This place came on top of the Istanbul authentic restaurants! I was very curious because of the thousands 5stars rating! Well… it’s really worth!! I’m a soup lover and their chicken soup was the best I ever had and same with Turkish food. The atmosphere was lovely and quiet… with excellent service Chapeau to Polat for taking care of us!

The food was pretty good and the restaurant was relatively empty on the afternoon we visited, most probably due to the rain. We were seated indoors, and the hospitality from the staff was great. The mixed grill platter was a little disappointing as the chicken was quite dry and the beef was very tough, and there was not enough char on the lamb kofta, as you can see from the photo.

Everything was perfect, from the service to the food :) The waiters (especially Apolo) were extremely attentive and careful and always refilled your glass. The food came pretty quickly and was really delicious, the lamb was well spiced and soft, and the vegetables were even better! They also have a very diverse wine list. Highly recommend this place :)

As previous reviews were informing, I, initially hesitating to enter, can confirm now it is all true. The best rack of lamb I ever had (no herbs or spices that mock the true flavor of just simply good lamb; the flavor of the deglazing confirms this), the best Shiraz from Anatolia (Antik). Despite this restaurant is located on the edge of a touristy area, it is an openly displayed but unassuming gem, despite the name. Simply put, honesty and generosity are the best ingredients for a culinary experience. The pomegranate wine, if you call it sort of sangria, then it is OK.

100% Hidden Garden Tourist Trap!!! My kids spotted a long black crawling bug in the salad. The meatballs had blood in them and the chicken tasted like eating leather/rubber. We were fooled by thousands of 5-star reviews (my son told me about the nature of such reviews and I trust him now). A few spoonful of chicken soup that costs 40 TL in high-end restaurants, these guys would sell it for 220 TL. A barbecue kebab was sold to us for 2,100 TL, but down the street, a much better restaurant was offering its better version for 900 TL. Pottery kebab for more than double the normal price!!! (2,095 TL). We feel we were ripped off by the reviews. Guys! Double-check the prices even if the waiter is throwing napkins at you… they know what they are doing, but we should not get fooled, and be their target. We were three and they brought a bill for 6,471 TL (it is after they deducted 719 TL due to my complaint). I have been embarrassed to my own child noticing the behavior of some Turkish people towards tourists (I know there are good and honest Turkish people too), but I wish they all cared for their reputation worldwide. To the owner: you will collect more money, but remember “you will only collect”, you will never have peace, pleasure or joy in your life. You will spend most of this money for your cancer treatment or for the treatment of your loved ones!!!!

A place with cosy terrace, very attentive and nice staff and delicious food. I really enjoyed the quality of all the ingredients. I don't eat meat and poultry and really appreciated wide variety of vegetarian options and wide range of fish and seafood in the menu. Thank you for this lovely experience!

This place is great! We had a group of vegetarian and non-vegetarian people in our group and the restaurant had good options for both. I really liked the vegetable couscous especially. The restaurant is clean, service is good and food is also great. Our waiter, Polat, made sure the food arrived in a timely manner and if we ran out of bread, we just needed to ask.

Hidden garden is truly a hidden gem in Sultan Ahmad area. Staff are very friendly and well spoken too!! They speak english perfectly which makes the experience much more enjoyable. Now the cuisine, it’s much much more Kebab, it’s the turkish cuisine all the way back to the early days of the Ottoman empire. Read their menu introduction and order whatever you feel Like because it’s all good. 5 stars!!

It was a great experience, amazing food and outstanding service! The food is served in very beautiful plates. Baklava was very delicious with lots of walnuts and honey. Cappuccino was amazing. And I’m very thankful to the staff (unfortunately haven’t asked the name) for being attentive and bringing herbal tea for my boyfriend who didn’t feel good. That was really nice of you. You guys are top!

