Zübeyir Ocakbaşı/Taksim

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 disappointed.