Neolokal

Neolokal is the restaurant of chef Maksut Aşkar, set inside SALT Galata, the cultural centre that occupies the former headquarters of the Ottoman Bank on Bankalar Caddesi in Karaköy. Aşkar leads a young team whose aim is to revive Anatolian recipes, ingredients and techniques that have fallen out of use, and to cook them in a modern way with close attention to where each ingredient comes from. In the Michelin Guide Türkiye 2026 it holds one star and a Michelin Green Star.

The menu draws on the culinary heritage of Anatolia and the wider region, working with small producers, heritage grains, local cheeses and seasonal vegetables. Familiar dishes such as meze, dolma or slow-cooked meats may appear in unfamiliar forms, and the kitchen is interested in preserving recipes as much as reinventing them. The menu changes through the year, so check the current options when you book. Turkish wines feature strongly, and the staff are happy to explain the origin of each dish and ingredient, which adds a lot to the meal if you are new to Anatolian food.

The dining room sits on an upper floor of the bank building and looks out across the Golden Horn to the historic peninsula, with the Süleymaniye and the New Mosque on the skyline. The setting combines the grand 19th-century architecture of the building with a modern, understated interior.

Reservations are made online through the restaurant's booking system, linked from its website, or by phone. Book ahead for weekend evenings and ask for a window table. Valet parking is available. Check opening days when you book. If you have dietary needs, mention them when reserving so the team can plan.

Neolokal suits food lovers, couples and anyone curious about contemporary Turkish cooking with a strong sense of place. Arrive early to see SALT Galata's exhibitions, archive and library on the lower floors, which are worth a visit in their own right. Karaköy tram stop on the T1 line and the Karaköy ferry piers are a few minutes' walk away, and the Galata Bridge leads across the water to Eminönü. The Galata Tower is a short climb uphill, and Istanbul Modern is along the waterfront.