This is a terrific place to have a late night dinner. Food and service were both excellent and satisfying. Two of us shared humus and a caprese salad followed by their saffron chicken entree (shared). A yogurt based mint dip, olives, and pita were also given as starters. We made a connection with our server and he ended up giving us tea and a bit more wine at the end of our meal! It is like having dinner in your back yard with casual tables, lots of plants and greenery. Everyone we met in the restaurant was genuine and wanted to have an excellent experience, which we did. Highly recommend. Easy to find and in a great neighborhood

Lackluster experience at this restaurant. Service was sub-par, steak was BAD and the pricing is expensive when compared to other local restaurants. Some of the lamb chops were nice..

We can definitely recommend this restaurant due to two facts: first, the beautiful terrace in the back, which is quiet, full of plants and just very cozy. Second, the great variety of vegetarian, authentic food. There is something for every taste! The service was also great and the staff was very friendly. We will return!

We were first suspicious when we saw that this restaurant had nothing but 5 stars, but after experiencing it we totally understand why. It truly is a hidden gem!! The food is delicious and beautifully served (would recommend trying the sultans beef). They give you complementary starters and tea (we loved the Apple & pomegranate). The staff are very friendly & the music adds to the beautiful ambiance in the cozy garden with colorful lanterns. All in all, a wonderful experience!

When we're looking for a place for lunch we came across this restaurant and gave it a go and it was beyond our expectations! It's a shame it was raining so we can't sit outside on the lovely garden but we sat nicely inside and had a lovely meal, the foods are amazing and the turkish coffee and Turkish tea! They gave us complimentary baklava 😍😍 definitely amazing experience and our table assistant with the name Mr. Polat was very kind, attentive and warm! Will come back again and recommend to others ❤️❤️❤️

This place had great reviews online and it lives up to the hype. Polat was our server and he was amazing, super attentive and nice. Everything here from the food to the service was amazing and they even provide complimentary Turkish tea/coffee and baklava with ice cream to cap off the meal. You’ll have to roll us out of here. We want to come again!

We absolutely loved the delicious food and excellent service here! Deniz was attentive, friendly and warm and made our experience here all the better! The food was fresh, nicely spiced and perfectly cooked, from the salads we ordered to the fish and chicken kebabs. The presentation was beautiful and the portions were generous! In addition, the garden area in back where we sat is lovely and inviting with vegetation surrounding us. All in all, this restaurant was excellent and we will return in a heartbeat!

Had such a relaxing time here..the music is beautiful and the place is serene and tastefully set up. All the aubergine dishes on the menu are very nice ..would reccomend the one with the pine nuts. Had the Adana kebab which was very juicy. The highlight and nice touch to the lunch was the complimentary bread and the tea and Baklava at the end. The prices are a bit higher as it being in a bit of touristy area and the pomegranate juice was slightly bitter.But overall a beautiful experience and would definitely recommend! Cuneyt our server was very nice!

The experience here was amazing!!! We got sat immediately and Denis was there to help us. Denis was so kind and helpful with recommending the dishes. We had the Lamb Casserole, the eggplant with tomato and garlic, a lentil soup, and some complimentary olives and cheese, and Turkish coffee. Denis is the one who really gave us an amazing experience! He even gave us some complimentary baklava. We will absolutely be back again when we visit Istanbul again! Also we really enjoyed the staff, especially Denis!

i didn't know about this place, i searched on maps places where to eat and it caught my eye. also it has many reviews and the pictures were looking good. So i decided to go and have dinner. Great experience, delicious food and relaxing ambience. Prices are not cheap, that's for sure but its worth trying it at least once!

Excellent quality! Very good service and friendly staff. I liked the lamb shoulder and mixed grill a lot. They are also very kid friendly. We asked them to divide one adult meal to two kid portions and they kindly did that. They accept major credit cards but like almost all other places prefer cash.

It’s very nice place , which is hidden in the city center. Good service, tasty food - one of the greatest kebab by taste. And good atmosphere with national music. Our handsome waiter Apollo was very kind to us. And he advised what to order from menu and brought a compliment for me. Just imagine you are sitting in magical garden, eating the best food you have ever tried, it’s costs to come here.

I recommend from the Heart!!!♥️ Interior, atmosphere, professional service, delicious food - everything is in harmony with each other. They took for two: hummus, divine Greek salad, lamb kebab (we got very juicy meat🤤), grilled vegetables, bread.

