Istanbul: Where to Eat: Local Cuisine: Hamdi

Hamdi

Renowned for both its southeastern Turkish dishes—eggplant, plum, and pistachio kebab—and its outrageous views (it almost feels like you can reach out and touch the Galata Tower), Hamdi is an Istanbul mainstay. Make sure to book a table on the rooftop terrace; some views are definitely better than others. If you’re in a group of ten or more, order (in advance) testi kebab, a stew of diced meat, tomatoes, shallots, garlic and green peppers. It’s cooked over an open fire in a terra-cotta pot, which is then broken tableside, and the stew served.