When we first visited Turkey in the summer of 2002, we started the trip in Sultanahmet, the backpacker ghetto (in the nicest possible sense) of Istanbul. During the day we would walk the city flat, taking in the great beauty of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, the Topkapi Palace and the Yerebatan Cistern, amongst the many highlights. In the evenings, we would look for a rooftop terrace and enjoy dinner and a drink (Capi cherry or peach juice for the fresh taste of the Turkish summer, followed by a shot of raki - similar to its Greek cousin, ouzo), while taking in the magnificent views.
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| The Blue Mosque |
For good Turkish food and a spectacular view of the Blue Mosque, the Doy Doy in Sultanahmet was our favourite. It was everything that holiday eating should be and when we went back 4 years later, we found the food just as good as we remembered. The restaurant has 5 floors, the uppermost of which is a rooftop terrace that looks upon the Mosque. The second visit was during a rather chilly September and Turkish-style seating in one of the lower floors would probably have been cosier, but we chose not to miss out on the views and wrapped up warmly for the terrace. Unfortunately these photos are not ours but they do give a very good idea of the Blue Mosque and of the food.
Turkish flavours include intensively flavourful roast and grilled meats (especially lamb), fresh salads (tomato, cucumber and aubergine), crisp and delicious flatbreads and yoghurt (either as part of a sauce, or in ayran, a refreshing yoghurt-based drink). The adana kebab of the Doy Doy brings together the best of all this.
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| Adana Kebap |
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| Lahmacun |
You should also try the lahmacun (sometimes descibed as the turkish pizza). It's a flatbread /pizza-type base, usually topped with minced lamb and fresh herbs. It's a great light meal on its own, or a very tasty side dish to share. Other choices include kofte (meatballs), grilled lamb chops, mixed grills, lamb stew, lentil soup, as well as some vegetarian options. The Doy Doy does not serve alcohol, so no raki here.
Neighborhood: Küçük Ayasofya
Sifa Hamami Sokak No. 13, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey
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