Lobi's story
Our Origins
From a hotel lobby to Lokanta Lobi.
Before it became Lokanta Lobi, this was the lobby of No11. A place people passed through, waited around in, stopped for a while, said hello to someone they knew — and every now and then ended up talking to someone they didn’t. That was the part we liked most. So we thought: if people are already meeting here, why not make the table a little bigger? We added good food, good drinks, and a few more reasons to stay. Little by little, the hotel lobby became a restaurant, the bar found its nighttime rhythm, and the terrace became a world of its own.
The name didn’t have to travel very far either. Lobi stayed Lobi. We still don’t think of it as just a place to come for dinner. We want it to be somewhere you can drop by, stay longer than planned, let dinner turn into another drink, and occasionally find that the best part of the night was something you never planned at all. The space changed. The chance encounters stayed.
Felsefemiz
Dürüst yemek,
sıcak sofra
"Yemek yapmak, insanı tanımaktır. Malzemenizi tanıyın, misafirinizi tanıyın — gerisini sofra halleder."
— Lobi Mutfağının Felsefesi
Guest Reviews
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
Good to know
What is Lokanta Lobi?
Lokanta Lobi is a restaurant, bar and gathering place in Asmalımescit, Beyoğlu, built around a contemporary interpretation of Istanbul cuisine. Food, drinks, music and the people around the table are all part of the same Lobi experience.
What is Istanbul cuisine?
Istanbul cuisine doesn’t belong to a single period, community or cookbook. It grew through centuries of people living side by side: Greek, Armenian, Jewish/Sephardic, Levantine, Ottoman, Balkan and Anatolian communities, alongside the city’s ports, markets, meyhanes, restaurants and home kitchens.
How does Lobi interpret Istanbul cuisine?
We’re not interested in simply recreating old recipes. We look for dishes, ingredients and traditions with a genuine connection to Istanbul, then cook them through the seasons and through our own contemporary kitchen. The past is an important source; what arrives at the table belongs to the present.
Is Lobi a meyhane, a restaurant or a bar?
First and foremost, Lobi is a restaurant and a city table. But rakı, Turkish wine, cocktails, the bar and music later in the evening are all natural parts of the experience. We don’t fit neatly into the traditional meyhane, fine-dining restaurant or cocktail-bar categories — and we’re quite happy that way.
What kind of restaurant is Lobi?
Relaxed, urban and built for sharing. We take the food seriously without making the table feel serious. Good ingredients, good drinks, warm hospitality and a conversation that lasts longer than expected matter more to us than ceremony.
What kind of food is on the menu?
The menu brings together cold plates, olive-oil dishes, seasonal vegetables, fish, meatballs, dishes made for sharing and desserts inspired by Istanbul’s many table traditions. Some come directly from the city’s culinary heritage; others are contemporary Lobi interpretations.
Does the menu change with the seasons?
Yes. Seasonality is one of the principles behind the kitchen. We work with ingredients when they are naturally at their best, so a significant part of the menu changes throughout the year. A dish you have seen online may not always be on the current menu.
Are there vegetarian options?
Yes. Seasonal vegetables, olive-oil dishes, salads and vegetarian plates make up an important part of the menu. As the menu changes regularly, feel free to ask the team about what is available that day.
Do you have vegan options or accommodate dietary preferences?
Some dishes may be suitable for vegan diets or adaptable to different dietary needs. Because the menu changes with the seasons, it is best to mention any specific requirements when booking or before ordering.
Can you accommodate food allergies?
Please let us know about any food allergies or serious intolerances when making your reservation and again when you arrive. Our team will check with the kitchen and guide you through the menu as carefully as possible.
What do you serve to drink?
Rakı, wines from Turkish producers and cocktails all have an equal place at Lobi. Depending on the table and the evening, that might mean a bottle of local wine with dinner, a long rakı table or cocktails at the bar later at night.
Can we drink rakı at Lobi?
Absolutely. For us, rakı is as much about the rhythm of the table as it is about the drink itself: sharing food, slowing down and letting dinner take its time. The menu always includes plates that sit naturally alongside a rakı table.
Do you serve Turkish wine?
Yes. Our wine list highlights grapes and producers from different parts of Türkiye. We choose wines for how well they work with the food, how enjoyable they are to drink, and whether they give you something new to discover — not simply for prestige.
Does Lobi have signature cocktails?
Yes. Our signature cocktails take real cues from Istanbul — its ingredients, neighbourhoods, seasons, scents and nightlife. We like a drink with a story, as long as the story never becomes more important than what is in the glass.
Can we come just for drinks?
Of course. You don’t have to come for a full dinner. You’re welcome to sit at the bar for a cocktail, a glass of wine or rakı. As the evening goes on, the bar naturally becomes a bigger part of Lobi.
Is there music at Lobi?
Yes. On a regular evening, the music sits behind the food and conversation. On selected nights, guest DJs, musicians and special programmes bring the volume up a little. We announce programmed nights in advance on our social channels.
Does Lobi host events?
Yes. Guest DJs, live music, tastings, special dinners and programmes connected to Istanbul and independent culture are part of Lobi. We think of events as an extension of the restaurant rather than something added simply to fill the room.
Is Lobi good for visitors to Istanbul?
Yes. Lobi is particularly suited to travellers looking for a restaurant that feels part of contemporary Istanbul rather than a restaurant designed purely for tourists. The same tables are shared by local regulars and visitors, and our menu and essential information are available in English.
Is Lobi a good place to try local food in Istanbul?
If you want to experience Istanbul’s food culture beyond a checklist of famous dishes, yes. Our menu looks at the city as a living cuisine: multicultural, seasonal and still changing, served in the kind of relaxed setting people in Istanbul actually enjoy today.
Is Lobi a good restaurant for dinner in Beyoğlu or Asmalımescit?
Yes — especially if you’re looking for a long dinner built around shared plates, rakı or Turkish wine, followed by another drink as the night continues. We’re in the middle of Asmalımescit, close to the energy of Beyoğlu without losing the feeling of sitting around a proper table.
Is Lobi good for a date or romantic dinner?
Yes, although we’re not a formal special-occasion restaurant. Think warm lighting, good food, good drinks and enough time to talk rather than white-tablecloth ceremony.
Where is Lokanta Lobi?
Lokanta Lobi is at Balyoz Sokak No. 11/A, Asmalımescit, Beyoğlu, Istanbul. It is within walking distance of İstiklal Avenue, Şişhane, Tünel and Galata.
How do I get to Lobi?
The easiest routes are on foot from Şişhane Metro Station, Tünel or İstiklal Avenue. Asmalımescit is very central, so public transport or a taxi is generally easier than driving.
Do I need a reservation?
Not always, but we recommend booking for evenings, weekends, programmed nights and larger groups. Walk-ins are always welcome when we have a table available.
How can I make a reservation?
You can make a reservation through our website or contact us on WhatsApp at +90 530 893 44 64.
Is Lobi suitable for groups?
Yes. We regularly host groups of friends, birthdays, work dinners and longer shared tables. For larger groups, getting in touch in advance means we can plan the menu, drinks and seating more comfortably.
Can we host a private or corporate event at Lobi?
Yes. Lobi can host private dinners, birthdays, tastings, brand gatherings, small launches and creative community events. Food, drinks, music and the use of the space can all be planned around the format of the event.
Is Lobi pet-friendly?
Yes. Lobi is a pet-friendly restaurant, and we are happy to welcome four-legged guests whenever the table and space allow.