Balikci Sabahattin — Restaurant in Fatih

Excellent and authentic seafood dinner among locals

N41°0.279' E28°58.835' Sultanahmet’s beautiful surroundings and views are all too often matched by disappointing meals. There are a few gems in the Küçük Ayasofya and Cankurtaran districts, whicxh offer more authentic and affordable meals. Balıkçı Sabahattin (Sabahattin: Fisherman) is Sultanahmet’s most prestigious restaurant and an enduring favourite with discerning Turks from far and wide, who enjoy the limited menu of meze and seafood, including fish from red mullet to sole. You dine under a canopy in the garden, divided into a smoking and non-smoking section, although the locals smoke in the non-smoking section.

In August 2021, not very familiar with the Turkish way of dining, the harried waiters took the initiative by presenting a tray of mezes to choose. We took as cold starters mussles with rice (₺ 40), marinated sea bass (₺ 45), seaweed (₺ 30) and fried courgette (₺ 30). The tomato-cucumber salad (45) was the hot starter. All were a great surprise: fresh and tasty with great flavours and texture. Our main dishes, sea bass (₺ 110) and red mullet (₺ 120), were also delicious. Still talking about this culinairy experience, waiters served us two desserts on their own initiative. We did not refuse this free offer.

We enjoyed an excellent and authentic seafood dinner among the locals at Balikçi Sabahattin. It is an exceptional good restaurant in the Sultanahmet district, where the meals are generally disappointing. Highly...

Located inside a restored 1927 mansion Balıkçı Sabahattin is considered by some to be Istanbul’s best Restaurant for Fish, a strong claim since the city so close to the Black Sea, Marmara and Bosphorus offers a wide range of Seafood from street carts to spots under the bridge and in every neighborhood.

Just a stone’s throw from Hagia Sophia and the Egyptian Market, a shaded alley down some stairs leading to its entrance, guests at Balıkçı Sabahattin will find white tablecloths plus a concise menu focused almost entirely on a seasonal local catch.

Still a family business, a fisherman named Sabahattin Korkmaz relocating his father's Restaurant to the space over fifty-five years ago, it is shortly after seating that warm Bread and Olives are served along with complimentary filtered Water, local Wine and Soft Drinks.

Expensive by Turkish standards, though 1285 Lira for an upscale Lunch for four is a bargain compared to America or Europe, Meze and Appetizers include the likes of Sea Bass Ceviche and Fish Borek that each arrive in shareable portions.

A quiet place with friendly service and an English-fluent staff Entrees include whole Fish sold by the kilogram in addition to composed dishes such as spicy Fener Kavurma served sizzling in stone and tender aromatic Rice loaded with Mussels...

If I could give 0 stars to this restaurant I would do it, and there are reasons why. Firstly and the most important - high prices and tiny portions, not reasonable at all. It was the first time in my life when I had to pay for bread, was it special bread with spices/garlic? No, ordinary bread, which costs about 50 TL (including 2 cups of water). We have ordered shrimps for appetizer for two persons (140 TL), and the portion/dish was like my hand and maybe 10 little shrimps for two grown adults (?!). And we have ordered Sea-bass for 195 TL, and again this tiny portion, I guess it was a half of the fish with salad leaves and a piece of lemon. I thought it was a joke, but it was a reality. Secondly, the service was so so. When you pay +500TL, you expect to receive excellent service. When we came there the waiter automatically poured us water before giving us menu, which states that water and bread were 50 TL. When we were paying the bill and questioned about kuvir, they just threw menu to our table, said “it was written in menu” and showing us his irritation and rushing to serve the coming two Turkish guests, while there already were three waiter serving them. Thirdly, this restaurant is on the hill, you have to go up to...