Hacı Abdullah Lokantası
Istanbul
Et overblik
Anmeldelser
Simply amazing. From the entrance, to the decor, the tables, staff, service, everything makes you feel you stepped into a very special place. It doesn’t feel like a lokanta but rather a very high end restaurant. The food is incredibly tasty, and they have all the traditional Turkish dishes you could think of. I went with the traditional baked eggplant with meat and tomatos. It was really tasty and full of amazing flavours. It is pricey, but the quality, atmosphere and food are totally worth it. Hacı Abdullah Lokantası is one of Istanbul's historic restaurants, with a story going all the way back to 1888, when it first opened in Karaköy during the final years of the Ottoman Empire. Its licence was reportedly granted by Sultan Abdülhamid II, and the restaurant has continued its tradition through the generations, passing from master to apprentice rather than simply being bought and sold. Today, you can come here to experience traditional Turkish and Ottoman-style home cooking, with dishes such as lamb, stuffed vegetables, rice dishes, soups and their famous fruit compotes. The restaurant has a very old-fashioned, traditional feel, which is part of its charm. If you want to try classic Turkish food in a place with genuine history behind it, Hacı Abdullah is definitely worth adding to your Istanbul food list.
Okay, where do I even start — the food here is absolutely delicious. We’re talking real, authentic Ottoman cooking that tastes like it’s been perfected over generations (because it has — this place has been going strong since 1888 with around 400 traditional dishes on the menu). The atmosphere is something else. No alcohol, no music — just people genuinely there for the food. And the staff — just genuinely lovely. Attentive without being overbearing, warm without being over the top. The kind of hospitality that makes you feel like a welcomed guest rather than just another table to turn. Such a wonderful example of Turkish hospitality.
We had an extraordinary experience at Hacı Abdullah! The food was absolutely delicious, and the authentic atmosphere made us feel wonderful from the very first moment. Mr. Lütfi served us impeccably, with great attention and warmth, and both he and Mr. Nazni were incredibly kind and hospitable. They truly made us feel welcome. We tried a special dish that we were told was once enjoyed by Sultan Abdülaziz, and it was unforgettable. The desserts were exceptional: specially prepared quince served with kaymak, as well as a delicious poppy seed cake. The stuffed eggplants with yogurt were also extraordinary. Everything was outstanding — the food, the service, and the atmosphere. We highly recommend this restaurant, and we thank Mr. Lütfi and Mr. Nazni for the wonderful experience!
Hacı Abdullah is a great place to experience traditional Turkish cuisine. It is alcohol-free, beautifully decorated, and has a very authentic atmosphere. You can see and choose the dishes at the counter, and even view the meat before it is prepared. The restaurant has been operating since 1887, which in itself is quite impressive. The food was delicious, although the presentation was not especially refined. I believe that was part of its authenticity and charm. The waiters all spoke English and were very helpful. The restaurant was also very clean throughout.
This restaurant was my Istanbul highlight! This spot blow us away in every aspect, the service is a bunch of older men who take their job very seriously and brought us fresh lavash and sumak onions that wasn‘t on the menu. The ambiente is very cozy and the spacious dining room has a lot to look at. The food was absoultely raw and incredible!!! We had the best eggplant dish of our lives, the lamb chops and even the rice was just insane- we dared to try the desert and it was so worth it! Just go there if you want truly authentic and homestyle cooked turkish food :)
