What are the best octopus dishes in Istanbul?

Based on diner recommendations, the best octopus dish in Istanbul is at Arnavutköy Balıkçısı. We compared 8 restaurants serving octopus dishes.

How much do octopus dishes cost in Istanbul?

Octopus dish prices in Istanbul range from TRY18.00 to TRY680.00 across 8 restaurants.

All Ingredients in Istanbul

Best Octopus Dishes in Istanbul

8 restaurants compared

Price range: TRY18.00 – TRY680.00

Avg recommendation: 91%

Top 5 Octopus Dishes in Istanbul (Quick Answer)

Based on diner recommendations across 8 restaurants:

Grilled Octopus at Arnavutköy Balıkçısı, TRY450.00 (Arnavutköy)
Grilled Octopus with Pomegranate Molasses at Giritli, TRY200.00 (Sultanahmet)
Grilled Octopus at Mahkeme Lokantası, TRY18.00 (Karaköy)
Grilled Octopus with Bean Salad at Serica, TRY350.00 (Karaköy)
Grilled Octopus at Sur Balık Arnavutköy, TRY480.00 (Arnavutköy)

Scroll down for detailed comparisons, prices, and diner tips for each restaurant.

All 8 Octopus Dishes

Grilled Octopus

Arnavutköy Balıkçısı

Arnavutköy·$$$$

TRY450.00

Charred octopus tentacles finished with lemon and olive oil.

Tip: If you want to compare cooking methods, order both the marinated and grilled versions — they're completely different expressions of the same ingredient.

Grilled Octopus with Pomegranate Molasses

Giritli

Sultanahmet·$$$

TRY200.00

Tender octopus grilled and finished with tart pomegranate molasses.

Tip: If fresh octopus is available (seasonal), order this over the shrimp. The pomegranate molasses is the key to the dish.

Grilled Octopus

Mahkeme Lokantası

Karaköy·$$

TRY18.00

Tender octopus charred on the grill, finished with olive oil and lemon.

Tip: Book ahead for weekend evenings — this is a popular destination for special occasions.

Grilled Octopus with Bean Salad

Serica

Karaköy·$$$

TRY350.00

Charred octopus served with creamy bean purée and herbs.

Tip: If you want to taste the restaurant's sourcing and technique without committing to the full tasting menu, this is a good single-dish choice.

Grilled Octopus

Sur Balık Arnavutköy

Arnavutköy·$$$$

TRY480.00

Tender octopus tentacles charred on the grill with herbs.

Tip: Make a special request when ordering — the kitchen will customize the preparation (smoky, buttery, etc.) based on your preference.

#695% recommend

İskele Special Seafood Pan

Rumelihisarı İskele

Rumelihisarı·$$$$

TRY680.00

Seafood stew with octopus, prawns, and seasonal fish in a clay pot.

Tip: This is what the Michelin Guide recognized — order it to understand why. The simplicity and ingredient quality are the point.

#790% recommend

Grilled Octopus

Karaköy Lokantası

Karaköy·$$$

TRY285.00

Charred octopus tender on the inside, crispy on the outside, dressed simply with lemon and olive oil.

Tip: Arrive by 8 PM or call ahead to reserve. This sells out quickly at dinner.

#888% recommend

Marinated Octopus Salad

Arnavutköy Balıkçısı

Arnavutköy·$$$$

TRY380.00

Tender octopus marinated in vinegar, olive oil, and herbs.

Tip: Order this first — it's a great palate-opener and lets you assess the day's fish quality before committing to a pricier main.