I’d intended to do only one more post on Istanbul (a wrap-up of the good and bad meals we had there), but in looking over my notes and photos from the trip, I thought the Tarihi Sultanahmet Koftecisi deserved a dedicated shout-out.
Left to my own devices, I would’ve avoided the place. It was (1) listed in our guidebook and (2) located in the tourist-packed neighborhood of Sultanahmet – two factors that scream “tourist-hell-to-be-avoided.”
But you see, Jon has a few Istanbullu friends (as in: Turkish friends currently living in Istanbul). And we’d asked them for recommendations. And independently of each other, two of them called this place the best koftecisi in town. [Koftecisi, in case you didn’t guess, means the place serves one thing only: kofte, aka the burger of Turkey.]
Tarihi Sultanahmet Koftecisi is a massive restaurant, covering at least three floors. And yet, both times we ate there (yes, it was so tasty, fast and cheap we stopped by twice), the place was packed. Yes, there are tourists. But there were a lot more Turkish-speakers than there were guidebook-toting peeps like us.
And it’s a perfect example of why it pays to be a specialist. There’s a menu, but really, it’s unnecessary, because the only decisions you’re asked to make are: (1) how many orders of hot-off-the-grill kofte you want; and (2) what kofte accompaniments do you want. Being big eaters, my friends and I ordered one plate of kofte each, and they were juicy, smokey, and addictively cuminy-meaty. Ask your server for some chili-paprika sauce, and you’ll be in heaven.
In case the meat is just too much, you can also get some “salad” – creamy white beans and crunchy lettuce and carrots – to go with your kofte.
Despite having stuffed ourselves both times, our tab for four (including soft drinks) never exceeded 80 Turkish Lira/£30. That’s about £8 a person for a fast, tasty meal in the heart of Istanbul’s tourist district. Tarihi Koftecisi is cheap, convenient and tasty. I couldn’t have asked for a better lunch break in between all the sightseeing and shopping.
Tarihi Sultanahmet Koftecisi Selim Usta, Divan Yolu (ordu) Caddesi 12; 212-520-0566; near Sultanahmet tram station. Note all the similarly-named competitors nearby and don’t be fooled.
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Excellent food,Fantastic service
I visited to Amedros with my wife,the atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable with very friendly and helpfull staff.The menu is excelent(a real turkish and international cusine).The testi kebab one of the specialties at Amedros.The chef did research on meals eaten by the sultans,and has reproduced them,absolutely delicios.Every thing is fresh.
Highly recommended.
alican,Santiago de chile
yum – this place was awesome 🙂
Hey there,
I had the chance to go to Istanbul twice last year and I fell in love with the city! We went to that place several times and the Kofte are just amazing. My fiancé and I are going to have our engagement party this summer in a restaurant in Istanbul called Ulus 29… Can’t wait for it!
i was in nisantasi in a resteraunt called nisantasi sultanahmet köftecisi and there was a master of köfte from the tarihi sultanahmet köftecisi , and i can say it was amazing… it´s like the pictures on there webpage http://www.nisantasisultanahmetkoftecisi.com
I was in this restaurant today… not exceptional to be honest. Nothing very original and I thought food was a bit rubbery.
Hi John – I don’t think the koftecisi, generally, aims to be “original.” That said, I can see how the kofte might be rubbery – they do seem to blend the mince with something to bind it all together. I enjoyed the flavor, though. For the money, it beat the well-touted (and much pricier) Hamdi by a mile.
Hope you’re enjoying your other meals in Istanbul, though. I’d love to go back.
We did an organised tour of turkey which included a one day tour of Istanbul. At least three days is needed. Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi was great. The kofte , the people, the place and ahhhh! the apple tea.
We will return.
They look great. Appetizing. Delicious.
I visited Turkey last year and although I’m a vegetarian (no kofte for me), I loved the Turkish salads and of course, the yummy bread. 🙂
gargupie – impressive that even as a vegetarian you ate well – seafood and grilled meats being two highlights of our Turkish eating experience.
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Ben her gün aynı köfte öğünümü yiyebiliyorum
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