Vamos Estambul Restaurant & Cafe — Restaurant in Fatih

PERFECT VIBE!

When we travel we like learning about a place, meeting local people, and meeting other travellers. This place is exactly the type of experience we seek.

THE LOCATION It is in the best strolling area of Sultanahmet right by the Hagia Sofia, Hippodrome, and Meze Step into a groovy alley lined up with nice hotels, restaurants, coffee bars, lamp shops, and an excellent mix of people. There is both indoor and outdoor space with a mix of comfy couches and chairs.

THE FOOD AND DRINK We started with a lovely bottle of wine. They brought us out a swanky martini glass with tasty olives. We shared a lentil soup with mint that was sooooo tasty. We shared a dish called Hurrem Sultan - medallions of chicken with a sauce with honey pomegranate that I dream of. We finished with ice cream and an end of night cocktail

THE ENGAGEMENT We always feel so welcome in Istanbul. There is an art form and skill to how they engage people to come in to their place. You think “Oh, this is just their hook to get us in” but this place goes much deeper than that. We have travelled all over Turkey. When we mention a place like we went to Mardin a staff member would say “I am from Mardin!”, we went to Diyarbakir “I am from Diyarbakir”, and so on. The staff is from all over. We shared pictures and truly connected with individuals. We met people from France, Slovenia, Uzbekistan, Korea, Germany, and all over the world that were other guests, from the restaurant, and neighboring places that popped in to say Hi. We got stories of people’s families, discussed local and global issues, heard stories of falling in love, shared music, fed kitties, and made new friends.

We HIGHLY recommend you say YES when they...

Reasonably good food but really expensive. My wife and I went here for dinner after passing by the restaurant during the day. We sat on the terrace which was nice and cosy because of the heaters. We had some hummus and mushrooms with cheese for starters and meatballs and the Adana kebab as main courses. We drank a bottle of red turkish house wine and a bottle of water. The quality of the food was good, of course one must already be a really bad cook to mess up such simple dishes. When the bill came we had to pay 6945 TL, that’s 190 Euros. Back home we can have a dinner in a one star Michelin restaurant for that price and rest assured this is no Michelin quality. I would have expected something like 3-4000 TL, but nothing like that. Large part of the total price was due to the bottle of house wine costing 1700 TL but the added service and tax fees for a total of 1000 TL did not help either. You can find the same quality of food in many other restaurants further away from the big mosque and you’ll pay max half for it. So please save yourself some money and go somewhere else. I really don’t understand why this restaurant has such good scores on google reviews, does everyone who goes there have low expectations and a...

From the moment you walk up, you’re greeted by the most charming and charismatic gentleman who makes you feel like an old friend coming home. His warm smile and magnetic energy are enough to pull you right in—and trust me, you want to be pulled in.

Inside, the vibe is effortlessly cool: plush seating, low lighting, and a constant hum of good music that sets the tone. The hookah options are plentiful and smooth, with a variety of flavors that are clearly crafted with quality in mind. Whether you’re a hookah regular or just curious, there’s something for everyone.

And the drinks—wow. The menu is a cocktail lover’s dream. From refreshing mojitos and exotic martinis to bold signature mixes that you won’t find anywhere else, the bartenders here know their stuff. The presentation is just as good as the taste, and it’s clear that each drink is made with care and flair.

Whether you’re kicking off a night out or just want a cozy spot to unwind with friends, this place delivers. Between the top-tier hospitality, unforgettable atmosphere, and endless hookah and drink options, it’s more than a restaurant—it’s an experience.

Highly recommend. Just follow the smile at the door—you’ll be...