Karakoy Lokantasi Restaurant

Established in 2000, Karaköy Lokantası has long been a favorite with in-the-know Istanbulites. Located on a small street behind the Karaköy shipping docks, just a stone’s throw away from the Bosphorus, Karaköy Lokantası is known for offering consistently-delicious Turkish cuisine at reasonable prices. This family-run restaurant is one of the most popular lunchspots in the neighborhood with local businessmen, while in the evening the atmosphere is more that of a meyhane (Turkish tavern) with a range of alcoholic drinks on offer.

The menu changes daily, but lunchtime favorites often include the hünkar beğendi, a dish of slow-cooked beef served on a bed of smoky eggplant puree, and ızgara süt kuzu pirzola (grilled baby lamp chops). For dinner, there is a wide variety of meze options, as well as grilled fish and meat dishes, and tenderly-grilled octopus. Karaköy Lokantası makes a yogurt that is rich, creamy, and slightly tangy, and comes served in small clay pots. For dessert, a number of classic Turkish options are available, including baklava and vişne soslu muhallebi (milk pudding topped with sour cherry sauce).