Nusr-Et Steakhouse Kapalıçarşı — Restaurant in Fatih

We went for dinner post 9 pm. This specific location is at the grand bazaar, which closes at 7 pm. We happen to be there during the day, so when we got there at night it was a completely different sight. The streets were dark, puddles of water and full of trash bags. I couldn't believe that this famous restaurant would be here. The taxi couldn't even make it to the location. Had to drop us a few 100 meters away. Anyways, we saw the sign for Nusret walked into the place it was like entering a new world. Very grand hall with the restaurant placed at the centre with open seating and parts of the restaurant on the second floor. It's more like a food court style seating, not a typical restaurant feel. There are different shops around the hall like a mini mall. The AC system could be better, but that I felt it could be better all around Turkey in general as the summer was hot and humid.

We ordered the blooming onion known as the onion flower and truffle fries as starters. Both were good items as fillers and added an element as the steak portion comes without any sides, just meat and a bit of bread.

For main, we ordered the 2 servings size of the Nusr-Et Special Steak as it sounded good. 600 gm of meat cooked in butter yum right? However to our disappointment, the meat quality was good, but the butter, made the whole experience difficult to eat. The dish comes as a raw log of serlion, which the waiter cuts into slices and asks for the temperature you would like. I got medium rare and the wife got medium. Then they bring a hot pan and pour hot butter and cook it live. All this sounds and feels exciting and delicious. However to our disappointment the butter they used was not premium. You would expect something like Lurpak butter, but this butter had its own flavor like a lamby/ dairy flavor like a Turkish version of desi ghee, which really effected the taste of the meat. At first, I thought it was the meat, so I added more butter from the tray only to realise it got worse. Then I tired a piece without butter, and it was so good, but since the whole steak was cooked in butter, most of the meat was soaked in the butter. We had to work our way through a lamby ish beef steak and no mistake. I love lamb but this was a different flavor and it's beef so just to explain to my best of the experience.

What saved the entire experience was the dessert. Their newly added Magnum Cake was excellent, along with a cup of cappuccino, which was a geart combination. I'm a 100% meat eaters but to say the dessert saved the experience is a lot. we ordered a second Magnum cake to go.

Expensive? Depends on how you're looking at it. In pkr terms everything is expensive but in usd, euro or even aed terms having a steak dinner in what is a highend restaurant with starters, dessert and coffee for under 100 usd per person is exceptional.

If I go to Turkey would I visit Nusr Et again? I had already heard how underwhelming the place was so I didnt go with high expectations. Going viral doesn't always mean being good. However, once I got a bite of the meat without butter, it was good quality, so I may give it another shot and stick to a more...

One cannot think well or travel well if one hasn't dined well. Also what's a trip to Turkey without trying the famous #SaltBae restaurant. Luckily for us there is one near the Grand Bazaar so we took a walk to try it out. Initially quite a hidden spot to find but inside it's rather large, and we got there just in time to get a table without a reservation as it filled up really quickly, with a waiting list.

It doesn't have a huge selection of items on the menu, and it's mainly a meat spot obviously. We ordered the Blooming Onion with Tartare sauce to share Someone suggested his burgers, so that's what I took - the Lokum Burger with special Zone Beef, Caramalised Onions and Cheddar Cheese and Fries, and my sister took the Heart shaped meatball Fontina, Cheddar and Kashar Cheese and fries. Sadly our food didnt come with the usual #saltbae fanfare, as one of the staff comes to your table to "cut" your steak or ribs etc. Ie. Someone behind us ordered the gold steak so it was fun to watch. (those prices were not on my budget list)

Our blooming Onion, was... blooming marvellous BUT not as FLIPPING amazing as my burger. WOW, it is probably hands down the best burger I have eaten this year. The meat was absolutely tender, the cheese was soft and melt in your mouth, not stringy or chewy and the bun was soft and complimented the burger perfectly. Only the chips were lacking something.

My sisters meatball was also great according to her, I tasted a piece and it was good. On the table you also get salt and oregano (which is everywhere) and 2 strengths of mustard, which one of them kicked some serious butt.

To end off our meal we decided to share a piece of Baklava, of course we had to have this while in Turkey. This also comes to your table and is presented to you and chopped with ice cream and it's quite a large piece to share. Not too sweet just enough flavour, and the ice cream has a very rich solid texture.

Definitely an experience to remember, washed down by some Turkish Tea and Coffee before heading back to our hotel.

The staff are on the ball, constantly busy and turning tables. Very efficient and quick turnaround times. Thanks to all the staff for a wonderful meal and...

Note: Was here in May 2022.

In my opinion, you should try if you’re in istanbul. Quite a walk in the grand bazaar to come here as the whole place is huge. I hate walkingggg but for this nusret i dont mind coming (and queueing) again lol

Of course the prices are a bit expensive but depends on what you order. The menu already stated the price so i wonder how/why there are ppl who are surprised looking at their bill AFTER they’ve eaten lol

my sister/bro in law did all the ordering, since they’ve been here before during their previous visit to turkey few months prior. And i was really looking forward to the beef sushi which the bro In law said was really really really good and he was already pre calculating how much per piece per person should we order since it’s expensive lol we settled at two per piecer per person but, lo and behold unfortunately that day it was not on the menu. Quite disappointed as was really looking forward for the “sushi” but alhamdulillah the other dishes we had was goodd!

By looking back at the only videos and pictures available, if im not mistaken this was what we had (all for sharing) Nusret spaghetti: thinly sliced beef - i think it was good, but cant really remember the taste Nusret special: beef cooked in butter and done on the spot and have bread on the side - this i remembered was blooodyyy goooddddd. A must order Burger (not sure which one) and fries for the kids - not so good. I think was quite dry Mushrooms - love it Baked potato - i think it was alright and a good complement for the meat Baklava with ice cream - what can go wrong with sweet things, plus had my camera ready as was already told about “the show” lol

All in all even without having any steak, it is still worth it to come and try!! Only went there once and actually wanted to come again on our last day for lunch but was vetoed out and we went to deraliye terrace (restaurant with a view) instead - that will be for another...