Even months later, I still have fond memories of Serbethane. Whether it be for a coffee or tea…read morebreak, dinner or even a late night hang out with some nargile, we really enjoyed it. We happened upon the cafe by coincidence on our first evening in Istanbul, while roaming the streets in search of somewhere to eat. A little bit overwhelmed by the restaurants nearby that tried their darndest to lure you in, Serbethane was different. The staff was friendly and welcoming, but never pushy. The outdoor sofa were also a huge draw. Everything we ate was DELICIOUS! Nice presentation, tasty, filling and well priced. A nice place to sit down after a day of walking, to enjoy food and rehydrate. Of note: there is no alcohol served here, but there are lots and lots of juices and sodas to choose from, so we didn't miss it. The location is also pretty great: tucked into the edge of the Arasta bazaar, partly outside, partly inside, with sofas and regular tables to choose from. When it gets cool in the evenings there are blankets to wrap yourself up, making sure you can spend some more time lingering.

I came with a tour group and the menu was set for us, so that may have made it different from the…read moreregular experience. But wow, was it wonderful! Everything was so flavorful and satisfying. High marks for the lentil soup and the lamb and chicken kebab. And the baklava was just dreamy. Just fantastic!

We had a variety of different foods. They were all very delicious. You can get good pizza, good…read moreTurkish food, good fish. Also, the service was great. The staff was really friendly.

It was great! This is my second time here and still yummy food and everything! The atmosphere was…read moreawesome, service is still good! The rice pudding was nice and so was the kannafeh. The turkish coffee and çai were also yummy. Kadi was also very nice.

Excellent service, excellent food- The lentil soup is the absolute best , ever. Sude and Erdem are…read moreamazing. guys, if you read this, thank you so much for your hospitality and of course, the Lentil soup. Joey

Food: We ordered the traditional Turkish breakfast, and…read moreeverything tasted incredibly fresh. They source much of their ingredients from their own farm, and you can tell. The tomatoes were unbelievable, the walnuts were some of the best I've had, and every plate felt thoughtful and vibrant. It's the kind of breakfast that reminds you how simple food can be exceptional when the ingredients are high quality. Ambiance: Beautiful setting on a quiet street with a clear view of the historic Galata Tower in the background. The space is clean, cozy, and welcoming. It has that warm, tucked-away charm that makes you want to linger a bit longer. Location/Getting There: Be prepared: it's an intense uphill walk from the Karakoy Ferry Port. There is a cable metro that takes you up, so it's worth finding if you want to skip the climb. Once you're up there, the area is great and the walk becomes part of the experience. Reservations: We were able to go without any issue, but it's a popular spot. If you're planning a weekend visit, a reservation wouldn't hurt. Price: About $100 USD for four people. A bit on the pricey side, but worth it--especially considering how fresh everything is. Prices across Istanbul have gone up in general, and this felt fair for the quality. Service: A+. Friendly, attentive, and warm. I went with my cousin, who is a regular here, but even aside from that, the service was excellent. You can feel they take pride in what they do. Overall: Cafe Privato is a great find with amazing food, a charming atmosphere, and a unique location. Five stars all around and absolutely worth visiting. I highly recommend it.

We went to Istanbul a few weeks ago. We stumbled upon this restaurant, a few steps from our hotel…read morein the Sultanahmet district. The food didn't disappoint. My family had lamb kebabs, meze platter and I had grilled fish. Everything we had was delicious. We enjoyed dipping our warm pita bread with the different things on the meze platter---baba ganoush, hummus, yogurt, etc. The fish was fresh and good with a sprinkling of lemon. We sat outdoors which was perfect---cool and great for people watching. Service is quick, friendly and engaging. There's like mini fire shows going on at other tables. It was a great start to our Istanbul vacation.

We arrived around 6:30 and a couple of families were already seated. Clean, no hassle, first class…read moreservice, delicious food, quality bar and wine selections, and family atmosphere - so different from most establishments nearby. Our server was so helpful; he even suggested a lower priced wine once he heard our taste preferences. We would be back again except we departed the next day.

The Salmon was amazing. The flavors and texture and color looked inviting. The staff were attentive…read moreand accommodating. I'd recommend this place.

I came in for dinner during my trip to Istanbul and was so happy I dined here. It was my favorite…read moremeal of the trip! I arrived around 7ish and asked for a table outside. The waitress immediately sat me and took my drink order. When she came back, I asked for her opinion on the two dishes, and we decided on the mushroom tagliatelle. It was absolutely delicious. The noodles were cooked perfectly, and the dish had a lot of flavor. The waitress also mentioned that the noodles are made in-house, which is hard to beat! Overall, I recommend stopping in for a great food experience!

Upon walking into the restaurant, you immediately embark upon a open-fire grill. The smoke coming…read morefrom it made me crave the not-yet-ordered grilled meats. For appetizer, my friend and I shared the mezze platter consisting of eight different spreads. It was a great choice because it let us try several different spreads. My favorites are the eggplant spread and the hummus. For grilled meats, we loved both the grilled filet mignon and the grilled chicken skewers. The meats have been aged and seasoned to perfection. It was the best meat we have had in Istanbul. You really can taste the difference between other inferiorly prepared meats. The meats come with grilled flatbread, which was delicious as well. For dessert, I had the best kunefe ever! I was so full at the end of the meal that I almost could not drink their sweet complimentary tea...almost. P.S. Warning: The long pepper that comes with the meats is extremely spicy. Don't say that nobody warned you.

Highly recommend for a traditional Turkish meal that is fresh and clean…read more We started with the mezze platter for two which had an array of different cold dips. Accompanied by fresh baked bread which was mildly crunchy on the outside but light and fluffy inside. Every item was full of wonderful flavors. For the main course we had the Tenderloin which was so soft and tasty.

This was a great first vacation meal! We got hummus, grape…read moreleaves, an alexander kabob, a raki and a small bottled water. The Alexander kabob was fantastic! The sauce, bread and curd made a brilliant combo and there was also a slice of potato a chili and a tomato. This is the first time I have ever felt like yogurt added anything to a dish. It was so good. The raki was awesome. The waiter insisted I add some water to it and he definitely knew best, it was sharp. And then it turned white! It is an anise liquor, like a jaegermeister, and I was glad I tried it. We ate in the semi outside seating which is always such a highlight in Istanbul. Great ambience and the wait staff and host were really welcoming. They gave us complimentary tea and baklava when we asked for the check and that was also lovely.

The accommodations were wonderful, the service was excellent, and they did everything they could to…read moremake our night incredible. Everything was delicious, and the show was spectacular. Congratulations to the whole team! Cozatmosphere, with pleasant music. Everything was very clean.

My first trip to Istanbul and our hotel reception recommended this restaurant, excellent service,…read moreand the food was delicious I definitely recommend coming here to eat if you're near the blue mosque.

Thank you, Yelp, for steering two jet-lagged tourists to House of Medusa for dinner after a long…read moreday of travel. Our hotel was near the Basilica Cistern, so this restaurant was close as well, and easy to find. Yelpers had raved about the Stewed Chicken with Almonds and Cream and they were NOT incorrect -- it is DELICIOUS! Finally had to stop eating because I was full -- but that sauce makes you want to just keep eating and eating! We also got the Meatballs Stuffed with Bulgur, and a Shepherd's Salad dressed with pomegranite juice. Service was friendly, and the ambience cozy. Hope you'll give it a try when visiting Istanbul!