Leb-i Derya
A renowned rooftop restaurant offering stunning Istanbul views, modern Turkish cuisine, and a romantic ambiance, celebrated for its panoramas.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Leb-i Derya
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A renowned rooftop restaurant offering stunning Istanbul views, modern Turkish cuisine, and a romantic ambiance, celebrated for its panoramas.
Review Your Bill
Check your bill carefully for any added items or charges before paying.
Avoid Peak Times
Visit during less busy times to avoid service delays and a more relaxed experience.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Turkish
Price
$$$
Phone
+90 530 382 38 22
Address
Şahkulu, Kumbaracı Ykş., 34425 Tünel/Beyoğlu/Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
Website
endamistanbul.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Breathtaking Istanbul Views
Dine with panoramic views of Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Bosphorus. A truly magical backdrop.
Modern Turkish Delicacies
Savor elevated Turkish flavors like lamb shish with plums and a variety of fresh mezes and seafood.
Romantic Rooftop Ambiance
Nestled high above the city, this sophisticated rooftop offers an elegant and romantic atmosphere, especially at sunset.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Review Your Bill
Check your bill carefully for any added items or charges before paying.
Avoid Peak Times
Visit during less busy times to avoid service delays and a more relaxed experience.
Be Wary of Seafood
Some reviews mention frozen prawns; order seafood with caution.
Request a Quieter Table
Ask for a table away from loud music for a more enjoyable dining experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
Review Your Bill
Check your bill carefully for any added items or charges before paying.
Avoid Peak Times
Visit during less busy times to avoid service delays and a more relaxed experience.
Be Wary of Seafood
Some reviews mention frozen prawns; order seafood with caution.
Request a Quieter Table
Ask for a table away from loud music for a more enjoyable dining experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Leb-i Derya is lauded for its absolutely breathtaking panoramic views of Istanbul, making it a popular choice for romantic evenings. However, recent reviews suggest a significant decline in food quality and service, with complaints about overpriced dishes, frozen ingredients, disorganized staff, and a lack of basic amenities, leading to disappointment for many diners.
"Absolutely one of the best restaurants we have visited together over the past few years! Incredibly designed place tucked away up a staircase up an elevator and up another staircase. Once you’re to the top you’re surrounded by absolute beauty, a friendly staff, and world class food. Can’t say enough good things about the mushroom/potato appetizer, the grilled sea bass, and the loin/meatball entree...can’t wait to go back"
Executive Thrillseeker
"Very poor experience! I highly advise against it. We went there for New Year's, and we paid 100€/ adult and 75€/ child, including a 5 years old. The menu promised included 4 courses: an appetiser, shrimps with some sauce, a pastry and a main course + New Year's special dessert, and unlimited soft and alcoholic drinks. We got an appetiser with 5 spoons of different dishes, one pastry they put with a claw on each plate, the shrimps were half of baby shrimp for each person and the main course which was a piece of overcooked meat with some bad sauce and a lot of rice. The special desert was a small pastry filled with halva. The unlimited drinks were wine, vodka tonic, gin tonic, still and sparkling water, lipton ice tea, and Sprite. They ran out of tonic, wine, and sparkling water by 11:00 PM and tried to charge us for extra wine and sparkling water. At midnight, they gave us a bottle of proseco for 15 people and tried to charge us 300€ for it, even if it was included. All though there were plenty of English speaking waiters, we got one that couldn't understand one word of English. We gave him a tip of 100 €, and at the end, another waiter who was drunk and had nothing to do with our table came begging for money and cigarettes. For entertainment, there was a belly dancer who wouldn't leave until all the men paid her"
Oana I
"The restaurant’s service was subpar, with small portions and a lack of flavor. The waiters were disorganized and forgot essential items like napkins, water, and bread, requiring constant reminders. Despite being the only customers in the restaurant, which was not crowded, the waiter’s incompetence was evident. It is possible that the restaurant was once successful but has since fallen on hard times."
Irfan Asghar
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Leb-i Derya is most famous for its breathtaking panoramic views of Istanbul, including landmarks like Hagia Sophia and the Bosphorus. It also offers a menu of Turkish delicacies and international dishes.
The restaurant serves a mix of Turkish delicacies, such as lamb shish with plums, and international cuisine, including seafood dishes.
Yes, with its stunning rooftop views and sophisticated ambiance, Leb-i Derya is considered a very romantic dining spot, especially at sunset and night.
Diners suggest checking your bill carefully, considering off-peak times to avoid service delays, and being cautious with seafood orders. Some also recommend requesting a table away from loud music.
Leb-i Derya is located in the Beyoglu quarter. Diners often mention needing to take an elevator or stairs to reach the top floor of the building.
