Arman Deveci
Google
I had an incredible dining experience at Sankai by Nagaya. The food was absolutely outstanding — each course offered delicate, harmonious flavors that really impressed me. It’s clear the kitchen puts a lot of thought and precision into every dish.
The pacing could have been a bit more relaxed, though — the courses followed each other in quick succession. A bit more breathing room between them would have elevated the experience even more.
One thing that did concern me was that the maître d’hôtel was clearly under the weather — visibly unwell, possibly with the flu. I couldn’t help but wonder why she was working in that condition, especially in such a high-end dining setting. It was distracting, and honestly, I spent part of the evening hoping I wouldn’t get sick too.
Finally, the wines by the glass were disappointing — the pours were minimal, but still charged at full price. When I raised the issue, the sommelier simply said this was standard, which didn’t sit right with me. Next time, I’ll definitely go for a bottle instead.
That said, the food alone makes this place worth visiting. If you’re looking for refined Japanese cuisine in Istanbul, Sankai delivers — just a few small details could make it even better.