Aheste — Restaurant in Beyoğlu

I was in Istanbul for a vacation and as soon as I started planning places to eat Aheste was at the top of my list — I’d read great things. The restaurant sits on Meşrutiyet Caddesi in Asmalı Mescit, Beyoğlu, in a street already filled with classy, beautifully designed places that make you want to wander by just to soak in the atmosphere. Knowing how popular it is, we made a reservation almost a month in advance.

When the night came, we arrived and were seated quickly — no long wait, which immediately set the tone. The servers were wonderful: humble, warm, very attentive, and clearly knowledgeable about the menu and drinks — helpful when you want to try something off the beaten path.

We kicked things off with drinks: “The Old Nutcracker” and “Callisto.” They were decent. I thought the Nutcracker was like an Old Fashioned but with a lighter touch of alcohol — enough to feel something, but not overwhelming. Callisto had its charm too, though it wasn’t quite as memorable as the Nutcracker for me.

Everything at Aheste is sharable, which works well for trying lots of different things. To start, we had the dudi Persian rice and the artichoke confit. The artichoke confit was surprisingly good — rich, flavorful and well executed. The rice was okay; pleasant, but not outstanding, a little underwhelming compared to what else came. After that we tried the tuna kadayıf and stuffed zucchini flowers. The tuna kadayıf was excellent — really a highlight. The tuna itself was probably the best bite of the evening. The zucchini flowers were nice, delicate and charming, though not as strong in impact as the tuna.

We were disappointed to learn that the main course we anticipated — the lamb shoulders — were out that evening. That was a shame, because it had been something I was looking forward to. Instead, we pivoted to dessert: a classic rice pudding and rounded off the meal with a digestif, Amaretto. Both were very good — the rice pudding felt comfortingly traditional, the amaretto was a smooth, fitting end to the meal.

Overall, Aheste was very good. Service, food, ambiance — all near the top. It didn’t feel perfect in every single dish (some were stronger than others), but the strengths far outweighed the small misses. If I were back in Istanbul, I’d definitely go again, and I’d recommend it to friends looking for something special...

The place looks very good, the service was good. The food leaves a lot to be desired because the portions are very small. I ordered the tasting menu thinking that for the price of 1800 Turkish lira you would get 5 dishes that would exceed 30g/portion and be tasty. Everything was good with the mezes, with the starter the same with certain things that are related to everyone's tastes. However, the disappointment came with the main course when I received a portion of fish that did not exceed 20g/portion, and 2 lamb dishes. One of the 2 dishes with lamb consisted of a puree of eggplant (without any taste) and the other dish with lamb had a baked potato (no taste, no salt, no pepper...just boiled potato). As there were 4 tasting menus at our table, we received a plate with 3 potatoes and probably 30g of lamb heart shared for 4 people. At the main course, the meat had taste and was without fault, on the other hand, the side dishes were beyond criticism, without taste, without texture, without anything. At dessert, the experience continued to be on par with the disappointment from the main course. A sponge cake dry at one end, syrupy at the other but without anything else to note. And a portion of profiterole which, unfortunately, only tasted like strawberries from the strawberry jam it was wrapped with, which was also very sour... you couldn't tell what was inside unless you read the menu. As I said, there were 4 people at the table with 4 tasting menus, but the portions did not exceed 100g for the 4 menus. At the end we asked for the reciept and were asked if everything was ok. I explained to the waiter that the food was ok overall but that the portions were very small.. his reply was that if we wanted, he could bring us more food, in addition to the menus, but I refused because it didn't make sense. The drink was very good, carefully crafted, the waiters were ok with small problems to solve in the relationship with the customer, like asking if everything was ok after every course not at the end of the dinner. the location is rated 10, a little bit too...

Walking into Aheste, located in the heart of Istanbul's vibrant Beyoğlu district, was like stepping into a realm of culinary delight that merges traditional tastes with a modern twist. Right from the entrance, the cozy yet elegant atmosphere sets the tone for an unforgettable dining experience. The décor, with its subtle touches of heritage and contemporary design, complements the overall ethos of the restaurant perfectly, making it not just a place to eat but a venue to experience.

My decision to opt for the tasting menu turned out to be an excellent choice. Each dish was a revelation, featuring an array of flavors that were both familiar and intriguing. The chefs at Aheste have mastered the art of balancing traditional Turkish cuisine with innovative cooking techniques, resulting in a menu that’s both authentic and refreshingly new. The signature cocktails, crafted with meticulous attention to detail, were the perfect accompaniment to the meal. Each drink was a concoction of flavors that enhanced the dining experience, making it more than just a meal but a journey through taste and aroma.

The service at Aheste deserves a special mention. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about their offerings. Their recommendations were spot-on, adding to the overall enjoyment of the evening. The price point, considering the quality and creativity of the dishes, was very reasonable. It's rare to find a place that offers such an exquisite dining experience at such great value.

Aheste is more than just a restaurant; it's a celebration of Turkish culinary heritage reimagined for the modern palate. Whether you're a local or a traveler seeking to explore the depths of Istanbul's gastronomic delights, Aheste is a must-visit. Its unique blend of flavors, ambience, and warm hospitality makes it a standout establishment. I left with not just a satisfied palate but with the memory of an experience that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a culinary adventure...