Beyti has been satisfying the meat cravings of locals and visitors since the 1940s, and the chefs take just as much pride in their dishes today as they have for decades.The dining room as an undeniably historic feel—red patterned carpets, a ceiling of metal grates framed in polished wood and old pictures framed on the walls—but the Turkish cuisine is the main draw.

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Borsa has been serving up Turkish and Anatolian cuisine alongside views of the Bosphorus and Adile Sultan Palace for the better part of a century. While the interior design was inspired by the palace, the best views are found on the terrace, especially during the warmer months. The service is high quality, and the menu is full of classics like stuffed grape leaves, borek, kofte and more. This is a good spot for a special occasion.

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Dine like a sultan at Deraliye, where chef Necati Yilmaz has collected historic recipes from Ottoman palaces to recreate at his restaurant. Some dishes are served in embossed silver bowls amidst rich decor like crystal chandeliers, wooden screens and plush mustard colored seating.

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A bit off the beaten track (and rather heavy on the kitsch decor), the Develi Kebab House is considered one of the top kebab houses in Istanbul. Try the cig kofte, Turkey’s answer to steak tartare (lamb kneaded with spice and herbs) and the fistikli kebab (kebab with pistachios).

Fazil Bey has gained a reputation as one of the city’s top stops for Turkish Coffee, with limited seating and excellent coffee.

There is a touristy quality to this place that may remind you of classics like the 21 Club in New York and Tour d’Argent in Paris, but it has an incredible location right on the edge of the Bosphorus with views of the twinkling bridge lights and lapping water.

No trip to Istanbul is complete without a kebap (Turkish for “kebab”) lunch. Located in the Old City on a rooftop on the waterfront by Galata bridge, just steps away from the Egyptian Spice Market, Hamdi offers sweeping views and a casual, bustling, neighborhood atmosphere. Start with mezze, then order a variety of grilled kebaps; I particularly enjoyed the pistachio (a spicy meatball with lamb, beef and pistachios) and the lamb. They are served with fresh pitas, wraps, grilled hot peppers, tomatoes, couscous and chopped onions, so that you can build your own, fajita style. Locals swear the baklava is the best in town. (Note: Make sure you go to Hamdi Restaurant, not Hamdi Kofte, which is three doors down.)

White tablecloths add a touch of elegance to the dining space at Hunkar, where walls are covered in Turkish sconces, gold-framed mirrors and black-and-white photographs from the restaurant’s past. Hünkar serves traditional Turkish cuisine, with lamb, stuffed eggplant, hummus, fried meatballs, kebabs, dolma and other traditional dishes being served.

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There are many locations in Istanbul to get baklava, but one of the most famous—so famous that they ship nationwide—is Karaköy Gulluoglu.

This family-run eatery by the wharfs serves Ottoman classics as well as an excellent assortment of meze. Its relaxed, brasserie-esque atmosphere is popular with local business people who work in the area. Lunch is best as the area is a bit deserted at night (although dinner here is excellent). Reservations are recommended.

This traditional lunch restaurant in Istanbul serves the city’s best—and most coveted—kofte, or Turkish meatballs.

In between the two domes of the Cagaloglu Hamam (the last baroque hammam, which has been preserved for over 300 years) is Lokanta 1741, an intimate restaurant serving contemporary Turkish cuisine. Romantic through and through, guests can dine in the dimly lit open-air courtyard and bar or in one of the interior dining spaces, where tables are set along low-lit stucco walls beneath wooden and glass ceilings. Tasting and à la carte menus are available, with dishes like fish stew, goose dumplings and grilled sea bass, among others.

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Any A-lister who goes to Istanbul makes sure to have a meal at Pandeli, a classic Turkish restaurant near the entrance to the Spice Market; it serves mezes and traditional meat and fish dishes. While many people complain that the restaurant is overpriced and lives on its past reputation, it’s still a lovely place with plenty of atmosphere. Ask for a table in the main room, lined in ancient turquoise tiles.

If you’re looking to get down and dirty with the locals, try Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi, a century-old joint famous for its kofte, zesty grilled meatballs indicative of Turkish “fast food.” Wash your meal down with ayran, a traditional yogurt beverage that’s served alongside.

In the heart of Istanbul with views of the Bosphorus Strait, Tershane is a fine dining restaurant honoring Turkish cuisine. Mezze, kebabs and grilled lamb dominate the menu, and the open kitchen allows diners to see the food being prepared in real time. Located on the eighth floor of Hotel Momento, Tershane offers both city views and a chance to escape from life buzzing below.

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Of the many restaurants of the Çiragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, Tugra is considered the best. The menu is classic Turkish-Ottoman cuisine, and its dishes are among the finest in the city. Even if you’re not staying here, book a table (with a view of the river) for a special evening out.

One of the favorite restaurants of stylish Stamboulis, and a place that they love to bring visiting guests to wow them, is Ulus 29. Set on the hills overlooking the Bosphorus and the city, the club has knock-out views from just about every table. The owner Metin Fadillioğlu asked his wife to decorate the restaurant, and she has brought a sexy Ottoman feeling with touches from India and Morocco. In the summer, the best tables are on the terrace but in winter, floor-to-ceiling windows that extend along the length of the dining room preserve the feeling of being on the edge of the cliff.