zeytuna restoran — Restaurant in Beyoğlu

Meant to write this review weeks ago!!! A local friend recommended me this place. The location is hidden -- right next to some cool looking bars, you'd have to go upstairs of this algerian building to enter the restaurant. I tried their lamb fettah, and was really impressed by how tender the meat was. I was expecting it to be similar to the one I had in Cairo, but it felt lighter in seasoning/fattier. The nuttiness tahini, acidity of the pomegranate, and fattiness of the lamb really complimented each other :)

The waiter was sooo top tier!!! I am upset I didn't get his name, but he was so attentive, professional, and seemed very passionate about the restaurant/food that they make. I've been coming to Istanbul every year for the past three years as it's a good layover city, but I was yet to try the raki. So, I had to give it a shot (literally)! It's an acquired taste lol. The waiter was amazing at explaining the drink, so much so another traveler sitting in front of me joining our convo. The fellow traveler ended up joining my table for a lovely discussion about Turkish architecture, and even then, the waiter came in & checked if everything was ok -- means a lot for a young female traveler like me. Honestly the best service I've received in a long time, the whole time I was thinking "woa this is how you're supposed to do it!" Made me want to be a waitress. Anyhoo -- it was a very lovely & memorable experience, thank...

Mid. Food was OK, the levantine cuisine is amazingly flavorful unfortunately was the taste of the food blend, the warm hummus wasn’t warm, and although they have a lot vegetarian mezze options, they were overpriced. Also it wasn’t busy at all, yet the waiter wasn’t attentive and instead of noticing that we were sitting with empty glasses, he was chilling on his phone in everyone’s presence. I don’t want to be relentless, but for the Amount of money I spend, which was not honest et all, you expect more than this. Beautiful building tho.

Some tips: Manage the acoustics of the diner hall with upholstery or special ceiling/wall panels because the sound was very hollow and loud. Train the staff to be attentive and active rather than lazy. make the...

This is my best food experience in Istanbul after 2 weeks of being here. ☺️ The food is literally perfect - rich seasoning, balansed tastes and high-quality ingredients.

The interior is spacious and elegentantly arranged and the waiters are very kind, professional and fast.

I had my best musaka ever at this local (have on mind that I’m Balkan so my standards for musaka are really high) and the starters were so good and fullfilling they could easily pass as main dishes.

And the hidden gem - the home made lemonade with a kick of ginger and basil.

If you want to eat delicious, healthy, and nutricious food prepared with lots of attention and love, then come to...