Aheste

Turkish restaurant · Asmali Mescit ·

Aheste

Turkish restaurant · Asmali Mescit ·

Creative tasting menu with modern Turkish dishes & cocktails

Information

Asmalı Mescit, Meşrutiyet Cd. No:107 F, 34430 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye Get directions

₺2,000+

@michelinguide

48,380 Postcards · 8,030 Cities

"Once you enter the premises, leaving the bustling Pera district behind, you have a choice between a trendy bistro and a more romantic dining space with a vaulted ceiling. In either case, you'll be charmed by the mystical ambiance and the staff's enthusiasm and dedication – and that's before you've even discovered the restaurant's modern take on mezze! Traditional Turkish specialities, such as barbecued lamb heart with roast potatoes, share the menu with in-vogue options, including vegetarian dishes. The tasting menu offers a wonderful opportunity to savour delicacies such as flaky pastry filled with a creamy tuna tarama." - Michelin Inspector

https://guide.michelin.com/en/istanbul-province/istanbul/restaurant/aheste

Aheste

@michelinguide

48,380 Postcards · 8,030 Cities

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

"Set within a historic cistern in one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods, this Bib Gourmand address has a reputation not only for its dishes but also for its cocktails and wine selection. Young chef Didem Çetin channels the city’s dynamic spirit, reinterpreting traditions with local ingredients—turning topik into a unique dish or uniting calamari and raki on a single plate—while blending experience from Spain and the USA with the Southeast Anatolian culinary culture inherited from her family. Her play with textures yields a minor symphony of crisp, crunchy sensations in every bite. Since 2015 the restaurant has embraced “innovation within permanence,” surprising guests yet prioritizing pleasure; joy in the atmosphere is palpable, and the space unfolds beyond its modest exterior with interconnected rooms. Inspired by the gastronomic heritage of İstanbul and Türkiye, the menu changes frequently with the seasons, appealing to food lovers seeking new culinary experiences." - Le Guide MICHELIN

https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/features/ancient-roads-diverse-culinary-traditions-lokanta-1741-pandeli-aheste

Aheste

@michelinguide

48,380 Postcards · 8,030 Cities

53 restaurants spotlighted in the first selection of the MICHELIN Guide Istanbul

"Run by chef Volkan Türe, this romantic setting is ideal for sampling Turkish specialties alongside more original creations—including thoughtful vegetarian dishes." - The MICHELIN Guide

https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/michelin-guide-ceremony/53-restaurants-spotlighted-in-the-first-selection-of-the-michelin-guide-istanbul

Aheste

@suitcasemag

1,876 Postcards · 166 Cities

Where to Eat in Istanbul, Turkey

Aheste

@hotelsabovepar

1,965 Postcards · 675 Cities

Soho House Istanbul Hotel Review | Hotels Above Par

"I found Aheste listed among the 'great eats' surrounding the house, cited as one of the local spots that helps make this the best area in town." - Luke Abrahams

https://www.hotelsabovepar.com/travel-guides/soho-house-istanbul-hotel-review

Aheste

Amerigo V.

Google

I’ve been here three times. The first time was unforgettable, I was sitting in the main room in the back which presents a unique atmosphere with the old stone walls. The food was also flawless but I got 2 dishes instead of the tasting menu. The second and third time I got the same tasting menu, once with friends and the other with my fiancée. The service is friendly and available and they describe the dishes well. The food is good overall but there’s one dish which i cannot understand. Honestly both times i ate it I thought it might have been the worst tasting dish in my life, and I’m speaking about the squid with the cheese. Horribly slimy and weirdly bitter with the flavors just do not combine well. Besides this unexplainable dish everything else is really well executed and very tasty. Maybe the lamb hearts dish could be substituted with something a little less heavy, but overall deserves the 4 stars for the food. I’m still giving it a 5 star because of service plus atmosphere.

Luba W.

