This gourmet raw vegan restaurant is run by The LifeCo, a company focused on healthy living that also runs wellbeing and detox centres around Turkey. In 2008, The LifeCo extended its hand to Europe, opening up two more awardwinning Saf Restaurants in the United Kingdom and topping various ‘best vegan dining’ lists there. In Istanbul, Saf Restaurant’s Hayal Kahvesi branch in Club Sporium is a reason by itself to visit the trendy Akatlar neighbourhood.
The menu here was overseen by one of the world’s top raw food chefs, Chad Sarno, while the various cocktails, concoctions and teas at the Bar & Juicery come courtesy of organic wine expert and mixologist Joe McCanta. It’s popular during lunch time or after work outs, given its location inside a sports centre, for its wraps, salads and sweets. If you’re here for a while and really devoted to the cause, you may consider signing up to receive Saf boxes, daily portioned raw meals based on a dieting programme that offers fresh and mostly raw fruits and vegetables.