Giritli Restaurant: Cretan Mezes and Fresh Seafood in a Hidden Garden

Giritli Restaurant occupies a restored Ottoman mansion in the winding back streets of Cankurtaran, the old town south of Hagia Sophia. Founded by Ayşe Şensılay, a chef from a Cretan family, the restaurant celebrates the cuisine of her ancestors through a menu of traditional Aegean mezes and simply grilled seafood.

Two dining spaces work together: in summer, the atmospheric terrace opens as the main venue; in cooler months, guests move across the street to the intimate wood-panelled rooms of the mansion itself. Both share the same kitchen and philosophy—generous portions of fresh ingredients, local wine, and the unhurried pace of a traditional Greek taverna transplanted to Istanbul.

Quick Facts

Address	Yenigüvey Sokak No:9, Cankurtaran, Fatih, Istanbul 34122, Turkey Google MapsApple MapsYandex Maps
District	Fatih
Best time to visit	Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are ideal—warm enough to enjoy the garden, but not intense heat. Summer is magical in the evening, when the courtyard garden is fully open and live music usually plays, though midday sun in July and August is fierce. Winter is less popular with tourists but locals appreciate the cozy interior. Avoid Fridays and Saturday evenings unless you book well in advance; Tuesday to Thursday dinners are usually easier to secure. Lunch is quieter than dinner.
Recommended duration	2 hours
Cuisine	Cretan and Mediterranean
Reservations	Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for dinner and groups. Call +90 212 458 22 70 to book ahead. Walk-ins may be accommodated if tables are available, but during peak hours (evenings and weekends) you are likely to be turned away without a reservation.
Website	giritlirestoran.com
Operating status confirmed	October 2026

Reservations and Ordering at Giritli Restaurant

Reservations: Call +90 212 458 22 70 or email info@giritlirestoran.com to book. Reservations are essential, especially for dinner and groups of more than two. Walk-ins are rarely accommodated during evening hours.

Same-day booking: If you call in the late morning, a table may be available for lunch or early dinner the same day, but do not count on it. Peak times (Friday to Sunday evenings) are often fully booked days in advance.

Set menu format: You order one of two set menus—a standard meze menu or a larger feast menu. Both include a choice of raki, wine or beer. À la carte ordering is not offered. Vegetarian and allergy adjustments can be discussed when you book.

Payment and location: Credit cards are accepted. The restaurant occupies a side street in Cankurtaran near the sea walls, about a 10-minute walk from the Blue Mosque. Taxis and hotel concierge staff may not know the exact address; show the driver or staff the restaurant name in Turkish (Giritli Restoran) or the address on your phone. The entrance is marked by a small sign; look for a narrow doorway between shops.

Check the official website at giritlirestoran.com for current hours and to confirm booking procedures.

Why Visit Giritli Restaurant?

Cretan mezes: The set menu brings 12 or more small plates to your table—grilled octopus in olive oil, goat cheese spread with walnuts and olives, seafood and orzo salad, sardines in grape leaves, and seasonal wild greens. Each dish is finished with a main course of grilled fish and dessert.

Included drinks: Local wine, raki and beer come with the fixed-price menu, matching the pace of a proper Cretan feast.

Courtyard garden: In summer, dining under grapevines with live music and friendly cats creates an oasis away from the tourist bustle of nearby Sultanahmet.

Highlights of Giritli Restaurant

Girit Mezesi

This cheese spread is packed with green olives, goat cheese, garlic, walnuts, dried herbs and olive oil. It appears on every set menu and shows how Cretan cooking transforms simple ingredients into something bold and layered. The warm bread that arrives with it is made for exactly this dish.

Tip: Arrive hungry—this is the first of many small plates, not a single course.

Grilled Octopus in Olive Oil

The ızgara ahtapot is first dried out in the sun and marinated with wine before being grilled. The process creates tender meat with depth and a gentle bitterness that plays against the olive oil. It arrives as just two or three pieces, eaten whole in a few bites.

