Ali Baba İskender Kebapçısı

I normally dont write bad reviews but this place is for sure an exception. Theres tons of restaurants and cafes on this street and the surrounding areas and I was stupid enough to choose this place. First of as upon sitting we got a waiter who was syrian, not turkish, and automatically thought that because we were dressed nice that we must be rich and khaleeji (someone from the gulf arab states). The waiter started talking to us in arabic and legit putting every single mezze, about 10 on the table, without even asking which ones we wanted. We then noticed on the menu that obviously each one costs money and we are just two people we dont want to eat all this and obviously there were ones we didn’t like. Then the waiter comes back and keeps talking in arabic even though we are answering in english and telling us that we have to order this thing on the menu which happens to me the most expensive thing, we wanted the mixed grilled platter for two and he just kept saying it was not good for us. Finally my husband called over the manager and they apologized and gave us a different waiter who was turkish this time and a lot nicer, but still I was so disgusted and angry from the whole experience it didn’t even matter. The food was not amazing but was not bad either. It was comparable to some good turkish places I have been to in new york. Skip this place and go somewhere else where im sure the food and service is a lot better.

Decent kebap house in a very congested area of the city. There are plenty of traditional restaurants and cafes/​kiosks in this area. Many of them are mediocre. This restaurant sticks out with its very helpful staff, fast service and obviously great food. I had been there at least four times now and I was satisfied (and stuffed) each time. They serve «Içli Köfte» (kibbeh for you foreigners) and «Çiğ Köfte» (Spicy Turkish tartar) immediately after you are seated, for free. I must admit though it’s prices are above average for this neighborhood. I can’t say it’s a «must visit» for Istanbul but it’s definitely worth a try if you’re in the neighborhood and crave a decent kebab.

Was walking around my hotel in this area of almost all locals and found Ali Bab Iskender Kebap. Although I don’t speak any Turkish, the service was prompt and friendly despite being completely full with locals having their dinner.
This casual kebap restaurant was delicious. We had lentil soup, iskender kebap, mixed kebap grill, and kunefe dessert (cheese wrapped with crispy pastry strands). The place was full on the previous night for dinner which is what made me come tonight where it was also full. This place runs like a well oiled machine.