Istanbul’s newest rooftop restaurant Marcello opens at The Stay Boulevard Nisantasi

Marcello is the latest addition to Istanbul’s culinary scene, offering rooftop views and a fusion of Italian flavours, the perfect place to experience the essence of Mediterranean life in the heart of the city

Spanning 425 sqm, Marcello is located on the rooftop of The Stay Boulevard Nistantasi, a space redolent of Italy with olive and citrus trees, and a terracotta-tiled terrace with Boshphorus views. The interiors, designed by world-renowned design studio Autoban, include a striking entrance featuring bespoke frescoes and rich burgundy marble. The space is elevated by a coveted art collection featuring works by artists such as Jeff Robb, Vahram Davtian, Sedat Girgin, and Erdal Akbaş

Marcello brings together the finest flavours from all corners of Italy; offering a diverse menu selection with customisable options from the thin-crusted Milanese pizza of the North to the puffy Neapolitan pizza of the South. The menu includes Delizia lemon dessert from the Amalfi coast, and delectable dishes including Tiramisu, Ossobuco and Risotto. The quintessence of Italian cuisine lies in its ingredients, with many sourced directly from Italy, and combined with the finest ingredients found in Türkiye. As the basis of Italian cuisine is none other than olive oil, Marcello offers a selection of three hand-blended oils ranging from sweet to fragrant, allowing guests to choose what is best suited for their palette

Head Chef Luigi Mariconda, former Executive Chef at Scalini, Istanbul’s classic Italian trattoria, creates his Italian specialties for Marcello’s menu including his own blend of limoncello. Chef Massimiliano Nardo introduces his native Genoese Focaccia di Recco to Türkiye for the first time, an unleavened bread filled with a specialist cheese normally produced in the town of Recco. Due to its unique flavour and short shelf life, the cheese is being exclusively produced in Türkiye instead of being imported, preserving its authentic essence

Named after Marcello Mastroianni, the lead actor in Fellini’s iconic film La Dolce Vita, the restaurant creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, providing a lovely sanctuary for savouring delectable and authentic Italian cuisine

The Stay Boulevard Nisantasi is an 82-room property, housed in an elegant building in the heart of the city’s art and fashion district, Nisantasi. Designed by architect Mahmut Anlar, known for his extraordinary Turkish and international projects, light-filled rooms and suites feature vegan-leather headboards in forest green, cooling marble and warm wood. The hotel recently unveiled its new terrace suites that offer versatile 1+1 and 2+1 accommodation options with lush green terraces