Çiya Sofrası
Price guide: Budget
Güneşlibahçe Sokak No. 43, Kadıköy, Istanbul
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#6 of 40
expert-rated restaurants in Istanbul- Recommended for:
- Families with younger children, Foodies, Seasoned travellers, People watching
Best for Value for money - Expert review of Çiya Sofrası
Casual eatery serving some of the best and most unusual food in the city.
One of my top go-to places when guests are in town, Çiya serves delicious dishes you likely won’t find anywhere else, thanks to owner Musa Dağdeviren’s passion for collecting recipes from all across Turkey and other parts of the former Ottoman empire.
Food and drink:
Traditional Turkish at its best, with a wide variety of tasty kebabs, soups, stews, and hot and cold starters, as well as luscious desserts. Çiya Sofrası doesn't serve alcohol.
Recommended dishes:
To taste the best variety of dishes, go with a group and load up on everything that looks good at the counter just inside the entrance. I love the stuffed eggplants, mini-lamacun, hummus, and various salads of savoury herbs and greens, and always hope the ever-changing menu will feature my favourite stew – a mix of chestnuts, quince, meat, chickpeas, and onions that's apparently called galye, although nothing is labelled. Don’t ask what the “walnut dessert” is – just get it.
Ambience:
The bright, bustling interior is a bit institutional, but who cares when the food is this good? Çiya draws a mixed clientele of locals, tourists, and families.
Service:
Service is friendly and efficient; some waiters speak a bit of English.
Location:
In the middle of Kadıköy’s main market area, close to the ferry port.
Price advice:
Mezes and salads are priced by weight; a good-sized mixed plate will cost you about 12 lira and a portion of stew around 8 lira. Kebabs range from 10 to 15 lira.
Other useful branches:
Çıya has its own little empire, with two other, similar locations on the same block.
More information on Çiya Sofrası:
- Price guide:
- Type:
- Restaurant
- Food:
- Turkish
- Address:
- Güneşlibahçe Sokak No. 43, Kadıköy, Istanbul
- Telephone:
- 0216 330 31 90
- Website:
- http://www.ciya.com.tr
- Serves:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Opening times:
- Open every day, 11am-10pm.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Reservations:
- Not necessary
