Excellent views of the city, especially if you go at sunset. The bar is pretty good with a load of classic and signature cocktails on the menu, but perhaps too many as they were a bit hit or miss.
We also had the full tasting menu and wine pairing. The food was pretty good, although some courses weren’t to our liking. The wine pairing was exceptional with every course.
My biggest complaint was the pacing – sometimes we’d get the next course immediately after the previous, sometimes there was quite a wait. The entire meal took 3 hours and whilst we were enjoying the view it felt like it dragged a bit and we had to ration our wine waiting out the next course.
Additionally, we were sat on the terrace and had a couple next to us chain smoking throughout the meal which detracted somewhat, although not enough for us to request a move to a table inside.

My recommendation would be to book a table for drinks and soak up the view, especially at sunset, and only go for a meal if you are really keen for a rooftop Michelin experience.

I had a rather disappointing experience at Mikla, a Michelin-starred restaurant. While the appetizers were a culinary delight with well-balanced flavors and innovative presentations, the main courses fell flat. The overuse of strong, overpowering flavors in each dish disrupted the harmony one expects from a high-end dining experience. The squid dish lacked creativity and could be found at any standard seafood restaurant, and the lamb was excessively dry and tough. When we raised our concerns about the lamb, we were told, “Yes, we get comments that it’s tough and dry.” This admission raises serious questions about quality control in the kitchen.

The ambiance was pleasant, and the staff exhibited excellent hospitality. However, the food failed to meet the elevated expectations of a Michelin-starred establishment. The tasting menu seemed disjointed, featuring an odd array of proteins including fish sandwich, cured meat, duck, squid, and lamb. This haphazard selection did not provide a coherent gastronomic journey. Moreover, there were no standout dishes that offered a unique or memorable experience, a critical aspect of fine dining.

As someone with a deep appreciation for gastronomy, I found the lack of refinement and creativity in the main courses particularly disappointing. The use of multiple proteins in a single tasting menu without a clear narrative or purpose felt forced and lacked sophistication.

Overall, Mikla did not deliver the exceptional culinary experience that justifies its price point and Michelin status.

We went for dinner in mid-June. Delightful setting (one of the best views in Istanbul) great service, Food was world class, great flavours and cooked with finesse. Liked the complimentary extra courses (and appreciated the thoughtful birthday cake surprise).

The cocktails were excellent – probably the best we have had in Istanbul so far.

This is a Michelin star restaurant and I am sharing my thoughts on this based on my 100+ dinners at those establishments across the globe.

Service: for a Michelin star restaurant the service remained to be desired. We run out of water, and our waiter failed to offer to refill it. Then our table for two was served with 3 glasses of water. The maître d barely noticed us, both at the entrance and when we left. The wait staff congregated in the dining hall and spent time resolving some internal affairs.

Atmosphere: beautiful dining room with a views on both sides, which allow us to capture the full range of the sunset. Pressed tablecloths, clean lines of the aligned tables, the custom ceramic tableware very aesthetically pleasant. The red tile wall artwork added some dramatic backdrop but does not take away from the food presentation.

Food: very lovely presentation, the amuse bouche of their signature “balik ekmek” – thinly sliced toast with the butter fried mackerel was the highlight of our pre-dinner bites. We choose 3 course menu this time. Lion fish and Morel soup followed by the Grilled Lamb and Braised Lamb courses for me and my husband. We chose this dish to experience how the chef would experiment with the most traditional ingredients. The Grilled Lamb surprised me with the mulberry reduction that brought a lot of brightness to the meat, grilled perfectly to medium it was a very tender and delicate dish. The Braised Lamb, was lacking the depth I would expect from the long cooking times and the braising liquid needs some work.

There is a rooftop bar which I recommend to stop by after your meal, the DJ played deep house and it was perfect to wrap up the dinner and overall our trip to Istanbul.

Exceptional Dining Experience at Mikla

My recent visit to Mikla Restaurant in Istanbul was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, the ambiance, perched high above the city, offered stunning panoramic views that set the perfect tone for the evening.

The food was exquisite, showcasing a delightful blend of traditional Turkish flavors with modern culinary techniques. Every dish was artfully presented and bursting with flavor. The tasting menu was a journey through the diverse and rich flavors of Turkish cuisine, each course better than the last.

A special thank you to our waiter, Levent, who truly elevated our experience. His knowledge of the menu, attention to detail, and warm hospitality made the evening even more memorable. Levent’s recommendations were spot on, and he ensured that every aspect of our dining experience was flawless.

Mikla is a must-visit for anyone in Istanbul seeking a world-class dining experience. We will definitely return!