A Sirkeci address with deep history
Sirkeci is the eastern edge of Istanbul’s historic peninsula — the terminus of the legendary Orient Express, a five-minute walk from Eminönü ferry pier, and one T1 tram stop from Sultanahmet. Our building, the Orient Express Hotel, occupies a corner of that history; the terrace adds the altitude.
A view few addresses can match
7th-floor open terrace, north-east aspect: the Bosphorus mouth, Galata Bridge, the Asian shore and the Hagia Sophia + Blue Mosque silhouette all appear in the same frame. A glass-panelled section keeps the view through winter without compromising the openness in summer.
4.9★ across 2,176 Google reviews
Our score has been steady through eight seasons — built on attentive service in English, Turkish, Spanish, French and German; on portion size; and on the consistency of the kitchen. Read recent reviews on Google or TripAdvisor before you book.
Where we are, and why it matters
Sirkeci is not a side neighbourhood — it is the threshold of the historic peninsula. Trains from Europe terminated here for over a century; ferries to the Asian side still depart from Eminönü pier five minutes away; the Galata Bridge starts four minutes north. Most rooftop options in Sultanahmet itself are constrained by the historic conservation zone, which restricts new high-rise construction. Sirkeci, just beyond that boundary, is where altitude becomes possible.
Pino Gare Roof Restaurant sits on the 7th floor of the Orient Express Hotel building at Hüdavendigar Caddesi No:24. The address is eight minutes on foot from Hagia Sophia, one T1 tram stop from Sultanahmet Square and a 700-metre walk from Galataport — wherever you are based on the historic peninsula, the terrace is within easy reach.
The view, and how the terrace is laid out
The terrace faces north-east. From the corner tables you see the full sweep of the Bosphorus mouth where the strait opens into the Sea of Marmara, the Galata Bridge lit up at night, and — turning your head a few degrees south — the rooftops of Sultanahmet with Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque silhouette as anchors.
Sunset hour is our peak demand: May–September the sun drops between 18:30 and 20:30; October–April between 17:00 and 18:00. A glass-panelled section runs along the east edge so the view stays open year-round without exposing guests to wind. Window-side tables and corner tables 4 and 6 are the most requested; we hold them on a first-confirmed basis.
The kitchen
Modern Turkish and Mediterranean. The menu rotates seasonally but the core stays: shared meze, charcoal grills (Adana kebab, lamb chops, sea bass, jumbo shrimp), and our signature Pino Gare Special (mixed grill, slow-finished in the tandoor). All set menus — Sharing €25, Drinks-Included €35, Wine Pairing €43, Romantic €48 — are priced in euros for travelling guests, with Turkish lira, USD and card all accepted at the table.
Halal-certified kitchen, vegetarian and gluten-free options on every set menu, allergen guidance offered without prompting. The full menu and current prices are on the /menu page.
Why guests come back
The single most repeated note in our reviews is consistency — the view is one thing, but it is the service tempo (refilling glasses without prompting, changing plates between courses, recommending the right wine for the dish) that turns a one-off visit into a return booking. A 4.9★ score across 2,176 reviews is not built on individual flashes; it is built on a service team that treats every reservation, including the 12:00 lunch on a quiet Tuesday, exactly the same as a 19:00 anniversary on Saturday.
Guests who have booked for an anniversary, a proposal, a corporate dinner or a quiet solo lunch all see the same kitchen and the same view. The difference is in the table arrangement — and that is where we ask for your input in the reservation note.
Recent guests
“Booked the night before via WhatsApp — got a corner table with the full Bosphorus view at sunset. Lamb chops were perfect, service in English throughout. Best dinner of our Istanbul week.”
“Walked from our Sultanahmet hotel in ten minutes. View straight out to Galata Bridge lit up at night. Set menu was great value for the quality.”
“After Hagia Sophia and Topkapı we needed somewhere with a view and good food. Pino Gare delivered — sunset, attentive staff, mezze for days. Already recommended to two friends.”
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is Pino Gare located?
Hüdavendigar Caddesi No:24, 7th floor (Orient Express Hotel building), Sirkeci, Fatih, Istanbul. Eight minutes on foot from Hagia Sophia, one T1 tram stop from Sultanahmet Square, five minutes from Eminönü ferry pier.
What is the best time to come for the view?
Sunset hour: May–September between 18:30 and 19:30, October–April between 17:00 and 18:00. A 19:00 reservation in summer gives you daylight on arrival, the full sunset window during the starter course, and a settled night view by the main.
Is the kitchen halal?
Yes — fully halal-certified. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available on every set menu; please flag dietary needs in your booking note and we will confirm specific dishes.
What languages does the team speak?
Turkish, English, German, Spanish (basic) and French (basic). Menu and table service in all of these on request.
How do I reserve a table?
WhatsApp +90 546 950 36 36 is the fastest channel — confirmation within 15 minutes. Phone reservations and the /reservation form are also available. For special occasions (proposals, anniversaries, group dinners), see our /events/marriage-proposal and /private-dining pages.
Come and see the terrace
WhatsApp confirmation within 15 minutes, even same-day. Window and corner tables on a first-confirmed basis. We look forward to hosting you.