Türkiye: Ancient Roads, Diverse Culinary Traditions at Lokanta 1741, Pandeli, Aheste

"Set within İstanbul’s historic Suriçi and sharing Cağaloğlu Hammam’s 1741 building, this restaurant turns dining into a bathhouse journey—stone-walled chambers by the fireplace in winter, a summer terrace with a panoramic view of the domes, and an approach through a marble-fountained hall where you can also explore the still-active hammam. Begin with a glance at the terrace bar’s cocktail list—signatures like Külhanbeyi, Divanyolu, Kurna, and Bakrac embody the place—then expect a welcoming bowl of olive soup from Chef Durukan Özgen, inspired by the olive pomace once burned to heat the baths. The menu makes a diligent tour of the city’s diverse cultures, from kakavia cooked with verjuice (a Greek-style fish stew) to Circassian chicken, goose meat stuffed dumplings, and Armenian-style liver; Özgen adds small touches while preserving each dish’s essence, insists he prepares dishes that are “not minimal,” upholds authentic techniques, and sources primarily from Türkiye and neighboring regions. A wine list focused solely on boutique Turkish producers and a lunch menu that nods to street-food culture round out an experience where a single visit is never enough, with different concepts to discover at lunch and dinner." - Le Guide MICHELIN