Tip: This is the signature dish and a highlight of the menu; you cannot order it separately from the set.

Seafood and Orzo Salad

A warm salad of orzo pasta, fresh seafood (usually small shrimp or fish), herbs and bright vinaigrette. It sits between the cold mezes and the main course, and its lightness breaks up the richness of the plates before it. The seafood is the day's catch, simple and properly cooked.

Tip: Ask the server what fish came in that morning if you want to know what your main course will be.

Sardines Wrapped in Grape Leaves

Small whole sardines packed in preserved grape leaves, then either grilled or served cold depending on the night's menu. The leaves impart a subtle tang that echoes Middle Eastern cooking, but the fish stays clean and briny. A detail that shows care in the kitchen.

Tip: These are delicate—eat them whole or ask for help if you are unsure how.

Seasonal Wild Greens

Istanbul's markets bring wild herbs and greens throughout the year, and Giritli changes its vegetable plates with them. These arrive simply dressed—olive oil, lemon, salt—and taste of the season. In spring they might be tender shoots; in autumn, heartier leaves.

Tip: If you have dietary preferences, mention them when you book; the kitchen can adjust the set menu within reason.

Fresh Fish Main Course

After the mezes, a single simply grilled fillet arrives, usually sea bass, bream or red mullet depending on the day's catch. It is finished with lemon, herbs and good olive oil. The kitchen does not overseasoned or overcook; the fish speaks for itself.

Tip: The restaurant serves wine, raki and beer with the set menu. Raki cut with water (rakı-water) is the traditional pairing with seafood here.

What to Order

• Girit Mezesi (goat cheese spread with olives, walnuts and herbs)
• Izgara Ahtapot (grilled octopus in olive oil)
• Seafood and Orzo Salad
• Sardines in Grape Leaves
• Freshly Grilled Fish (sea bass or bream)
• Set Menu with Raki or House Wine

Atmosphere

Giritli Restaurant is a charming 19th-century establishment with a wood-clad interior and outside terrace. The summer garden is the heart of the experience—stepping into this charming spot feels like entering a serene oasis, complete with twinkling lights and friendly cats roaming around. In winter, you move indoors to small rooms of the original mansion, where the mood stays intimate and unhurried.

The atmosphere is enhanced by live music and warm Turkish hospitality. Guests are mostly serious eaters—locals celebrate dinners here, tourists sit at adjacent tables consulting phones between courses. The kitchen is visible in summer, and you hear the sound of grilling. Wine glasses clink. By 10 PM on a weekend, every table is full and the noise rises to a happy din.

History of Giritli Restaurant

The building itself dates to the 19th century, one of the many Ottoman-era houses that still stand in the narrow lanes of Cankurtaran. It was restored and opened as a restaurant in 2000 by Ayşe Şensılay, a chef from a Cretan family. Her grandparents came from Crete—then part of the Ottoman Empire—and their recipes and stories shaped her cooking.

Giritli’s identity rests on this Cretan heritage at a moment when Turkish restaurants across Istanbul were consolidating into a single canon of dishes. By returning to Aegean mezze traditions, the restaurant carved out a distinct voice. The set-menu format, with drinks included, echoed the pace of Greek tavernas and made dining here feel less like consumption and more like an event.

Over two decades, the restaurant became known among food writers, locals and returning guests. It appeared in guides and was recognized by Michelin. But the core formula—Cretan recipes, fresh daily ingredients, the garden in summer—has remained unchanged. The kitchen still turns out dozens of mezes each night, and the terrace still fills with the sound of conversation and raki.

How to Get to Giritli Restaurant

From Sultanahmet (Blue Mosque area): Head south down Divan Yolu (the main street), then turn into any side street heading toward the water. Giritli is tucked in the lower lanes near the Sea of Marmara waterfront. A 10–12 minute walk from the Blue Mosque, downhill and slightly confusing; ask a shopkeeper to point you toward Keresteci Hakkı Sokak or show them the address on your phone.