Polat was an amazing host, very polite and super friendly! The food was amazing and followed a nice flow of delivery, leaving the dinner very light. The garden on the back is a show apart, great place to eat! I’d recommend every time, a must see! The aubergine salad was perfect, the Greek salad was so fresh and the sultans favorite was so smooth and the beef was melting too. By the way one of the few places in turkey to have 3 types of beer, and an AMAZING sangria!

Initially I was skeptical of how a place can have 4.9 rating after almost 8000 reviews, but now I can confirm it is perfectly accurate. I visited this place twice in my 5 days stay in Istanbul because once wasn't enough. The atmosphere is beautiful and relaxing. Service was excellent. As a vegetarian it is hard to find good Turkish food, but this place had really good vegetarian options. Polat was very nice and gave me excellent recommendations. I had the Hot Dolma Plate and the Hidden Garden Borek as hot appetizers, and vegetable Karnıyarık for the main course. Everything was delicious especially the Dolma plate. If you are a vegetarian visiting Istanbul, I highly recommend this place.

I found this restaurant through my research before my trip to Istanbul. When we arrived at our hotel they recommended this place and it did not let us down. It has been my favourite evening meal I’ve had on my trip. Friendly staff greeted us, relaxed vibe in the restaurant. Although it was very quiet as we ate at around 10pm so if you want a busier atmosphere then head in earlier. The food was very prompt & piping hot. My chicken was absolutely delicious! The sauce was amazing. Would highly recommend this restaurant if you visiting the area.

This place is incredible. As you'll notice in the name the place is not next to the streets, where the most restaurants are. The staff is very attentive, kind and happy to serve you through the evening. Not only the staff is excellent, but also the quality and taste of the Turkish dishes. We must say it was the best restaurant we've eaten during our stay in Istanbul.

The atmosphere and decor very nice and relaxing, away from the noise of the main street. 5/5 for the interior. The food was really delicious, amazing sauces and appetizers. We got the appetizer platter with pita, highly recommend. Main dish was good. I got the Manti, it was a pasta dish with meat inside. It was very good but probably my least favourite from the table. We also got the Sultan's chicken and the Kebap. We rocommend the freshly grilled meat if you want the best experience. Prices are a little spicy for Turkish standards but very worth it. Also the bathroom is very small.

It is such an amazing experience! The staff is welcoming and the food is a different level. Their hidden backyard garden comes as a surprise as it takes you out of the noise within the crowded streets of Istanbul! The lamb chops are a MUST to try. Would definitely recommend the place.

Just can't express my experience of being here in words. The overall experience was truly amazing. The hospitality, range of food (including food), interior, etc was well managed. This pace is quite central so good to go after visiting popular places. Definitely try Turkish tea at the end.

Great place to eat! We had lunch here and everything was fresh and well-cooked. Highly recommend the sea bass (caught locally) or the ottoman style lamb with plums, figs, apricots, and walnuts. The staff is very hospitable and friendly, and speak several different languages. Celal, our server, was wonderful.

Very nice place! Really cozy! The food was very delicious and fulfilling! We tried kebap and staffed chicken that tasted amazing. The staff is very friendly and caring. We definitely recommend this restaurant!

Very tasty food. Nice sitting area at back garden. Professional stuff. Went twice and both dishes was very good. Little bit expensive but worth money for quality.

For absolutely delicious authentic Turkish cuisine you must check out Hidden Garden. The ambiance on its own is worth the trip. We ordered a variety of foods and it was all great. Ask for Polat to be treated like royalty. You will love everything about your experience here!

A lovely gem of a place! Food was delicious - Sultans Saffron chicken was superb, one of the best sauces I’ve had & the chicken kebab was large and very tasty! Complimentary bread was an added bonus. I would recommend highly for a lovely meal at a decent price. Location in a quiet garden also great.

Excellent experience with very nice food and excellent customer service High quality atmosphere with traditional style Very friendly staff and great quality Highly recommended

Great food place - nice service, can recommend to everyone!

