Are you going to spend this Valentine’s Day in Istanbul with your Turkish delight? If you have no idea what to do on February 14, going on a romantic dinner date at an elegant restaurant always works.
However, you can’t bring your date to a random restaurant on this special day. It should be a place with a romantic ambiance, delicious food, and an amazing view. You’re lucky to be reading this because, as a Turkish woman who has lived in Istanbul for four years, I’m here to share the best date spots for Valentine’s Day in Istanbul!
Romantic Date Spots For Valentine’s Day In Istanbul
Istanbul is a romantic city with many restaurants, museums, art galleries, and historical buildings. There are many romantic activities you can do with your partner, but let’s save them for the next post about romantic things to do in Turkey. This one is about luxury date spots for a romantic dinner.
So, without further ado, here are the best date spots for Valentine’s Day in Istanbul:
1. Sarnıç Restaurant
This special restaurant is located in a 1500-year-old historical building with a rich history, Basilica Cistern. The Sarnıç Restaurant is within walking distance from the Historical Peninsula, where the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapı Palace are located. It offers delightful selections of modern Anatolian cuisine and hosts you in a romantic atmosphere inside the Byzantine Cistern with live piano music in the background. If you want to have an unforgettable evening on Valentine’s Day, this place won’t disappoint you!
Price Level: $$$$
Location: Soğukçeşme Sk. No:26, İstanbul
2. Maiden’s Tower
Have you ever thought about dining inside a historical lighthouse in the middle of the Bosphorus? If you want to have this once-in-a-lifetime experience, Maiden’s Tower is the perfect date spot for you! As if it’s not awesome enough, the good service and delicious Turkish food make the place even better. You can have a beautiful date night by welcoming the amazing view of the Bosphorus. The Maiden Tower (Kız Kulesi) is located in the middle of the sea, which makes it stand out from other places, so it awaits you on Valentine’s Day for a unique date!
Price level: $$$
Location: Salacak, Salacak Mevkii, Üsküdar
3. Galata Tower
The Galata Tower is a famous symbol of Istanbul. The best time of the day to climb up to the tower is at sunset. You can see a breathtaking panoramic view of Istanbul at the top of the tower. There’s also a restaurant at the top that offers a scenic view of Istanbul. The twinkling city lights and the shimmering Bosphorus Strait set the perfect stage for a romantic evening on Valentine’s Day.
Price Level: $$ – $$$
Location: Bereketzade Mah. Buyuk Hendek Sok. No:2 Beyoglu
4. Sunset Grill & Bar
Sunset is a popular romantic restaurant in Istanbul that offers the best fine dining experience in the city with its beautiful view. The restaurant’s menu has a wide variety of dishes, such as sushi, pasta, and grilled meats. You can also taste other Mediterranean, Turkish, and Japanese foods here. In addition, its terrace embracing the fascinating Bosphorus view makes the place one of the most ideal spots for Valentine’s Day.
Price Level: $$$$
Location: Kuruçeşme Mahallesi, Ulus Park, Yol Sokağı No:2, Beşiktaş
5. Tuğra
Tuğra restaurant is located on the first floor of the Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel. It’s true to its name and looks like a palace. Although the dining room is impressive, the views of the Bosphorus Strait take it to another level. Tugra Restaurant offers all the best Ottoman and Turkish food you can think of. So, this is your ideal date night location if you’re looking for a fine-dining restaurant with a sophisticated ambiance.
Price Level: $$$$
Location: Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel, Ciragan Caddesi 32, Çiragan Cd, 34349 Besiktas
6. 1924 İstanbul
1924 Istanbul is located in Beyoğlu, in the original location of the historical place. You can feel the elegance and nostalgia of the early 1900s from the moment you step inside. It feels like traveling back in time! This restaurant was visited by famous people, some of them Atatürk and Agatha Christie. 1924 Istanbul is a nostalgic and relatively budget-friendly option for a romantic date night on Valentine’s Day.
Price Level: $$
Location: Asmalı Mescit, Olivya Gç. 7-A, Beyoğlu
7. Grace Rooftop Restaurant
Grace Rooftop Restaurant is the best place for having a romantic evening while sipping cocktails. The restaurant is located in the Lady Diana Hotel. The decoration is lavish, and the wide windows take full advantage of views of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. The menu offers some forgotten Ottoman Cuisine foods. Everything is beautifully presented in this restaurant, and that makes it one of the best date spots for Valentine’s Day in Istanbul.
Price Level: $$ to $$$
Location: Binbirdirek, Lady diana otel, Terzihane Sk. No:15, 34122 Fatih
8. Barnathan Rooftop
This restaurant is located in the famous Barnathan Apartment, which has a history of 130 years. The rooftop has a magnificent tower view of the Galata and Beyoğlu districts. However, you should make a reservation to have a table on the terrace because it’s often busy, especially on weekends. Additionally, for those who prefer breakfast, the café on the second floor of the apartment serves Turkish breakfast until noon on weekdays and 2 pm on weekends.
Price Level: $$
Location: Şahkulu, Tımarcı Sk. No:1, Beyoğlu
Ready For A Romantic Getaway In Istanbul?
I hope some of these date spots for Valentine’s Day in Istanbul got your attention. There’s no way your partner won’t like a dinner date at such romantic restaurants. If you want to surprise them even more, why don’t you learn some Valentine’s Day words or heartfelt phrases to express your love in Turkish?
If you already know how to say I love you in Turkish and want to learn more, download the Ling app from the App Store or Play Store and learn Turkish to connect with your partner in their native language!
Until next time, stay with love (sevgiyle kalın)!