Google

It took me some time to sit down and write my review because there is something personal, I must reveal about my experience in Aheste. I had an amazing dinner there last month during my brief stay in Istanbul. I was solo hence I was a little worried that I would be t put in more secluded area which prevents me in some way enjoying the experience at fullest and I was completely wrong. Walking into this intimate restaurant I felt like stepping into a hidden sanctuary, somewhere intimate and unexpected, exciting and magic. The ambiance was immediately captivating—half-dimmed lighting casting a warm glow across the rooms, creating a sense of calm sophistication without ever feeling pretentious. The food was a revelation. Rooted in modern Mediterranean flavors, each dish carried a balance of tradition and innovation, challenge and calmness, surprise and assurance. Fresh ingredients were elevated with unexpected pairings, and the plating itself was artful yet inviting. It was the kind of food that makes you pause after each bite, look again at the presentation, look again at description and trying to solve the puzzle of your taste butts signals, savoring not just the taste but the thought behind it. Service was attentive without being intrusive. The staff seemed to anticipate needs before they were spoken, making the experience feel tailored and effortless. I was given a chance to see a kitchen, staff and an amazing chef which made the evening truly special. Her vision was evident in every course, and you could feel her passion woven into the menu. She wasn’t just cooking, she was whispering a story of creativity, heritage, and her vision. Aheste is NOT only a place to eat, it’s an experience of artistry and hospitality. A small jewel in Istanbul that proves Michelin recommended restaurant isn’t just about prestige, but about heart, vision, and unforgettable flavors.

Nicola R

Google

My FAVOURITE restaurant in Istanbul! I’ve been twice now. They have a superb tasting menu (with vegetarian menu as an option) and delicious wine pairings. The team is superb, the food - fantastic, and the atmosphere is warm, elegant and romantic. Great for groups, dates or even solo travellers like me. Modern Turkish gastronomy with thoughtfully-paired local wines. This place is always delightfully delicious.

Chris B.

Google

Awesome food, decent wines by the glass, and great service. My favorites were the sea bream wrapped in chard, and artichokes. I appreciated the attention to detail, especially as a solo diner. They also really highlight the local flavors and ingredients in their dishes. PS - there’s a room in the back that seems more intimate. The front room faces the street, so there’s a lot more movement with people coming and going from the front door.

Yiğit T.

Google

🌟 Some restaurants truly deserve their high prices — and this place definitely does. We came as a group for a tasting, and honestly, the food was already amazing. Our guests from Mexico were so satisfied! 🇲🇽✨ But beyond that, the service was incredibly professional and attentive — we loved it. When we mentioned we were in a bit of a hurry, they immediately adapted the presentation for us. Every dish and option was explained as it arrived, and everything was delicious. 🍽️💛 And the dessert at the end… 🤯🍰 Probably the best dessert I’ve ever had in my life. The ambience is stunning — every detail complements the other, the tables are spaced out, and you really feel comfortable. 🌿✨ Totally worth it. Loved it. 😍👏

Michael B.

Google

As a vegetarian, I often struggle to find meals that feel both authentic and exciting when traveling — but Aheste delivered on both counts. While not a vegetarian restaurant, they offer a separate vegetarian tasting menu with over 10 beautifully crafted Turkish dishes. Every course was creative, flavorful, and clearly made with care. The service was excellent — professional, English-friendly, and very knowledgeable about both the food and wine. We had a local Turkish wine recommended by our waiter, which paired perfectly with the meal. The atmosphere was quiet, cosy, and welcoming, a peaceful escape from the busy streets outside. Great value for a memorable dining experience!

Dirk U.

