Balıkçı Kahraman — Restaurant in Sarıyer

Balıkçı Kahraman – The Best Place for Turbot in Turkey

Balıkçı Kahraman is, without a doubt, the best place for turbot in Turkey. My wife and I had a fantastic meal here, enjoying a perfectly grilled turbot accompanied by a fresh salad. Everything was absolutely fantastic—from the quality of the fish to the simplicity of the preparation.

The turbot at Balıkçı Kahraman is prepared in two ways: grilled and yahni (stewed). Both methods bring out the best flavors, allowing the natural richness of the fish to shine. I personally prefer yahni or slowly grilled, as it preserves the delicate texture and deep, natural taste of the turbot. Here, the fish is served plain—no heavy sauces, just its own fat and perhaps a touch of olive oil, allowing its pure flavor to be the star of the meal.

On this visit, the turbot was exceptionally large, making it a true feast. I paired it with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, which complemented the fish beautifully with its crisp acidity and citrus notes.

While I’ve had turbot in some fantastic places—including a restaurant in Lake Como, where the service was outstanding—I can confidently say that when it comes to Turkey, Balıkçı Kahraman is the ultimate destination for turbot lovers. If you are looking for an authentic, high-quality seafood experience, this is the...

Balıkçı Kahraman: The Quintessential Choice for Kalkan Season

Balıkçı Kahraman is an essential destination during the kalkan (turbot) season. Despite its high prices and popularity, which sometimes attract criticism, the dining experience it offers makes it all worthwhile, leaving guests content and satisfied.

The restaurant steers clear of overwhelming the diners with an excess of unnecessary meze options. Instead, it focuses on quality and simplicity. The tomato salad is refreshingly authentic, and the lakerda (pickled bonito) is uniquely exquisite. The torik shish (swordfish skewer) is legendary, offering a juiciness and tenderness that is unparalleled. Their hamsi (anchovies) are equally impressive, with a melt-in-the-mouth quality that is hard to find elsewhere.

The pièce de résistance, however, is their masterpiece of a kalkan dish. It’s an artistic creation that elevates the meal to a full-fledged gastronomic experience. Balıkçı Kahraman doesn’t just serve seafood; it crafts culinary delights that are both a feast for the palate and the eyes.

In summary, Balıkçı Kahraman is more than just a fish restaurant. It’s a place where the love for seafood and culinary artistry come together to create unforgettable...

Finally, I was able to come back here again! Before the meal, we were served an onion and tomato salad, fried calamari, grilled calamari, lakerda, fried hamsi, and cornbread. The onion and tomato salad, rich in vinegar and olive oil, was unquestionably exquisite. The grilled calamari had a nice smoky aroma, and the cornbread was uniquely thin, hot, and tasty. For the main course, we obviously chose the turbot tandoori. As always, it was cooked to perfection with an amazing smoky scent. For dessert, we had quince dessert with cream (a bit tart), pumpkin dessert, and chocolate soufflé. The pumpkin dessert was especially good. And of course, we ended with thyme tea.

This place is probably the best fish restaurant in Istanbul. It might be a bit pricey, but everything served is delicious and offers flavors that are hard to find elsewhere. The service quality is as friendly as a local diner but also very professional. I definitely...