Sounds good, Derya.

I went there early on in my stay in Istanbul and (although it was good) was not that impressed; but I shall go back there soon with the intention of sampling every darn fishy meze!

One of my students has been recommending Ismet Baba fish restaurant for ages. I finally got around to trying it this past weekend. It is located in Kuzguncuk, just on the Üsküdar side of the Bosphorous Bridge. The decor is simple, and credit cards are not accepted. I tried a couple of mezes and a salad and ordered levrek. The levrek was 15 YTL but the portion was very generous - my friend and I split it and there was plenty for both of us. The mezes I tried were vegetable, not seafood-based, and they were fine, but nothing to rave about. The fish, however, was delicious. It was buttery and grilled to perfection.

The place was quite full and it seems they seat on a walk-up basis. We were seated at the same table as another pair of diners & it was a little snug, but OK for me. Service was friendly and fairly attentive considering how busy it was. They serve alcohol but I didn't think to check prices as I was driving that night.

Overall I can definitely recommend this restaurant.

our favourite of the time being is Kurucesme balikcisi across the kurucesme park and just past migros
the owner is called Musa Şit (pronounced as Shit- he thinks he has a brilliant surname since it meant sth about a prophet!!- dont let the poor man down) DO GIVE HIM MY NAME. (DERYA FROM DEKOLTE YAYINCILIK) and he'll treat you nicely;)
we had gold raki there which was abbasolutely perfect and also the mezes were very nice.

Been to most of the ones you mentioned (Fishmekan, Poseidon, Balikci Sabahattin, Adem Baba, etc.) except the unnamed ones. To add:

Iskele in Arnavutkoy also (or it is Bebek?)

There's this fancy place just before the Camii near the meyhane in Besiktas. You drive in/walk in through the open gate , it's a short walk in and is on the water with big open bar on the left and some tables on an open terrace to the right. I forgot the name but I went to dinner there last summer. Very good. My only complaint is the music. There's this awful CD that loops so the same tracks keep on playing throughout the meal. Annoying. If I can think of the name, I will post it here...this will bug me all day BTW. What is the name of that place?

Actually Takanik in yenikoy has really good food and its pretty cheap. it is great for sunday afternoon.. there is no alcohol though, and its pretty low key

Pafuli in Kurucesme,
excellent food (black sea), good service, reasonably priced but not cheap, good view (if you got the right table and seat. (if youre interested, join us for the dinner there on the 27 April (see "Activities")

Mmmm... seafood!
So many choices now. I have been to many of those mentioned and concur that they are outstanding. How lucky we are to have such a plethora of great seafood for (relatively) low cost. Two more I'd like to add to the bunch:

On the Golden Horn, near Kadir Has University can be found... Cibalikapı Balıkçısı:
http://www.cibalikapibalikcisi.com/
This place definitely takes seafood to the next level.
The menu is diverse, skillfully prepared and locals give it the highest approval.
They also serve wonderful raw fish mezes, great karides guveç and fener baliği shish.
(By the way, ever seen those in the market? Fener baliği? They look like friggin' aliens, but oh-so tasty.)

In Cihangir, on top of Leyla is Doğa Balık:
http://www.dogabalik.com.tr/en/index.asp
Excellent views, especially if you get a window seat.
Offers an incredible array of exotic green vegetable, seaweed and chards on display along with other great mezes.
For a nightcap, you could also go upstairs to 607 to take in more of the views.

And of course, there are always good seafood experiences to be had in the small unknown places in areas like Rumeli Kavagı, Kumkapi & Asmalımescit. They may not be top 10, but redeem themselves with great atmospheres. Or great rakı.

Thanks for the tips

Dano, I'll surely check those two out out when I go to your 'hood in the summer. Do you remember when we dined at Balikci Sabahattin with the group? I think the company outshone the food and certainly crossing the bridge back with Istanbul all lit up in the backdrop, was the highlight. I long to see her now...two more months to go...

was in park fora again today with a friend who is very picky about fish and restaurants.
and I told her that this is probably one of the best places in town, she didn't believe me.
Now she does

I went to Doga Balik in July when I was staying in that neighborhood. It was good but for the amount of food (very small portions of salads since I wasn't really that hungry) and pieces of fish in a skewer, it was pricey at 70YTL! I only drank water too! Service was attentive though and the views are pretty amazing.

No matter what you do, do not go to the fried fish sellers in Eminonu next to the port. You know the guys cooking the fish in small boats.

Coming from the US visiting my parents in Istanbul, I was delighted to see 10-15 people waiting on the line to get a fish in the bread so I wanted to giev it a try.

They handed me this fish in half bread and there was a counter next where you can get tomatoes and onion and such. So I prepared a nice one for myself and sit down on the bench like 20-30 others most of whom are Turks and a few tourists.

After getting the first bite from this half berad I noticed the fish inside is like Mcdonalds fish sandwich, there is no taste ever, NONE. It was like frozen fish, dipped into fry.

So I went to this guy cheering "balik balik" to the sidewalkers and complained about the taste. And he said that is norwegian fish frozen months ago and that they are frying in this big pan which he pointed with his filthy fingers. You gotta see this, Frozen fish like big ice particles are placed on a big frying pan which is full of darky oil.

There is no way I will ever eat that thing. I feel sorry for those people eating that whatever it is. Stay away

Sounds lovely!! )
Like the thought that when you buy vegetables at an open market, the quality is better. Just an illusion.
For fish sandwiches, I find it's better to go on Galata Bridge or next to the fish market.
Across the bridge in Eminonu is a nightmare! )

For fish-in-bread, try the small boat at the entrance of Bebek (coming from Arnavutkoy. just before the big villas at the waterfront)...3YTL for heaven in a roll.

I agree.... the bestesttt!!!

Yes D.,

but they are never open when I run past!