Balıkçı Kahraman

It may be that Istanbul’s most popular seafood restaurants are lined up along the Bosphorus shore, all except for Balıkçı Kahraman, that is. Rumeli Kavağı may be a bit far away but that doesn’t detract from the restaurant in any way, only making it more notable, in our opinion. A great deal more reputable than the other restaurants around it, you can enjoy Istanbul’s best turbot here all year long. Furthermore, having it fried is not your only option; it should probably be your last. The restaurant’s most entertaining ritual is watching the waiters prepare the fish right in front of your eyes before serving it to you then and there. Kahraman’s other offerings include pickled kingfish, tomato and onion salad, breaded prawns, grilled fish meatballs, braised angler, fried fish intestines, and fish pastry (börek). For dessert, in summer we recommend the chocolate soufflé, and in winter, the baklava. Don’t be fooled by its shed-like appearance, this restaurant isn’t only one of Rumelikavağı’s best, but one of the Bosphorus’ finest.