We ordered a lentil soup, eggplant salad and adana kebab. The food were excellent and delicious. The service was very attentive and spoke excellent English. They gave us a lovely complementary starter of flatbread, and delicious baklava desserts. Prices are higher, likely due to its prime location to the blue mosque. The only thing I felt was a bit off-putting was the persistence of the service staff to write a google review. I was asked 4 to 5 times to do so.

This restaurant was recommended when searching online for really good restaurants in Istanbul and it didn’t disappoint. I don’t think I have dined in a restaurant with so many varied choices on the menu (including continental, Italian etc). Celal was very attentive without being intrusive and accommodated all our wishes, such as change of a table, sharing dishes - it was flawless. Food was delicious and I really loved the variety - it was like a mini buffet - authentic Turkish cuisine like we wanted. Atmosphere was great, they have cloth table clothes, cleaning clothes, and even some complimentary dishes were brought to us before and afters. The biggest bonus for me was that there wasn’t even a hint of smoking for the duration of our dinner, which I enquired about before I made the reservation. This was a first, since our visit to Istanbul. Overall really good - we will be coming back and recommend Hidden Garden to all our friends.

Lovely, quiet & relaxing little restaurant. A great escape when you want to get a break from the hustle & bustle of sultanahmet. The food was lovely. But what I loved most about the restaurant was their selection of absolutely delicious fruit wines! I had the strawberry wine, and melon wine the 2 times I visited. The staff are so kind and welcoming, and helped me taste and select the wine I wanted. I’ll definitely be back next time I’m in Istanbul!

A beautiful hidden treasure in Istanbul. The service was incredible and there were a ton of vegetarian options. The food was delicious and the decor was so cute and trendy!

Food and service were amazing. Very attentive staff, we were a party of 6 and everyone was very satisfied. Will definitely recommend..

10/10! All in all an amazing experience. The location is very cosy and gives a welcoming feeling. The food was absolutely delicious while at the same time affordable. Even had starters, tea and dessert on the house. Last but not least, the staff was extremely kind and they took their time to explain about the different meals and culture of turkish food. Favourite place to have a great evening in Istanbul.

We had a great lunch our last day in Istanbul at the Hidden Garden. It’s a serene restaurant with updraft music set with garden views. Polat even gave us complimentary tea to help digest the delicious Iskender and Adana Kabab meal. We will come again.

the authenticity of the cuisine truly transported me to the heart of Turkey. The quality of the food was exceptional, with each dish boasting genuine flavors and meticulous preparation. From the aromatic kebabs to the richly seasoned mezes, every bite was a delightful journey through Turkish culinary traditions. The restaurant's commitment to authenticity extended beyond the menu; the ambiance, decor, and even the attentive service contributed to an immersive cultural experience. It felt like more than just a meal; it was a culinary adventure. However, it's worth noting that the excellence comes at a price. This establishment is on the expensive side, reflecting the high-quality ingredients and the authenticity of the dining experience. While the cost may be a deterrent for some, those willing to invest in an unparalleled Turkish culinary journey will find the expense justified.

A nice, cozy, well managed restaurant with very friendly, helpful and polite people at service. Food was made with quality materials and inspired recipes. We enjoyed every moment of our visit there and we highly recommend it if you want to eat nicely and have a great time chilling and relaxing. Music adds to the ambience of the place,it was excellent!

This place has everything for an ideal restaurant: nice outdoor seating in the back, delicious food, generous portion sizes, and great drink selection. The prices are also very reasonable. Certainly recommended!

Close to the great bazar and the main mosques in Istanbul. Price is rather elevated but justified for the beautiful ambiente The main waiter speaks excellent english Good manner We got a lot of complementary dishes. Excellent

Family of 5, everyone enjoyed their meals! Reserve a table on the patio if you can. Food and service were exceptional. We received lots of extras at no charge including flat bread, feta and olives, tea, and baklava.

Great restaurant with lots of options and good vegetarian choice. Very good price. Staff were friendly, spoke good English and gave good food recommendations. A must visit for anyone coming to Istanbul and wanting to avoid the busy areas.

