Some places for you:
Tarihi Sultanahmet Koftecisi “Selim Usta”, since 1920
A historic restaurant in the Historic Peninsula, Sultanahmet (= Blue Mosque)
Divanyolu Caddesi. No:12. Sultanahmet
http://www.sultanahmetkoftesi.com
Recommended for lunch while visiting the Old City. Famous for its springy, aromatic, and juicy kö fte (meatballs). The restaurant serves Inegol style kofte- that’s log format of the meatball, not the patty. Do not forget to order piyaz (white bean salad), the perfect companion to this dish. If you like your food spicy, ask for the red pepper sauce. We strongly prefer ayran (yogurt drink) with this dish to wash it down!
PS: There are many restaurants with the same name on the stretch of the street where this restaurant is located across from Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. So pls pay attention to the restaurant address and the name “Selim Usta”
We went to this place twice, it’s very good. Menu is limited, however.
Canım Ciğerim
A time tested favorite of Istanbulers in Asmalımescit area, Beyoğlu
Minare Sokak. No: 1. Beyoğlu
http://www.asmalicanimcigerim.com (a local restaurant so its website is not in English and informative - you can find several online reviews of this place)
Recommended for lunch or dinner. Known for its skewers of absolutely delectable grilled lamb or liver served with fresh greens, raw onions, roasted vegetables, and tomato salad with pomegranate dressing. That’s actually the only thing on the menu in this restaurant! You wrap a flat bread around the skewer and remove the meat from the skewer first and then you top the meat with all the condiments you have on the table. You can also add a bit of cumin and red pepper to spice it up. A new branch is opened up on Istiklal Street.
This is good, and very informal.
Çiya Sofrasi
An ethnographic museum of Anatolian cooking on the Asian side, Kadiköy
Güneslibahçe Sokak. No 43. Kadiköy
http://www.ciya.com.tr/index_en.php (very informative site in English)
Recommended for lunch or dinner. If you happen to find yourself on the Asian side of the city, this restaurant is well worth a visit. The food is delicious. The menu is full of dishes from different regions of Turkey. We have a hard time to pick what to eat. But note that half portions are served for most dishes! Check out the restaurant website to see the variety. The restaurant is located in Kadikoy, a bustling city hub. The easiest way to get there is to take the ferry from Eminonu or Karakoy, and before you get to finish your tea, you will be on another continent. It cannot get more local than this.
(Didn’t get to this one. I’ve done the ferry ride, tho and it’s a great view.)
Another great place, but a bit out of the way, is Âsitâne. Next to Kariye Cami, which is very worth seeing (even tho it’s a church, it’s called a mosque). More formal, but the food was really good and very interesting, made according to Ottoman recipes (as best they can figure them out–the Ottmans kept them secret). I had a very interesting white wine there, I expect the wine list is good also.
(edited to remove repeats)