Aya Garden Cafe & Restaurant — Restaurant in Fatih

A few days ago, after visiting Little Aya Sophia and its madrasa (now a cultural center of art shops), we stopped at Aya Garden to look at the menu. The manager on duty asked what I was looking for. I said all I wanted for lunch was cacik (pronounced “jajik”) a yogurt and cucumber concoction that is often eaten as a cold soup. It was not on the menu but he said he would make it for me. It was delicious, as was my husband’s lentil soup. We had both Turkish tea and the best apple tea afterwards.

This evening we returned with a friend for dinner. He and I chose Hünkar Beğeni—Sultan’s Delight or sometimes called “The Imam Loved It”, which I have renamed “This Tourist Loved It”. The beef was tender and full of flavour but the best part was the bed of sauce made of eggplant, cream, and butter. I’m afraid to try this dish anywhere else because it might not rise to my palate’s retrained expectations.

My husband had Testi Kebabı—stew cooked in clay pot, which was quite a show. I can post only photos here. You can find a demonstration on YouTube. A clay pot is brought to the table in a clay tray filled with something that set alight. After that is gets complicated. (My video is on my i-g hongkongaficionada)

We were going to have apple tea to finish but our server suggested we try baklava and tea. Now, as we have had this before, I wondered what was the big deal. But he explained that if you take a bite of baklava THEN a sip of tea, the tea has a delicious sweetness without added sugar. I’ve been to Turkey many times and I always learn something new!!

We ate outside both time but the interior is charming and the very clean restroom has Iznik tiles. Plus, the wash bowl is a piece of gorgeous...

Such an great experience! Everything we ordered was spectacular, but I especially recommend the beef Testi Kebab – it was nicely cooked, full of flavor, and beautifully presented. The rest of the dishes were also delicious; you really can’t go wrong with almost anything on the menu.

The service was fantastic – the staff were friendly and attentive without being overbearing, which made the whole evening even more enjoyable. The atmosphere on the terrace at night is lovely, with a relaxed and pleasant vibe.

The only small downside was that the drinks weren’t as cold as we’re used to in Spain.

To top it all off, they kindly offered us tea and baklava on the house to finish. The baklava was rich, flaky, and not overly sweet – one of the best we’ve had.

Highly recommended. Thank you for such a...

I recently visited Istanbul and had the pleasure of dining at Aya Garden Cafe & Restaurant for four consecutive evenings — and for good reason! The food was absolutely amazing — fresh, flavourful, and beautifully presented every time. From traditional Turkish dishes to international options, everything we tried was top quality. What made the experience even better was the staff. They were incredibly friendly, welcoming, and made us feel right at home. The atmosphere of the restaurant is warm and charming, with a lovely garden setting that adds a special touch to the overall experience. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Istanbul, this place quickly became our favourite dining spot. Thank you to the entire team at Aya Garden for your...