Historical taste stops in Istanbul

SÜMEYRA YARIŞ TOPAL

Having been the capital of three different civilizations, in addition to its rich history and culture, Istanbul continues to fascinate visitors with its rich cuisine. The culinary culture of civilizations it has been home to has been passed on and therefore being in Istanbul means eating fish at the Bosphorus, eating yogurt at Kanlıca and drinking boza at Vefa. Here are some of the historical taste stops that carry the legacy of empires in Istanbul.

OPENED WITH A CEREMONY BY SULTAN ABDULHAMID

The oldest restaurant in Istanbul, Haci Abdullah Restaurant, dates back to1888. It was opened during the reign of Abdülhamid II, with his own request. The 131-year-old restaruant, which works with the principle of master-apprentice, welcomes its visitors on the historical streets of Istiklal. Not having changed the taste of its meals, Haci Abdullah Restaurant is most famous for its compotes and pickles. Visitors can also taste other dishes from the Turkish cuisine including Manisa kebab, saffron and rice dessert, and dishes of mutton or chicken and coarsley ground wheat, artichoke and stuffed leaves.

IT’S ONLY GOT MEATBALLS ON THE MENU

The famous Filibe Köftecisi, whose history and reputation does not fit into space, welcomes its guests at tiny tables in a very small restaurant.

Placing more importance on the taste of the dishes they serve rather than the location of the shop, Filibe Köftecisi was established in 1893. Offering its dishes to visitors in a small and warm atmosphere, Filibe Köftecisi has quite a plain menu. The menu of the 126-year-old establishment only offers meatballs, haricot bean salad and yogurt desert, and continues to serve customers at the Sirkeci Hocapaşa Street in the Historic Peninsula.

KEBAB THAT’S BEEN MADE FOR A CENTURY

Introducing the richness of Turkish cuisine to the world, Develi Kebab was established in 1912. Starting off with only kebab and steak tartar a la turca and later increasing the variety of dishes it offers, Develi Kebab’s first branch was opened in Samatya. It currently has 10 different branches. Accompanied by one of Istanbul’s most quiet and peaceful areas, Kalamış, and its view of the Bosphorus, Samatya’s most exclusive dishes are the steak tartar a la turca and kebab with a specific Antep touch. Other dishes found in the historical restaurant include cold white beans vinaigrette, kunafah, fish and various other meat dishes.

A JOURNEY THAT BEGAN WITH FOUR TABLES

One of the taste stops that has been symbolized with Istanbul is Konyali Restaurant, which opened its doors in 1897. The historical restaurant began with just four chairs and 16 seats. Now the reputation of this historical place has exceeded the borders of Turkey and across the world. Offering its delicious dishes to guests at both Topkapı Palace and Sirkeci, the historical restaurant has hosted many famous figures from Atatürk to Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, former U.S. President Richard Nixon to Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Butto. It is possible to taste various Turkish dishes at the restaurant including, egg with onion, cutlet, aside, borani, stuffed and roasted lamb, roast stuffed chicken, and kebab with eggplant purec.

HOSTED MONARCHS AND STATESMAN

Pandeli Restaurant is a taste stop that has carried the traditional tastes of the Ottoman Empire until today. All the tastes of Istanbul can be enjoyed in this 118-year-old Egyptian Bazaar, accompanied by a view of the Historic Peninsula. The restaurant is reached through the unique atmosphere of the bazaar, and dates back to 1901. It is possible to taste the delicacies of Istanbul under the restaurant’s domed ceiling, walls covered with blue tiles and crystal chandeliers. The restaurant hosted many statesmen such as the Queen of England, King Faisal, the Iranian Sheikh, Queen Sureyya and Gorbachev. The restaurant surely reflects its century-long accumulation and offers guests a range of dishes including, seabass, barbeque, roast stuffed chicken and vegetables, lamb roasted on the tandour, aubergine and doner pastry.

MUST EAT AT THESE RESTAURANTS

* Ali Muhittin Hacı Bekir (1777)-Eminönü:Double roasted Turkish delight

* Karaköy Güllüoğlu (1820)-Karaköy:Square, pistachio baklava

* Beyaz Fırın (1836)-Kadıköy:Bagel with butter, potato wrap

* Hafız Mustafa (1864)-Eminönü:Coffee-sugared almond

* Vefa Bozacısı (1870)-Vefa:Boza

* Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi (1871)-Eminönü:Turkish coffee

* Cemilzade (1883)-Kadıköy:Almond, peanut butter

* Tarihi Kanlıca Yoğurdu (1893)-Kanlıca:Yogurt

* Tarihi Sarıyer Börekçisi (1895)-Sarıyer:Rolled pastry

* Meşhur Bebek Badem Ezmesi (1904)-Bebek:Almond butter

* Yedi-Sekiz Hasan Paşa Fırını (1905)-Beşiktaş:Salt ring

* Koska Helvacısı (1907)-Eminönü:Sesame halva

* Baylan Pastanesi (1923)-Beyoğlu:Kup griye

* Namlı Pastırmacı (1929)-Eminönü:Pastrami

* Asri Turşucu (1938)-Beyoğlu:Pickled cucumber

WHAT TO EAT WHERE?

* Yanyalı Fehmi Lokantası (1919)-Kadıköy:Meat and shallots stew seasoned with garlic vinegar and cumin

* Tarihi Ali Baba Balık Lokantası (1920)-Kuzguncuk:Fish pastrami

* Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi (1920)-Sultanahmet:Grilled meatballs, semolina halva

* Tarihi Karaköy Balıkçısı (1923)-Karaköy:Perch

* Kanaat Lokantası (1933)-Üsküdar:Rice, ice cream

* Karışma Sen Balık Lokantası (1938)-Cankurtaran:Shrimp olla, tinned walnut ice cream

* Beyti Et Lokantası (1945)-Küçükçekmece:Beyti kebab

* Köşkeroğlu (1946)-Karaköy:Hot flaky pastry, pancake with spicy meat filling (lahmacun)

* Hacı Bozanoğulları (1948)-İncirli:Pancake with spicy meat filling (lahmacun), baklava

* Hamdi Restoran (1969)-Eminönü:Stuffed meatballs, kebab

* Bebek Balıkçısı (1974)-Bebek:Flounder, fish cake

23 Temmuz 2019 Salı

Etiketler : English