Had dinner at Ara Cafe (or is it Kafe?) opposite Galatasaray Lisesi last night. Had been there last summer and remembered having a nice meal, so headed there again and ordered the same thing - Teriyaki Beef Salad. It was the best meal I have had in ages. Beef was tender, sauce tasty, there were beansprouts on top, and in an unusual but delicious addition, there was also fresh parmesan. It was about 13ytl for the salad, and well worth it. Mujdat had Balkan kofte, which i believe was some sort of kofte with eggplant things. It looked great, and he said it was too. Also about the same price. Weather was great, so we sat outside. Place was packed so I expeced a long wait, but the food came out within 10 minutes. Beautifully presented, big servings, on placemats featuring old photos of Istanbul by Ara Guler. Definitely worth a revisit or 10.

My favorite lunch place. Service can be a bit blockheaded, but everything else is super. I like the openface tuna sandwich.

Really nice place but no booze

I agree with Charly.
Can't have everything.
Apparently.