By taxi or ride-share: Give the driver the full address (Yenigüvey Sokak No:9, Cankurtaran, Fatih) or the restaurant name in Turkish. The nearest main street is Akbıyık Caddesi. The restaurant has no dedicated parking; ask the staff about nearby options when you book.

By metro and foot: Sultanahmet station (T1, blue line) is the closest major landmark about 1.5 km (1 mile) away. From there, it is easier to take a taxi or walk downhill through the old town streets—ask for directions to Ahırkapı (a local landmark) once you are in the area.

Accessibility

The restaurant occupies a restored 19th-century mansion and garden with uneven stone floors, narrow doorways and steps. Wheelchair access is not possible; the outdoor terrace involves a descent to a lower level. There are no lifts or adapted facilities. Seating is on low stools or chairs without arms, which may be difficult for those with mobility issues. Contact the restaurant in advance to discuss your needs.

Food Nearby

Cankurtaran and the nearby Sultanahmet district are saturated with tourist restaurants. The alleyways around Giritli have small kebab stands, bakeries and tea gardens serving local food at budget prices. For formal dining, several other meyhanes and seafood restaurants operate within a 5-minute walk. The Spice Bazaar is a 20-minute walk north, where you can buy spices, dried fruit and snacks.

What to Bring

In summer, bring light clothing and sunscreen—the stone courtyard reflects heat. In winter, a cardigan or light jacket* is useful for evening. Wear shoes you can walk in; the path from Sultanahmet is steep and the narrow lanes are uneven. The restaurant does not have a bag check, so avoid very large bags.

Photography Rules

Interior and garden photography for personal use is permitted. Flash is discouraged during dinner hours to avoid disrupting other guests. No commercial photography or tripods without permission. Ask staff before photographing other diners.

Family Suitability

Giritli works well for families with older children (10+) who can manage a leisurely meal and appreciate seafood. The set-menu format removes the stress of choosing, and portions are generous enough that shy eaters can find something. The garden is safe and engaging, especially if cats are present. Young children may find the meal too long, and high chairs or stroller access are not available. Picky eaters may struggle with the fixed menu, though the kitchen can discuss adjustments if you call ahead.

Istanbul Vibes Tips

• Arrive at your reservation time hungry. The mezes alone can feel like a full meal, but the sequence is designed to pace the evening. Pace yourself through the cold dishes before the hot ones arrive, and leave room for the main course and dessert.
• In summer, request a table in the outdoor garden when you book, or call ahead to ask which area will be serving that night. The garden is the restaurant's signature; the indoor rooms are pleasant but lack the magic.
• Ask the server or chef what fish arrived that morning. The main course changes daily based on the catch. Knowing what you will eat helps you choose your wine pairing.
• Raki is the traditional drink here, usually served cut with water. If you do not drink alcohol, ask for the wine or beer option, both included in the menu. Soft drinks are available but not included in the set price.
• The restaurant is difficult to find. Even with the address, many visitors walk past it. Once you find Keresteci Hakkı Sokak, look for a small sign above a narrow entrance between shops. If you are lost, call the restaurant—they may send someone to guide you.
• Book at least 3–5 days ahead for dinner. For same-day seating, call by mid-morning and ask about lunch slots, which are less crowded and quieter for conversation.

Make an Outing of Your Visit to Giritli Restaurant

Giritli Restaurant is within walking distance of places that pair well with a meal. A simple way to build the outing:

Before or after your meal

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  Great Palace Mosaics Museum – about 200 m away (~3 min walk) · typical visit: 45 minutes to 1 hour1 min on foot from Gülhane metro, Open daily 09:00–19:30
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  Arasta Bazaar – about 300 m away (~5 min walk) · typical visit: 1–2 hours1 min on foot from Gülhane metro, Open daily 09:00–19:00
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  Gülhane Park – about 300 m away (~5 min walk) · typical visit: 1–2 hours7 min on foot from Gülhane metro, Open daily 06:00–22:30

Time needed: plan about 4–6.5 hours for the whole outing, including the meal (roughly 1–1.5 hours), the places above and the walking between them.

