Head-to-Head · Istanbul
Neolokal vs Beyti
Neolokal is Istanbul's one-star New Anatolian tasting; Beyti the 1945 kebab institution. Book Neolokal for a modern night, Beyti for tradition.
The Verdict
Neolokal sits inside the Ottoman-era SALT Galata building in Karakoy, where Chef Maksut Askar cooks a tasting he calls the New Anatolian kitchen, awarded one Michelin star and Turkey's only Green Star in the 2026 guide. Beyti, out in Florya, has grilled meat over oak charcoal since 1945, run by Beyti Guler and his sons; the Beyti kebab, minced lamb wrapped in lavash, was invented here and carries the restaurant's name. Book Neolokal for a modern, contemporary tasting; book Beyti for the city's grandest old-school grill.
The choice is tasting menu versus institution. Neolokal is a seated, multi-course progression with a celebrated wine program and a Bosphorus view, intellectually the more ambitious meal. Beyti is a 500-seat temple of charcoal-grilled lamb where every Istanbul power broker has eaten since the 1970s, the place for a long, generous spread. Both anchor the Istanbul dining guide.
Scores, Side by Side
| Score | Neolokal | Beyti |
|---|---|---|
| Food | 9.5 / 10 | 9.4 / 10 |
| Atmosphere | 9.2 / 10 | 8.6 / 10 |
| Value | 8.4 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 |
Which One for Which Occasion
| Occasion | Editorial Pick |
|---|---|
| A modern, special-occasion tasting | NeolokalOne Michelin star, a Green Star and a refined New Anatolian menu make it the more ambitious evening. |
| A classic Istanbul feast | BeytiEight decades of charcoal-grilled lamb and a generous mezze spread make it the city's great traditional table. |
| Impress visiting guests | BeytiThe grand Florya room and the dish that bears its name read instantly to a first-time visitor. |
| Wine pairing and intellectual cooking | NeolokalAskar's tasting and its award-winning cellar give oenophiles far more to work with than a kebab house. |
| A large family or group | BeytiFive hundred seats and shareable grills absorb a big table that a fixed tasting cannot. |
Price Comparison
Neolokal is a set tasting with optional pairings, and at its level it is widely seen as a relative bargain against Europe's starred rooms, but it is still the more structured spend. Beyti is a la carte grilled meat and mezze, where a long, shared spread can run high but you control it plate by plate. Weigh both against the best Turkish restaurants worldwide and Middle Eastern restaurants worldwide.
How to Book
Neolokal, with one star and a single nightly service, books up first; reserve a week or more ahead and ask for a Bosphorus-side table. The Neolokal review has the detail. Beyti, vast and walk-in friendly, takes reservations by phone and rarely turns a planned table away, though weekends and the garden fill; see the Beyti review first.
For occasion fit, weigh them against the best Istanbul tables for an anniversary and a team dinner, and browse more match-ups on the compare index.