Zübeyir Ocakbaşı/Taksim — Attraction in Beyoğlu

They have a reputation for having one of the best grills in Istanbul. My god the kebab was good, as was the rest. Would highly recommend. Located on a side street off the busy İstiklal Caddesi (Taksim Square area). Restaurant was full. I got a seat on the communal table in front of the gentleman who was making the grills! Although it was nice to watch him, it was incredibly hot with a lot of smoke. Plus, the chairs were not that comfortable. I think if you are a solo diner or small party, you will likely be seated here as they reserve the other tables for bigger parties. I went with the Spicy Skewered Winced Kebab and the waiter recommended the Special Salad. There were tomatoes in it and parsley I believe with some sauce, so good. I had never tasted something so simple yet bursting with spice and flavour. The kebab was beyond divine. Melted in your mouth, not too spicy for me and so tasty. I could have had another. Definitely one of the best I had eaten, straight off the grill and into my mouth. Not sure if it was because I was a solo female who stood out like a sore thumb or because I was sitting in front of the gentleman who was making the grills but he gave me additional complimentary tasters of breads and kebabs. I had to tell him to stop! I had eaten a lot but it was a good meal. Would recommend for sure. Food comes out quickly once you order. Eat and go, not a place to linger. Service is good. Staff are friendly and...

Zübeyir Ocakbaşı in Taksim is one of the best places in Istanbul to experience quality meat and the art of traditional Turkish meat cooking. Our visit here turned into a special feast, one we will cherish for a lifetime.

Our opinion might be slightly biased, as we were fortunate to dine with a dear friend from Istanbul who has frequented Zübeyir for years. His familiarity with the menu and ability to pair dishes elevated the entire experience.

One of the highlights was the lamb liver, a dish we might not have ordered on our own but turned out to be a revelation. Tender, sweet, and perfectly complemented by the rich flavor of lamb tail fat, it’s a dish that could easily grace the table of Anthony Bourdain, paired with a glass of rakı.

The spicy minced lamb kebab is another standout—a perfectly seasoned creation that’s a must-have when you visit. Instead of the usual lamb chops, we opted for lamb ribs, which were skillfully cooked to perfection. The result was a dish so tender and flavorful it felt like a “meat dessert.”

Zübeyir Ocakbaşı is not just a restaurant—it’s a place to appreciate and savor the unparalleled quality of Turkish lamb and the mastery of its preparation. Knowing what to order certainly enhances...

This place is in the heart of Taksim Square so the prices are going to reflect the location. This was a little bit on the more expensive side, compared to other restaurants we’ve tried in Istanbul. If you don’t know Taksim Square is a touristy area and is considered the new happening place in Istanbul. I highly recommend you call ahead and reserve a table because this place fills up quick, especially in the afternoon evening time.

The food was great! The lamb chops were my absolute favorite. The spices they put on the meat were an explosion of flavor in your mouth. We were seated on the second floor of the restaurant and they had a charcoal BBQ pit where they grilled the meat. You can opt to sit around this charcoal pit and ask for whatever meat they grill it and serve it immediately. We opted for a table.

The meat was super fresh. We got to actually see the meat that we picked to eat. The service was great. This restaurant definitely had its own ambience and vibe going on. We were there around 5 PM, but I can tell that after seven or eight the place would be Booming. If you’re in the area, definitely give them a try you will not be...