Çiya Sofrası

Istanbul, Turkey

Less chef, more culinary anthropologist, Musa Dağdeviren has dedicated years to tracking down forgotten Turkish recipes from every corner of the country, reviving them with care, and presenting them at his no-frills restaurant, Çiya Sofrası. Founded in 1998, this temple of Anatolian culinary heritage sits in the heart of Kadıköy Market on the city's artsy Asian side. The restaurant's warm, unpretentious atmosphere provides the perfect backdrop for Dağdeviren's ingenuity, allowing diners to focus entirely on the flavours, textures and stories of Turkey's regional dishes, from rare stews to unique vegetable preparations – making every meal feel like a journey through Turkey's food history. The menu changes daily according to season and supply, but recurring motifs include the pairing of meats with fruit (lamb with quince being a signature dish) and an intuitive approach to using spices.

Key Information

• Average price per person $10
• Lunch and dinner: Mon – Sun
• 90 216 418 51 15
• Visit Çiya Sofrası's Website

Location

Güneşli Bahçe Sokak 43, Kadiköy, Istanbul, 34710 Kadiköy