Rakofoli Restaurant
Istanbul
At a glance
Rakofoli Restaurant, located in the lively Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, offers diners a culinary journey with its traditional Turkish ocakbaşı grill. Designed for those who appreciate authentic flavors, Rakofoli provides a unique dining experience featuring expertly crafted kebabs cooked over real wood fires. The restaurant is characterized by its inviting atmosphere and beautiful views of both the Haliç and Galata Bridge, which can be enjoyed from its terrace seating area.
Rakofoli's menu includes a range of options beyond its renowned kebabs, offering baked delights and a selection of traditional Turkish desserts. The interior is suited for various dining occasions, from casual meals to special celebrations and business lunches, thanks to its range of private and group dining options. The warm ambiance and accommodating service make it a prime spot for both locals and visitors exploring the local cuisine. Open from noon to midnight daily, Rakofoli allows diners to enjoy its offerings at almost any time of the day.
Reviews
This rooftop was recommended by the hotel. It has a terrace for seating for views of the Bosphorus, but unfortunately, a clear view is somewhat obstructed by several old buildings. Everything we ordered was delicious, and their bread was amazing. We ordered the roasted eggplant mezze, the spicy kebab and chicken cutlet kebab. So tasty and tender. Highly recommend.
Dinner for 2 this evening. Location is perfect, astonishing views overlooking the strait. Service was top; Elena (Moldavian) looked seriously upon arrival but was a top adviser. Salmon and lamb both were very nice options. Prices are reasonable. Highly recommended!
I really wanted to like this place since it was recommended by our hotel, but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the hype. The Good: • The View: Easily the highlight of the night. The scenery is beautiful and creates a great initial atmosphere. The Not-So-Good: • The Service: It took ages just to place our order. The staff seemed completely distracted, spending more time on their phones than attending to guests. • The Food: For the "super expensive" price tag, the quality was a letdown. The flavors were very plain, and the portion sizes were surprisingly small. • The Extras: Unlike most restaurants in this price range, there was no complimentary bread service. Since we didn't order an appetizer, we were left waiting a long time with nothing on the table. Verdict: You’re paying for the view, not the food or the service. There are definitely better ways to spend your money elsewhere.
The photos others have posted on Google seem somewhat edited and a bit exaggerated. In reality, the view includes some old and partially ruined buildings, but it still has its own unique charm. The music is pleasant and creates a nice atmosphere, and the staff are friendly and professional. Getting to the restaurant is part of the experience itself — there’s a narrow, winding staircase that feels really special. Interestingly, the stone steps have been slightly worn down over time due to heavy foot traffic, which I found quite fascinating and unique.
We booked a big table on the top floor. The restaurant has a super tiny lift so we all climbed like four storeis and the toilets are on different levels as well. The food was pretty good and the view too. Remember people can smoke inside here, there are windows you can open but it can get smelly. They allowed us to pay separately which was great.
