Balikci Sabahattin, Istanbul
Sultanahmet
Istanbul
Turkey
Tel: 90 212 458 1824
www.balikcisabahattin.com
Concierge.com's insider take:
A refreshing change from the mass of touristy establishments in the neighborhood, this is one place that you'll find brimming with Turks and visitors alike on any night of the week, so be sure to book ahead. A fish joint based on the meyhane tradition but with a more formal standard of service, this restaurant has an excellent reputation for its very simple output of meze and the catch-of-the-day menu. You'll find it at the end of an alley down a flight of steps off Cankurtaran Caddesi, in the quiet, rustic backstreets of Sultanahmet, with outdoor seating set among copious foliage—covered for warmth during the winter. Inside, the decor is no-nonsense and the atmosphere spirited. The mullet and sea bass are recommended, as is the house salad with shrimp, feta, arugula, and tomato, though be prepared for prices to be slightly over the odds.