Araf İstanbul

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. 💜💕

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 went to this restaurant for dinner one evening during our 5-day trip to İstanbul, lured by the great reviews and amazing looking photos on Google Maps. The reviews proved to be more than correct. Every single dish was amazing and full of taste, and the ingredients and cooking process were explained to us by the chef, as the menu was only in turkish. The 12 seats in the restaurant (reserving is essential!) are situated at a counter around the kitchen, which allows guests to witness from the first row how all the dishes are prepared. This was definitely our best restaurant in İstanbul. We'll be back!

A hidden gem❤️ Nothing less describes this unique and awesome experience. The extremely friendly and service minded couple that owns Araf left everything on the plates - so to speak. Its a little outside the beaten track, but really worth the trip. Im comming back for sure❤️

Chef Ken treated us and the other guests with a bit of lesson on the process of creating his dishes. The experience was beyond excellent. 👍🏽👍🏽