Historical Restaurants of Istanbul

Haci Abdullah Restaurant

A century old history of Haci Abdullah Restaurant is the continuance of “Ahi Community”. Generally the history of such deep rooted establishments witnesses management passing from father to son or management passing into other hands by being acquired by other companies. But for Haci Abdullah Restaurant, neither is true.

The journey of Haci Abdullah that began in 1888 had continued by the restaurant being passed from the master to the apprentice.

In the last periods of the Ottoman Empire, a restaurant named “Abdullah Efendi” was opened in the “Karaköy Pier”. The business license of this restaurant is personally given by “Sultan Abdülhamid II”. Official and private groups that visit Istanbul on behalf of their countries were welcomed in “Abdullah Efendi”. And in 1915, “Abdullah Efendi Restaurant” was carried from “Karaköy Pier” to “Beyoğlu”. And the restaurant continues its service in the ground floor of “Rumeli Han” located on “Istiklal Street”.

Throughout this period, “Abdullah Efendi” was again passed from the master to the apprentice. Back in 1940, after welcoming many foreign and local guests in its place in “Rumeli Han” for 25 years, again as a result of ”Master—Apprentice” style change of management “Abdullah Efendi” was moved to street that the heart of Turkish cinema beats, “Bursa Street” and “Ahududu Street” with its old name and “Sadri Alışık Street” with its new name“And it takes the name “Hacı Salih”. In the restaurant that offers all the characteristics of Ottoman-Turkish Cuisine without compromising from quality under the name of both “Abdullah Efendi” and “Hacı Salih” moved to its current location in 1958, to “Sakizağacı Street” near “Ağa Mosque”.

As a result the official requirements in 1983, the name changed back to its name in 1888. And the restaurant took back its original name “Haci Abdullah”. It is possible to make sure that our restaurant that is opened with the official permit of Sultan Abdulhamid II preserves the same “flavor” since then from the things that the Ottoman family members, who made us proud by visiting our restaurant as the continuance of their family who eat in our restaurant 90 years ago, wrote in our book of honor. The tradition followed in “Haci Abdullah” is a copy of the one in “Ahi Community” that is about to be forgotten nowadays. That’s all for what we can tell, but our service is limitless. We would be pleased if you come and be our guest. Wishing to meet in this spectacular atmosphere of the past.

Haci Abdullah is famous for slow-stewed dishes of the Ottoman and Turkish cuisine. The restaurant is highly popular both among Turkish people and foreign guests. The menu changes according to the season.

Address: Sakiz Agaci Caddesi, No: 9 , Beyoglu / Istanbul

Hamdi Restaurant

Hamdi Restaurant was founded by Hamdi Arpacı who came from Urfa, Birecik to Istanbul towards to end of the 1960’s. He opened his first counter at the corner of the parking lot situated next to Eminonu, New Mosque. With a small grill and itinerant counter, he offered delicious kebab specialties to the small trade’s people and to public for 7 years. The continuously growing number of his customers made him establishes the Hamdi Meat restaurant on the corner of the same parking lot.

The Turkish’s Southeastern Region’s unrivalled delicious kebabs were offered to the appreciation of customers while preserving their authentic characteristics and preparation methods during 18 years in the same place. Following the purchase of the first 3 floors of the building, Chef Hamdi expanded the restaurant to 5 floors together with the others. It is still located at the near the same parking lot and does not only offer its services to the surrounding business areas but also organizes the reception of tourist groups, arranges business meals, and special traditional musical evenings.

A matchless landscape of Istanbul, Galata, Eminonu, Sultanahmet, Bosphorus, etc… The Hamdi Meat Restaurant has become a place of demand with its own impressive scene of the place, reception capacity for 320 guests and well educated 105 employees. Chef Hamdi has successfully brought the basic specialties of the Southeastern Cuisine to the heart of Istanbul and has pursued his course to the present day by firmly preserving the original flavors and continuously developing his conception of restaurant service.

We highly recommend you to taste the delicious kebabs of Hamdi, other than kebabs, Hamdi offers chicken and fish dishes, cold mezes and desserts. Its icli kofte, lahmacun, kebab with pistachio, katmer and baklava are especially worth tasting.

Address: Rustempasa Mahallesi, Kalcin Sokak, No:17, Eminonu / Istanbul

Konyali Lokantasi

Konyali Restaurant, first established in Sirkeci and later in Topkapi Palace and Kanyon Shopping Mall, is one of Istanbul unique places run by a family from central Anatolia, Konya family for four generations and 110 years now, serving specialities of Turkish cuisine to world leaders, celebrities and other important guests.

It is one of the oldest restaurants in historical peninsula of Istanbul. As of 2006, Kanyon branch of Konyali was opened, symbolically bringing together traditional and modern Istanbul.

