My family and I went here during a visit to Turkey and I don't know if it was because we were…read moreforeigners, but the service was top tier. I think Turkey is just on another level of treatment in terms of hospitality. Plus, food was amazing. Everything was delicious and healthy and the workers were extremely friendly and warm. Highly recommend if you're looking for a bit more upscale in the area!

I ate at this traditional Turkish restaurant when I went to Istanbul for work…read more There were about 40 of us in a long dining table and the service was pleasing and quick given that there were a lot of us and they had to take care of their other customers. Once seated, appetizers came right away: hummus, bread, pide, olives, and aubergine. For the main entree, there was this fall of the bone chicken with rice. It was a flashy eventful entrance for the chickens. They took out a cart that had three covered plates, lit it up, and then took down the covers. I couldn't really see because I was a bit far. But was it was quite a show! Then WALA. There was chicken inside. This chicken. I don't know how they made it, I'm guess it's salted-baked chicken but it was the softest and most fall of the bone chicken I've eaten. We also got the A Meter Pasa Kebab. Meter stick kebab is the dish to order. You won't be disappointed. Everyone in my table was quite entertained. To be frank, it was my first time seeing a kebab this long. The meat was tender, crunchy, and juicy. It's fall of the bone yummy too! The bread at the bottom of the meat seeped up all the juice which made it 10x tastier. For deserts, I had Kunefe, a traditional Turkish dessert made-up of cheese and drizzled with syrup, and Turkish tea. It tasted a bit tangy due to the orange blossom added to the syrup. Overall, I highly recommend this place! I am a fan. I'm definitely eating here again when I go back to Istanbul.

Location is amazing, food is not bad, but service is very slow. But I enjoyed this place. Very coolread more

I liked the atmosphere and the pizza! Although you face the crowded street while you are sitting…read moreoutside but it is cool. And I think it was expensive, a pizza + a small bottle of coca cola + one teapot was 32 TL. (or maybe I'm not familiar with prices in Istanbul yet!)

A decent cigerci place! I'm no expect and I didn't notice anything better/worse than usual, so it…read moregets a good review from me. Personally I prefer Cigerci Hulusi for this style of kebab, as I freaking LOVE their side dishes. We ordered a karisik (mixed) plate and for 5 people the bill came to about 160tl. That's about right, considering we also got icli kofte and ayran. I'd go back if I'm in the area (not sure why I would be tho).

What another great affordable lunch spot here. Kind of a cafeteria vibe, but so many choices. And…read more the people could not be nicer! Tucked sway in one of many walk streets and I picked it because of the line. Can't go wrong if everyone wants to eat the food. Had Turkish meatballs, potatoes and some delicious baked apples for a dessert. All for $2,40!!! If you travel here, you can find so many of these clean and fresh spots!! I love great street food. So good!

Great food, friendly staff. Recommended to us by a local and did not disappoint! Perfect for a…read morequick bite.

What a meal! I was in Istanbul for work and took a couple days to relax with some friends who flew…read morein. We stumbled upon this place while walking through Karakoy, and couldn't have been happier. I loved pretty much everything I had, but the Turkish Ravioli, stuffed grape leaves, and Kofte were a few of the highlights. Wine was good, and I tried Raki as I had never had it before. Staff was gracious, food was delicious, and outdoor patio had a great vibe. We went for lunch and it was empty, and returned the next day for dinner and it was packed. We couldn't get a seat; so if you are interested in dinner, make reservations. Get the soufflé for dessert!

This place was amazing. The food was excellent, from the cold mezes (roasted eggplant, yogurt…read moretzatiki were delicious), to the hot mezes (you must try the manta and the zucchini fritters) to the entrees (kofte were fabulous, as were the lamb chops. The offal was good if you like that sort of thing). Desserts included a crunchy pumpkin sweet and a tahini soufflé (must have!). Service was wonderful. The restaurant itself is modern and trendy, with a great heated patio in front. Definitely a place to unwind and relax after a day of touring the sites of Karakoy, Eminonu and Sultanahmet!

It's funny how the opinions vary on this place. Elsewhere on the web you will find people who call…read morethis place a tourist trap. I would bet more than just a Lira that these are the same people that think that everything around Istiklal is just a giant tourist trap anyway. Which is, of course, crap. Anyone who has spent more than just a weekend in this city knows that the whole area is as authentic as it gets when you compare it with other metropolitan cities' downtown areas. This is Istanbul. Not a tourist version. The same is true for Yakup 2. Look at who's going there for dinner. Mostly locals. If my colleagues here in Istanbul want to go out with large groups of friends, family, people from the company - this is where they go. Just last week we went there with no less than 80 people. Was the food good? You bet it was. Tons of mezze, the small plates piling up on the table, accompanied by large bottles of Rakı and water, baskets of bread, and we just gobbled it all away happily. This is the real thing. No, it's not fancy, no it's not some modernized version of Turkish cuisine, it's authentic, yummy, and making you happy. If you still feel like having more food after the mezze, go for the meat, it's the thing to do. If you want fish, go to a fish restaurant. This is Yakup 2, mezze and meat and rakı. Fact is: the authentic stuff isn't fancy, it's good. And so is this restaurant. Don't let tourists tell you this is a tourist trap. These guys sense traps everywhere. Let them walk past this place and have another rakı.

On the first look Yakup 2 doesn´t really look any different or special as the other restaurants,…read morebut if you go up to the backyard terrace and start eating their fish that impression suddenly changes! Good service, very good food, nice and convenient and quiet location near Taksim for real turkish food!

After 10 days traveling across Turkey, this was the best authentic Turkish meal we had. Traditional…read morefamily cooking you can see and choose from--our stew, lamb, rice, and anchovies were all delicious

The best we've tried so far in Istanbul in the Kadikoy area. So many restaurants but we…read moredefinitely picked this one that had a great welcome.

legit, really tasty hummus. if you order ahead you can get the salt dome chicken…read more fried peppers good too.

Very good Turkish food at a reasonable price. Service is excellent as in any typical Turkish…read morerestaurant. Overlooking the major Adnan Menderes Blv with a nice ambiance. We dined on the second floor. The servers speak Arabic well.