Recent reviews indicate that service can be subpar, with some diners reporting disorganization and forgotten items. However, historical mentions suggest a high level of service.
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Leb-i derya is one of those fabulous fancy restaurants perched high above the streets of Beyoğlu with amazing views of the Bosporus, Maiden’s Tower, Asia and old Istanbul’s peninsula. You could walk past the building so many times on its dimly lit street without realizing how magnificent the view from the top is. This light and bright sophisticated rooftop restaurant offers traditional Turkish flavors with a modern twist, as well as gourmet-style international favorites.
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Some of Istanbul’s best luxury dining experiences are set on high rooftops, allowing visitors to revel in the city’s inspiring views and warm weather. Leb-i Derya is thought to be one of the leaders of this trend and, although it is now rivalled by many competitors, it still ranks among the the best. The menu offers a range of cuisines, including Turkish delicacies such as lamb shish with plums, pomegranate molasses, fresh thyme and spiced rice with pine nuts.
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This among the luxuries of topmost restaurants in Istanbul which is another high rooftop place, allowing visitors to dwell in the city’s inspiring views and skylines. They offer some of the best Turkish delicacies such as lamb shish with plums, pomegranate molasses, fresh thyme and spiced rice with pine nuts. They own a wide range of seafood cuisine such as linguine with salmon, and calamari, shrimp and tomato cream sauce with fresh mint as well, in fact, it might be fair to call them the best seafood restaurants in Istanbul as well.
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Leb-i Derya offers a fantastic meal and drink with an even more fantastic view. While not the highest rooftop dining spot in Galata, the venue arguably possesses the most romantic panorama of the city spanning the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Asian side from its vantage point nestled on the hillside above the Bosphorus. Leb-i Derya’s menu consists of Turkish and non-Turkish items, reflecting a culinary mix that echoes the restaurant’s view from Europe onto Asia.
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One of the most respected and popular restaurants in Istanbul, Leb-i Derya Restaurant is at the front of the city’s culinary scene for the last 15 years. Literally meaning seaside, the restaurant is surrounded by the sea, offering superb panoramas of Istanbul, especially breathtaking at sunset and night. Conveniently located in the Beyoglu quarter, Leb-i Derya has constantly maintained a high level of service and perfect quality of its menu.
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Located in the Tomtom neighborhood, one of the most touristy places in Istanbul, Leb-i Derya is an exquisite fish restaurant and lounge with an amazing view of the Golden Horn. It is not just a fish restaurant, but also a lounge where you can have a drink in a cozy atmosphere. Leb-i Derya is located at the top of an old building on İstiklal Avenue, and it is one of the best restaurants to combine the moonlight and old Istanbul spirit.
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Chosen by the Sunday Times as one of the top 15 bars in the World, the exquisite Turkish Leb-i Derya restaurant was also one of the first Rooftop bars in Istanbul. Situated on the roof of a dishevelled building, with a panoramic view of Istanbul. Besides their impeccable service, visitors love their authentic Turkish dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients and enjoy some of the best wines from primarily local producers.
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A rooftop bar that serves traditional Turkish cuisine, surrounded by the sea, Leb-i-derya is the place that you need to have on your itinerary when you visit Istanbul. Leb-i-derya is located in the heart of the city, which allows you to see the many faces of Istanbul. The place consists of three levels, each one with its own unique characteristics.
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Leb-i Derya isn’t in Asmalı Mescit but a short walk down Kumbaracı Yokuşu on the other side of Istiklal Street. You have to cram into a rickety old elevator to get up to the top floor of the building, but it opens up into a beautiful space. Leb-i Derya serves excellent Turkish cuisine with a modern twist and the views are incredible.
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Located in Şişhane, Leb-i Derya is another venue where you can have a pleasant dining experience accompanied by a view of Istanbul. The view of the restaurant extends from the Bosphorus to the Historical Peninsula and blends good food with good music. Address: Şahkulu Mah., Kumbaracı Yokuşu, No: 57, Tünel, Beyoğlu
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Leb-i Derya translates to “at the edge of the sea,” and it delivers exactly that. Located in a cozy corner of Beyoğlu, this rooftop gem gives you a panoramic view of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. The Turkish meze selection is fantastic, and the candlelit tables make it perfect for a romantic night out.
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Leb-i Derya means “seaside” in Persian and refers to this restaurant’s unique location, which makes it one of the best restaurants in Istanbul. It is also one of the best rooftop restaurants in Istanbul, with a wonderful Bosphorus view. This elegant restaurant has a separate theme on each floor.
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Leb-i-Deriya – on a steep street in Beyoğlu, this roof top bar has wonderful views down to the Bosphorus. At the more expensive end, with more of a wine bar vibe.
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