worth the experience and very highly recommended! He even came to the table 3 times! Thank you Chef, for an experience that was above and beyond!!!'

We had a magnificent dinner. The restaurant was very accommodating of our two year old who dined with us. They had not only high chairs but special plates and silverware. The waitstaff bent over backwards to accommodate us. The food was fabulous and the view was fantastic. A magical dinner.

Absolutely phenomenal food with perhaps the best view in all of Istanbul. Very classy and elegant dining, prompt service, well-trained staff, food comes out quickly. Every dish we had (8) was amazing. I highly recommend the pansotti. Expensive but well-worth the 5-star experience in terms of service, atmosphere, and food!

We recently dined at Octo in Istanbul, and while the experience wasn’t entirely negative, it left us disappointed on several fronts. Although the restaurant is beautifully designed with a stunning view, these positives unfortunately didn’t make up for the issues we faced. The most unpleasant aspect was the service. From the beginning, we felt as though we were treated poorly, possibly because of our casual appearance. We were simply dressed, with no makeup or fancy hairstyles, and it genuinely felt like this influenced the level of attention we received. Our waiter was notably unfriendly and inattentive, which left us feeling uncomfortable. The waiting time was unreasonably long, with other guests—who arrived later but were dressed more formally—receiving their meals much sooner. As for the food, it was decent but not exceptional. We ordered two salads and pasta with beef ribs. My salad was tasty, but my friend’s was overly salted, and the pasta was fine but certainly didn’t wow us. The waiter, unfortunately, further soured our experience; when he cleared the plates, he abruptly took my friend’s dish and in the process, he managed to stain my friend’s sleeve due to his carelessness, seemingly doing everything without much attention or care. He only muttered a quick “sorry” after realizing his mistake, but the damage was done. Adding to the discomfort, the restaurant was incredibly stuffy. The heaters were on full blast, and with all the windows closed, the air felt heavy and stifling. By the end of the evening, I even started to feel unwell from the heat and lack of fresh air. Overall, Octo did not meet our expectations, especially considering its Michelin status. As my friend put it, it was the worst Michelin-starred restaurant experience we’ve had. The ambiance was lovely, but unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to redeem the rest of our evening.

Octo Restaurant, located on the rooftop of the JW Marriott Bosphorus in Karakoy, offers breathtaking views of the Bosphorus, Topkapi Palace, and the bustling waters below. Guests can also enjoy the nearby Sky Terrace Bar with views of the Galata Tower. Under the leadership of Chef Safe Erten, who joined in April 2024, the restaurant has revamped its menu, focusing on fresh, locally-sourced seafood and fine dining. Signature dishes include Crispy Dynamite Prawns, Lobster Tacos, and Grilled Lamb Chops, all complemented by an extensive selection of wines from around the world.

The food was truly exceptional! Make sure to try their avocado shrimps and asparagus risotto! Very special! They have vegetarian tasty options! The view is truly nice overlooking the Bosphorus! The staff were very friendly and the prices are good since it’s a fine dining experience! I went there for my birthday and the staff were very kind and helpful!