Cafe Rumist — Restaurant in Fatih

During our recent trip to Istanbul, my sister and I dined at Rumist Cafe and Art Bistro twice, primarily because of their amazing lentil soup. It's incredibly tasty and satisfying, and we couldn't resist returning for more.

On our first night, we started with lentil soup, mushrooms with cheese, and hummus as appetizers. I had the lamb kebab, which comes with fries, white rice and a salad, and it was simply delightful. My sister opted for the grilled halloumi cheese salad, and she was equally impressed. The meal was excellent from start to finish.

Tonight, we went back for a second time specifically for the lentil soup, and this time our waiter chose our main course for us. He recommended the Testi Kebap, which is essentially a meat stew with tomatoes and vegetables cooked in a sealed clay jug. The presentation was spectacular: the main course arrived on a pan filled with salt that was on fire, with the clay jug on it. The owner then removed the jug from the flames, uncovered it, and poured some of the stew onto a hot plate. The aroma was mouthwatering. He continued the show by twirling the jug on the flames and tapping off the bottom with a butter knife to pour the rest of the stew.

The entire meal, from the first to the last bite, was perfection. We finished with some tea and baklava, rounding off an unforgettable dining experience.

Overall, Rumist Cafe and Art Bistro provided us with two fantastic dinners, highlighted by the exceptional lentil soup and the unforgettable Testi Kebap. The combination of delicious food, excellent service, and unique presentation makes it a must-visit spot...

The restaurant seemed very nice and inviting, the man working outside promised us a great deal and omitted the service charge to make us come in. It seemed very pleasant at first, we ordered some drinks and food, as is custom, the waiter showered us with atention and menu items, but once it was all said and done they presented us with a box, containing the "bill", rather than that, lets just say, they gave us a peace of paper that listed our orders, no receipt in it's true form. Having been lead on by a welcoming host in the spirit of the evening we didn't mind the inconvenience, and we payed 63 euros. We payed with a 50 euro bill, a 10 and a 5, the frontman took the checkbook, and returned not 3 mins later with a bank note with a tare on it saying he could not take it. The thing is I withdrew all my money from the bank before coming to Turkey, they were all new bills with 0 flaws. After a bit of bickering I took back the ripped note and presented another new 50, wich they gladly accepted all whilst swearing that the ripped one would pose no problem in any exchange office. The same evening I tryed to exchange the note at several different offices and all I got was the same response "it's a fake", after returning there to confront them, the owner put up a hostile tone and jibbered away in Turkish, needles to say I left, not wanting to lose a day filling out a report at the police station. We ended up getting riped off for a further 50 and going through a humiliating ordeal of trying to change a fake note. Stay away from this place, it's full...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A True Gem in Sultanahmet. Thank You, Ibrahim!

I had the pleasure of not only dining at this wonderful restaurant but also getting to know its lovely Turkish American owner, Ibrahim. He is one of those rare people who genuinely care about putting good into the world. His kindness, generosity, and warm spirit made my time in Istanbul truly extra special.

During my time in Istanbul, Ibrahim went above and beyond to help me find resources and gave guidance as needed from the goodness of his heart. I’ll never forget it.

The restaurant itself has a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, with a lovely cool mist on hot days that makes it even more enjoyable. The food is beautiful! It is delicious, fresh, and prepared with love. Amazing for a quick bite or a longer meal, it’s the perfect place to unwind on an otherwise somewhat touristy street. This of all of the places in this area is worth more than a try. He and his staff are wonderful and so so welcoming.

If you have the chance to meet Ibrahim, don’t miss it. His knowledge of the area, his heart, and his hospitality are unmatched. As long as I return to Istanbul, this will always be a place I...