Google

From start to finish, the experience was absolutely incredible. The waitstaff were warm, attentive, and impressively knowledgeable about the menu, enhancing every moment of the evening. The cocktails were not only delicious but also beautifully presented—each one a visual and flavorful delight. The wine list was expansive, featuring a diverse selection of international labels that catered to every palate. The food itself was a masterpiece: artfully plated and bursting with flavor. Each dish delivered on its promise, matching the excitement and creativity suggested by the presentation. The ambiance was intimate and romantic, making it the perfect setting for a memorable night out. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in fine dining, this place delivers on every front.

Sean G.

Google

Aheste is an incredible spot in Istanbul — perfect for both a romantic date night or a fun group dinner! The food was outstanding from start to finish — every bite was full of flavor and beautifully presented. The staff were awesome, super accommodating with our group’s different tastes and requests, and made the whole evening effortless and fun. We enjoyed some great cocktails and discovered a few fantastic local wines along the way. A must-visit for anyone who loves amazing food, warm hospitality, and a great vibe! 🍷✨

John R.

Yelp

Michelin Bib Groumand. Fabulous ambiance in an underground cistern. Try the multiple course tasting plus several wines. Great attention to detail, both in the food and service. The waiters explained everything. Next time, it will be easier to decide what to have because we now know what we liked. Loved the asparagus and almonds. The light Sauvignon Blanc wine from Hus.

Seyma D.

Yelp

We had the chicken, green salad and the octopus! I also wanted to taste the shrimp but they said that it was only included in the tasting menu. Five minutes later they brought us the shrimp and said that it was complimentary and it was diviiineeeeee! The inside of the restaurant reminds me of a relic ! It had high ceilings and was pretty

Sophie G.

Yelp

Tasting menu was good but not excellent. Service was tricky, some staff were friendly and nice but they did not explain the menu well, our booking was messed up a bit and then they were rushing us and at times a little rude. I also felt they were a bit pretentious and slightly rude with our elderly parents.

Nicole L.

Yelp

The ambiance was romantic. The interior is mostly exposed brick with very high ceiling giving off a tasteful rustic feel. The tasting menu offered a number of dishes. There were some creative yummy dishes using seasonal vegetables. The servers explained each dish. All of them was good. This Michelin Bid Gourmand restaurant definitely is worth my visit.

Mrs. M.

Yelp

A must while in Istanbul. Great location, and very cool interior, unique from other upscale dining in the city. We did not get the tasting menu however I would on my return visit.

Antoine C.

Yelp

Beautiful restaurant in a really cool neighborhood. The food here is fresh and tasty. It's probably on the pricier side for Istanbul but you'll enjoy the food. The stuffed eggplants and meatballs were my favorites. Everything else was also good. I'd come back.

Ana C.

Yelp

We had the tasting menu. Everything was delicious! I did find the entries a bit more tastier than the main course and deserts.

Paul M.

Yelp

This was the best restaurant we had whilst in Istanbul. Everything was flavorful. Walking distance to Pera Palas and Istiklal Cad. We ordered many mezes and not one dish disappoint. We sat towards the front of the restaurant, and every 10 minutes, there will be a poor soul (usually a westerner) trying to finagle a reservation, but unfortunately, it was a busy time, and reservations must be had beforehand! For sure, much better than Mikla (I had to check that restaurant out as well since that's been in some sort of exclusive list), but Mikla tasted tired. If I remember correctly from what I was told at the table, Aheste was a fusion of persian and mediterranean, but I have not been to Iran so I have no comparison! My taste buds were tickled though, and cannot wait to be back in the next decade that I'm back again in Istanbul!!

Elena K.

Yelp

Fantastic service, very creative food - inexpensive tasting menu! The restaurant in inside a cool building, completely "naked" stone walls, maybe a former monastery? All staff speak excellent English and every table around us spoke English. Young trendy clientelle.

John C.

Yelp

Great place to eat something different, nice atmosphere and also very friendly service, on our 4 day trips we repeat this place twice at night and also try their brunch, service on brunch wasn't as good as the service at night, where I assume the owner spend time and have some drinks with customers. Very worthy to pass by and have dinner. Best JC

Don B.

