Araka

The 38 Best Istanbul Restaurants | Eater

"After the popular Müzedechanga closed, the restaurant’s chef, Pınar Taşdemir, opened her own simple, eloquent restaurant at the end of 2018. Araka was a hit from day one thanks to Taşdemir’s contemporary, refreshing cooking, both in her a la carte and tasting menus. She shows off her skills in signature vegetable dishes (“araka” translates to “pea” in Turkish) like beetroots braised in olive oil topped with cheese mousse, or purslane salad with mashed fava beans. She also has a knack for building complementary flavors across different dishes, like sea bass ceviche, smoked bonito with collard greens, and lamb with onions. Dining here is like visiting a peaceful, tasteful home full of amazing food and ambiance." - Tuba Şatana