Khorasani Restaurant

There are many places on the street, and of course, each of them is advertised with incredible persistence but we decided to go into this one. Why? It's hard to say. Probably, it just happened that way -) When we saw the Michelin stars at the entrance, we couldn't help but joke that probably every second restaurant here just draws them for themselves (my sincere apologies for that). While waiting for our order, I googled Michelin, and let me tell you - the restaurant really is listed in the Michelin Guide! Yes, these aren't the "stars" we all know about, but how many restaurants actually make it into the most famous gastronomic guide? Moreover, imagine how many restaurants and cafes there are in Istanbul, and how difficult it is not only to get into the guide, but to stay in it! I must say, the restaurant turned out to be excellent. As is typical in Istanbul, the portions are huge, and the meat is absolutely delicious. As Michelin writes, "the kebabs are unsurpassed here" and there is no arguing with that. The service was also top‑notch: fast, polite, confident, and dignified. A magnificent place; I hope I will visit it again someday! And, definitely, would recommend it to anyone - from a tourist that just wants to have substantial and delicious dinner to a gourmet, connoisseur (and other posh words describing someone who surely knows more about food than I do).

This was an absolutely amazing experience for our last night in Istanbul. Im glad we had our dinner here. The food meals were all so yummy! Delicious. From the appetizers to dessert they were all really good. Especially loved the baklava dessert, yum!! The beef, lamb, even gambas was great. They have a Michelin too! The staff, crew and even the owner was so friendly I had an amazing dinner. Will truly recommend this Khorasani. Nice ambiance of istanbul in the evening. Fun street.

The free bread and goat cheese was piping hot and fresh. The Ali Nazik kebab was paired with excellent yogurt and grilled kebab. The lamb chop kebab was juicy but a little tough. The prawn casserole was a mix of sweet, savory and sour. We were served free baklava and ice cream. A fabulous end!

Visited in July 2025. Turkey 🇹🇷 Istanbul. This cozy restaurant has become a must-visit for us on every trip to Istanbul, a cherished ritual we never skip. Tucked into a modest space, it shines brightest on its charming outdoor terrace, where we love to linger and soak in the city’s vibrant energy. FOOD: Specializing in Turkish cuisine with a focus on meat, this spot delivers hearty, flavorful dishes. We always gravitate toward the kebabs—our go-to is the pistachio-studded variety, though the Urfa and Adana kebabs consistently impress with their juicy texture and bold, meaty flavor, carrying just the right touch of richness. The lamb chops are another standout, expertly prepared with no tough sinews or off-putting gaminess, showcasing the kitchen’s skill in handling meat. Don’t miss their pilav, made from pearl barley—an unexpectedly delightful side that might just be the best grain dish I’ve encountered. Its deep, spiced flavor hints at a meaty broth base, elevating every meat dish it accompanies. SERVICE: The service is reliably warm, with attentive waitstaff ready to guide you through the menu with ease. A thoughtful touch comes at the end of the meal: a complimentary serving of tea paired with baklava and ice cream, which adds a sweet note to the experience. Dishes arrive promptly, keeping the meal seamless. VERDICT: I recommend stopping by this restaurant at least once for a taste of its dependable, high-quality fare. While the prices may run slightly higher than Istanbul’s average—perhaps unsurprising given their Michelin star—you’re paying for consistency. Visit after visit, you can trust you’ll leave satisfied, making it a solid choice in a city brimming with dining options.

Fantastic - a group of us had lunch here and it was very good. With friendly Staff and good Service; plus, an extensive menu with plenty of amazing food. I think that it is a 3-year Michelin star rating.

Amazing food, great service and complimentary dessert! 3-year Michelin star rating. Dersin(spelling?) provided fabulous service. 4 star rating for atmosphere, we dined outside and there were flies.

Lovely place next to Hagia Sophia, waiters are so nice and talked a bit about their native Anatolia. Be ready for some furry friends to come check the food.

It could not be better than this. Vai good food, great service (thanks Hazeem). Nice environment. In the middle of so many " tourist traps" we found this great place. Best meal in istanbul trip. Another place mentioned in the Michelin guide.

Great dinner! We had the appetizer sampler, very tasty. We also had the halloumi salad and octopus. Both were tasty. We shared the meat sampler for two, loads of meat! Everything was very tasty and cooked perfectly. I'd definitely recommend a stop!

