A fine place to dine in Istanbul
After our pleasant boat trip on the Bosporus, my girlfriends from Beirut and I were hungry. Water travel, however brief, will do that to you every time.
Getting hungry on the Bosporus
We came off the boat in Eminönü and were faced with the question where to fill our stomach, in style and with great food. By chance we bumped into some other sightseers from Beirut, like us in Istanbul for the Madonna concert. They warmly recommended Hamdi Restaurant, located right next to the impressive New Mosque, Spice Market in the back, glorious views of the Bosporus in front.
Istanbul's New Mosque
And what a great recommendation it turned out to be. In the late 1960, chef Hamdi Arpaci came from his native Urfa in Turkey’s southeast to Istanbul. I have fond memories of Urfa, one of my absolute favorite destinations in Turkey, because of the fabulous sites, mesmerizing views of the plane of Mesopotamia, silver filigree and cuisine.
Urfa at night
Typical street in Urfa
Mesopotamia stretching out behind me
Influenced by nearby Syria and other Middle Eastern countries, Urfa cuisine’s food emphasis lies on kebabs and köftes with special spices and rich combinations of ingredients such a crushed walnuts or pistachios mixed into the meat. The fillings of böreks (pastries) are juicier than anywhere else and melt in your mouth as your teeth crack the paper thin pastry.
A selection of böreks
Urfa kebab
All these delicacies chef Hamdi brought to Istanbul where he started out with a humble food stall at the edge of the parking lot in Eminönü where many of the Bosporus ferries dock. From there , fame spread and finally resulted in the 5 story building which houses the restaurant today, the quality of his southeast Turkey food undiminished. Not surprisingly, the restaurant is much in demand and you have to wait to be seated in the downstairs lobby. Who cares? Between us we sampled the menu up and down and even ordered seconds of the Urfa kebab.
Prices are neither cheap nor outrageously expensive, just average for Istanbul.
Disclaimer: this post has in no way been sponsored by Hamdi Restaurant. We paid full price.
That food all looks absolutely wonderful! I didn’t think you were much of a foodie, but you did a great job of sharing here.
Jan Ross recently posted..Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort in Chandler, Arizona
Ha,ha, yes, Jan, you are right. I’m not much of a foodie, but I enjoy other people enjoying it and sometimes, I dig in too.
I just woke up and what do I see? Plates full of goodies. And although I am a “preferred vegetarian” (I don’t vouch for myself when I am on the road;) ), you just triggered my cravings:) I wish I could say that I am not much of a foodie – I think my life would be way easier…lol.
Fida recently posted..May 21, Fined for minor car accident
Oh dear…now I’m hungry (for Turkish food!)
Enjoy your breakfast, Fida, whatever it might be.
I think I remember you mentioning a great Turkish restaurant in your home town. Go and have a kebab.
Nice vacation tips Inka, I am sure that you didn’t just enjoy the venue but the breakfast its looks yummy.
Kate Brown Wilson recently posted..ארגון בני ברוך
The food looks ridonkulously good
robin recently posted..El Dolor
And tastes even better, Robin.
I’m putting this in my Istanbul ‘futures file’. Thanks, Inka!
Jackie Smith recently posted..Armchair Adventures: Arizona’s Novel Destinations
I’m pleased to hear it.
Hi its definatley on the list when we go back to Istanbul my mouth is watering I know it is just the thing that you like when you are in the mood for food.Cant wait.