Comments on: Çiya: Loquat Kebabs and Mesopotamian Truffles at Istanbul’s Culinary Shrine

By: Marcus

Marcus — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 06:19:00 +0000

I was at Ciya last night for the first time in a long time. Just as good as I remember it being. The highlight of my meal was a “visne kebab” which looked like something you might get at IKEA- meatballs swimming in a fruit sauce. But this one was really special- rich and smokey, sour, not sugary or too sweet. I dont know how long they will be serving this one, but you can check the menu on Ciya’s website:
http://www.ciya.com.tr/index_en.php?menu

By: admin

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:10:53 +0000

Martin, we don’t think it’s possible to bring your own wine there. It’s probably more a question of licensing than religious reasons, as well as it being a restaurant that serves a kind of cuisine that doesn’t traditionally include the drinking of wine.

By: Martin Juvelier

Martin Juvelier — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:18:09 +0000

Is it possible to bring your own wine sinc e the restaurant does not serve alcohol or is it necessary to run to the near by restauants for such drinks which does not seem like much fun. Why does this venu not serve alcohol? If for relegious reasnons, I will understand, but given the recent hype about Turkish wines and their furture, it seems like a good idea to do.Martin

By: William

William — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:57:39 +0000

My wife and I discovered Ciya last year on our third visit to Istanbul and can endorse everything that’s been said here.

We were so impressed that this year we are going to Gaziantep for our holiday to see (and eat) what is meant to be the source of many of Ciya’s inspirations. On the way back we hope to stop off in Kadikoy. No prizes for guessing where we will be eating! Don’t forget the shop across the road – just the same quality with their own bread oven.

By: Shaan Khan

Shaan Khan — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:24:26 +0000

It saddens me that most of my friends in America just think of Kabobs when they think of Turkish food. I have been to Turkey / Istanbul a few times.I am amazed at the width and depth of Turkish cuisine. Unfortunately never been to Ciya. I have heard about this restaurant from so many people that I am now “desperate” to eat there. Hopefully will do that next time I visit Istanbul. But it seems like Ciya is the kind of place where you go with a group so that you can order a whole bunch of things, and sample a little of everything. Maybe I will skip breakfast so that I can eat a few things.

By: Ken

Ken — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:59:46 +0000

Absolutely one of the highlights of our visit to Istanbul! The dessert of candied fruits an vegetables (green walnuts, orange peel, pumpkin, tomato, olives…) was a revelation, making one think about ingredients in an entirely different way. Truly one the best restuarants in the world.

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 11 May 2009 21:19:34 +0000

Çiya is wonderful, and I have guests coming from abroad tomorrow, which means an excuse to go there. As if I need one BTW “Yeni Dünya” is one name for Loquat.

By: Katie Parla

Katie Parla — Thu, 07 May 2009 17:48:40 +0000

I love Ciya and the fact that they have a kebab called yeni dunya (new world-if im not mistaken!). I could eat there literally every day!

By: Lamar

Lamar — Thu, 07 May 2009 05:30:14 +0000

A couple of weeks ago I had a quince and lamb chili. i’m usually not too hot on the idea of sweet fruits in my meat dishes but this one was a revelation for me. a changed man, i ordered a second helping.