+ 1 on fish sandwich to antman: take your kids for Turkish style pizza to Mavi Halic Pidecisi in Eminonu very close to the Galata bridge. The pizza maker invites kids to play with the flour and dough: when I have children on my walks we leave them there for a day. Joking but kids love that place.

+ 1 on Antiochia to sasicka: they have a very limited space as the outside seating in the area has been banned so you will not be comfortable there with your young ones. As a suggestion for fish dinner is Giritli in Cankurtaran: they have a wonderful garden where kids can ran, watch fresh bread being baked in the stone oven and tease the cats. Reservation is a must!

I love Namli Karakoy for breakfast: highest quality typical Turkish breakfast fare. They would be quiet on Monday morning and they are also very kids-friendly as locals will bring theirs.

Happy eating in Istanbul!

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Stu, few ideas for you:
1) check out female-run places for lunch: those would be either traditional ev yemekleri (home-made food) run by middle-aged women who will happily feed you or trendier places run by new generation of female chefs - Kantin in Nisantasi, Lokanta Maya in Karakoy and Aif in Beyoglu are all worth a visit
2) make friends with another like-minded traveler for a night out at a meyhane: they are not fun on your own. A local would be happy to take you out and show how to enjoy raki-balik but be careful with those locals)
3) consider spoiling yourself for a night and go fine dining so the experienced waiters and interesting dished will keep you busy

On lahmacun: my favorite is Mavi Halic in Eminonu and Halil Lahmacun in Kadikoy.

Happy eating in Istanbul!

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Definitely Mikla - world-class fine dining in Istanbul. Ciya is home-made Turkish food - hardly a splurge, go for lunch, however interesting it may be. Zubeytir is a good kebab house, that's it.

Happy eating in Istanbul!

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A must, especially in such good weather we are having right now! My two all-time favorites: no view but outstanding food in always busy Set Balik in Tarabya (only cash payments) and more relaxed great meal with a view in Akintiburnu Balik in Arnavutkoy (and a stroll around before). Please, report back on the experiences if choose either.

Happy eating in Istanbul!

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Interesting re: Datli Maya: I actually think that while their breakfasts are nice their proper food is stronger. Good local finds: I am glad u've had a chance to explore beyond A-list eateries.
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Yes, the food is superb: best Turkish ingredients treated with Scandinavian simplicity.

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Alex, I suggest going down with Tunel to Karakoy Gulluoglu Baklava in Karakoy. Baklava may seem like such a commodity but not all are created equal. The shop I am talking about is easily the best option close to where you are staying.

Happy eating in Istanbul!

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Hunkar is no more Ottoman or Turkish than most of the other restaurants: you can easily pass on that one. If you don't go with kebabs in Ciya then you should definitely sample South-Eastern Turkish fare - Akdeniz Hatay Sofrasi in Aksaray is fantastic (despite the unsexy location). In Istanbul you can't miss on fish and if you are serious about it - take a cab to Set Balik in Tarabya (reservation and cash only). For great view and food you may want to check out Mikla - it's one of few world-class restaurants in this city.

Happy eating in Istanbul!

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Of the dinner options you mentioned only la moumette, changa and mikla qualify for dinner IMHO. All three are rather fusion and fine-dining type of places so if this is your concept of "serious eating" you will appreciate them. For more local and yet very refined flavor Meze by Lemon Tree is an excellent dinner place however interestingly enough maybe harder to book that those above.

Btw, refik is not a lokanta and hence not a lunch option: you go there to drink socially and its food is nothing but mediocre.

Happy eating in Istanbul!

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You may want to go down (via Tünel) to Karaköy to Namlı Gurme - they have classic Turkish breakfast fare at its best - assorted local cheeses, cured meats, olives and kaymak (clotted cream) with honey comb. Another option is awaiting in Cihangir: Datlı Maya and its stone-oven delights ranging from traditional pastry and breakfast accompaniment to anything that imagination of the brave chef Dilyara creates. Would be interested to hear back about your experiences if you check either

Happy eating in Istanbul!

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Souk Cuisine in Marrakech does fantastic intro to the markets, ingredients and their use in Moroccan cooking

Paper moon in Akmerkez: excellent Italian food at the most ridiculously high prices you will ever find in Istanbul

My suggestion for 4 spots would be:

Asitane - Ottoman dishes cooked as per the original recipes of the sultan's chefs (Europe)
Ciya - South-Eastern Turkish fare and eccentric playing with funky veggies (Asia)
Murat Kelle Paça, or any other good backstreet eatery for kebab (Büyük Parmakkapi Sokak, Beyoglu, Europe)
Akintiburnu Balik - great fish, excellent starters, decent service and wonderful view (in Bebek, Europe)

Beyond those yet on the Asian side:
Lunch would be Halil Lahmacun at Kadikoy Market - Turkish pizza fantastic in its simplicity and flavor. For dinner you may want to head out to Moda for Koco, old-fashioned fish restaurant with a Greek touch or Victor Levi, old Istanbul wine house.

Happy eating in Istanbul!

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