Why a Sultanahmet Rooftop Restaurant Is Hard to Find
Istanbul's historic peninsula has very few genuine rooftop restaurants. Conservation status and building restrictions prevent new high-rise construction around Sultanahmet Square. As a result, venues that offer both a true Sultanahmet rooftop experience and a quality kitchen are rare.
Pino Gare Roof Top Restaurant sits on the 7th floor of Orient Express Hotel, Hüdavendigar Cd. No:24, Eminönü-Fatih. The terrace is 8–10 minutes on foot from Sultanahmet Square, one T1 tram stop away, and holds a 4.9/5 Google rating from over 2,000 reviews — consistently one of the strongest rooftop offerings in the area.
Getting to Pino Gare from Sultanahmet
| Starting Point | Transport | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hagia Sophia | Walk or T1 tram | 10 min |
| Sultanahmet Square | T1 tram (1 stop) | 8 min |
| Topkapi Palace | Walk | 8 min |
| Eminönü Ferry | Walk | 5 min |
| Galata Bridge | Walk | 4 min |
| Galataport | Walk | 9 min |
What You'll See from the Terrace
From the 7th-floor terrace of Orient Express Hotel, looking north-east, you see the corridor where the Bosphorus opens into the Sea of Marmara. To the left, Galata Bridge and the top of Galata Tower; to the right, the garden walls of Topkapı Palace; straight across, the Asian shore. Sunset falls precisely in this direction from May through September — a 19:00 reservation catches both daylight and the full sunset in a single sitting.
The terrace is covered and heated; it stays open in light rain. For seating layouts and view angles, see our roof dining page.
Menu and Pricing Guide
Prices at Pino Gare are quoted in EUR; TRY, USD and credit cards are all accepted.
Meze Platter — starters from 220–350 TL
Hummus, babaganoush, spicy ezme, haydari and fried seasonal vegetables. The essential opener for a proper Turkish table.
Mains — 550–1,250 TL
Lamb chops, Adana kebab, Jumbo prawns and the Pino Gare Special (mixed grill) are the standout choices. All meat is halal-certified.
Set Menus (per person, EUR)
| Set Menu | Price | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Sharing | from €25 | Meze + main + dessert |
| Drinks Included | from €35 | Full dinner + drink selection |
| Wine Pairing | from €43 | Turkish wine paired per course |
| Romantic Evening | from €48 | Couples set, cocktail included |
Compare all set menus on our menus page. For anniversary, birthday or special event arrangements, see special celebrations.
Best Times to Visit
After a day of sightseeing in Sultanahmet, a 19:00 reservation is the ideal bridge to dinner. You watch the sunset during starters and settle into the night view by the time the main course arrives. Saturdays fill fastest — book at least 3 days ahead. The restaurant is open daily 12:00–24:00. Weekday lunches are calm, ideal for a mid-tour break. Reserve via WhatsApp +90 546 950 36 36 or the reservation page.
Practical Tips for Your Rooftop Visit
- Request a Bosphorus-view table in your reservation note
- English-speaking staff can advise on allergens and dietary requirements
- Elevator access available for wheelchair users
- Check our contact page for the latest information before your visit