# The best Italian restaurant in Istanbul: why the ingredients at HR Italy are different


- Published: 2026-09-25
- Updated: 2026-09-25
- URL: https://www.hr-italy.com/en/blog/best-italian-restaurant-istanbul
- © HR Italy
- Categories: Our Kitchen
- Tags: Italian restaurant Istanbul, Fresh pasta, Ingredients, Karaköy, Eminönü

> **In short:** HR Italy is an Italian restaurant in Istanbul with two locations, in Karaköy and Eminönü. Our pasta is rolled by hand every morning, white flour is never used in our kitchen and every ingredient is carefully selected. Both restaurants are open every day from 09:00 to 21:00.

Anyone looking for a good Italian restaurant in Istanbul asks the same question: is the pasta really fresh, is the cheese really what it says it is? At HR Italy the answer is given before anything reaches the kitchen — at the moment we choose the ingredients. Every plate served at our [Karaköy](/en/karakoy) and [Eminönü](/en/eminonu) restaurants follows the same principle: fewer ingredients, only the best.

## What makes a good Italian restaurant in Istanbul?

Italian cooking is simple; most dishes have no more than three or four ingredients. That simplicity means the quality of each ingredient cannot hide. What defines a good Italian restaurant is not elaborate plating but **fresh dough, quality cheese and a well-balanced sauce**. We judge ourselves by those three things and keep the same standard every day.

## How are the ingredients chosen at HR Italy?

The products on our menu are specially selected. Before an ingredient enters our kitchen we check its taste, its texture and how it behaves on the plate; anything that does not meet our standard stays off the menu.

- **Cheeses:** Parmesan, mozzarella, burrata, stracciatella, ricotta, gorgonzola and pecorino romano — each chosen for the dish it goes into.
- **Sauces:** tomato sauce, pesto and béchamel are made in our kitchen.
- **Meat:** the veal shank on our Osso Buco Pizza is slow-baked for 4 hours.
- **Greens and vegetables:** rocket, basil, cherry tomatoes and seasonal greens are chosen for freshness.

## Why don't we use white flour?

**White flour is never used in our kitchen.** It is a deliberate decision: dough is the foundation of pasta and pizza, and a dish without a solid foundation falls short whatever goes on top. The flours we use instead of white flour give the dough a fuller flavour and a better texture, so the pasta holds its sauce better and the pizza base tastes better.

## How are the pasta and pizza made every day?

Every day, early in the morning, the dough is rolled out in our kitchen. [Fettuccine](/en/menu#fettuccine-makarnalar), [ravioli and tortellini](/en/menu#ravioli-tortellini) — all made by hand, the same day, with the same care. [Our pizzas](/en/menu#pizzalar) bake in minutes at high heat; [our lasagne](/en/menu#firin-makarnalar) is built layer by layer and finished in the oven.

## What is on the menu?

You can see the full list with ingredients on our [menu page](/en/menu). A few of the dishes our guests ask about most:

- **Parmesan Cream Fettuccine** and **Porcini & Truffle Fettuccine** — with fresh fettuccine.
- **Five-Cheese Ravioli** — with ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, gorgonzola and pecorino romano.
- **Burrata Pizza** and **Stracciatella Pizza** — with pesto, rocket and cherry tomatoes.
- **Osso Buco Pizza** — with veal shank slow-baked for 4 hours.

For vegetarian guests the menu includes the Vegetarian Pizza, the Rustic Pizza, Spinach Ravioli and Creamy Vegetable Fettuccine.

## Where are the HR Italy restaurants?

We have two restaurants in Istanbul, both open **every day from 09:00 to 21:00**.

| Restaurant | Address | Phone |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Karaköy — Moderno](/en/karakoy) | Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Kölemen Sk. No:12, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul | +90 543 948 14 28 |
| [Eminönü — Storico](/en/eminonu) | Rüstem Paşa, Yeni Camii Cd. No:37, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul | +90 546 257 44 93 |

**Karaköy (Moderno)** brings the rhythm of the modern city together with the warmth of the Italian table — ideal for after-work meetups and long evenings. [Karaköy on the map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/2TqRUBUEWsbQFDrv6).

**Eminönü (Storico)** offers a warm, characterful and timeless atmosphere worthy of the historic peninsula, just steps from the Spice Bazaar and Rüstem Paşa — the perfect stop during a day of sightseeing. [Eminönü on the map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/iAY12wezQvdb3gBt6).

You will find all the details on our [restaurants page](/en/branches).

## Coming with a large group?

For a corporate dinner, birthday or team celebration, send us a request from our [group reservations](/en/group-reservations) page; we will work out the date, menu and seating with you. Curious about us? Read [our story](/en/our-story).


## Frequently asked questions

### How many HR Italy restaurants are there in Istanbul?

Two: Moderno in Karaköy (Kölemen Sk. No:12, Beyoğlu) and Storico in Eminönü (Yeni Camii Cd. No:37, Fatih).

### Does HR Italy use white flour?

No. White flour is never used in our kitchen; we make our pasta and pizza dough with the flours we prefer instead of white flour.

### Is the pasta handmade?

Yes. Fettuccine, ravioli and tortellini are rolled by hand in our kitchen early every morning and served the same day.

### What are the opening hours?

Both restaurants, in Karaköy and Eminönü, are open every day of the week from 09:00 to 21:00.

### Are there vegetarian options?

Yes. The menu includes the Vegetarian Pizza, the Rustic Pizza, Spinach Ravioli and Creamy Vegetable Fettuccine.

### Can I book for a large group?

Yes. For corporate dinners, birthdays and celebrations, send a request through the form on our Group Reservations page and our team will call you to arrange the details.