What an excellent restaurant with an excellent hospitality. Zakir was amazing and served us the best pottery kebab. Overall a very satisfying and authentic Turkish experience! I would even give it 7 stars if there was a way of doing it☺️ The little kitten and mummy cat added to the ambience😸

Amazing food and service, portions are huge, so don't overorder like I did!! The meze plates are as big, or bigger, than mains, and amazingly delicious!

It's truly secret treasure of this Istanbul district. Super nice staff, huge portions, tasty food. We had extremely fresh salads and seafood. More than good. Not to mention nice tea as a small present. P.S. We were too busy with our food, so there no photos 😋

Hidden Garden is absolutely one of the best restaurants in Istanbul. The bread is amazing! The lamb chops were tender and succulent, and the calamari was perfect. The outdoor garden was also perfect with amazing lemon trees and great ambiance. Ali our waiter was also super friendly and very helpful. We’re definitely going back.

Wonderful experience for dinner. Our hotel recommended, and it did not disappoint. Everything was cooked perfectly, and very delicious. The service is great, and our waiter Gelal was attentive, friendly and helped me choose my meal. I also really loved the herbal tea.

This place is lovely! Location is great and the outdoor seating is very comfortable. We enjoyed the food and the portions were big! Get the stuffed chicken, it was yummy! Staff were nice too!!

The restaurant is amazing. The food is delicious. I asked Deniz if he can bring a desert for my birthday sister and he came also with the staff and they sing for her. They were so sweet and kind with us. Apolo was also very nice. They deserve 100 stars for their service and food. Big portions of food, cozy atmosphere, right music on the background, just perfect. I highly recommend kunefe is delicious. They offered coffee and tea from the house. Thank you everyone for your kindness. We will definitely come back next time.

This restaurant is incredible. I have tried many in Istanbul, the best rated. This one is exceptional!! The food is delicious, the setting is magical (especially in the evening), the whole team pampers us. A big thank you to Polat, and also to the whole team, for their welcome and their little touches (free tea etc.) I can't recommend any particular dishes, we tasted different ones each time, and it was a taste ecstasy. Thank you so much! We will come back (again) very soon before leaving Istanbul

Amazing place, staff and food! We had a great moment at the Hidden garden, the backyard is beautiful. The food is amazing and they have several vegetarian options (hummus, eggplant, Turkish bread…) and the staff is really kind! We highly recommend this place if you’re staying in Istanbul!

I had dinner and it was a fantastic experience. The outdoor dining area was beautiful and the atmosphere was great. Our server “Polat” was attentive, knowledgeable, speaks English,and had a great sense of humor. The food was delicious. The restaurant's hospitality was exceptional as they generously surprised us and gave us baklava and ice cream for free.

Gorgeous outside seating with a little garden setting. Portions of food and flavours were on point. Had the sharing appetizers and chicken casserole. Great hospitality from our waiter Polat. Received complimentary starters and tea. Even had a friendly neighbourhood cat come say hello. Would highly recommend if you're in the area and looking for a good dinner spot.

Wife told me her lamb chops were amazing! My lamb kebab as well as the sides tasted fantastic. Appetizers tasted as expected from comparable Turkish restaurants in the states. Nice atmosphere, they offered us complimentary coffee and tea but we declined because we were stuffed. Definitely will come again.

The food was amazing, great tastes! Great atmosphere, and excellent service. We loved the quit hidden garden in this lively busy metropolitan city. We chose the Ottoman dishes which were really good. And we fell in live with the house cats 😊

Our hotel recommended this lovely place for dinner in order to have authentic Turkish flavors. They were right! The hidden garden has “hidden food gems”! It’s place with a lovely garden and kind people! Celal was very polite and make our dinner an experience! Amazing food in good prices! Thank you so much!!!

I LOVED eating here! I’ve been traveling Turkey solo - came in because of the reviews and am so happy I did. I got the eggplant kebab, it was extremely tender and the vegetables were grilled just right. They also gave me complimentary baklava and pomegranate tea. The baklava was the best I’ve ever had! So good, I didn’t have time to picture before I gulped it down. Definitely come if you’re in the area.