Turkish Property Port

Istanbul’s Best Esnaf (Artisan) Restaurants

Turkey, and Istanbul in particular, is every gourmet’s dream place with a world-class cuisine that offers the best whether you are meat lover or a strict vegan. Yet, many tourists are not aware of a quite local type of restaurant, where there are no English menus (actually no menu at all) and the food is out of this world. They are called artisan restaurants, mainly because for years their main customers have been the artisans, tradesmen and shop owners (esnaf in Turkish) of their neighborhoods. Not to be confused with artisanal coffee shops or breweries, these are (mostly) moderately priced traditional places with a down-to-earth feel. Instead of a menu, you get to pick your food from behind a glass display, where every dish is made fresh daily, kept warm and ready to serve. They are rarely open until late in the evening, operating mainly between business hours. But if you really want to get a taste of authentic Turkish food the way it is cooked at Turkish homes, then check out our tips on some of the best artisan restaurants in Istanbul. 

Lale Restaurant, Haskoy

Lale Restaurant, Haskoy

The Hasköy neighborhood by the Golden Horn may not strike you as the place to find one of the best restaurants in Istanbul. But when you get to the Rahmi Koç museum (which itself is definitely worth a trip), named after one of the richest men in Turkey, just across the street awaits this best kept secret. Rahmi Koç himself is a known regular here and from the kebabs to the doner, the vegetable dishes to the deserts, every dish will put a big smile on your face. The area itself is undergoing rapid transformation and with its proximity to Taksim and the view of the Golden Horn, it is a much sought-after neighborhood in terms of property for sale in Istanbul.

Hunkar Restaurant, Nisantasi

Hunkar Restaurant, Nisantasi

This somewhat posh interpretation of a traditional artisan restaurant in Nişantaşı is a favorite of both tourists and local gourmets alike. Expect to find anything from delicious soups to lamb in quince stew, fish dishes like octopus and white grouper to salads. Be prepared to pay high Nişantaşı prices, but the food will be worth it. After all, the area is one of the most posh districts in Istanbul, where luxury apartments, designer shops and celebrities loom. 

Kanaat Restaurant, Uskudar

Kanaat Restaurant, Uskudar

A historical and true to form artisan restaurant on the Asian side, Kanaat offers daily selections of traditional style lamb chops, beans, stuffed onions, lamb stew, eggplant pilaf and mouth-watering deserts among other great tasting recipes. Located at the very center of Üsküdar, it can be conveniently reached via ferry from Beşiktaş or Kabataş or alternatively via Marmaray. Kanaat has been serving the best Ottoman and Turkish food since 1933 and it’s been at the same location since 1955. They only accept cash, but their prices are in the affordable range. After your meal, be sure to discover the vibrant Üsküdar centre. It is one of the most desirable places to live or invest in Istanbul, with its historical mosques, shopping alternatives and ease of transportation. 

Kardesler Restaurant, Kemerburgaz

Kardesler Restaurant, Kemerburgaz

Kemerburgaz may be quite far from the city center, but together with its natural beauty, what really makes the trip worthwhile is this great restaurant. The friendly staff welcomes you with a smile and you can take your pick from any one of their specialties like the doner, oven-cooked lasagna, beans, garbanzo beans or elbasan (lamb and vegetables bakes with cheese and béchamel). They are always packed full during lunchtime so try to arrive early. After a very satisfying meal, go for a walk and explore this popular residential area full of some of the most well designed luxury homes for sale in Istanbul.  

 Sahin Restaurant, Beyoglu

 Sahin Restaurant, Beyoglu

A trip to the Taksim-Beyoglu area wouldn’t be complete without superb home-style cooking, the way Turkish moms do at home. For that, head over to Sahin Restaurant located in a narrow street close to the Tunel area. Try to arrive early around lunchtime and try the tas kebap, or boiled veal with vegetables. Save room for their delicious rice pudding as well. This is a typical artisan restaurant crowded by many shop owners and workers around the area. Prices are reasonable and the experience is the kind to write home about.