Haci Abdullah restaurant opened in Karakoy in 1888 with the name Abdullah Efendi and was given a permission to operate by the Sultan Abulhamit II. Today, it is one of the oldest restaurants in the city. All through out its history, it has hosted high ranking officials and diplomats who visited the city. It moved to its current location in Beyoglu in 1958 and its name was changed to Haci Abdullah in 1983.
It is one of the few restaurants that serve high quality traditional food. You can choose from a range of traditional dishes displayed along with a rich range of pickles, compote and traditional deserts.
Restaurant’s Interior
Turkish cuisine is extremely rich, bringing together a range of different cuisines that lived side by side in the Ottoman Empire such as Turkish, Greek and Armenian cuisines. The dishes are rich with oil and tomato sauce. Meat is an integral part of most dishes. Some of the traditional recipes were ‘created’ for the sultan and then was liked by the masses like ‘hunkar begendi’ which you can find at the restaurant.
Hunkar Begendi literally meaning ‘the master (refering to the Sultan of the times) liked it‘
So if you visit Beyoglu, don’t forget to drop by Haci Abdullah for lunch.
The restaurant is a delight to be in as well. When you enter the restaurant, you will see large jars of pickles made of very different vegetables and even fruits. They are a delight to look at. The staff is kind and the prices are reasonable for the quality it offers.
Haci Abdullah Restaurant in Zorlu
Now, the restaurant has a new store in a contemporary shopping mall: Zorlu but I suggest you stick with the original store for an experience of traditional tastes.
Visit the restaurant at https://www.haciabdullah.com.tr/