Came here for my first dinner when touching down in Istanbul. I know it has been a Michelin awarded restaurant so I had high expectations. I got the mixed meat plate, it was really good, but I wish the portions were a bit bigger. The starting appetizer plate was delicious along with the Turkish bread. The staff was great, very attentive to all our needs and always refilling our waters promptly whenever empty. The dessert was good, the baklava was a good texture and went well with the ice cream. Great first dinner stop in Turkey!

First of all, it's not Michelin restaurant. It's probably on the Michelin guide but definitely not a Michelin one star restaurant so don't be fooled thinking it is. For me anything not Michelin one star or above is not considered a Michelin restaurant. Of course the price is also not Michelin star restaurant which is great. However note that the price is mostly for tourists so you are paying European price so prepared to pay more than local restaurants. I did try both the spicy eastern goulash which is not spicy at all so I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a kick and the meat tastes so so. The pistachio kebob is actually decent and supposed it's a recipe from the sultans. It is interesting to have pistachio embedded in the meat and overall it's pretty delicious. I do wish there are more fat in the kebob as it would be a lot juicier. The puffy bread is really good. Tastes like naan. Overall it's an alright experience and wouldn't say it's a miss albeit slightly more expensive than the quality.

After trying a few different restaurants in the area, we stumbled upon this gem in the heart of Istanbul. The food is superb, with every dish we tried made to perfection. Although we explored other options in the neighborhood, we collectively decided that Khorasani was by far the best of all. The restaurant is reasonably priced for the location and is worth every penny.

We've been lucky enough to spend a few days touring Istanbul and our guide suggested we have lunch at Khorasani. WONDERFUL food right in the Faith District in the Old City. We had the lamb & pistachio kebab; the lamb on a bed of yogurt-baba-ganoush; the mahummara meze and the eggplant stuffed with vegetables meze. Exceptionally good food and service! And the conversion-rate made this a surprisingly reasonable meal, considering the talent!

Our best meal in Istanbul! We ordered the rack of lamb and had it cooked table side. The cut was thick and the meat was juicy. The service was impeccable and the staff very attentive.

Khorasani stands out even in the midst of tourist-catering restaurant! While it also catered mainly toward tourists, this restaurant nonetheless makes an excellent meal stop because of its delicious dishes, generous additions, and good service. After a long intercontinental flight, I wanted a quick meal near the Blue Mosque and my prior research pointed me to this restaurant based on past positive reviews. As soon as I sat down and ordered my dish, I was greeted with a small basket of bread with garlic hummus dip. Initially, I suspected that this was a trick to tack on extra charge, but the waiter ensure that it's on the house! I tried the bread with the dip, and loved the softness of the bread and the garlic savory taste of the hummus dip. It was a good start to my first meal in Turkey - and to think that I used to dislike hummus in the US! Then my entree of Adana kebab arrived. Made from finely-grounded lamb meat, the Adana kebab was surprisingly filling and packed with flavors, even though it looked deceptively small-portioned and unremarkable. On the same plate, the included rice pilaf was another delicious surprise with subtle flavors and the salad vegetable was fresh and crisp. For about 30 TL, the dish was a delicious mini feast! When I asked for the bill, the waiter asked if I would like a cup of tea and knowing my suspicious nature, added that it's complimentary. At first I declined but as I was paying my bill, I noticed that everyone - locals and tourists - around me had a tulip-shaped cup of tea and it dawned upon me that tea was an important drink in Turkey (a fact that I verified later in my trip) so I changed my mind and requested for the tea. Even after I paid my bill, the waiter without hesitation brought me the complimentary tea to end my meal. Overall, the total charge was 36 TL, which included water and 10% service. While it's the typical cost of a meal especially in the Sultanhamet area, you certainly would get more food from the same price because of the complimentary bread, hummus, and tea. In addition, the meal here remains one of the best I had in Istanbul and is comparable to the authentic meal I had outside the tourist district, so I definitely recommend dining here when you need a nice sit-down meal in Sultanahmet.

Khorasani was the lunch stop for our walking tour and it was a good choice. Turkish, but mainstream enough that anyone who thinks they like Turkish food will be okay. It wasn't too busy when our party of eight dropped in and they did a good job of managing our orders, getting our drinks straight (Efes!) and chopping up the checks nicely. As for the food, well, I'll just say it was great. The salad was okay, the pita was excellent and the spicy kebab was "spicy tasty" not "spicy hot". Rice was excellent and the baklava for dessert was excellent. And all around really good meal.

