Our first night in Istanbul... we had crap. So today, I was hoping for a better experience so I could again be excited about our visit to Turkey.
We stumbled upon this spot on our way down from the Galata Tower (that we didn't climb). THIS PLACE WAS AWESOME. When we sat, we weren't sure because the menu had pizza, pasta, and stuff like that. However, our server told us to get up and go pick things out from the kitchen area. Man, they had everything. And it all looked great.... like homemade food.
My friend and I chose a few different things, thinking they would put it all onto one nice little plate per person. Nope. Instead they brought out plates of each item. Needless to say, we had a boatload of food... and it was fantastic. I was smiling all the way through lunch.
I'm now in a better place about being in Turkey and I hope that the rest of our meals are this good. Great job, guys! Your food was delciious..... and inexpensive. We paid $25 (USD) for all the food we had.
PS... your rice was great. your okra was great. your fried meat/rice patties were great. your chick peas were great. your stuffed eggplant was great.... everything!
Just to be safe, I may just go back to your place tomorrow, too.

Enjoy!!

This traditional turkish restaurant has everything you can ask for: excellent food, nice ambience and amazing view to the Galata tower. But on top of all, it has the best fasil orchestra we happened to hear in Istanbul. It was a cold winter night, so we sat at the cosy interior of the first floor, where lit candelabra warmed up the atmoshere. But I guess in summertime the tables are laid outside, literally under the shadow of Galata tower. And, yes, "Guney" is a little bit touristy, but it really feels like "Istanbul".

View can't be beat...the food was great, presented well, and reasonably priced considering the coveted location. Definitely recommend spending money here opposed to climbing the tower.

not the best option for the healthy conscious... but overall ok. they have a terrace if its a nice day, just head to the stairs at the left when coming in.

first dinner in Istanbul - and in front of Galata Tower
good turkish food and great falafel (even if not Turkysh!!!!)
Good food, position and service