The Istanbul skyline seen from the Bosphorus

Karaköy · Istanbul

Caught at dawn, grilled by noon

Morning fish from the Galata Bridge boats, lemon squeezed at the table, the Bosphorus one step away.

Reserve a tablefish under the bridge

the morning catch

On the ice today

Straight from the boats that tie up under the bridge at first light. The board is rewritten every morning; when a line is gone, it is gone.

Chalked at 06:00, priced by the kilo.

Fresh fish on ice at the market

Boat

8 lines on the board · All boats

  • Lüfer

    Bluefish

    Boat: Karaköy

    ₺340

    Charcoal-grilled whole; the Bosphorus classic.

  • Çipura

    Gilt-head bream

    Boat: Karaköy

    ₺290

    Salt-grilled, olive oil and lemon.

  • Palamut

    Bonito

    Boat: Karaköy

    ₺280

    Autumn fish, thick steaks over coals.

  • İstavrit

    Horse mackerel

    Boat: Karaköy

    ₺160

    Small, cheap and honest; fried by the plate.

  • Barbun

    Red mullet

    Boat: Sarıyer

    ₺310

    Pan-fried crisp, eaten with the fingers.

  • Kalkan

    Turbot

    Boat: Sarıyer

    ₺520

    Thick cut over coals, for two.

  • Levrek

    Sea bass

    Boat: Sarıyer

    ₺300

    Butterflied, rocket and onion.

  • Mezgit

    Whiting

    Boat: Sarıyer

    ₺180

    Delicate, dusted and fried, lemon only.

the story

Under Galata Bridge

Balık Bosphorus grills fish beneath the bridge where fishermen sell the morning catch and lunch comes with a view.

From the counter to the coals it is a few steps: the fish is daily, the lemon is fresh, and the tables sit just above the water.

first boats tie up
05:30
coals are lit
11:00
from table to water
3 m
Sunset over the sea

The Bosphorus writes the menu

sunset from the lower deck

Reserve a table

Waterside tables go first - tell us if the view matters. Parties above eight, please call.

A reserved table set for the evening

Under the bridge

  • Address

    Galata Köprüsü altı, Karaköy, Beyoğlu, İstanbul

  • Hours

    Daily 11:00-23:00

Get directions