Kurtaran Kebap — Local services in Fatih

Among the sea of touristy restaurants and overpriced food near Hagia Sophia, this is the real gem 💎 where locals actually come to eat.

Good food, even better prices. We almost walked past it at first — no flashy signs, no "tourist trap" vibes — and that’s because they don’t need it. Their food speaks for itself.

We were warmly welcomed, and the place was packed with locals. We were the only tourists there, which says a lot. Portions are huge and generous, and the pricing is way better compared to the surrounding 4.8+ star spots.

If we’re ever back in the area, this would be our go-to again without question.

We ordered the pizza appetizer, the egg and cheese dish, and the lamb and yogurt beef kebab. Be warned: the portions are massive, so come hungry.

Everything tasted amazing — rich, perfectly seasoned, with that delicious grilled smell that hits you the second the dishes arrive.

It’s very homey too — you can tell the locals all know the cook and his family.

Don’t judge a book by its cover — this spot is the perfect example of a...

We just stumbled upon this small local restaurant, and unlike many others, they didn’t pressure us to come in. The prices were very reasonable, and the food—authentic and absolutely delicious. As a tourist in Turkey, I was hesitant to try most places after being overcharged a few times, but this spot had no flashy signs—just incredible food that speaks for itself. Easily the best meal I had in Turkey! No wonder there were a lot of locals coming in to this...

Exceptional local food at a good price within minutes of Hagia Sophia. We've been here 2x, it's the best food. First day a policeman was eating here which told us it was true local. Favorites are Menemen, Eggs with Sausage, Roasted Eggs (with steak), kebabs, the lentil soup, and pretty much everything else we ordered! Great service, just good food and...