Akdeniz Hatay Sofrası — Restaurant in Fatih

Hatay, located in the Mediterranean Region, is the 13th most populous city in Turkey. Also known as the 'City of Civilizations', Hatay has hosted many cultures throughout history. This cultural diversity is reflected in Hatay cuisine. Hatay cuisine stands out with its unique dishes, desserts and appetizers with plenty of syrup. Hatay, which is accepted as the World City of Gastronomy by UNESCO with its nearly 600 types of food, hosts delicious recipes. Here are 24 regional recipes from Hatay cuisine for those who want to feel the inspirations of Hatay in their kitchen and try the dishes of different cultures: Tray kebab, whose main ingredients are ground meat, tomatoes, peppers and onions, takes its name from the way it is cooked. Restaurants and restaurants in Hatay prepare this kebab on large trays called sini. Therefore, it is also known as sini kebab.Belen pan, which you can find in all restaurants and restaurants in the center of Hatay, is prepared with lamb, butter and pepper. This dish, named after the Belen district of Hatay, is indispensable for lunch and dinner menus.Çökelek salad, which is served as an appetizer in Hatay cuisine, is served in different varieties. Although it is usually served with cottage cheese, tomatoes and parsley, it is also consumed by combining it with blowing olives.Sour vaccine, one of the traditional dishes of Hatay cuisine, is prepared with oruk meatballs. This dish, also known as sour soup, is cooked in tomato paste, pomegranate syrup...

IMPORTANT REVIEW FOR TOURISTS: there is a fraudulent billing problem in this restaurant. They charge something they call a tax, but a tax isn't a menu line item like a dish charge. It's a percentage calculated by the software. So they're clearly cheating here.

Second: they charge a cover charge & this isn't for locals. They say it's for water and bread, even if you don't take it. This is likely either if you're a tourist or if you're brought in by a guide / driver & due to some commission arrangement, they're inflating the bill. My driver was a nice guy, so I'm hoping this isn't through this arrangement since this is a common practice in third world countries.

I didn't experience this anywhere else in Istanbul. Only here. Clearly they're manipulating. In general, it's an expensive restaurant. And this additional "food charge" (which they say it's tax but likely isn't) & "cover" (for bread & water, but isn't) simply makes the bill ridiculously high.

I argued to remove it as I visited the restaurant a second time. Their food is good quality & the some dishes are very tasty, if not all. Even the facilities are really good: baby changing room, bathrooms are very clean & hygienic etc. But this billing issue has left a sour taste in my mouth. Enough for me to leave a negative review even though i almost never do for most places, since i understand hospitality is hard. Also, never visiting here again. I guess that's why they do this for non-local tourists cause they know you won't be...

Tonight we visited a superb restaurant, and I want to share our experience. We were delighted with the prompt service at the start: we ordered two black teas, and they were served quickly, hot and aromatic. We were there with our three-year-old son, and the staff immediately offered a high chair and helped to seat him. When our little one started to fuss, the restaurant's employees kindly helped us calm him down.

The food was served without delay, and the service was truly top-notch. We ordered hummus with meat, flatbread, minced meat with lavash, and a mix of minced meat with rice in cleaned intestines. Each dish deserves separate compliments - the ingredients were fresh, and the spices were perfectly balanced.

This restaurant is one of the best places I have ever visited, not just in Istanbul, but in general. The restaurant's team are true professionals.

At the end of our visit, we were pleasantly surprised with several compliments in the form of tea, pomegranate, cookies, and candies for our son, which made a wonderful end to the evening. We will definitely return here again and recommend this restaurant...