My friend and I loved this place so much, we went two nights in a row. The second night was his birthday so he didn't want to take any chances of a having a bad experience somewhere else. I couldn't blame him. From the enormous, fresh, complementary bread to the color and flavor of the cold appetizer trey, to the attentiveness to filling up you wine glass, to checking up on you after your food is served, the whole experience here is impeccable. The service was professional, confident, inviting and incredibly friendly. They were so happy to see us two nights in a row, and when I told them it was my friend's birthday, I was not expecting them to turn the 'Happy Birthday' song on the restaurant's speakers and bring out a colorful, candle lit dessert, followed by a full staff. Felt like we were right back at home. Khorasani understands how to cater to tourists, and apparently the owner knows how to corner his market (he owns 3 other restaurants side by side, all on the same street). The decor here is very modern and the charcoal grill in the middle of the restaurant is very cozy. The same goes for the sofa seating they offer outdoors under the heat lamp. I highly recommend this place to anyone staying in the Fatih district of Istanbul. I might even go out of my way to eat here if you're staying further away. Bravo!

Food and service was exceptional. We spent a week in the Istanbul old city which means we had 15-20 meals. This place was in the top 2.

Pricey but loved it - food was good but they need to improve their customer service - we were four people and i asked for some clarification which they didn't feel like explaining us. However the quality of food was goos.

Lives up the the hype- great Turkish food. We ordered the meze to start, which they brought out with their complimentary bread. It was amazing and you should definitely order it. There were two different types of yogurt dip, hummus, eggplant dip, a spicy tomato, onion, and garlic dip, and something called muhamamara. The muhamamara was my favorite dip of all; it was a mix of walnuts, paprika, tomato, and garlic and super spicy. I could eat that all day. For the main course, I ordered the Mediterranean salad which was delicious. One thing I've noticed about the Turkish restaurants is that they serve entree sized portions of salad. It was SO filling and refreshing and simply a wonderful excuse to drown myself in the pomegranate dressing they serve. The rest of the party ordered the minced beef and lamb kabob which came with a pilaf, bread, and a side salad. No complaints from them about it. My mom said the pilaf was "really good". I recommend this place to tourists looking for some good food.

I visited this restaurant for dinner in Feb 2016 during a one-night stay in Istanbul. Complimentary bread is given and was the highlight. We ordered hummus, lahmacun (Turkish pizza), beef main, and a Coke. I guess there was some sort of miscommunication because instead of the beef main, we received a Kofte app. We decided that a light meal was fine so didn't even bring it up to the server. I found the food to be ok, but nothing special. I later noticed a 10% surcharge on the receipt... this wasn't on my lunch receipt so seems to be a forced tip rather than tax, so be mindful of this. Total bill was 46 TL / 23 Canadian dollars.

Your out and about in the Sultanmet area this is the place to be for a dinner or lunch. This restaurant is not in the main touristy street however is in one of the side streets which has many restaurants. Very close to Hagia Sophia. We went in February and the weather was a bit chilly in the evening, they give you blankets to wrap your self in to and take part in dining outside and enjoy your people watching outside. This restaurant makes excellent bread. It's bigger than your face and straight out of the oven. It's so good that mostly likely you will finish it. They serve traditional Turkish cuisine. I would recommend getting one of the kabob entrees or chicken entrees. I ordered chicken skewers entree which was succulent pieces of chicken with salad and rice etc. Overall, if I was in Turkey I would go again.~

Perfect quaint little cafe right off the main street in Sulthanamet - the area is called Fatih. But, you would never guess that you're off the main street, which is loud and bustling with cars, as the tree lined street that this restaurant sits on is very quiet and seemed to be closed to anything but foot-traffic. Very convenient if you're staying at the Hotel Ibrahim Pasha (http://bit.ly/15ietbM) or in the vicinity of the Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia. Khorasani boasts the largest and most colorful selection of mezes to go with their GIGANTIC hot bread "pouf". Loved their Cacik (the traditional yogurt, dill, cucumber dip) the best of all the ones we tried in Turkey. The spicy hot salad and the Anatolian olive tray are amazing dishes along with the lentil balls. And definitely, don't miss the olive oil tasting! This was the only restaurant that we ate, literally, an entire dinner of mezes - so tasty. We sat outside on the street both evenings. It was comfortable, and when the sun went down, we utilized the throws that are on each seat at the tables. That made for a PERFECT EVENING! The staff is very attentive, making sure that my glass was full and my bread basket topped off with that hot pouf at all times! Of all the places we dined in Turkey, Khorasani is my favorite (and I can't wait to go back)!

