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Latest Istanbul hotel reviews
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My first acquaintance with Hamdi was in a book of Murat Belge, Istanbul Gezi Rehberi. He wrote that it was a small kebap restaurant for the shop owners around Egyptian Bazaar, Tahtakale… Let me explain something here. We call these special restaurants which serve only for shop owners as “esnaf lokantasi” and it is a rule that these restaurants have really good meal, because they have to satisfy the same customers everyday. This rule can be applied anywhere in Turkey. I use it in my Turkey trips and never experienced an exception.
In this book I mentioned, writer told that this restaurant was quite small but serving delicious kebabs. It had reputation and grew bigger. Success changed this modest kebap vendor into a luxurious restaurant.
Now it is a huge building with 3 floors in Eminonu Square. This success story could be impressive but people know both faces of Hamdi can prefer the old and small one. I cannot tell you the difference between the old and new Hamdi’s. But I can recommend you its dishes. I had a Beyti kebab, lahmacun, and tried a piece of Adana (this name is registered, so you can’t see Adana Kebap in the menu. It was Birecik Kebab or something like this.) of my friend. As an experienced red meat and kebab eater, I must admit that their kebabs are one of the best kebabs I ever ate.
So, go to this prize-winner restaurant. Let the people in front of the building lead you. There is an awesome terrace over the building. Try to make a reservation (you can make it online) or go there out of lunch or dinner hours to have a good table with view. (View is Galata Bridge, Galata Tower, Golden Horn, Yeni Cami, Karakoy…) Then, have some appetizers, but not much. You’ll need to save some empty space in your stomach for kebab. Order the kebab you picked. Wait till you are free from other tastes; prepare yourself for the first bite. Put a piece of kebab into your mouth. Squeeze it. Smell it. Enjoy it and learn how a kebab should taste like actually.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Tahmis Cad. Kalcin Sokak No:17
Phone: +902125280390
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Located near the new mosque and the spice market. This restaurant has great food and good and speedy service but the price are thru the roof......we had lamb kehbab at $15 Lira.....which is fine when we got the plate, it had 4 small chunks of lamb, for $15 lira....way over priced. It would take 3 or 4 plates to have a full meal.....recommend it for the food, but be aware of the prices
Updated Mar 25, 2011
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I am not realy a meart person but when its abbut kebab I can not say no.
Hamdi restaurant is a traditional kebap restaurant where you can eat lots of varios kebab
very good quality. You must do a reservation for sure because its always crowded.
Ask for window table to not miss also the beautifull view of old Istanbul!
Favorite Dish: Alinazik , beyti kebab and meat with yoghourt
Written Nov 17, 2009
Address: Eminonu
Website: www.hamdirestorant.com.tr
A good variety of turkish dishes in a tourisitc illustrated version.
Food is good. View is breathtaking. All clients are tourists.
Do come here on your first night in Istanbul. It can be the ideal welcome.
Next nights try to discover the genuine eateries for turkish food.
Favorite Dish: It is called Kunefe, it is actually a dessert, with goatcheese covered by this special pastrylike nuddles, poured with syrup and all this in the oven. It is served warm and it is splendid!
Written Aug 31, 2008
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For the best Kebabs in Istanbul, I guess one needs to head here. Sit on the top floor on the terrace or near the glass wall and enjoy a great view of the Galata Tower as u feast on the kebabs. Every kebab is worth a go.
Favorite Dish: The Pistachio Kebab is something I had for the first time and really fell in love with it.
Written Feb 12, 2008
Address: Tahmis Caddesi Kalcin Sok. 17, Eminonu, Istanbul
Phone: 0(212) 5280390, 5125424
Website: www.hamdirestorant.com.tr
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Hamdi is one of the well known kebab restaurants in Istanbul. The menu provides a variety of specialties. If you can find a place in the terrace (reservation suggested) which overlooks Galata Bridge, you will enjoy the delicious kebabs while you fall in love with the Istanbul silhoutte. Leave some room for the desserts too.
Favorite Dish: Fistikli Kebap (Kebab with pistacchio) is my favorite dish. If you like eggplant, they have many nice kebabs with it.
Written Jun 20, 2007
Address: Eminonu
Phone: +90 212 5280390
Website: http://www.hamdi.com.tr/
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Hamdi, just west of the Egyptian (Spice) Market, is among Istanbul's most highly-regarded restaurants for meat dishes. They serve chicken, a bit of fish, and you can always get a few vegetarian dishes, but meats, mostly grilled, are the specialty.
Written Dec 27, 2006
Address: Eminonu spice market
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Hamdi has been in business for over thirty years and serves the finest examples of South Eastern Turkish food. In the summer take a seat on the roof terrace and enjoy the sunset over the Golden Horn and the call to prayer echoing form numerous mosques around you. As the night draws in the Bosphorus lights up to add even more magic to the experience.
Make sure you call ahead to book,especially if you want one of the tables with the best view.
Favorite Dish: Definitely the pistachio kebabs, succulent meatballs stuffed with nuts. Also the hashasli kebab, with poppy seed and testi kebab, cooked in a terracotta pot and then broken open at the table.
Written Dec 21, 2003
Address: Tahmis Cad,Kalçin Sok, Eminonu
Phone: 02125280390
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Food is unbelievably good. Meze, raki and then kebabs. All Turkish customers when we went. Wonderful view over Golden Horn and Bosphorus.
Favorite Dish: Everything!!!
Updated Jan 2, 2008
Address: Tahmis Caddesi, Kalcin Sokak, Eminonu
Phone: 528 0390
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If you can get to the terrace of this restaurant you won't be disappointed, in my opinion the best views across Istanbul by far. Kebabs are gorgeous and don't miss the baklava
Favorite Dish: Mixed Kebab and Baklava
Written Jul 7, 2007
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Write a ReviewIf you can get to the terrace of this restaurant you won't be disappointed, in my opinion the best views across Istanbul by far. Kebabs are gorgeous and don't...
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