Pandeli: Stories Behind the Legacy
Bridging centuries and cultures, Pandeli Restaurant stands as a cornerstone of Istanbul’s culinary heritage, where a devoted team carries on traditions as if among family, and regulars return to a place that feels like a second home.
by Merve Eker
What defines a restaurant as a piece of cultural heritage? It’s not merely the age of its walls or the renown of its dishes. It’s the spirit that infuses every encounter: the warmth of service, a feeling of belonging, and the ineffable pull of flavors that lure you back, as though tethered by an invisible thread of memory. Opened in 1901 by Pandeli Çobanoğlu and sustained by its devoted patrons, Pandeli Restaurant has become a cornerstone of Istanbul’s gastronomic and cultural narrative.
Nestled within the historic Spice Bazaar, Pandeli Restaurant has been an iconic part of Istanbul’s culinary and cultural heritage since 1901. Its blue-tiled walls, adorned with sepia-toned photographs of luminaries like Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Audrey Hepburn, have welcomed generations of visitors. Every detail, from the storied staircase to the timeless dishes, tells a tale of resilience and tradition. The people behind Pandeli are the true custodians of its history, dedicating their lives to preserving its legacy.
Özay Çınar, Restaurant Manager:
“Pandeli’s true owners are its guests. Every patron has a history here, and they care for the restaurant as if it were their own. I have a 9-year-old daughter, and one day, she’ll come here with her friends and say, ‘My father worked here for 40 years.’ Just imagining that fills me with indescribable joy.”
Özay started working at Pandeli as a teenager, and his life has been intertwined with the restaurant ever since. When it closed temporarily, he never lost hope, saying, “I always believed it would reopen.”
Abdullah Sevim, Head Chef:
“The classics like oven-baked seabass and eggplant pie are prepared with the same age-old techniques. We haven’t removed any dishes; we’ve only added new ones to enrich our heritage.”
Abdullah has spent nearly 25 years mastering Pandeli’s cuisine. Even during the restaurant’s closure, he practiced recipes at home to ensure the traditions were preserved.
Mustafa Gündoğdu, Head Waiter:
“We take care of it as if it’s our own place. I’ve never been bored because this is our bread and butter. It’s not a job, it’s a family.”
With over 30 years at Pandeli, Mustafa has seen generations of patrons and staff grow together, ensuring every new team member learns patience and the restaurant’s traditions.
From its humble beginnings to becoming Türkiye’s first tourism-certified restaurant, Pandeli continues to bridge past and present. Its storied walls have witnessed history, hosted royalty, and served countless families. At Pandeli, every meal is a celebration of Istanbul’s culinary soul.
