Mia Mensa, Istanbul

Thanks to Mia Mensa and its kind staff. We took our guests there and it was fabulous well located overlooking to the Bosphorus. One of the best fine dining restaurant in Istanbul. We as Luxury Istanbul`s Concierge Deluxe team definetely recommend them without any hesitation. If you wish to learn other best handpicked selections you may want to check luxuryistanbulcom cheers,

Mia Mensa is definetally, one of Istanbul's elegant sophisticated and gourmet Italian restaurant. We have been there once , I had sole fish with lemon sauce and my husband had ossobuco which was also better than we had in italy everything was really good . The service, presentations, wide wine menu , white table clothes and of course amazing Bosporus view. The garden is just by the water and you see the charming bridge.... It was sooooooo cool . My next trip to Istanbul ,Mia Mensa wiLl be the first option on my list. To recommend if you want someplace for breakfast go to happily ever after in bebek..... In bebek you can find great steak restaurants , fish restaurants and cafe s they all have good quality of food, so I can say bebek and Kurucesme are both my favourite places in Istanbul

Located on a former dock in Kuruçeşme, the Italian restaurant Mia Mensa has been at its original location for almost a decade. With a romantic and moving view of the Bosporus and recently renovated sleek interior décor, Mia Mensa has become a discreet landmark favorite of the elite in society. Like many cosmopolitan cities in the world the longevity of restaurant locations in Istanbul is relatively short. As Turks easily tire of going to the same location each season, a range of exclusive restaurants move their facilities to places like Reina and Sortie on the waterfront for summer time. One institution – Mia Mensa – offering Italian fare has lasted the test of time for all seasons and has remained in its breathtaking Kuruçeşme Bosporus location year round since 1998. The space is characterized by a bright indoor seating area by the water, white tablecloths and a wine storage area. The view of the Bosporus is stunning! Yet what makes this institution an elegant classic is certainly the authentic Italian cuisine. With an extensive menu that offers a large variety of southern Italian fare, Mia Mensa has recently introduced Asian influenced dishes like the “Chinese Style Fried Sea Bass” and “Thai Style Coconut Cream Fish Soup.” Furthermore a Turkish style meze and fish selection was added to the menu this year. Hot and cold mezes, chunky fish soup, Aegean weeds and grilled fish options like blue fish, sole fish, bonito, as well as lobster is offered for a more “a la turca” dinning effect. From Mia Mensa's primary Italian menu, for antipasti, “Mixed Greens with Avocado” is an esthetically pleasing fresh crispy green salad with hefty, juicy avocados. The Risotto with mushrooms is flawless. (Risotto with fresh vegetables or seafood is also available). For pasta, approximately 17 different kinds of choices are available. The linguine "della calabraia," a slightly spicy tomato, garlic and olives linguini is a light and fresh pasta option. The creamy “Linguini Nero,” a fresh black linguini dish with prawn, is a personal favorite. From the thin pizza selection, “Arugula Feta Cheese Pizza” has, according to a friend at the table, “a Turkish touch with the feta and arugula” and is excellent. Also impressive was the pizza with salmon, tomato and onion. Prepared with grilled salmon and fresh cheese, this pizza is a notable choice. The most popular pizza is the “vitello;” with air dried beef and arugula. When it comes to meat dishes, the tender beef tenderloin is highly recommended. Mia Mensa is proud to offer high-grade meat and aged steaks from the butchery Kasap. In particular “Grilled Beef Tenderloin” with pepper sauce and “Veal Shank Milan Style” is suggested. Finally for dessert, the three hits are homemade tiramisu, Vulkano and profiterole. Cloudy creamy and fluffy yet somewhat light, the Tiramisu is exceptional and is presented in a fulfilling portion. The hot chocolate cake referred to as Vulkano is served with vanilla ice cream and is a cupcake of warm oozing chocolate delight. The profiterole (also available as White Chocolate profiteroles) is homemade and superb. First-class Italian and Turkish wines in addition to rakı are offered to accommodate the meal. Afterwards to complete the Italian meal Grappa and Sambuca are available. Mia Mensa might also be introducing sushi to its updated menu in the summer time – exactly what Kuruçeşme is yearning for! Mia Mensa also has one branch in Suadiye. Reservations are highly recommended on weekends and especially for tables next to the water.

That is a great place. But the information is wrong it is 4 seasons restaurant and has a great atmosphere in the winter time too. In the summer it is very crowded and the service quality is amazing. I been there so many times and strongly recommend to try once.

Just go and try there.. An incredible restaurant in an incredible city!!!