One of my favorite restaurants during a recent trip to Turkey! This place had both great service and great food! My favorite dishes were the baked humus and minced lamb with pistachio and cheese kebob. Dishes were very well prepared and fresh. Reasonably priced and located on a beautiful cobble stone block. Great for groups and dates

Wow the hotel concierge was right, best lamb I've had in a while!!! It's not necessarily a touristy place although they are right near the Hagia Sophia, but waiters are very friendly and their English is good. Got there a little before noon with just myself and another table. Thirty minutes later the place was packed. Great to sit outside and people watch.

Very tasteful food indeed. The bbq is delicious. Also free good wifi. Just didn't give 4 stars or more because I thinks it's an ok place. Nothing surprising. No mistakes. Also, my bill was about $40, while I think it worth it about $30. This is because of the drinks, always expensive: a fresh squeezed orange juice for $9 should be forbidden when you can find orange juice on the streets for 50 cents.

Our hotel concierge suggested this place, and it simply has to be, hands down, the best food we had in Istanbul. This is an absolutely amazing restaurant right in the heart of Sultanahmet. Sure, it's a little touristy, but definitely worth it. It's right next to the Hagia Sofia, the Hippodrome, and the Blue Mosque. It's a small little restaurant and it is heavenly. A few dishes I highly recommend: Muhammara - it's a roasted pepper and walnut dip that has the consistency of hummus, but tastes so much better. You have to order this when you're here. It's the kind of dish you start eating and then already start planning the next time you'll be able to get it again. Spicy Eastern Goulash - a classic take on the typical Goulash dish, except this one is made with lamb. Highly recommend this! Lamb Kebabs - decent, and a great entree. Tasted like a typical kebab. I do recommend them, but it didn't stand out as something unique to this restaurant.

Try the Iskender Kebab here! But don't miss out on the starters and their delicious fresh bread before. The staff is very friendly and attentive. If you have any wishes they are happy to help you. The upper level of the restaurant is open so you don't feel that separated when you don't find a table anymore on the lower floor. Its cozy atmosphere makes it a perfect place for a nice dinner in Sultanahmet.

The price is of course tourist price. The food is actually good. And the service is very nice. Even though is a bit pricy. I will definitely come and visit again. Don't see lots of great service in Istanbul.

Not too expensive, friendly personel and good food. Good alternative to all the touristy restaurants nearby. Starter was good but small, free bread was served. Main plate also was good but not very impressive. Overall still 5 stars for beeing better than the rest. Nice food for two under 40 Eur, what should be more.

I ate upstairs because there was no downstairs seating available. It's a little hot up there but a welcome break from the bustling streets. There's a large open shish kebab oven downstairs and a nice selection of grilled meats and dishes to choose from. They also have a decent wine selection as well as pasta and vegetarian dishes. This restaurant is more modern and westernized than most others in this area and I would return for lunch or dinner.

Arrived in Istanbul last night exhausted after 24 hours of travel and thought it might be good to grab some dinner before hitting the sack. The restaurant is just one of a dozen in the hood that seemingly offer the same menu. This one just looked a bit less touristy. Staff was friendly and patient. First cocktail was a caipirinha that packed a punch. Pita was served with butter and feta. Took me a little while to realize this could be nibbled on but was meant to be paired with entree. Speaking of first dinner was a kebab platter. Pretty yummy and everything was fresh. Grilled peppers and tomato served with crisp greens and the kebab spanned the diagonal of the plate. Everything was fresh and delicious and too much food for one sitting. Skipped dessert because it was way past my bedtime. Entire meal set me back $26 USD. Would probably return if I'm looking for a meal in the vicinity.

