il Boccalino 34 — Restaurant in Kadıköy

I came here with my father and mother today for dinner, and we had a lovely time. The quality of the food is superb, and the restaurant has a very nice family-run vibe, which makes the place feel cozy. The service is great and friendly, and the atmosphere is both authentic and comfortable.

The menu is a one-page menu, which is something I absolutely love. One thing watching Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares has taught me is that the smaller the menu, the better the food becomes, and this is absolutely true for Il Boccalino. Long story short, I will definitely be coming back to Il Boccalino as frequently as I can and it will be my main destination for Italian food in Istanbul.

We ordered:

・Melanzana (10/9) Eggplant dish cooked in the oven with a beautiful balance of garlic, cheese and a tomato based sauce. A lovely dish that goes extremely well with their bread topped with olive oil and salt.

・Burrata (10/8) Very tasty buffalo mozzarella with fresh tomatoes and balsamic sauce that brings it all together. I was very satisfied with this dish.

・Hidden Menu Salad (10/8) There is no salad on the menu, so when we asked for one, they told us they could make a nice fresh salad from the "hidden menu," which was wonderful. All the ingredients were extremely fresh and nothing was overbearing.

・Cappelletti (10/10) The signature dish of this restaurant. It was highly recommended to us by the staff, and they were absolutely right. This dish was beyond fantastic. The creamy sauce with a strong hint of lemon, which was not sour, was phenomenal. I had never tried pasta with lemon sauce before, and I think I have a new favorite. Anyone who visits Il Boccalino must try this dish!

・Pizza 4 Formaggi (10/8) Classic four-cheese pizza with high-quality ingredients. The dough is absolutely fantastic—neither too thin nor too thick, but very easy to eat without feeling bloated. I usually don’t eat the crust of the pizza, but their dough is so light and airy, yet looking very slim without dough bubbles, that I couldn’t resist eating it with their wonderful spicy oil. The only downside for me was that the pizza felt slightly too heavy for my liking, but I'm sure it is perfect for those who love cheesy pizza, like my mother, who would give it a 10/10.

・Pizza Pepperoni x 2 (10/9) Similar to the above, it was a wonderful pizza with great ingredients and a fantastic dough. It was lighter than the 4 Formaggi, which is why it suited me better. Honestly though, both pizzas were fantastic, and I would recommend anyone to try them. Next time I order it, I will ask for sliced parmigiano reggiano instead of shredded and it will be a truly 10/10 pizza. I can not...

Il Boccalino: A Cozy Italian Gem in Fenerbahçe

Il Boccalino, a charming little Italian restaurant in Fenerbahçe, has consistently maintained its quality and authenticity over the years. Its warm and friendly atmosphere makes it a delightful place to dine. A standout dish is their unique Cappelletti, a masterpiece that surprises with a lingering tang of lemon, balancing the flavors beautifully.

Their menu, in general, is impressive, especially their range of pizzas and pastas, each dish bursting with authentic Italian flavors. The ingredients are fresh, and each recipe is executed with a focus on bringing out the true essence of Italian cuisine.

Il Boccalino is not just about great food; it’s about the experience of enjoying time-honored recipes in a setting that feels like a little piece of Italy. It comes highly recommended for anyone in search of a genuine Italian dining experience, combined with the comfort of a...

I just had a wonderful lunch at this Italian gem! The food was delicious and had perfect Italian flavors. The vibe of the place was just what I was looking for in an Italian restaurant, and it really felt like I was dining in Italy. The toilets were impressively clean, and I must say that the waiters were extremely cooperative and attentive towards our needs. It is a family business, and they really made us feel like we're part of their family. Moreover, the cold beer they offered was delightful and refreshing for a summer lunch. I would 100% recommend this restaurant for their incredible atmosphere, fantastic food, great service and the family connection. Thank you for the memorable lunch...