Hayvore — Restaurant in Beyoğlu

I came here with great expectations after the glowing piece in Culinary Backstreets (not realising it was from as far back as 2016) - it seemed like a vital expression of a brilliant, refined cuisine that’s very distinct from what most people think of as Turkish food.

The staff were friendly and kind - but the attempts to upsell us more dishes (without seeing the menu) were too pushy and meant we overspent and ordered too much. That said, the attacks on the prices in other reviews are somewhat unfair given the location and general inflation - prices are generally much more expensive in Istanbul now.

We spent about 3000 lira for 3 people and would have gladly paid that for the meal described in the Culinary Backstreets blog, and to support a unique, regional restaurant like this.

The beef stew and the bean stew were lovely, as was the fish. However, half of the food was stale and poor. The famous chickpea dish lacked flavour, the fritters were very stale, and the artichoke had almost no flavour at all, except that of oil. I was yearning for so much more. For what once was. To teleport back to the halcyon days of 2016 (when the whole world was less crap).

Except for the fish, it all looked and felt like it had been cooked many hours ago and had just been sitting out all day in the heat. As someone else said, maybe it’s better at lunchtime.

This was further confirmed by the fact that all 3 of our party got food poisoning the morning after. Which is really not ok and ruined our last day in Istanbul. (And we’re not the first to experience this, as another review shows). I like to be reminded of the meals I’ve had, just not like this… For these prices, I want fresh food - that can’t be too much to ask.

Oscar Wilde once said, “Each man kills the thing he loves” - I guess Hızır Bey is no exception. I hope this place doesn’t die but someone needs to hold a mirror up to its face - in more ways than one - and probably hit its chest with a defibrillator. Something is clearly going very wrong and it’s sad to see.

‘hayvore” means “I am here.” - but this place isn’t all...

Watch out for overcharging and rudeness. 9 April Saturday 2022 @ 5.50pm. 1) Adding a more expensive price of something that the customer didn't order. 2) No menu prices so that the customer don't know how much each item costs. I clearly ordered only 4 dishes. At the end when I asked, a waiter took a long time to bring the bill. And when it came, there were 4 items on the list but the price was very wrong. 192TL? I ordered only a plate of plain white rice, a soup, a chicken dish, a leek dish. How is that 192TL? And one item on the bill was unusually expensive. So I went to ask another waiter to compare the name of each item on the bill with what I ordered from the showcase of food. He pointed at a dish that I never ordered--a meat dish with some peppers. I told him I didn't order it. He told the cashier who unhappily reprinted the bill which was 117 TL. That's a big difference of 75TL for just 1 meat dish (that I didn't order). There was no apology at all. Seeing the corrected bill, I took out my card to tap for payment. Their machine couldn't process it. The cashier looked irritated and shook her head. When I asked to confirm whether payment was declined, she said in slow English, "You didn't pay". While I was hesitating, trying to confirm whether the process was really cancelled and if so, I would tap again-- the cashier grabbed my card out of my hand and tapped it on the machine herself. When according to her, it was declined again, I paid cash. I don't know how many customers they have overcharged by putting a different, expensive item on the bill. Probably many unsuspecting tourists who will just pay. 117TL for only 4 dishes is actually already expensive. Usually, lokantasi restaurants in the Taksim/Osmanbey area charge half that price for 4 items. Even for 6 dishes including dessert, it is about 100TL at a lokantasi restaurant at Osmanbey that I already suspect charge higher than...

My recent lunch experience at Hayvore was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment I stepped through the door, I felt like a cherished guest in the home of dear friends. The owners' passion for providing a memorable culinary journey was evident in every detail, from the cozy ambiance to the impeccable service.

What truly stole my heart, however, was learning about their dedication to sustainable farming practices. The fact that they cultivate their own vegetables using organic methods speaks volumes about their commitment to quality and care for both their guests and the environment.

Each dish on the menu was a testament to this ethos, with flavors that danced on my palate and ingredients that sang of freshness. It was evident that every element had been thoughtfully sourced and lovingly prepared.

What sets Hayvore apart is not just the delicious food, but the genuine warmth and hospitality of the owners. Their attention to detail and desire to ensure each guest feels special made my dining experience truly unforgettable.

I left Hayvore with a full belly and a heart filled with gratitude, already counting down the days until I can return for another delightful meal and heartfelt conversation. Thank you, the entire Hayvore team, for an experience that nourished both...