Mahir Lokantası

I visited Istanbul from Mexico, and one of the places on my list was Mahir, a true classic of Turkish cuisine that I definitely recommend. Prices are a bit higher compared to other Turkish restaurants, but it is absolutely worth it for the quality. The place is very clean and there is usually a line to get in, which says a lot about its popularity. The waiters are fast and friendly, and at this location there is always a woman (apparently the manager idk) closely supervising everything to make sure the service runs smoothly. She is also very attentive and helpful with customers. I traveled from far away just to try the lahmacun, and it was without a doubt the best I had in all of Turkey. The rest of the dishes are also very good. They accept card payments, the menu is varied, and the restaurant is consistently clean. Definitely a place worth visiting.

I was intrigued by the endless queues. Every branch always seems busy, with eager customers waiting patiently in the cold, rain, or sunshine. Curious, I decided to join them and went in as hungry as I could be. I ordered a full spread: lahmacun, soup, hot dishes, kebabs, salad, and rice. I went all in. Unfortunately, I left hungry. To be clear, portion sizes are generous, but the flavour was missing. I only managed a few spoonfuls of each dish, hoping the next one would be better, but it never quite delivered.

Now if you want ridiculously delicious Turkish cuisine, this is the place. It felt like someone grandma whos had a passion for cooking for over 50 years prepared the food. There's always a queue outside so I suggest avoiding coming during peak hours. The food here was so good I had to come back the next day and have my last meal here before heading to the airport. I recommend the stuffed balls(unbelievable), the pide is amazing, the adana too... the lamb shank(incik) is ridiculous, and the Lahmacun is to die for! I will see you guys soon as Im back in Istanbul please do NOT change the recipes because all the food here is fantastic!! Oh and its very affordable dare I say cheap for the level of quality of the food you get. 5 stars!

Foods are super delicious. No yeast homemade Lahmacun were crispy with lamb meat. Mumbar were amazing, not too spicy but intense. Annnd boiled içli köfte (kibbeh) were so good like grandmama made. Dried bean stew (çömlek kuru fasulye) felt on my tounge and i felt all lovely butter. Thanks for the feast guys! And you can see the owner of the place, Mahir. He is always on duty dedicated to his family business. Staff were kind, place were clean. So good job. Success!

Amazing taste of Istanbul. The chicken soup was amazing. I was shocked that a simple soup can have taste of layers of flavor.

It is known to have the best lahmachun in Istanbul. For me it was fresh but smells and tastes very meaty which i am not a fan of it 3/10 but their cig kofte and soup were amaazing

One of the best lahmacun experiences I’ve ever had. I had dinner at Mahir Lokantası in Pera and it truly exceeded my expectations. The spicy lahmacun was perfectly crispy and genuinely spicy, which is rare to find. The şalgam (fermented turnip juice) was also excellent and very refreshing. A real highlight for me was the boiled içli köfte with sauce — incredibly flavorful and surprisingly good. Definitely something you should try. The restaurant is located near İstiklal Street, with easy access from street level. The place is clean, comfortable, and has a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Overall, a very strong experience. I would gladly come back whenever I’m in the area. Highly recommended for anyone looking for authentic Turkish food in Beyoğlu.

This place deserves all the praise. I tried the Urfa lahmacun and the haşlanmış içli köfte both were amazing. The lahmacun had the perfect balance of spice and crunch, and the içli köfte was soft, flavorful, and cooked just right. They also had a variety of other dishes that looked just as good but I did not try them this time. During busy hours, you might have to share a table with other guests. But honestly, it doesn’t take away from the experience at all.

Food 4.5/5.0 Service 3.0/5.0 Value 3.5/5.0 Decor 3.0/5.0 Overall 4.5/5.0 Went to the smaller location across the street a few doors down, which is less formal. Food was fantastic, especially the lahmacun and the içli köfte. Definitely worth coming by.

This is hands down one of the best restaurants I've been to: the quality of the food was superb, the ambiance was beautiful, and the waitstaff were very professional and warm. I highly recommend this place, you won't regret it!

My god, what an amazing restaurant. This is hands down one of the best places I've ever eaten in Turkey. The lahmacun is perfect and the chile flakes add a whole new layer of heat that's typically missing from Turkish food. The food bar is also solid and you can't go wrong with anything they're made that day. Great service. Good yogurt. Perfect restaurant.