Where to eat healthy near Istanbul's Florya coast

The Florya coast is one of the longest stretches of seafront on Istanbul's European side: a flat promenade along the Sea of Marmara, popular with walkers, runners and families on weekends. It is also a part of the city few visitors reach, which means fewer tourist menus and more places where locals actually eat. If you are looking for a healthy meal near the Florya coast, Nice To Fit You sits about ten minutes inland in the Şenlikköy neighbourhood, on a quiet street under a pergola.

A bistro, not a salad bar

Nice To Fit You calls itself a "healthy social bistro". The "healthy" part is a set of kitchen rules rather than a slogan: no refined sugar (honey, dates, fruit and agave instead), no deep frying (oven, grill and steam), fresh seasonal produce, and dedicated vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and high-protein sections. The kitchen holds ISO 22000 and ISO 9001 certificates. The "social" part is the terrace: marble tables, trees overhead, a street quiet enough to hear the birds. More on the idea at /en/the-bistro/.

It is the bistro arm of Hafifol, an Istanbul meal-delivery kitchen, which is why the name carries "by Hafifol".

Lunch after the promenade

Most people arriving from the coast want something filling but not heavy. The bowls do that job: each one is built on basmati rice, Mediterranean greens, pickled cucumber, tomato, oven-baked potatoes and grilled vegetables, with a protein on top.

• Chicken Bowl — grilled chicken breast, Caesar dressing
• Salmon Bowl — salmon, rocket, lemon
• Sea Bass Bowl — sea bass, rocket, lemon
• Meatball Bowl — Turkish-style grilled meatballs
• Vegan Bowl — hummus instead of meat

Prices are current on the menu. For a lighter plate, the salads are main-course size: Quinoa Salad, Mediterranean Salad with white cheese, Grilled Salmon Salad with capers, Caesar Salad with grilled chicken. Wraps are the quick option: Grilled Chicken Wrap, Tuna Wrap, or the vegan Raw Wrap in rice paper with hummus and nuts. Lunch and dinner highlights: /en/lunch-and-dinner/.

Dinner with a local accent

In the evening the grill takes over: Grilled Norwegian Salmon with sautéed spinach and baked potatoes, Grilled Meatballs with grilled peppers and tomatoes, Thyme Grilled Chicken with basmati rice. Two dishes worth trying for a Turkish accent: Fit İskender, a lighter version of the classic Bursa dish with hand-cut meat, sauce and yoghurt, and Cauliflower Mantı, a take on Turkish dumplings using cauliflower with minced-meat sauce and mint yoghurt. For something vegetarian, Mücver (courgette fritters with strained yoghurt and rocket) or the Vegan Aubergine Pizza.

For current opening hours, see our Contact page or our Google listing.

Dessert without refined sugar. Every dessert is made without refined sugar. The Fit Tiramisu Cup (mascarpone), Flourless Chocolate Brownie, Chia Pudding and Avocado Mousse are the regulars; the peanut-butter stuffed dates are the thing to take back to your hotel. Pair with a specialty coffee: filter, flat white or cold brew, with oat, almond, soy or lactose-free milk available.

Practical details

Address: Şenlikköy Mah. Orman Sk. No:10/3, Bakırköy, Istanbul. Marmaray trains stop at Florya, a short walk away. By car, the coast is about ten minutes; Sultanahmet and Taksim are 30–40 minutes depending on traffic. Reservations by phone or WhatsApp: +90 212 423 43 65. Delivery is available through Trendyol and Yemeksepeti. Full menu in English: /florya/menu/?lang=en.