Madam Despina is a meyhane restaurant in Kurtuluş, Istanbul.
Editorially verified May 31, 2026 by Elliot Marsh, TableJourney editor. Source.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Savor authentic Turkish dishes in vibrant Kadıköy. From lahmacun to menemen, coffee, and wine, discover the flavors, history, and traditions that make Istanbul a true ...
Guided tour · 6 hours
Explore Istanbul's Old City, enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch, and cruise along the Bosphorus Strait on this guided tour.
Water activity · 5 hours
Escape the hustle and bustle of Istanbul with a half-day lunch cruise. Set sail on the Bosphorus Strait and the Black Sea, soak in views of the city landmarks, and sav...
Address: Kurtuluş Mah., Akarca Sokak No:9, 34375 Şişli, İstanbul, Istanbul
Boncuk on Nevizade Sokak in Beyoğlu's Balık Pazarı, the Armenian-leaning meyhane built around topik with chickpeas and tahini, kısır bulgur cakes.
SignatureTopik, Kısır, Snapper kebabı
Akın Balık in Karaköy's fish-market arcade, a waterside lokanta where the waiter walks guests to the ice display to pick the catch and pulls four meze.
SignatureGrilled bonito, Cold meze tray, Sea bass
Lokanta 1741 beside the 300-year-old Cağaloğlu Hammam, a Michelin-listed modern Turkish dining room with a terrace overlooking the hammam domes and seasonal.
SignatureSlow-cooked lamb, Aegean mezze, Saffron rice pudding
Asmalı Cavit on Asmalı Mescit Caddesi, a 1990s-opened Beyoğlu meyhane where proprietor Cavit Bey works the room nightly over a mezze list led by smoked.
SignatureSmoked eggplant mezze, Albanian liver, Köfte in tomato sauce
Çiya Kebap, the original 1987 sister to Çiya Sofrası on the opposite side of Güneşlibahçe in Kadıköy market, fires kebabs, lahmacun and pide from a single.
SignaturePistachio kebap, Lahmacun, Pide
Chef Musa Dağdeviren's culinary-anthropology lokanta in Kadıköy market, plating regional Turkish dishes drawn from his fieldwork since 1998.
SignatureKebap of the day, Forgotten Anatolian stews, Vegetarian dolma
