Restaurant with a Maiden’s Tower view: where to eat in Salacak

Where the view is best

The Salacak waterfront road runs flat between the Üsküdar ferry pier and Harem. The tower sits roughly in the middle; walk north or south and the angle turns sideways.

Filizler Üsküdar is on this stretch, at Harem Sahil Yolu Cd. No:61. The tower is straight in front of the tables, to the south-west — about 280 m across the water.

What you see from the table

• The Maiden’s Tower and the mouth of the Bosphorus in front.
• Across the water: Topkapı Palace and the minarets of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
• To the right: Galata and the Beyoğlu hills.
• Commuter ferries and large ships passing all day.

When to go

Morning light hits the tower from the front — the cleanest time for photos. Breakfast at Filizler Üsküdar starts at 08:00.

At sunset the tower becomes a silhouette. In December and January, seen from Filizler Üsküdar, the sun sets just to the right of the tower, behind Topkapı Palace, and over Seraglio Point in November; towards Galata in spring and autumn, and behind the Beyoğlu hills in June. Weekend sunsets are the busiest time. Reservations are taken only for groups of 10 or more; the room is large and smaller groups can simply walk in.

Getting there from the Old City

• Marmaray: from Sirkeci to Üsküdar is one stop under the Bosphorus; from Üsküdar station it is ~11 minutes’ walk along the shore.
• Ferry: from Eminönü, Karaköy or Beşiktaş to Üsküdar pier, then ~15 minutes’ walk.
• From Harem bus terminal: ~19 minutes on foot, ~3 minutes by car.

What’s on the menu

Köfte (Turkish meatballs) and grills, breakfast in the morning. The menu is online in 12 languages; current prices from the Üsküdar branch:

Frequently asked questions