Explore Nearby Giritli Restaurant

Metro stations near Giritli Restaurant

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  Gülhane – about 200 m away (~3 min walk)Open daily 06:00–00:00
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  Çemberlitaşabout 1000 m away (~16 min walk)

Related guides

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  Blue Mosque: Visiting Tips, History and What to See3 min on foot from Gülhane metro
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  Hagia Sophia: Visitor Gallery, History and What to See8 min on foot from Gülhane metro, Open daily 09:00–19:30
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  Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
  Basilica Cistern: Tickets, Hours and What to See Underground4 min on foot from Gülhane metro, Open daily 09:00–18:30
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  Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
  Egyptian Bazaar: The Spice Market, Hours and What to Buy13 min on foot from Haliç metro, Open daily 08:00–19:30
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  Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
  Topkapi Palace: Ottoman Empire’s Power, Treasures and Harem15 min on foot from Gülhane metro, Open 09:00–18:30, closed Tue

Browse more: More in Fatih · All Restaurants · All Turkish Cuisine

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FAQ: Giritli Restaurant

Can I order dishes individually, or is it only the set menu?

Giritli serves a fixed-price set menu only. You choose between a standard meze menu or a larger feast option, and both include drinks (raki, wine or beer). Vegetarian and allergy adjustments are possible if discussed when you book. À la carte ordering is not available.

Is the restaurant easy to find?

No. Giritli is tucked in a side street in Cankurtaran, a historic area of narrow lanes. Even with a map, it is easy to walk past. Once you find Keresteci Hakkı Sokak or Yenigüvey Sokak, look for a small sign above a narrow doorway. Taxis may be unsure of the exact location; show the driver the address or the restaurant name in Turkish on your phone.

How long does a typical meal take?

Plan 2–3 hours. The mezes come in waves, then the main course, then dessert and coffee. The pace is leisurely—this is not fast food. Lunch may be slightly quicker than dinner, but the rhythm is the same.

Is the garden always open for dining in summer?

The outdoor garden operates from late spring through early autumn, typically May to October, depending on weather. Request a table in the garden when you book or call ahead to confirm it will be open that night. In cooler months, you dine indoors in the mansion rooms across the street.

Can I bring children?

Yes, but Giritli works best for older children (10+) who can enjoy a long meal and eat seafood. The set menu is fixed, so picky eaters may struggle. Call ahead to discuss adjustments. High chairs and stroller space are not available, and the uneven stone floors make navigation difficult with a buggy.

How far in advance should I book?

Reservations are required due to the restaurant's popularity. For dinner, book at least 3–5 days ahead, especially for weekends. Lunch is usually easier to arrange. Call +90 212 458 22 70 to reserve.

What do I wear?

Casual or smart-casual dress is fine. Many guests come straight from sightseeing. The outdoor garden in summer is informal; the indoor rooms in winter feel slightly more intimate. No dress code is enforced.

What if I don't eat fish?

The set menu features seafood prominently, but the kitchen can offer meat alternatives if you discuss this when booking. Many mezes are vegetable- or cheese-based. Call ahead to confirm what options are available for your dietary preference.

Other restaurants nearby

• Giritli (50 m) Google Maps
• Kalyon (50 m) Google Maps
• Armada Terrace (100 m) Google Maps
• Balıkçı Sabahattin (100 m) Google Maps
• Cankurtaran Öğretmenevi (150 m) Google Maps

All restaurants in Istanbul – Fatih

Distances are straight-line, from OpenStreetMap data.

Local Dishes to Try Here

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  Rakı

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