Bitlisli — Attraction in Fatih

My husband and I had dinner here with our two year old this evening. AMAZING experience right from the start. We were seated immediately, they helped lift our stroller in without asking, and took our orders quickly. They brought three mezzes and bread for us, all of them were tasty! We ordered a chicken and eggplant dish, a kabab dish, fries, lemonade, and a mixed fresh fruit juice. All of the food was excellent, and portion sizes were great. When our toddler started to get fussy mid-meal, they actually went and picked him up, brought him back to the table, and entertained him with tickles and funny faces. They then offered free cay, which was awesome, and then surprised us with free rice pudding too! And a lollipop for our son which kept him occupied for 20 whole minutes while we enjoyed our tea and dessert. They were attentive enough to bring a wipe for his sticky hands right after he finished it. They then took him to the back to give him another treat before we left. The experience was completed with a scented water for our hands and a small candy. The cost of the food was very reasonable for the taste, quality, and service, and all of the free additions of mezze, tea, and dessert. Thank you, Bitlisli, for your fantastic service. We will be back!! Highly, highly...

TL;DR: Great spot near Sirkeci with fantastic Alinazik Chicken, welcoming service, and a personal touch. Highly recommend!

Review: I stumbled upon Bitlisli while exploring the area near Sirkeci, and I’m so glad I did! The restaurant offers a peaceful, cozy vibe compared to the bustling streets nearby. I decided to get some takeaway and opted for the Alinazik Chicken, which turned out to be absolutely delicious. The chicken was perfectly cooked—tender, flavorful, and coated in a creamy, smoky eggplant sauce that really brought out the richness of the dish. The balance of flavors was spot on, with just the right amount of spice to make it memorable.

While I waited, the friendly guy outside offered me some refreshing apple tea. We had a great chat, and he shared some interesting stories about his family’s history in Istanbul. I learned that his grandfather opened the restaurant 40 years ago after coming from a place called Bitlis. He also helped me pick out a dish and was kind enough to charge my phone while we talked about his passion for Chicago blues music.

The service was welcoming, the food was fantastic, and the whole experience felt personal. Highly recommend checking out this hidden gem if you're...

Service was excellent, staff very friendly and attentive. However, the food was poor and it was very expensive (tourist menu double) for the lack of quality - 4,400 lira for 4 ppl with no dessert, breads, sauces or tea. Adana kebabs had no seasoning and tasted like boiled meat. Ezme tasted horrid, worst I've had in Istanbul. We were served 4 extremely small lamb chops for over 900 liras. Mixed kebab was underwhelming for the price compared to other restaurants in Sultanahmet, it was both small and not very nice. No free bread or sauces, unlike most other restaurants. Only lahmacun was good. Very disappointing. We went to other restaurants with rooftop view and far better food for similar money. Outside of tourist area you get real Turkish food, like Ciya Sofrasi in Kadikoy which we enjoyed - Bitlisli serves mediocre food in comparison. Clearly, they gave us the inflated tourist price menu for a...