Istanbul's got this cool spot up in Ulus Park that's been around since way back in 1994. Sunset Grill & Bar sits right there with crazy good views of the Bosphorus, you know, that famous water thing that splits the city. This place is like super fancy but also kinda weird at the same time. People either love it or hate it big time.

Key highlights:
- Amazing views of the Bosphorus and Asian side of Istanbul
- Been serving fancy food since 1994 with sushi bar since 1999
- Member of some fancy chef club called Chaîne des Rôtisseurs

PROFILE

This restaurant opened back when your parents were probably kids or something. It's one of those places that tries to be super fancy in Istanbul. They serve Mediterranean food, Turkish stuff, and what they call 'New Japanese Cuisine' which is basically sushi and fancy Asian food. The place is huge with both inside and outside areas. Owner guy Barış Tansever seems to really like art and design stuff. You can tell because there's weird lighting and special plates everywhere. They even made a cookbook of their recipes which is kinda cool I guess.

AMBIENCE

The view is honestly the best part about this place. You get to see the Bosphorus Bridge and all the boats going by. Inside there's this glass dining room that's pretty modern looking. Outside they have these open decks with tables during summer. Some people say it feels like a wedding hall because there's so many tables packed together. Privacy isn't really a thing here. The lighting is pretty cool though with these cocoon-looking things hanging around. Garden has these flower lamps that some famous architect lady used in Rome.

MUST-TRY

Everyone talks about their sushi bar which was supposedly the first one in Istanbul. That's been going since 1999 so they've had time to figure it out. Their beef steaks are aged in-house which sounds fancy. People seem to like the barbecue stuff especially this beef fillet with brown sauce. The miso cod shows up on the menu a lot but reviews are super mixed about it. Some say it's amazing, others say it tastes like nothing. If you're gonna go, probably stick to the sushi or the beef. Those seem to be the safest bets.

FOOD

Here's where things get really weird with this place. Some people say the food is amazing, others say it's terrible. Recent reviews are pretty harsh about food quality going down. People complain about dry lamb, tasteless cod, and even raw chicken being served. The portions are apparently really small for how much you pay. One person said they paid over $1000 for basic food which is insane. But then other people love it and say it's impeccable. So maybe it depends on what you order or when you go.

SERVICE

Service seems to be hit or miss too. Some people love the waiters, others say they're mean and have no personality. The host apparently acts like he's doing you a favor by letting you eat there. That's pretty annoying for a place that costs so much. They do take reservations which is good because the place gets packed. You can call or book online through their website. There's also some weird extra charges that people complain about. Like $100 for 'ambiance' and $7 for coat check which seems ridiculous.

PRICING

This place is expensive, like really expensive. We're talking $$$$ level pricing for sure. People mention spending $500-1000 for dinner which is crazy money. One person got charged $1000 instead of $100 for wine which sounds like a scam. They do have a 20% discount for lunch though. So if you really want to try it, maybe go during the day. For Istanbul standards, this is probably one of the pricier places. You're definitely paying for the location and views more than the food.

SUMMARY

Sunset Grill & Bar is one of those places that's famous but maybe not for the right reasons anymore. The views are incredible and the location is pretty special. But the food quality seems to have gone downhill based on recent reviews. Service is inconsistent and the prices are way too high for what you get. If you do go, maybe just have drinks and appetizers to enjoy the view. Don't expect amazing food or great service. It's still a cool spot for photos and the sunset views are legit. Just manage your expectations about everything else.

FAQs

Do I need reservations?
Yeah, you should definitely make reservations. They get busy and the host might make you wait at the bar even with a reservation. You can call +90 212 287 03 57 or book online.

Is smoking allowed?
Yes, people can smoke in the dining areas which some visitors find annoying. If you don't like cigarette smoke, this might bother you.

What's the dress code?
They don't mention a specific dress code but it's a fancy place so probably dress nice. Business casual or better would be safe.