Araf İstanbul

Food: 10/10. A truly unique experience - the chef’s attention to detail makes it feel extra special. The staff is incredibly in sync, and their service is truly appreciated. Highly recommended if you’re in Istanbul. 😍😍👏🏻

Everything, simply, was brilliant. The experience was absolutely worth it, chef is highly informative and the food is so unique. Took my dad with me and we both loved every bite we had! Looking forward to going back again to try the rest of their menu!

One of the most memorable dining experiences I've had in Istanbul. This intimate, almost hidden gem offers far more than just a meal; it’s a personal, quietly profound culinary journey. The owners, who are also the chefs, welcome you with a kind of warmth that feels effortless. It’s less like being in a restaurant and more like being invited into someone’s home… where every detail has meaning. Each dish arrives with a story: its origin, its intention, and the quiet thought behind every element on the plate. Every ingredient feels chosen, not just selected. The care and precision behind each course is rare; not in a showy way, but in a way that stays with you. Thank you, Chef Pınar and Kenan, for sharing something so personal and generous. We’re already looking forward to returning.

All the dishes we ordered were really good and had interesting flavors. I think the ingredients used complimented each other and had such nice balance. A few of the vegetables in some dishes, I either have never tried yet or don’t normally eat, but I really enjoyed and appreciated it here. I love the idea of watching your food being prepared and then the chef explains every dish. The place isn’t big but I like how intimate it feels. Another place I would definitely come back to. Such a wonderful dining experience. 💜💕

The restaurant is located in a car park but is nicely decorated. The food was good, not great. Some interesting dishes but generally not seasoned enough to really bring out the flavours. They do not sell any soft drinks, so I could only drink water and tea (with dessert). The service was steady and generally one plate arrived at a time, even with the mains meaning my partner had finished when I got mine. It wasn't really what I expected for a Michelin Star restaurant.

Long story short if you like variety meat (offal), Araf is highly recommended. Araf is a small (12 seats), chef's restaurant with an open/integrated kitchen. Due to its size, commutation is quite good with the chefs and other customers. All of the dishes were explained in detail to cover ingredients and cooking techniques. We tried 4 starters and 4 main courses, 2 desserts and all of them either good or very good. They mostly focus on variety meats like liver, sweetbread, brain however not in typical forms or using traditional cooking techniques while preserving the essence of the ingredients. Modern cooking but not like molecular gastronomy. All of the combinations were nicely created and executed, and most of them were quite balanced and layered both in terms of texture and flavour elements. Just some of the dishes could be improved (my personal preference) in terms of acidity, sweetness and fat content. Reservation is essential.

Absolutely amazing! Araf offers a rare mix of bold flavors and finesse. Fulfilling tasting menu items all crafted with genuine ingredients. We had the uykuluk, yürek, beyin, pancar, and poşe armut—all perfectly executed. Beyin was my favorite yet uykuluk was indeed the best I've ever had in my life. A must-visit if you’re into offal and thoughtful plating.

We have been here twice and have the restaurant booked for dinner the night before our wedding. The restaurant has an amazing atmosphere and it’s truly lovely to watch the food being prepared. Every dish is delicious and makes for an evening to remember.