Develi Samatya is the first Istanbul restaurant of the Develi family, who opened it in 1966 after bringing the cooking of Gaziantep to the city. It stands on Gümüş Yüksük Sokak beside Samatya Square, in a seaside neighbourhood on the Marmara shore of the old city.
The family business dates back to 1912, when Arif Develi opened a restaurant in Gaziantep. Today the Samatya branch is run by the fourth generation, and the group has other restaurants in Istanbul and beyond. Many visitors still choose Samatya as the place to taste the original.
Quick Facts
| Address | Koca Mustafapaşa Mahallesi, Gümüş Yüksük Sokak No: 5–7, Samatya, Fatih, İstanbul |
|---|---|
| District | Fatih |
| Metro | Kocamustafapaşa (Marmaray, Walk to Samatya Square and Gümüş Yüksük Sokak; confirm the route on a map app) |
| Best time to visit | Weekday lunch is calmer. Summer evenings are best for the terraces but busier, and weekends fill with families. |
| Recommended duration | 1.5–2 hours |
| Cuisine | Gaziantep (Antep) kebab and Turkish dishes |
| Reservations | Not verified; call the restaurant for groups and summer evenings. |
| Website | develikebap.com |
Reservations and Ordering at Develi Samatya
Reservations were not verified. For groups and summer evenings, calling ahead is sensible.
- Booking: call +90 212 529 08 33 or check the restaurant’s site.
- Walk-in: usually possible on weekdays.
- Groups and events: the restaurant hosts larger gatherings; contact it directly.
Check the venue directly for current details.
Why Visit Develi Samatya?
Develi gives a direct introduction to Gaziantep cooking, with its pistachios, pepper paste, pomegranate molasses and bulgur. The menu goes well beyond a standard kebab list, with dishes such as the pistachio kebab and Ali Nazik.
Samatya itself is worth the trip. It is a quieter, more local part of Istanbul than Sultanahmet, with a small square, old streets and a seafront nearby. In summer the restaurant’s terraces add a sea view.
Highlights of Develi Samatya
Pistachio kebab
The best-known dish is the fıstıklı kebap, a pistachio kebab said to have been created by Arif Develi. It reflects the pistachios that Gaziantep is famous for.
It is the dish most guides tell first-time visitors to order.
Tip: Order it as a main and share a mezze starter.
Ali Nazik and other kebabs
Ali Nazik, a kebab served on smoky aubergine and garlicky yoghurt, is a classic here. The menu also lists simit kebab, garlic kebab and Yenidünya kebab.
A seasonal kebab with keme, a type of truffle, appears for only a few weeks each year, according to one guide.
Tip: Ask whether the seasonal keme kebab is available.
Garlic lahmacun and pide
The lahmacun is made with garlic, which differs from the version many visitors know. Pide and çiğ köfte are also popular starters.
They are good for sharing while you wait for the main course.
Tip: Order one lahmacun for the table to compare.
Gaziantep meze
Starters include aubergine salad, muhammara, içli köfte and pilaki. Many ingredients, such as pistachios, pepper paste, pomegranate molasses and bulgur, come from Gaziantep.
The meze give a quick view of the region's flavours.
Tip: Choose three or four meze rather than ordering mains alone.
Künefe and quince dessert
Desserts include künefe, the hot cheese pastry in syrup, and ayva tatlısı, a quince dessert. They are a classic way to finish a Gaziantep meal.
Portions are generous enough to share.
Tip: Share a künefe at the end of the meal.
Sea-view terraces
In summer the restaurant opens terraces with a view of the sea. They are a popular place for an evening meal when the weather is warm.
The square outside gives the area a village feel.
Tip: Ask for a terrace table when you book in summer.
What to Order
- Fıstıklı kebap (pistachio kebab)
- Ali Nazik
- Garlic lahmacun
- Çiğ köfte
- Muhammara and aubergine salad
- Künefe or quince dessert
Atmosphere
Develi Samatya is busy, friendly and unfussy. Large tables of families and groups fill the dining rooms, and the staff are used to serving big orders. At peak times it is lively and noisy.
The terraces are calmer in the early evening, and the square outside gives the setting a neighbourhood feel that is different from the tourist districts.
History of Develi Samatya
The Develi story began in 1912, when Arif Develi opened a restaurant in Gaziantep. In 1966 the family opened its first Istanbul branch in Samatya, which at that time was home to many Grand Bazaar tradespeople.
Since then the business has grown to about fifteen branches in Istanbul and other cities, and is now led by the fourth generation, Nuri Develi. The Samatya restaurant is still regarded as the family’s flagship, and one guidebook lists it as the first of a popular chain of Gaziantep grills.
How to Get to Develi Samatya
Develi is on Gümüş Yüksük Sokak, next to Samatya Square, in the Fatih district on the Marmara shore.
- Train: take the Marmaray suburban line to Kocamustafapaşa station and walk to Samatya Square; confirm the route on a map app.
- Taxi: a guide gives about ten minutes by road from Sultanahmet.
- On foot: the seafront promenade leads towards Samatya.
The streets around the square are narrow, so a map app helps to find the entrance.
Food Nearby
Samatya is known for its fish restaurants, and several traditional eateries stand around the square, including a historic Armenian house now used as a restaurant. For dessert, the cafes around the square are a short walk away.
What to Bring
An appetite and a map app; the streets around Samatya Square are narrow.
Family Suitability
The sharing dishes, lahmacun and mild grills suit families, and the restaurant is used to large tables. Check stairs and stroller access with the venue.
Istanbul Vibes Tips
- Order the pistachio kebab and Ali Nazik to taste the two signatures.
- Ask about the seasonal keme (truffle) kebab, which is served only for a short time.
- Share meze and lahmacun before the main course.
- Ask for a terrace table in summer.
- Combine the meal with a walk on the Samatya seafront.
- Note that the Develi family has other branches; this is the original.
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FAQ: Develi Samatya
What is Develi Samatya?
The first Istanbul branch of the Develi family's Gaziantep restaurant, open in Samatya since 1966. The family business dates back to 1912.
What should I order?
The pistachio kebab and Ali Nazik are the best-known dishes. Garlic lahmacun, çiğ köfte and künefe are also popular.
Where is it?
On Gümüş Yüksük Sokak beside Samatya Square, in the Fatih district on the Marmara shore of the old city.
What are the opening hours?
Recent listings show daily opening from late morning until around midnight, but hours vary by source. Check with the venue.
Is it expensive?
It sits at a moderate level (₺₺) for a well-known kebab restaurant. Costs depend on how many meze and mains you order.
Is there a terrace?
Yes, a listing mentions two terraces with a sea view used in summer.
Are there other Develi restaurants?
Yes, the family runs about fifteen branches in Istanbul and other places. This article covers only the Samatya original.
Is Samatya far from Sultanahmet?
About ten minutes by road, or a few stops by suburban train, according to guides.
Istanbul Vibes is a one-person project. A coffee keeps it going
Local Dishes to Try Here
Alinazik Kebab (Alinazik Kebabı)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Çiğ KöfteMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
KebabMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
KoftaMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
KunefeMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
LahmacunMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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About this guide: AI assistance and accuracy
This guide is created with the help of AI and is based on official sources where available. Mistakes can still happen. Opening hours, prices, rules and other details are given to the best of our knowledge as of the date shown and can change without notice. It offers general recommendations only, not professional, legal or travel advice. Please confirm important details with the official source before you travel; you are responsible for your own plans and decisions.
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