Must-Visit in Istanbul: Free Seagull Terrace at Seven Hills Restaurant - Snap Photos of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia!
Your Essential Istanbul Viewpoint
Nestled perfectly between the iconic Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, there's a must-visit seagull terrace restaurant that we highly recommend! 😍😍😍
Prime Location and Two Levels of Charm
The location alone is a massive advantage! Situated right in the heart of a tourist hotspot, the Seven Hills Hotel boasts a fantastic restaurant that puts you smack dab between two of Istanbul's most famous landmarks. The restaurant offers two distinct levels: an outdoor rooftop dining area and an indoor dining area just below the main rooftop.
Our personal tip? Enjoy your meal on the lower indoor level first. Once you're comfortably full, head up to the very top terrace to feed the seagulls and capture those unforgettable photos. Why? Because the highest rooftop is completely exposed to the elements... and you might just get an unwelcome surprise from a passing seagull! 💩💩💩
Operating Hours and a Smart Breakfast Strategy
The restaurant welcomes guests daily from 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM. We reached out via WhatsApp beforehand to inquire if reservations were needed for breakfast. They confirmed that no bookings were necessary. However, anticipating potential crowds, we decided to play it safe and arrived right at opening time, 8:30 AM.
Upon arrival, we noticed some hotel guests already settling in for breakfast. The indoor dining area was about one-third full. For breakfast, you have the option to order à la carte or opt for a set menu. Since we were ravenous and the full set looked incredibly generous and worthwhile, we ordered the 2-person full breakfast set. 🥣
A Worthwhile Investment for the View
The cost was 1200 Lira per person, which at the time was approximately HKD 240 per person. While this is on the pricier side for Turkish dining, considering it's a hotel restaurant and includes the unparalleled bonus of a free rooftop experience for feeding seagulls and taking photos, we found the value to be excellent. The breakfast itself did not disappoint! It was a truly abundant spread featuring everything you could imagine: bread, fruits, cheeses, scrambled eggs, salad, sausages, fried items, and more. The flavors were absolutely perfect for our taste buds. 👅🥰
The Highlight: Seagull Feeding and Iconic Scenery
After fueling up, it was time for the main event! We ascended to the rooftop terrace for the highlight: feeding the seagulls and capturing stunning shots of Istanbul's two magnificent landmarks. 🩷 One side of the rooftop is designated for dining, while the other is dedicated to the photo-taking experience. By the time we finished our breakfast around 9:00 AM, the dining area on the top level was already bustling with guests.
At the photo spot, staff were ready with forks and provided scraps from the kitchen, likely including leftover cheese and fries from other guests, to generously feed the seagulls. 🩷🩷🩷 This free feeding and photo opportunity is a fantastic perk. Despite many people from various nationalities queuing up, the atmosphere was orderly, and everyone seemed to get their desired photos and videos. It was a truly delightful experience. 🥹🥹
Seven Hills Hotel
📍 Cankurtaran, Tevkifhane Sk. No:8 Kat:3, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Opening Hours: Daily 8:30 AM - 11:00 PM
