The traditional restaurant Pandeli is a distinctive gastronomic symbol of Istanbul, with a history dating back to the 17th century. It is located at the end of the northern wing of the Egyptian Bazaar, situated on Eminonu Square.
The interior of one of Istanbul's most famous restaurants is decorated with turquoise tiles in the Iznik style. However, it must be admitted that by modern standards such decor does not look very impressive…
Nevertheless, Pandeli Restaurant has three undeniable advantages that attract travelers: a wonderful view of the Golden Horn, a distinctive old-world atmosphere, and quite good food. The latter is perhaps the most important thing for a restaurant, isn't it?
Pandeli's gastronomic palette is refined and diverse. The fish dishes are especially good here: large sea bass baked in parchment or grilled, large tiger prawns, red porgy, sea bream, and many other fish delicacies. Despite the waiters' white uniform jackets, the service here is quite unpretentious and free of restaurant pretension. Lunch at Pandeli costs an average of $20-25 per person.
The mosaic of the restaurant's history is full of colorful characters. Among its famous visitors were the first president of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, political figure Leon Trotsky, detective writer Agatha Christie, and many others. In the 21st century, the restaurant has somewhat lost its former glory, but the quality of service and food has remained the same.
