Istanbul's historic Sultanahmet district holds some serious dining spots. GRACE Rooftop Restaurant sits right in the middle of all the action, close to the famous Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. This place gives you that classic Turkish hospitality vibe. The restaurant is perched up high with crazy good views of the city's most famous landmarks. You can see the Bosphorus from up here too. It's like having a front-row seat to Istanbul's best sights while you eat.

Key highlights:
- Free Ottoman costumes for photos and videos
- 360-degree panoramic views of Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia
- Mix of Turkish and international dishes with Ottoman-inspired recipes

PROFILE

GRACE Rooftop Restaurant opened as a high-end dining spot in Sultanahmet. The restaurant focuses on bringing back old Ottoman flavors from the 14th to 18th centuries. They serve everything from breakfast to late-night drinks. The place stays open until 1:30 AM every day of the week. The restaurant got ranked #118 out of over 12,000 restaurants in Istanbul. That's pretty solid for such a competitive food scene.

AMBIENCE

The dining area isn't actually on the roof but in a fancy space just below it. Big windows open up to show off those crazy views of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. After dinner, you can head upstairs to the actual rooftop terrace. The 360-degree views from up there are insane. The interior design feels luxurious but not stuffy. You get that Ottoman palace feeling without it being too over the top. The lighting at night makes everything look magical. The illuminated mosques in the background create this perfect Instagram moment.

MUST-TRY

The Ottoman-inspired dishes are what make this place special. The chefs try to recreate recipes that were served to sultans back in the day. Mini squid with white wine sauce gets mentioned a lot in reviews. People seem to really dig that dish. The pomegranate flower sherbet is another standout item. It's one of those traditional drinks that you can't find everywhere. The stuffed melon sounds weird but it's apparently one of their signature items. The daily seafood dishes change based on what's fresh.

FOOD

The menu covers Turkish, Mediterranean, Italian, and international cuisines. They try to hit different taste preferences with their variety. Some reviewers love the food while others think it's just okay. The pasta dishes seem to get better reviews than the meat options. The beef dishes have gotten some complaints about being overcooked. If you're not into red meat, stick with the seafood or vegetarian options. The breakfast menu is solid according to recent reviews. They serve a proper Turkish breakfast spread with all the classic items.

SERVICE

The staff gets mixed reviews depending on who you ask. Some servers like Cevdet and Elgin get mentioned by name for great service. The waiters can be a bit pushy about clearing plates quickly. Some guests felt rushed even when the restaurant wasn't busy. They provide free Ottoman costumes for photos which is a nice touch. The staff will even help take pictures if you want. Service quality seems to depend on which server you get. Some are super attentive while others just go through the motions.

PRICING

This place is expensive, no way around it. Expect to pay around 90-200 euros for two people depending on what you order. The wine prices are pretty high even for Istanbul standards. A bottle of wine can easily add 100+ euros to your bill. Watch out for the service charge that gets added as 'tax' on the bill. Some guests have complained about this being misleading. The portions are decent sized so you're not getting ripped off quantity-wise. The high prices are mostly for the location and views.

SUMMARY

GRACE Rooftop Restaurant is all about those views and the fancy atmosphere. The food is hit or miss but the setting is undeniably cool. If you want to impress someone or celebrate something special, this place works. Just be ready to pay tourist prices for the experience. The Ottoman costume thing is fun and the views are genuinely amazing. Whether the food justifies the price depends on your expectations. Go for the views, hope for good food, and prepare your wallet. It's one of those places you visit once for the experience.

FAQs

Do they really provide free Ottoman costumes?
Yes, GRACE Rooftop Restaurant provides complimentary traditional Turkish and Ottoman costumes for all visitors. The staff will help you with photos and videos while wearing the costumes, and it's completely free.

Can you see the sunset from the restaurant?
No, you can't catch the sunset over the mosques from GRACE Rooftop because the sun sets in the opposite direction. The restaurant faces east toward the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, so you'll get better views during the day and evening when the monuments are illuminated.

Is the service charge really added as tax?
Many reviewers have complained about a 10% service charge being added to the bill and labeled as 'tax.' This appears to be a service charge rather than an actual government tax, and some guests have successfully had it removed when they questioned it.