Tavacı Recep Usta Bostancı - İstanbul — Restaurant in Maltepe

We’ve previously tried their branch in Izmir and wished there was one in istanbul as well. But I just found out there was this one and it’s exactly the same as the one in izmir!! We were more than delighted! The food, the service the place’s ambience, everything was beyond exquisite.

You may think the prices are a bit over the top but wait till you learn why!! We always order the iki kiş mangal mix And all orders are served with a complimentary (all inclusive in the plate price offered): starters (two types one n one) salad (small served per person) bread big water bottle and eventually tea and desserts(two types) !! So make sure you don’t order any of these till you’ve tried the complimentary samples served first because they’re usually more than enough. This is why the prices may seem a bit overrated but in comparison to other restaurants like Hallab in zeytinburnu, the prices are way cheaper and much better quality and service.

You will never find such service anywhere else!

If you’re there on weekends, make sure you “reserve” beforehand by calling.

The restaurant is usually crowded at night and the staff speak Turkish, English, and Arabic. So they cater for all people from everywhere.

Restaurant is located 2 minutes away from the Bostanci marmaray train station (metro marmaray) you exit towards Bağdat cd. And turn left then walk straight forward, it should be visible in sight once you cross the street, right after the fish...

This wonderful restaurant, owned by "Usta Recep", is, for me, one of the best restaurants in Istanbul, if not the best... For me, and God is my witness, I consider it the best restaurant not only in Istanbul, but in all of Turkey... The first step when you enter the main restaurant is a wonderful person named "Ibrahim", with his smile and wonderful welcome, you feel like you are in your home or the home of your closest friends or family, and you feel like you are going to spend a wonderful time... Then the appetizers and main course come to you, a wonderful medley of tastes, wonderful flavors, and the flavors you missed since you were young... And finally, as for the "Desert"... from the best to the best... In conclusion, thank you Usta "Recep" for everything and for this kind soul... Thank you "Ibrahim"... Thank you to all the staff... I won't just say that I will return, but I wish I could eat at this wonderful restaurant for the rest of my life, every day, because I would... Peace be upon you, and may God always grant you wellness and health... Thank you... Thank you......

Restaturant location is very good but the sea view is very bad as there big construction exactly in front of the restaurant which will finish after two year from now , restaurant interior excellent, food was delicious but with very small & limited portions, I had order pistachio kebap from the men which show 3 kebap shish meanwhile they serve me only one shish kebap . So they show something in the menu and will serve you something less … Overpriced restaurant … very strange that this restaurant charge for the bread 🥖, this is absolutely unreasonable & illogical. We did not order bottle of water , the waiter fill our glass and he kept the balance bottle with him later on they charge us 6 T.L for water , which I didn’t order , and even they didn’t bring the bottle on our table .

The in -charge car parking guy’s stand near my car & won’t leave without tips .

Because of the the above I rate this restaurant...