In general, foreign food can be tricky to find in Turkey. Turkish cuisine deservingly takes center stage in Istanbul. Most people are content with that, and who can blame them? (Check out what wonderful Turkish foods are must eats here and here). But for those of us who can only eat so much zeytinyagli vegetables before we begin to crave exotic spices, we’ve picked out the best places in Istanbul to find Thai or Thai-like food.
1. Pera Thai, Beyoğlu
Pera Thai is one of only two exclusively Thai restaurants. Although it is hard to spot this small restaurant behind its simple storefront, Pera Thai is considered the best Thai restaurant in the city. You can enjoy tasty food created by Thai chefs with a glass of wine from their well-selected list in a fresh environment. For their website click here.
Address: Evliya Çelebi Mh. Meşrutiyet Cd No:74, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul - Phone: +9 0 212 245 5726
2. ÇokÇok Thai Restaurant, Beyoğlu
This authentic restaurant in Beyoğlu would be a great choice to brighten your day with Thai food. Miss Nuch, the executive chef of ÇokÇok, once served to Thai Consuls around the world as well as the Thai royal family, but now, she serves you! For their website click here.
Address: Kamer Hatun Mh. Meşrutiyet Cd No:51, 34420 Beyoğlu/İstanbul - Phone: +9 0212 292 6496
3. Sushico, Nişantaşı
Sushico is a restaurant chain found in mainly up-scale shopping malls or districts such as Nişantaşı. If you have a hankering for Thai (or sushi) in Nişantaşı, give it a try. For the website click here.
Address: Teşvikiye Cad. No:133-A Nişantaşı/İstanbul - Phone: +9 0212 234 98 80
4. Go Mongo, Istinye Park
Although primarily a Mongolian restaurant basically, it also features Southern Asia flavours. Note that the dishes at Go Mongo have been modified somewhat according to Turkish tastes.
Address: Istinye Bayırı Caddesi, Istinye Park, 34460, Istanbul - Phone: +9 0212 345 58 88
5. Wok and Sushi, Beyoğlu
The large variety of Chinese, Japanese and Thai food served in large portions is not the only good thing about Wok and Sushi. The inner decoration with flower ceramics on the wall and Buddha sculptures will take you to the Far East.
Address: Oteller Sokak 5/A, Beyoğlu/İstanbul - Phone: +9 0212 245 18 69
6. Fan Fang, Caddebostan
Fan Fang is a small restaurant in Asian side which serves Far Eastern flavors. In summer its garden would be a nice choice while watching the rush on Bağdat Avenue, the most up-scale area on the Asian side.
Address: Bağdat C. N:373 Akbank Karşısı Dük:1 Erenköy, Kadıköy/İstanbul - Phone: 0216 3694256
7. Quick China, Nisantasi
Quick China serves up more of an Asian-fusion style menu than authentic Chinese cuisine, but that means their dishes incorporate plenty of Thai flavors! With quick and friendly service, this spot is always busy.
Address: Abdi Ipekci Cad. Atiye Sok. No:5 | Nisantasi, Sisli - Phone: (0212) 219 5376
8. Wok to Walk, Taksim
If you have a craving that needs to be satisfied in 10 minutes flat, this noodle bar is just the place for you. Wok to Walk, an international chain just opened in Istanbul! This unique quick food restaurant lets you choose any flavors and ingredients you want, and then they cook up your very own delicious creation right in front of you!
Address: Şehit Muhtar Mahallesi, İstiklal Caddesi, Mis Sokak, No 3, Beyoğlu, İstanbul - Phone: 0212 2431929