We went to this Restaurant based on a recomendation (best food) from our Recital Hotel. I am not usually driven by referrals and I choose the places based on ambiance. When we got there after a short walk from Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern, we found the restaurant on a curve right across from a construction yard. That didn't look good, since we wanted to sit outside... Luckilly, it wasn't too much traffic, probably the workers were at lunch, as well. Being a chilly afternoon, the host turned on the outdoor heaters and brought us the menus. I am not going to mention anything about the Turkish bread, I saw it in the most of the photos (including mine). Very good! I asked our waiter which dish he recommends and he said, without hesitation "Kele Cosh". Well, this was UNBELIEVABLE, by far the best Turkish dish I had during my stay in Istanbul. Kele Cosh (Traditional Antolian). Ingredients: Chopped lamb, butter & yogurt, mint & bread, baked in the oven, served in terracota pot. If you like lamb meat, this dish is absolutely faboulos! Now I try to find it in Chicago area :) Overall, it was a great experience!

Near the Hagia Sophia on a restaurant row. Lots of food places to choose from but this was recommended by a local. Servers were great, very friendly & attentive. Great Turkish dishes & the appetizers were worth ordering. No kids menus but we were able to order 1/2 portion dishes.

Had the mix meza plate as an appetizer which includes a sample of seven of their cold items. It was a nice menu selection that allowed us to try a number of different things. All were enjoyable but I preferred the tomato based paste which was a little spicy and the white paste which had a dill flavor. We had a lamb kabob as our main course which was cooked over a coal fired grill in the middle of the restaurant. The meat was tender and had a nice flavor. Overall, the meal was very good and I'd recommend Khorasani for a quick lunch or casual dinner.

We loved the bread here. Lamb kebab was really tasty. Staff were really friendly and explained the dishes very well. Would definitely recommend this restaurant.

A bar, a classy dining room and a lounge room with dim light all packed together in one place at Khorosani. There is an open grill in the middle of the dining room where the tasty kebabs are cooked. Feel free to have your meal in front of the grill and observe the process of cooking Southern food. From steaks to salad, vegetarian foods to crepes, mezes to pastas, Khorasani Restaurant appeals to almost every types of appetite. Make sure you try the brilliant Turkish wine, Angora and the turkish beer.

I found this restaurant using Yelp a couple of years back when I visited Istanbul. All I have to say is that Khorasani is one of my favorite Kebap places on the entire planet. Yea, I said planet because I travel to different countries a lot. The adana kepabs here are so good. Best lamb meat I've ever tasted. Since I discovered this restaurant a couple of years ago, I've made it a point to visit Khoresani every time I've been in Istanbul. I definitely recommend you all give this place a try.

Some of the best Turkish Kebabs. Typically it's very bland. But these guys serve very flavorful kebabs! The Manti is amazing. Steaks really good. Conveniently located next to the Blue Mosque and Haagia Sophia.

The mezes were the best part of dinner here! The bread poof is yummy and we ordered quit a few mezes to try. I would says the food was just a bit over priced, but it was the first restaurant we went to in Turkey so we didnt know any better. There are a few restaurants in this area that all look like they offer the same types of things, all looked good.

Good food for a restaurant in a touristy part of town. The mezes were excellent, and they come with one of the giant bread "poofs" you see displayed in front of several of similar restaurants in the area. I tried the Iskender kebab on the advice of another reviewer, and it was very good. The meal was a bit overpriced, but that's typical for the area.

Likely the most bland meal we had during our trip. Geared to tourists with menus in various languages and prices to match.

We had an excellent meal tonight at this restaurant. Service is polite and fast and the decor and atmosphere are great. I recommend the lamb and beef kebab with eggplant/aubergine in garlic yogurt sauce, but everyone's dish looked great. And the Muhammaran is delicious.

Great spot for a quick, tasty turkish meal. Close to the sites but not too touristy. Broad menu for all appetites. I found it really hard to choose but both my wife and I ended up with great selections - chicken shish and iskender kabob.

Sitting at home in California eating my dinner wishing I was at Khorasani to eat some pistachio kababs and kababs from appelepo.

tourist friendly , great staff, and delicious kababs and the like. burgers and pizzas as well for the less-adventurous, but still an authentic feel.

The food and service were both very good and so was the wine! Also, it's not expensive. It's in a sort of touristy area but sometimes when I'm traveling, I like that. Lots of activity! It's in a very convenient location, too. Highly recommend!

when traveling it is always tricky to select a good restaurant with good quality local fresh food selections..We went to Khorasani and were delighted!!Quality was superior the restaurant was clean and the staff was very helpful in making our selections!! I would highly recommend this to any traveler esp. from the US because I know how picky we can be..THe portions were generous as well..ENJOY with out hesitations.