Sultan Pub, Istanbul

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On our first night in Istanbul we walked up towards The Blue Mosque. We were lucky that it's bright lights lured us past the restaurants and bars next door to our hotel because we were so tired that we probably would have eaten and gone straight to bed. However, we traipsed the quiet streets round until we got to the Hippodrome where there was a huge carnival and everyone was celebrating breaking their daily Ramazan fast. The whole area was absolutely packed and vendors were calling out selling soft and sticky sweets on sticks, popcorn, candy floss, kebabs and thick turkish ice cream. It was fantastic, but so overwhelming for a first night. I hate to sound wimpy, but we were a bit relieved when we saw the quiet Sultans Pub. We sat outside and, because I felt ashamed of going for the pub rather than the local party, we ordred the most local dishes on the menu!

Favorite Dish: I ordered the yoghurt kebap from this restaurant and I have to say, it was probably the best I had while I was in Turkey. I also tried Raki for the first and last time! I decided it was far too stong for me - even when I stopped diluting the raki with water and instead started to dilute the water with raki! We decided to buy a bottle of wine instead which was very expensive but very nice.

After walking around the city all day, we stopped into this pub in Sultanahmet for a couple of beers. Its location was pretty much what drew us here, in view of Ayasofya & the Blue Mosque. Nice looking place, nothing exceptional, but it was great just to get out of the cold weather, so for that moment, it was a great place for us! There were quite a few tourists and buisnesspeople having drinks inside, but it seemed like a slow evening for this place. They apparently have an outside patio upstairs, as well as in front of the pub, but again, way too cold for us to try that! We stayed for about an hour and enjoyed our beers while we talked. It seemed like a decent, quiet joint. The Efes pints were a little more expensive than what we were used to, but I guess you are paying the "Sultanahmet" price here. All and all, a pleasant little place to grab a few pints, but a bit on the expensive side as Istanbul pubs go. But recommended if you are in the neighborhood.

Sultan pub is in the center of Sultanahmet.. you shall not pass without seeing the pub.. it is a nice cafe and restaurant and serving for more than 25 years..

The restaurant has various courses and specialized in Ottoman and Turkish kitchen.. There is a terrace in fronf of the restaurant and in summer it is nice to stay there and spent some time..

However the Sultan pub for me is special for its nice filter coffees.. They have also a nice Turkish coffee but to find filter cafee is not easy in Sultanahmet and Sultan pub has a very good one..

Favorite Dish: Filter coffee :) but you can also enjoy the food...

We popped in for a wee afternoon snack and bevvie on our first day, then went there for lunch on our last day.
They offer outdoor and indoor dining - we sat inside the first time, and outside the second. They have a variety of Arabic food, and Middle Eastern cuisine. There is a yummy-looking array of desserts displayed.

Favorite Dish: We had burgers and Efes beer which were less than $10 combined.
They serve bottled water, which is added to your bill. Like the rest of Turkey, the local beer is heaps cheaper than any other alcohol.
This is a great place both for the food and the service.

great service and drinkable coffee