Hayata Sarıl Lokantası — Restaurant in Beyoğlu

This place has a very interesting concept. The restaurant is a non-profit operation, raising money for the homeless. The organization has a board that is formed by once homeless people. The board helps train the homeless people to work as a chef or server, the place is run by the homeless under Alisha's supervision. Aisha is in her early fifties, was abused by her uncle when she was only 9 years old. She was later sold to a brothel, and is a registered prostitute. She worked in 7 different brothels for 3 years. In the last 20 years she has worked in many different jobs, sometimes as a cook and sometimes as a dishwasher in restaurants. She had been helping homeless people whenever she was able to. She had cooked for them, served them hot soup, provided short term shelter in cold evenings. But recently she joined the "Give Life a Hug" board and initiated the idea of opening this restaurant. They are open to public from 11 am to 6 pm, but serve free food from 7:30 pm to 9 pm for homeless. Aisha says that their guests for free food are the drug addicts, thieves, abused, homosexuals, transvestites, whatever you can think of. They are all welcome to come and have some hot food. She adds that these people can never get any jobs, as they are rejected by the society. She herself have always had trouble finding a job or even room to rent for herself. "No one wants to rent a room to a registered prostitute, they are afraid that I might operate a brothel." says Aisha. She recently published her first book titled "Aisha Without a Life". This is a place to experience, highly...

The BEST homemade food to try in the center of Istanbul. We went there in December 2024 so this review has a long time coming! Apreciation and praise are deserved and in order for the wonderful staff and the owner, who not only have a fantastic menu and great service- they are also a community-first business, and do volunteer work to feed the people in need on the evenings! Customers are asked to participate as well, if you can spare some time (great opportunity to learn and practice the language, wink) The prices are very affordable and hope you can tell from the photos that quantity is also in check. Would absolutely come back a...

Brilliant little restaurant which donate all the money to homeless and abused people who needs help. The only one like this in whole Turkey!!!! So it's a must, if you want to do something helpful and eat a delicious meal. It's only open till 6pm as after they feed the homeless although they said you can come and have a meal too but after 6 homeless are priority. I had mash potatoes with ribs oh they were gorgeous. They also employ those people to give them a start ahead teaching them how to cook etc. Please go there ! Its parallel to istiklal street near the...