Istifci

The food was tasty, the live music lovely, and the place itself is beautiful. I enjoyed the visit, though it felt a little short on atmosphere, maybe because the other guests seemed passive. There were also 2-3 cats inside, which made me uneasy because I'm afraid of cats. Still, it's a nice place worth a visit.

The food was delicious throughout, and the service was kind and attentive. My husband and I found this courtyard restaurant by chance and spent a wonderful evening there, with good wine and a lovely atmosphere. The live band was very good too. We celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary, so it'll stay a beautiful memory for us. Highly recommend it.

The pizza and salad were excellent, beautifully presented and full of flavor. İstifçi has a gorgeous courtyard and real potential, but the service needs to match the food without the ego. We'd enjoyed a visit a couple of years ago, so we were glad to return. The open-air courtyard had live music and a relaxed feel, and getting a dinner table was easy. In the evening, coffee wasn't available, not even Turkish coffee, and they didn't serve çay either. That felt odd in Turkey for a place leaning into atmosphere and local culture. I ordered the elderflower tea instead, which came chilled and was welcome in the heat. Ordering was less smooth. I asked for a burger and was told it wasn't served in the evening. There was a small time note on the menu that we'd missed, which is easy to do if you don't read Turkish fluently. The explanation then turned into a speech about the restaurant's vision as a place to relax, drink, and listen to music, including the line that even the boss's son wouldn't get a burger if he came five minutes late. The tone felt condescending and overdone. That talk of high standards sat oddly with kids screaming in the courtyard, guests smoking at half the tables, and people walking past the host stand to seat themselves. None of that bothered us personally, but if the place is aiming for a Michelin-level feel, consistency matters more than cutting off burger orders. Separate daytime and evening menus would make the change clearer and avoid confusion. The restaurant seems to be reaching for a Michelin tone without always delivering on it. It would be better to focus on being genuine, consistent, and guest-focused.

The food was presented beautifully, made with fresh ingredients, and tasted good. Prices felt reasonable. The garden and atmosphere are lovely, and the staff were professional and helped us choose suitable dishes and wine. They even made an effort to fit us in though everything was booked. Definitely recommended!