Old Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant

The location on Unilocal is not accurate but we still managed to find it about a block north behind a bath house. The food is excellent and the servers are very friendly. We tried the shrimp on a sizzling dish, the lamb pot, and the secret ottoman special. They were all delicious, especially the last one. They let me crack the lamb pot and then my brother got his fortune read with his turkish coffee. Afterwards, we got tea and dessert on the house and a warm goodbye. This was our first time there, and we will definitely be back.

This place is terrible. Its a tourist trap! Ordered a few appetizers and they warm on the outside and cold on the inside. (I assume someone got them out of the microwave before hitting another 30 seconds) Ordered the lamp special and it wasn’t impressive.(very bland & tasteless) Included in your meal is a free desert and a cup of tea at the end of your meal, (the ice cream dessert & tea gets a star) but I wouldn’t return back to this place.

Great food — the best we had in the old town area and reasonably priced. Also really family friendly. Loved it! We especially liked the clay pot kebabs (both beef and vegetarian) and our picky younger kid had the chicken kebabs one day and the chicken Schnitzel another. Our other child liked the vegetarian options.

Great place. Very funny owner genuinely interested in his customers. Food is very tasty. Try the ottoman specialty.

We went there based on the good ratings on Trip Advisor. We made reservations and we are glad we did, because without a reservation, they were sending people away. The restaurant is small, only seats probably 30 – 40 people but is an excellent choice in the Old Town (Sultanahmet) area. It was a bit hard to find, because it is not on a tourist street.
I ordered the Testi Kebab and it was So Good !! I tried other ones in Istanbul and this one was the best, by far. The flavor profile of the meats and vegetables was just perfect. The show that is put right by your table is also a great memory of dining in Istanbul.
My BF got a chicken dish and it was also perfectly done. The owner came by a few times to check on things and he was very friendly and attentive. Great spot for inexpensive dining.

Tasty food and great service!
We had some hummus, shepherd’s salad and kebabs. Everything tasted great. The food came quickly and the staff was very hospitable. This is a gem in the Sultanahmet area where you’ll find many pushy, mediocre and overpriced restaurants. Definitely worth a visit! We arrived late and there was no wait. Also got complimentary dessert and tea.

Istanbul has hundreds of restaurants serving the same dish so it is a daunting challenge to find the right place. Here is what you need to know when you come here, Old Ottoman serves up really tasty food at a fair price in a pleasant and quiet space. You can opt for typical Ottoman cuisine but there are lots of choices that go beyond your standard kebab. The staff at this establishment is extremely friendly and I thoroughly enjoyed conversing with them.
What really makes this place terrific is the warmth and care with which the owner and staff try to make sure that you have a good, personal and worthwhile experience.
I highly recommend the Testy Kebap. It is a clay pot filled with a combination of meat, vegetables, nuts and spice. It is presented table side literally on fire and is then split open by your server. It is a fun show and is delicious! The owner also offered us a complimentary dessert and olives. It’s a nice secluded alleyway away from the craziness of the area.
It is located in a tiny alley just off the main street near the cistern. A little hard to find but worth the trip.

One of our favorite places to eat in Sultanahmet area. Food was so good we went back a few times during our trip. Prices very reasonable, especially for being in a touristy part of town. Staff was extremely friendly.

Very tasty food and good service! We ordered Testi Kebabi, so much fun :-)
The owner provided us free Turkish tea and desert. We had a great time!!!
Recommend!!!

Really nice people here, they offered us a complimentary dessert and olives from the family farm. Its a nice secluded alleyway away from the craziness of the area– romantic and beautiful.

Great service, good showmanship, amazing food, and great environment. This is a must try! We had the clay pot kebab, very delicious.

Wonderful!!! The food is delicious and tasty. The staff is very kind and they took care pf us perfectly. I’m still trying to decide if it is better the Oriental kebab or the Chef’s special!

Très bon rapport qualité prix, le tout avec le sourire et quelques extras pour qu’on lui fasse de la pub.
Nous avons passé une très bonne soirée!

We went to this place for my last night in Istanbul. We wanted a place with good reviews and not to expensive. This place fit the bill!
As the other reviewer mentioned, the owner came up to my fiancé and I and gave us some complimentary olives that were picked from his own house along with some nice bread.
We had some local wine with our meal (very good). I ordered the chef’s specialty and my fiancé ordered the chicken casserole. The chef’s specialty was a creamy beef casserole. It was incredible; savory with just the slightest hint of sweet.
We forewent dessert, but the owner insisted that we have some complimentary Turkish tea before we left. They really know how to secure word of mouth at this place. I was impressed.
The two of us agreed that it was the best meal we had in Istanbul. The total was also not as high as some other restaurants we ate at during our stay. I wholeheartedly recommend this place to anyone staying in the Sultanahmet area!
Enjoy!

If you’re in the more touristy area of Istanbul & are looking for delicious food at a better price than what you’d generally find in the area, Old Ottoman Café & Restaurant is worth checking out.
The meal was very good– I had the vegetarian casserole (very filling and flavorful) and my friend really enjoyed his meal as well. He had the Chefs special recommended by the server. The presentation of the testi kebab was also fun to watch.
Extra points for the staff– they were exceptionally courteous. One of the owners came over to chat & told us about how the olives that they serve (complimentary before the meal) come from the property of his partner’s family who live on the coast of the Mediterranean in Turkey (fun fact). The interior is definitely very low frill, but the food and experience compensates.