Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EATING
It's a shame the food served up in Sultan- ahmet eateries is largely mediocre. Too often lovely settings
and great views are accompanied by disappointing meals. That said, we've eaten our way through the
neighbourhood and there are some gems amid the rubble. (Note that places close early around here.) If
you're in the Sirkeci neighbourhood at lunchtime, join the locals in Hocapaşa Sokak, a pedestrianised
street lined with cheap eateries. Here,
lokantas
offer
hazır yemek
(ready-made dishes
), köftecis
dish out
flavoursome meatballs
, kebapçis
grill meat to order and the Hocapaşa Pidecisi serves pides straight
Sultanahmet
| TURKISH
CIHANNÜMA $$$
OFFLINE MAP
27-47; Sultanahmet)
The view from the top-floor restaurant of this modest hotel is prob-
ably the best in the Old City. The Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya, Topkapı Palace, Galata Tower,
Dolmabahçe Palace and the Bosphorus Bridge provide a stunning backdrop to a menu
showcasing good kebaps (we recommend the the
kuzu şiş
), interesting Ottoman-influenced
stews and a few vegetarian dishes.
| SEAFOOD
AHIRKAPI BALIKÇISI $$
OFFLINE MAP
( 212-518 4988; Keresteci Hakkı Sokak 46, Cankurtaran; mezes 5-25, fish 15-70; 4-11pm;
Sultanahmet)
For years we've been promising locals not to list this neighbourhood fish res-
taurant in our topic. We sympathised with their desire to retain the place's low profile, par-
ticularly as it's tiny and relatively cheap. However, the food here is so good and the eating
alternatives in this area so bad that we've finally decided to share the secret. Book ahead.
COOKING ALATURKA $$
OFFLINE MAP
| TURKISH
50; lunch Mon-Sat & dinner by reservation Mon-Sat; Sultanahmet)
Dutch-born owner/chef
Eveline Zoutendijk and her Turkish colleague Fehzi Yıldırım serve a set four-course menu
of simple Anatolian dishes at this tranquil restaurant near the Blue Mosque. The menu