Kervansaray Restaurant

One of the most famous restaurant & Turkish Night in Turkey since 1949. Kervansaray Restaurant & Turkish Night, located between Lutfi Kirdar Convention & Exhibition Center and Hilton Hotel, welcomes you to the most famous traditional Turkish show at the heart of beautiful Istanbul. Since 1949, the legendary Restaurant & Turkish Night has welcomed millions of spectators, and today our delicious International Cuisine and our spectacular show, continues to meet new guests from all around the world. Kervansaray’s dazzling show includes the most beautiful Turkish Belly Dancers performing an exotic and sensuous dance shows accompanied by traditional music, various Folk Groups performing traditional dance shows from different regions of Turkiye, and an outstanding Turkish singer/showman entertaining our guests with International and local songs. The restaurant has three separate saloons featuring Gothic architectural concept with 870 person capacity, (Efes Saloon 450 pax, Bergama Saloon 220 pax, Ottoman Saloon 200 pax) available for dinner receptions, coctails, business meetings, wedding receptions and parties. Whether you are planning for 10 or 870 guests, our experienced staff will work with you to select a menü, arrange entertainment and special services to create the perfect setting for your event.Every night our international guests enjoy our delicious cuisine and entertain themselves with a spectacular traditional Turkish show. In our new establishment Garden Cafe & Restaurant (inside the Garden complex of Hilton Hotel) we are proud to be able to serve you from 07.00 in the morning with open buffet breakfast & lunch & dinner service till 23.00 with our Turkiye and International Cuisine.

Address: Cumhuriyet Caddesi, No: 52/A, Harbiye / Istanbul

Hafiz Mustafa Confectionery

Hafız Mustafa was founded in 1864 by a money lender named Ismail Hakki Zade.

It is known that it was Hafiz Mustafa who invented and produced “poğaça” (palm-sized pastry buns with or without filling). He managed to attract more customers by making pastry buns along with candies.

Go there for the baklava, or Turkish delight… bring them home and have friends for life. Alternatively, sit upstairs in the cafe section and enjoy a sampler plate of sweets in all shapes and sizes with a strong glass of black tea. For example: the plate pictures above includes one walnut, one baby chestnut, one slice of pumpkin, one piece of Turkish delight, one green fig, and one baby eggplant. All are candied, crunchy, and guaranteed to rot out your teeth fast as an Istanbul seagull diving for simits behind the ferry. Sirkeci, just minutes from the Old City of Sultanahmet, is home to sweet shops galore so get that insulin ready and hit the streets.

Don’t Miss: Pomegranate Turkish delight

Best Perk: Huge selection

The Hafiz Mustafa Confectionery has served our delights to many generations in the 150 years of our history and we are looking forward to welcome you at the shop where it all began in 1864.Hafiz Mustafa Confectionery

Address:Hocapaşa Mh. Muradiye Cd. Saf Han No:25/B Eminonu, Fatih İstanbul

Phone : (+90 212) 527 6654First opened in 1946,

Madam Despina

Despina is one of Istanbul’s oldest and most established meyhanes (Turkish tavern). The black and white portrait of Madam Despina, Turkish’s first female meyhane proprietor, hangs in the entrance. Originally from the Turkish’s Island of Gokceada (Imroz), Madam Despina opened her first meyhane in 1946 in Gayrettepe, moving to its current location in Kurtulus during the 1970’s. The traditional feel and atmosphere of this classic meyhane live on today.

The dining room inside has high ceilings and a center piece chandelier, whilst outside there are tables set among the trees on the terrace. The off-white table oilcloths that were made famous by the Sezen Aksu song “Yine mi cicek,” still remain and another lovingly kept tradition is the placing of empty wine bottles on reserved tables. The menu is a collection of hot and cold meze choices and fresh fish and meat dishes. The a cili ezme (spicy tomato dip with onions) here is particularly good and will have you scooping your warm bread into it repeatedly. Despina’s yaprak cigeri (thinly sliced liver) is the restaurant’s trademark, while the topik (a dish made of chickpeas, onion, currants, cumin, and tahini) is also worth a mention. Meanwhile, the attentive serving staff will ensure your raki glass and fresh ice supply is kept topped up.

Before her passing in 2006, Despina’s last wish was for the new proprietors to preserve the authentic and salas (endearingly informal) outlook of the restaurant. And it’s safe to say her wish has been carried on, as her meyhane continues to be regarded as one of the most prominent in Istanbul, still carrying the feel of the old with its simple and nostalgic atmosphere. The fasil (traditional Turkish music) and classical Turkish music played each night livens up enhances the ambiance, as well as the traditional fare of meze and fresh fish and the flow of raki.