About
Location :
Added by Jopie, at 04 December 2016
Opening Hours
- Monday 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Tuesday 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Wednesday 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Thursday 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Friday 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Sunday 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Gallery
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13 Reviews
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18 April 2018
The location is great, it's discrete and despite being literally in the middle of Istiklal street, it is a place where you can actually have a conversation and take time off from the crowded Istiklal. Owned by the renowned photographer Ara Guler, the place is nicely decorated and has a vintage vibe to it. Since his studio is just upstairs, you can find him regularly hanging out in his cafe, having Turkish tea and reading.
Unfortunately the service is nothing like it used to be in the early days. I've been visiting this place since it opened back in early 2000's and it is sad to see it degrade. Expect poor service, indifferent waiters and long wait times. The food is rather overpriced but the portions are of decent size. The menu has not changed a bit since it opened, It's not complicated and unlike many restaurants in Istanbul, there are relatively not too many options to pick from. Which is good because it enabled them to master the menu and i can safely say anything on it will be nicely done and taste great.response / report this review -
16 April 2018
We stumbled upon this gem as we were looking for some good Turkish dinner. What we found was great hospitality, a lively warm vibe and incredible food. We ate the trio mushroom pasta and the sea bass and black eyed peas salad. Highly recommend!
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11 April 2018
Like this place for chockolate cake and milky turkish coffee. Cozy and noisy in same time. Did not try other food there but it is perfect for tea or coffee.
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27 March 2018
This is a place where never changes with it's delicious menu, incredible photos on the walls. The legendary artist Ara Güler might be sitting next to your table.
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07 January 2018
Always crowded here and nice atmosphere supported by historical pictures and artifacts. Service tends to be slow although food arrives quickly after you get to order finally. Dishes are well prepared and taste good. The desserts on the menu and the "balkabak" that I tried was the most impressive and tasted delicious. Not on the menu but definitely interesting to try is the spicy hot chocolate drink, one of a kind.
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12 October 2017
Great food, great music, fantastic photography by the owner, renown photographer Ara Güler. A must if in Istanbul!
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15 August 2017
It used to be a nice place, once upon a time. But now it is an ordinary restaurant which has average food. For tourists I recommend it, but for domestics It is not advised.
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31 July 2017
Great views and outdoor seats. Unfriendly staff.
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16 March 2017
One of the most beautiful cafes of Istanbul! Very tasty coffee. Excellent atmosphere.
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01 March 2017
Always good service, the menu is quite nice. Wonderful place to get away from the chaos of İstiklal but still be close enough :)
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26 January 2017
Nice place , good food, friendly staff. Try Balkan Köfte
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12 January 2017
Like everyone else here, my husband and I were approached in the street by someone from "the hotel." We had literally just come from a hotel in the area and assumed it was someone we had just met and not remembered. He led us to "an amazing local spot" where he has been going with his wife for 30 years. Red flag number one.
When we sat down, there was a table with two ladies sitting nearby and we could overhear their conversation about how they had been brought food they had not ordered. By the time they left, they were yelling about the restaurant being a scam. Red flag number two.
Since we had already ordered a few appetizers, we convinced ourselves that they were being dramatic and proceeded to wait for our food. We ordered the hummus, which was chunky/grainy and not fresh tasting, chili salad that tasted like someone dumped a jar of salsa on a plate, and stuffed grape leaves, which were not fresh and did not even look handmade. We also had a glass of wine and ordered tea, which never appeared. At some point the waiter informed us that there was a woman making fresh Turkish bread. We did not accept or ask for it, but it showed up. Assuming the bread was part of our meal like in most other restaurants, my husband ate it and I tried a small piece.
We asked for the bill and they kept trying to bring us more food. We refused on the basis that everything we'd had so far was terrible, and I am glad we did. When the bill came, we say a charge for 50 lira for the bread, which we never agreed to in the first place. We disputed it with the waiter, who proceeded to tell us that he would call the police if we continued to argue. He then told us it was cash only, even though I had just seen another server use the machine for a customer outside. We did not have cash and offered to go find an ATM, but he someone made a visa machine appear out of nowhere. I now know we should not have paid the bill at all, but the prospect of being arrested in Turkey when we had a flight to catch in the morning was not an option. We intentionally made a scene and let diners around us know that we were being scammed, but just like did in the beginning, they wrote us off as dramatic tourists. DO NOT GO HERE. THE FOOD IS NOT GOOD AND YOU WILL BE OVERCHARGED BY more than 100%.response / report this review -
11 December 2016
Impolite staff, bad service, cold food. Nicely decorated place though.
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