Ala Santral - Tahtakale - İstanbul
Concept Consulting
Modern Gastronomy in the Heart of Tahtakale, on the Eminönü Peninsula:
Ala Santral with Seven Flavors from Seven Regions
Located on the historic peninsula of Eminönü, Ala Santral Restaurant offers guests a unique gastronomic experience by combining the richness of traditional Turkish cuisine with modern presentations. Situated in the heart of Tahtakale—right next to the historic telephone exchange building—our restaurant opened its doors following a meticulous eight-month construction process, spanning a spacious 3,000-square-meter area.
Ala Santral Restaurant—where I served as a culinary consultant and coordinator—has solidified its success on both local and international fronts, driven by the innovative gastronomic vision of young investor Ali Bayat. Having lived in Eminönü since childhood, Bayat decided to open the restaurant after recognizing a gap in the area's culinary landscape. By incorporating specialties such as Kayseri’s renowned *mantı* (dumplings) and *pastırma* (cured beef) into the project, he made a significant contribution to the region's gastronomic culture and played a pivotal role in the restaurant's success. The project came to fruition under the leadership of Ali Bayat and his son, Ali İhsan Bayat, with engineering contributions from Emre Şirin and design work by architect Melek Yılmaz.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our restaurant manager, Doğu Seytin, and our team, Ala Santral Restaurant offers a rich menu that provides an unforgettable culinary experience for both local and international guests. Inspired by the diverse regions of Turkey, our menu blends traditional Turkish flavors with modern touches. A wide array of delicacies—ranging from mezes and various kebabs and döner to *pide*, *lahmacun*, desserts, and coffee—awaits you, all presented with meticulous care. Signature dishes such as *incik beğendi* (lamb shank served over smoked eggplant purée), prepared using baklava dough bearing a geographical indication, are among the highlights of our menu.
We are delighted to present the rich heritage of Turkish cuisine to you, our valued guests, by combining it with our modern gastronomic approach. We invite you to Ala Santral Restaurant to experience these unique flavors that span from the past to the present, and we look forward to seeing you at our lively tables.
See you at tables filled with company.
Kind regards,
👨🏻🍳 Chef Arif Aktürk
