Throughout the night, we had 5 cold appetizers, 1 hot appetizer, and 1 sea bass. I can confidently say the food was tasty.
However, the overall experience was a mixed bag. We had reserved our spot weeks in advance, with our reservation set for the evening, but we decided to arrive early and start both our drinks and food earlier to make the experience longer and more enjoyable.
After settling in, we headed to the showcase area to pick our mezes. The staff welcomed us warmly and encouraged us to place our full order, including hot appetizers. We hesitated, explaining that it was too early to commit to hot dishes since we didn’t yet know how much we’d eat or when we’d feel full.
When we questioned why the hot appetizers needed to be ordered immediately, the staff said it was due to crowding later in the evening, which might affect service speed. This explanation felt a bit forced. However, when we insisted on ordering them later, the lady who appeared to be the manager assured us with a smile: “That’s fine, we’ll make it work. You can order whenever you want.”
Reassured by this, we placed the rest of our order, including a 70cl bottle of Sarı Zeybek 3 Meşe Raki.
Despite that agreement, about 15 minutes later, a hot appetizer arrived at our table. We reminded the waiter that we’d asked for it to be held for later. He acknowledged this and took it back without issue.
To clarify, we spoke to the same manager who had earlier promised flexibility. Her response? “I took your order, and you never said that.” This was frustrating. She was present during our initial conversation and had clearly said we could order later. Her denial not only felt dishonest—it subtly implied we were making it up. Instead of a simple apology, we were left with a sour note in an otherwise promising evening.
Around two hours later, when we finally requested the hot appetizer for real, we timed it—it arrived in exactly 3 minutes. That kind of speed leaves little room for doubt: it was either already prepared or simply reheated. In a busy kitchen, a freshly made dish would realistically take longer. Combined with the earlier miscommunication and the denial from the manager, this quick turnaround seriously undermined our trust. Even though the flavor was good, the experience made us question how much care actually goes into the service and preparation.
Other small things added up too. Tea, for example, was served very late—even though it’s a common accompaniment to Raki, especially between rounds.
That said, the waiters themselves were genuinely kind, and service overall was reasonably quick. And yes, you can order food as you go. In fact, I’d recommend it. Given the experience, ordering in real-time seems safer, as it gives you more confidence that the food is being freshly prepared and not kept warm in the back.
Atmosphere-wise, this is a true street tavern. It’s not polished or high-end; it’s casual, cozy, and a bit shabby, in a good way. Tables are lined up close together, and the place has that no-frills neighborhood charm.
When we sat down, the sun was hitting our table directly. We asked to move, but the staff said we were sitting at the besy table and the sun would set in about 15 minutes. It actually took closer to an hour and a half. Still, the table turned out to be one of the best available, with only one couple seated nearby, whereas other sections were more tightly packed.
Order Summary:
70cl Raki (Sarı Zeybek 3 Meşe)
5 cold appetizers
1 hot appetizer
1 large sea bass
2 large turnip juices
Total: ~8,500 TRY (as...
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