Gülhane Şark Sofrası — Restaurant in Fatih

Nestled in the heart of culinary tradition, this Turkish gem transported me straight to the vibrant streets of Istanbul, where every bite tells a story. From the moment you step inside, you're enveloped in an atmosphere brimming with warmth, authenticity, and a palpable passion for food.

But let’s talk about the star of the show: their lamb dish. Oh, where do I begin? Tender doesn’t even begin to describe it—it’s a melt-in-your-mouth symphony of flavor that’s been marinated and slow-cooked to absolute perfection. The spices are bold yet balanced, a masterful blend that pays homage to centuries of Turkish culinary artistry. Served with fluffy, buttery rice and a side of tangy yogurt sauce, each bite felt like a journey through layers of tradition and care.

The presentation was equally stunning—garnished with vibrant sprigs of fresh herbs and paired with grilled vegetables that had just the right touch of smoky char. And the aroma? Heavenly. One whiff of those fragrant spices, and I was already halfway to culinary nirvana.

Beyond the food, the service was impeccable. The staff exuded genuine hospitality, eager to share the stories behind each dish, making the experience all the more personal. Pair your meal with their refreshing Ayran or a glass of traditional Turkish tea to round off an unforgettable dining experience.

This isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a love letter to Turkey’s rich heritage, written with the freshest ingredients and the deft hands of a chef who clearly pours their heart into every dish. If you haven’t yet visited, consider this your invitation to indulge in one of the most soulful dining experiences you’ll ever have. Trust me—your taste buds...

My partner and I visited Istanbul a couple of weeks ago and I booked this restaurant for our first evening, because it was very close to our hotel. Little did we know that, it would turn out to be our favourite place where we returned every evening and felt so at home. I don't have enough words to describe the deliciousness of the home-made food and the best hospitality we have ever received. The staff is phenomenal - every single one. The second night, we had planned to go somewhere else, which we later regretted because no one else could meet our expectations anymore. So we returned on the third night, which was our anniversary . The lovely owners and the staff welcomed us back with a bottle of champagne on the house to celebrate our special moment! We really did not expect such a warm welcome. The food was again cooked to perfection. The atmosphere was great. We smoked nargile with the owners and had a great chat at the end of the evening. The last evening we went back again, same great experience. I did not even have to order a glass of wine - it just arrived to the table... this is what i call attention to detail and these guys are doing something special there. At the end of the evening, we started chatting with a couple at the next table so they joined us together with one of the owners and spent hours chatting and getting to know each other. I cannot say one negative comment about our experiences. I have been telling all my friends about this place and will continue to do so to everyone I know that is planning to visit Istanbul. I miss this place already, and cannot wait to go back. Thank you guys for these...

Absolutely wonderful place. We've eaten here a couple of times and plan to return. The main aspect of this restaurant that makes it so great is the staff. They are all kind, helpful and funny. It is also one of the few places in Istanbul where you won't get heckled in the street to go and eat. Most people will aslo find that this is much more similar to a general restaurant experience in that you are there to have a good time, as opposed to other restaurants in Istanbul who's goal it is, is to rush you out as soon as possible. Special shoutout to Charlie and Moses who gave us such entertainment and multiple free items just as a nice gesture on top of the usual free items you recieve in any restaurant around here.

The atmosphere here is also great. Sometimes you'll find that there's even a guitarist there to provide some nice tunes. Although I've heard during the day the road beside is busy, if you eat here for dinner, it is plenty quiet.

The food is of a good quality and is tastier than the other places we've been too. Also, the pricing for it is very average for the general area, so expect it to be a little pricey because it is a city, but this is the case around all of Istanbul.

Overall, there is little to fault. The staff are so wonderful that any issues that may arise in the future could easily be overlooked because you'll find your time there that enjoyable.

I look forward to returning soon and seeing if in the meantime we can find a restaurant that can compete with the extremely high bar...