Feriye Restaurant

Feriye Sarayi, Ortaköy (above the Çiragan Palace on the right) Cuisines: Arabic

About

Lesser princes and dignitaries were relegated to this stunning auxiliary palace, which has been renovated and converted into a luxurious restaurant and cultural center. Summertime is definitely the season for this spot, as the tables move out to the seaside terrace, creating a spectacular dining experience little more than an arm's length from scores of jellyfish. The seafood dishes are worth mentioning, if not only for the festivity of the occasion, than for the medallions of swordfish topped with a seafood ragout. Carnivores will not be disappointed by a menu reflecting the tastes of an empire that spanned the Middle East all the way to the Asiatic Sea; try the breast of chicken stuffed with pistachios and see what I mean. Twinkling Bosphorus views and nighttime sea breezes are romance at its best, although this restaurant is equally popular during its Sunday brunch service.