Sirkeci is one of those Istanbul spots that feels like old Turkey mixed with tourist energy. This rooftop restaurant sits on top of Seres Hotel Old City and you can see the whole city from up there. The place opened its doors wanting to give people a taste of Turkish food with a view that'll make your Instagram pop. They got mezze plates, kebabs, and all that good Turkish stuff.

Key highlights:
- Sits on hotel rooftop with crazy good views of Hagia Sophia and Bosphorus
- Real Turkish food made by chefs who know what they're doing
- Live music with violin and saxophone players most nights

PROFILE

This restaurant is basically on the 360-degree rooftop of a hotel in the heart of Istanbul. You gotta go through the hotel lobby and take an elevator to get up there. The whole setup feels fancy but not too stuffy. They've been around for a few years now and made a name for themselves. Ranked 28th out of over 12,000 restaurants in Istanbul on TripAdvisor.

AMBIENCE

The view is honestly insane - you can see Hagia Sophia, the Golden Horn, and the Bosphorus Bridge all at once. The decor tries to be Turkish traditional but with modern touches. Sometimes they have live music with violinists and saxophone players. The lighting works well for both day and night dining. Gets pretty busy especially during sunset hours. The outdoor seating area is where most people want to sit.

MUST-TRY

Their mezze plates are the real deal - you get like 4-6 different small dishes to share. The lamb chops get mentioned in reviews a lot. The chicken shish kebab is supposedly better than most places in the city. They do this thing called Sultan dish that comes with saffron sauce. The tabbouleh salad is fresh and has that perfect balance of flavors. Don't skip the pita bread - it's warm and fluffy.

FOOD

The kitchen focuses on Turkish and Mediterranean flavors but they're not trying to be too fancy about it. Portions are pretty generous and the ingredients taste fresh. They got vegetarian, vegan, and halal options too. The seafood section has jumbo shrimp and fish dishes. Some people say the pasta is decent but honestly you're not coming here for Italian food. The desserts are traditional Turkish sweets that come with tea.

SERVICE

The staff remembers regular customers and their preferences. They speak good English which helps since most customers are tourists. Service can get slow when it's packed but they try to keep things moving. The waiters are friendly and will joke around with you. They're good at recommending dishes if you're not sure what to order. Management seems to care about making sure people have a good time.

PRICING

This place is definitely not cheap - expect to pay tourist prices for the view. A mezze plate for two people plus main courses runs about 135 euros. The drinks are marked up pretty high too. You're paying for the location and view more than anything else. Some reviews say it's overpriced but others think it's worth it for special occasions. The portions are big enough to share if you want to save some money.

SUMMARY

Roof Mezze 360 is one of those places that tourists love and locals probably avoid because of the prices. The food is good Turkish cuisine but not groundbreaking. The view is what you're really paying for and it delivers. If you're visiting Istanbul and want that perfect rooftop dining experience, this place will do it. Just be ready to pay premium prices for the privilege.

FAQs

Do I need reservations?
Yeah, especially if you want a table with the best view during sunset. They take reservations by phone or through their website. Walk-ins might get seated but probably not at the prime spots.

How do I get to the restaurant?
You enter through the Seres Hotel Old City lobby and take the elevator to the top floor. The hotel is in the Sirkeci area near Sultanahmet. Most taxi drivers know the hotel.

Is the food halal?
Yes, they serve halal food and have other dietary options like vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. The staff can help you figure out what works for your dietary needs.