Yeni Lokanta
Restaurant · Tomtom ·
Modern Turkish cuisine with creative twists, local ingredients
Modern Turkish cuisine with creative twists, local ingredients
"A side street off the famous main road of Istikal Caddesi, a bright Mediterranean decor and the creativity of a discerning chef – welcome to Yeni Lokanta! Here you can enjoy Turkish flavours that draw on original ideas, resulting in fresher and lighter dishes that lose none of their exuberance. Order à la carte or opt for the set menu (a selection from the menu) and discover how the focus on vegetables, local produce and Turkish wines makes this dining experience all the more engaging." - Michelin Inspector
"A near-perfect Istanbul lunch experienced in a pretty, quiet room: gloriously fluffy açma served with smoky butter, a refined kadayıf paired with Turkish coffee for dessert, and a leisurely weekday atmosphere on turquoise-tiled tables that together made the meal feel note-perfect." - Eater Staff
"Yeni’s simple and amicable decor can transport you away from the noise of Istiklal Avenue just outside, especially when the waiter brings burnt butter and sourdough bread to the table, offering a sneak peek of the meal to come. Chef-owner Civan Er skillfully incorporates local ingredients into modern Turkish cooking on both the tasting menu and a la carte offerings. Aubergine with sour cherry wine-poached figs is a genius plate, and smoked tomato and watermelon is a mouthful of summer with sumac and isot (Urfa pepper). None of the plates are shy, and there’s a glass of wine made from local grapes to go with everything." - Tuba Şatana
"A consistently excellent venue for lunch or dinner, locals love to dine on modern interpretations of classic Turkish dishes at Yeni Lokanta, especially the mantı (dumplings filled with meat) which has become rather famous in its own right."
"A New Take on Classic Turkish Cuisine Just off of Istanbul’s pedestrian shopping street, Istiklal Caddesi, Yeni Lokanta opened in 2013. Yeni means “new” in Turkish and the menu ventures in unexpected, surprising, and delicious directions, even if the décor, with its tiled floors and white washed walls, may look like that of many other restaurants in Istanbul . The sea bean salad is given a sour kick with the addition of green plums; the manti (Turkish ravoli) are prepared with a dried eggplant filling rather than minced meat; and bulgur salad takes on a red hue and fresh flavor with the addition of sour cherries. Order one of the meze selections to sample three dishes, in servings generous enough for two to share. Save room for dessert or you may miss your chance to try smoked buffalo milk ice cream—an unusual salty-sweet companion to the kadayif custard fritter."
