By Ansel Mulins
Istanbul’s lokantas, or ‘tradesmen’s restaurants’, are where the locals go for fast, fresh home-style cooking and a lively atmosphere. The Istanbul Eats bloggers select 10 of the best.
Ciya Sofrasi
Thanks to glowing write-ups, this Asian-side eatery is no longer the secret it once was, but the restaurant – possibly the best in Istanbul – has remained true to what made it successful in the first place. Owner-chef Musa Dağdeviren’s commitment to collecting recipes from around Turkey has resulted in a menu that features unusual regional dishes you’re unlikely to find anywhere else, and changes according to what’s in season – such as a springtime meat stew cooked with bracingly tart unripe green plums. Çiya isn’t the fanciest or most cutting-edge place in town, but one rarely leaves it without having had a profoundly memorable taste experience.
• Güneşlibahçe Sokak 43, Kadıköy, +90 216 330 3190, ciya.com.tr, mains TL14 (£5). Open noon-10pm