Istanbul's old port area got a major makeover lately. The Galataport project turned this waterfront into something pretty cool with museums and fancy places to eat. Gallada sits on top of The Peninsula Hotel like a crown. This Turkish-Asian restaurant is Chef Fatih Tutak's newest baby. The guy already runs a two-Michelin-star place called TURK. Now he's doing something totally different here.

Key highlights:
- Rooftop dining with crazy good Bosphorus views
- Turkish-Asian fusion menu inspired by ancient Silk Road trading routes
- Chef Fatih Tutak's second Istanbul restaurant after his Michelin-starred TURK

PROFILE

Gallada opened in June 2023 on the fourth floor of The Peninsula Istanbul. Chef Fatih Tutak created this place to tell stories through food about the old Silk Road trade routes. The restaurant can fit more than 200 people inside. That's like three school classrooms worth of diners. It's got both indoor and outdoor seating areas. The whole place looks pretty fancy but not stuffy. They also have a bar called Topside right above the restaurant. Both places serve until 1 AM except on Mondays when they're closed.

AMBIENCE

The views here are nuts. You can see the Bosphorus strait and all the historic buildings across the water. The restaurant has soft pastel colors everywhere. It feels grown-up but not boring. There's a DJ playing music in the evenings. The sound gets pretty loud according to some people who ate there. The outdoor terrace is where you want to sit if the weather's nice. Inside works too when it's cold or raining.

MUST-TRY

The tuna dish is apparently mind-blowing. They marinate it in soy sauce, yuzu, and ginger then add tahini and yogurt cream. People keep talking about the tandoori duck. It's like Turkish cooking had a baby with Indian spices. Their baklava isn't your grandma's version. Chef Tutak puts his own spin on this classic dessert. The shashlik gets mentioned a lot in reviews. One person said it was better than any they'd tried before.

FOOD

The menu mixes Turkish and Asian flavors in weird but good ways. Think of it like a food map following ancient trade routes. Everything gets presented like art on a plate. The kitchen team clearly spends time making dishes look Instagram-worthy. Portion sizes seem reasonable for fine dining. Nobody's leaving hungry based on the reviews. The ravioli varieties offer different taste combinations. Each one tells a different story from the Silk Road journey.

SERVICE

The staff knows their stuff about the menu. They'll explain dishes in detail if you ask. Service runs pretty smooth even when the place gets packed. The team seems well-trained. Some servers get mentioned by name in reviews. Jessica and Alihan apparently made people feel really welcome. The restaurant takes reservations and you probably need them. Walk-ins might get turned away when it's busy.

PRICING

This place isn't cheap. People mention spending around $150 per person for dinner. Some reviewers think it's overpriced for what you get. Others say the quality justifies the cost. The wine list has lots of Turkish options. That's cool since most fancy restaurants ignore local wines. You're paying for the location and views as much as the food. Rooftop dining with Bosphorus views doesn't come free.

SUMMARY

Gallada works if you want to impress someone or celebrate something special. The views alone make it worth visiting once. The food concept is interesting even if execution doesn't always hit perfectly. Chef Tutak's reputation brings expectations that might be too high. Service and atmosphere generally deliver on the luxury promise. Just don't expect a bargain meal. It's become a hot spot for tourists and locals who want to see and be seen. Booking ahead is smart.

FAQs

Do they allow kids at Gallada?
Yes, they welcome families with children and have high chairs available. Several reviews mention parents bringing young kids for special celebrations.

What's the dress code like?
They list it as 'smart casual' which means no flip-flops or tank tops. Think nice jeans with a button-down shirt or a casual dress.

Can you just go for drinks without dinner?
The Topside Bar upstairs serves cocktails and drinks if you don't want a full meal. They have premium spirits and cocktails inspired by Silk Road spices.