Yelp

Aheste elevates Turkish food to a new level. And the service? Beyond great. We found this restaurant via multiple review site searches, coming up highly on many of them, and it made stopping in for dinner a no-brainer. Reservations are highly recommended but if you're willing to eat when they open at 6pm, you can probably walk in. They offer both a tasting menu and ala-carte dining, and either can be made vegetarian friendly (with some limited vegan options). We split a vegetarian tasting menu and I ordered some korcoreç on the side. Everything was fantastic. The cold and warm mezze offerings were super tasty. The stuffed eggplant was divine. And the korkoreç was done very well. I was dubious about this one, since it's such a low-key street staple, but this upscale version was delectable. Cocktails are very tasty. I'm always a fan of a good negroni. The old fashioned was a bit sweet for our taste but it was mid-range for this part of the world. We simply prefer our cocktails more on the dry side. The people working here a genuinely sweet. Friendly, welcoming smiles. Attentive service. The whole package. I can't recommend this place highly enough.

Ziyan C.

Yelp

Really nice spot for brunch! Small spot, cozy, comfortable. They have Wi-Fi as well. We did also go first to the Aheste near Galata Tower on Serdar-ı Ekrem Cd, but that location's been closed for half a year. There was no wait at ten a.m.on a Sunday, though the tables near the front were reserved. Good music, very indie and international. I remember hearing Lykke Li and Peter Bjorn and John. They do have Wi-Fi here. Our server was very sweet; she knew limited English but others on staff helped when needed. The menu had a Turkish and English side, though they completely forgot to translate a few items. At the end of our meal, our server accidentally charged me the bill for the table next to us. She'd already run my credit card when I looked and wondered why our brunch for two cost 108 TL. She was really apologetic and gave us the difference (plus a couple TL extra) in cash. Our two coffees and two entrees cost us 50 TL before tips. Our brunch tasted like good homestyle cooking. See my photos for details!

Ben S.

Yelp

Delicious food and wonderful atmosphere. Very friendly staff. It's a very small place and thus booking is recommended. However, they usually have space available for walk ins from 6.30 - 9pm. I would highly recommend for those willing to spend slightly more than average, but looking for great food and experience in return.

M A.

Yelp

Truly one of the best meals I've ever had. Every dish was delicious and expertly prepared. The drinks were excellent, and the service was lovely. The interior is a beautifully rustic exposed-brick, with the feeling of an antique wine cellar. We were only in Istanbul for a week but we ate here twice!

Laurent B.

Yelp

Amazing restaurant. Super duper friendly staff. The food was so unique. Modern Turkish food. Delicate flavors. Exquisite. Reservation is needed or show up very early, they may be able to squeeze you in before the reservations show up.

Matt P.

Yelp

Amazing tapas type dishes with fresh exiting flavors on a quieter street only a short walk from the Galata tower. We ordered several dishes and all hit high marks!!

Greg P.

Yelp

Disclaimer: This is quite possibly my favorite restaurant in Istanbul. Pause: it is my favorite! Where to start? Ambience, menu, staff, cocktails are all on point. Though a little small and can get noisy on busy nights, Aheste makes up for any shortcomings with their 90TL, per person, tasting menu. Though some might find it to expensive, you really do get your bang for your buck. You are whirled through four courses of fabulous, fresh, and a modern take on Turkish cuisine. Very vegetarian friendly, except for the main courses, each dish rivals the next. Don't hesitate to ask for the octopus! My favorite dish is the four rice fried rice. Aheste is my go to spot for guests visiting this already amazing city, and they have yet to disappoint. The whole staff speaks English and the owner and manager are friendly and proud of their product.

K B.

Yelp

This place has the best kofte in Istanbul, and have visited several times, but this review is for BRUNCH. Kükü sabzi and chard/eggs with a divine smoked yogurt. Decent sauv blanc, excellent service, beautiful presentation. I don't believe in brunch as a rule, but this was outstanding.

