Old Balat Cafe & kitchen — Restaurant in Fatih

Visiting this restaurant was one of the main highlights of my trip to Turkiye this summer. Not only is the restaurant strategically located in one of the prettiest neighbourhoods in Istanbul (balat). It also provides the tastiest Turkish cuisines for such reasonable prices. Additionally, the staff were one of the kindest and most welcoming. During our visit, Yusuf always welcomed my family and I with a smile and ensured that we had a pleasant experience each time we visited. Our favourite chef Ilknur however, made sure that we enjoyed our stay by providing the most delicious gözleme in addition to her bright and bubbly personality that kept us coming. Extremely excellent service and will be definitely visiting once again when we’re back in Turkiye. Additionally, if you are a fan of cukur the tv show, it’s a 10 minute walk from the famous neighbourhood shown...

Nice atmosphere, friendly staff, but a little pricey for what you get.

The meat gözleme was alright with a good amount of meat even though it could have used a tiny bit more seasoning as the meat used didn't quite speak for itself. Pricing here was reasonable though.

The ordered spicy dip or salad ("acılı ezme") was also fairly good but again didn't specifically stand out in its taste.

What bothered me was the lemonade tasted watered down and a little too sweet for the price of 35 TL. So you had to drink rather fast for the ice cubes not to melt down diluting the taste even more.

The tea was a little over average in price but even though it was a little too mild for my personal preference it hat a nice specific taste I haven't had in other teas in Istanbul yet. I did like that.

In total I'd give this place a solid 3 stars just a small notch...

Old Balat Restaurant is a hidden gem in Istanbul! After trying various eateries during my four-week stay, I found this place and decided to eat here for the rest of my trip. The food is consistently delicious, fresh, and clean. Their homemade bread and pancakes, prepared right before your eyes, are a delight.

The staff, especially the host Baha, are incredibly welcoming and respectful. Baha speaks English, which was helpful. The restaurant offers great service at reasonable prices and they modify your dish as you desire as well .

The traditional setting creates a beautiful ambiance, particularly in the evenings. Sitting outside, you can enjoy the sea breeze while sipping their excellent apple tea.

Thank you, Baha, for your gentlemanly hospitality throughout my stay. Old Balat Restaurant made my Istanbul experience truly...