Faros Karaköy — Restaurant in Beyoğlu

Blatant dishonesty at this restaurant where manager/owner and waiters are in cahoots. Be aware that service charge is included in your bill (as clearly stated on the menu) but when the bill comes the waiter will announce that it isn’t. I only picked it up because I requested to see the bill ( which they swiftly took away after you’ve paid). Service charge is cleverly sneaked in somewhere in between your itemized bill ( written in Turkish and hard to pick up). The owner/manager will shift the blame on the waiter - but I don’t buy it for one second. It is apparently a practice as it has been reported by other eagle eyed customers.

To the owner: We were seriously considering spending New Year’s Eve at your restaurant because the food is good and the ambiance is nice - but this kind of dishonesty leaves a bad taste in our mouths.

PS following the comments by the owner made to my review : First of all, we specifically asked our waiter to check the bill to see if service charge was included - he read and gave it back and clearly said no, this is why we added our standard 10% tip.

Secondly there is so much incoherence in your response to my review - you state that “your menu clearly states whether service charge is included or not”. So… is service charge included or not ? IT IS NOT CLEAR even to you!

Finally if it is written on the menu that service charge is included and if you want to be seen as an honest restaurant - ALL your waiters should know this and all your waiters should announce that it is when handing your customers bills.

And finally don’t sneak it in somewhere in between the bill - but state it clearly in two languages (English and Turkish) at the bottom. Then and then only will you be seen as an honest restaurant providing honest service and having made an...

Visited in August 2025. Turkey 🇹🇷 Istanbul.

Faros is nestled in a popular tourist area but nicely hidden from the bustling streets. Its light and spotless interior feels like a charming Italian brasserie, and we enjoyed our spot on the cozy veranda.

FOOD:

The menu shines with Italian favorites, like pastas, pizzas, antipasti—those tasty little starters—and hearty mains. We went for pastas and sampled the salmon too. The carbonara stole the show: pasta cooked to perfect al dente, with a silky, cheesy sauce that hugged every spaghetti strand just right, plus plenty of perfectly crisped pancetta—easily one of the best we’ve ever had. The truffle pasta was enjoyable, though a touch behind, as the truffle hint was subtle, more like a creamy mushroom vibe. The salmon with spinach was masterfully done, tender and juicy inside, with a thoughtfully spiced side featuring clever apricot touches for a great main. Portions were plenty generous. The only miss was the breaded calamari—super bland, and even sauce or lemon couldn’t perk it up; a dash of salt might fix that.

SERVICE:

Service was excellent ; waiters really know their stuff and guide you kindly on choices. Plus, when we flagged the calamari issue, they kindly took it off the bill and appreciated our input—that’s a nice touch.

VERDICT:

Faros is a delightful spot for a slice of Italy, blended with a gentle Turkish flair that’s quite appealing. Prices are a bit higher than average, but the pasta makes it worthwhile (after trying many, this one’s...

We visited this restaurant on a recommendation, but it turned out to be a huge mistake. The prices are completely out of line with the quality of the food. The dishes are mediocre, nothing special—the kind you'd find at any cheap establishment, only here it's served under the guise of "haute cuisine" and with an inflated price tag.

I was particularly upset that a standard bottle of water cost 190 lira, and service was 400 lira, despite no advance notice of these extra charges. This is simply a blatant rip-off of tourists.

The service is mediocre; the waiters are only polite until you're seated. Afterward, there's no attention and minimal effort.

This restaurant is a typical tourist trap: expensive, poor quality, and absolutely not worth the money. I strongly advise against visiting this place; save your money and your nerves.

I'm sure Italy itself would be shocked to see what's going on in this place, masquerading as its gastronomy. It's a disgrace, not a...