V K.

Yelp

Great ambience, excellent service, incredible food. I still dream about the food here.

Kate D.

Yelp

I went for a late brunch on a Saturday and the restaurant was pretty quiet. It is a small space so I'd imagine it could get crowded and loud at dinner as some other reviewers mentioned. It is beautifully decorated with a trendy vibe, similar to some of the other restaurants along Mesruiyet Caddesi. Although we went with our 7 month old baby and the staff were extremely accommodating (provided a high chair, played with the baby and even held him for a long stretch so we could finish our meal!) I wouldn't say it is an ideal place for kids as the entrance is a bit difficult to navigate and if the place had been full I personally would not have felt that comfortable being there with a baby due to the closeness of the tables and the size of the space. That being said, we had a great experience today. The service was excellent and friendly. For non-Turkish speakers there is an English menu and some of the servers speak English as well. We tried the Turkish breakfast salad, the scrambled eggs and the fried dough, all of which were well prepared. I saw some other tables ordering the traditional Turkish breakfast and it looked amazing. We took a look at the dinner menu and it looked really interesting as well, so hopefully we will be back!

@michelinguide

48,380 Postcards · 8,030 Cities

https://guide.michelin.com/en/istanbul-province/istanbul/restaurant/aheste

Aheste

@michelinguide

48,380 Postcards · 8,030 Cities

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

https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/features/ancient-roads-diverse-culinary-traditions-lokanta-1741-pandeli-aheste

Aheste

@michelinguide

48,380 Postcards · 8,030 Cities

53 restaurants spotlighted in the first selection of the MICHELIN Guide Istanbul

"Run by chef Volkan Türe, this romantic setting is ideal for sampling Turkish specialties alongside more original creations—including thoughtful vegetarian dishes." - The MICHELIN Guide

https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/michelin-guide-ceremony/53-restaurants-spotlighted-in-the-first-selection-of-the-michelin-guide-istanbul

Aheste

@suitcasemag

1,876 Postcards · 166 Cities

Where to Eat in Istanbul, Turkey

Aheste

@hotelsabovepar

1,965 Postcards · 675 Cities

Soho House Istanbul Hotel Review | Hotels Above Par

"I found Aheste listed among the 'great eats' surrounding the house, cited as one of the local spots that helps make this the best area in town." - Luke Abrahams

https://www.hotelsabovepar.com/travel-guides/soho-house-istanbul-hotel-review

Aheste

Amerigo V.

Google

Luba W.

Google

Nicola R

Google

Chris B.

Google

Yiğit T.

Google

Michael B.

Google

Dirk U.

Google

Sean G.

Google

John R.

Yelp

Seyma D.

Yelp

Sophie G.

Yelp

Nicole L.

Yelp

Mrs. M.

Yelp

A must while in Istanbul. Great location, and very cool interior, unique from other upscale dining in the city. We did not get the tasting menu however I would on my return visit.

Antoine C.

Yelp

Ana C.

Yelp

We had the tasting menu. Everything was delicious! I did find the entries a bit more tastier than the main course and deserts.

Paul M.

Yelp

Elena K.

Yelp

John C.

Yelp

Don B.

Yelp

Ziyan C.

Yelp

Ben S.

Yelp

M A.

Yelp

Laurent B.

Yelp

Matt P.

Yelp

Amazing tapas type dishes with fresh exiting flavors on a quieter street only a short walk from the Galata tower. We ordered several dishes and all hit high marks!!

Greg P.

Yelp

K B.

Yelp

V K.

Yelp

Great ambience, excellent service, incredible food. I still dream about the food here.

Kate D.

Yelp

Aheste

Information

Postcards

Media

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

53 restaurants spotlighted in the first selection of the MICHELIN Guide Istanbul

Soho House Istanbul Hotel Review | Hotels Above Par

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

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