Offers vegan food with dishes like iskender and balls, Beytikebab, seitan döner wrap, mantı, ravioli style dumplings with sweet potatoes, lahmacun, Bosnian cevapi kofte, seitan stuffed grape leaves pockets with lemon sauce, burger, ravioli, lasagna and baklava, seasonal menu with Turkish rice, stuffed peppers and eggplant, olive oil cold plates, and cookies. Sunday is brunch and wild mushroom day as well as a Turkish tasting menu. Sat by reservation only. Special vegan tasting menü every Sunday. Vegan Turkish food cooking class on Tuesdays by reservation. WhatsApp 00905385032736. Relocated from Tomtom mh kumbaracı Yokuşu No 18. Walk ins accepted on Saturdays. Open Mon-Fri 1:00pm-10:30pm, Sat 12:00pm-10:30pm, Sun 12:00pm-9:00pm.
243 Reviews
First Review by Sacha
lamaryvegana
Points +68
Amazing homemade food - Edit
The service is outstanding and the food is delightful! The portions are huge and everything is super tasty!
Read morePros: Good, Service, Cleanness
Guest
Hafenidyll
Points +32
Sehr nette Gastgeberin - Edit
Wir hatten eine gute Zeit und wurden sehr freundlich und familiär bewirtet. Sehr zu empfehlen. Alle Speisen vegan und selbstgemacht.
Read moreGuest
milancolic
Points +43
Overpriced - Edit
The kebab is good and tasty, but prices are way too high. For 2 kebab and one hibiscus tea to pay 45 EUR is unacceptable. Kebab is around 20 eur, and tea is 4,5 EUR.
Read morePros: Taste, Kindness, Location
Cons: Price
Guest
SergAMox
Points +572
Fantastic - Edit
I got the vegan iksander kebab and was given a massive plate of seitan with bread hummus and salad. Delicious!!!
Read moreGuest
StéphanieNantes
Points +379
Très très bon kebab - Edit
Un kebab très copieux & savoureux.
Read moreLe babaganouch était aussi très bon.
Très bon accueil.
Guest
vgn_ted
Points +226
Nice restaurant, good kebab - Edit
A small and cool place, located downstairs. Kebab was fantastic
Read moreGuest
Ketty_C.
Points +80
Buonissimo! - Edit
Ottimi piatti, molto gustosi. Le porzioni sono molto abbondanti.
Read moreIl loro seitan è davvero una bomba! Buonissimo
Updated from previous review on 2025-03-10
Pros: Accoglienza , Simpatia del personale , Scelta dei piatti
Cons: Il ristorante non è molto visibile dalla strada
Guest
PaoloMazzagardi
Points +78
Molto simpatici ma cari - Edit
Posto carino, simpatica la proprietaria, prezzi alti.
Read morePros: Simpatica la proprietaria , Tutto buono
Cons: la pasta come contorno..., Begli intingoli, ma niente pane, Prezzi
Guest
rpoulova
Points +1688
Incredibly nice owners, incredibly high prices - Edit
This place was actually one of the reasons I wanted to visit Istanbul so badly! I read so much about it.
Read moreThe menu looks really good, and everything is beautifully styled and served, too. I had to go for their famous iskender kebab. It was probably the biggest portion of food I've ever got in any restaurant! I found the seitan a bit tasteless, though. I honestly expected more. I also had a cashew ayran, it was good but too thick and heavy. I would suggest to thin it slightly to make it more refreshing. I struggled to finish the glass.
It is probably the most expensive vegan place in Istanbul, as the iskender was 16 euros and for a dinner for two, including a tip, we paid 45 euros. No wonder the place was empty and seemed to only be visited by tourists. It is a shame.
The owner couple are super nice and will happily chat with you about cooking and their rescued animals!
Updated from previous review on 2025-03-06
Pros: Huge portions, Typical Turkish dishes, Lovely owners
Cons: Super expensive
Guest
LEAPARD
Points +18
Cute vegan place - Edit
We loved the welcoming atmosphere and the kindness of the owners. We had delicious, homemade Manti turkish ravioli which we enjoyed a lot. The owner mentioned that she gives vegan cooking classes during the year and she offered us her bread/cake with tahini experiment, which was amazing!
Read moreGuest
Patapompon
Points +588
Lovely place - Edit
Food was not the best I had in Istanbul, but still good enough, with huge filling portion, and the owner were so nice. There are various options to chose from.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-02-24
Pros: Spacious space, Huge portion , Lovely owners
Guest
RKDLB
Points +74
Great food and friendly staff - Edit
Had the kebab which tasted amazing, and was great value for how much food is on the plate
Read moreGuest
stephaniefroebel
Points +1029
What a treat - Edit
Wowowowowowow
Read moreHomemade seitan and the best seitan I’ve ever had
Generous servings, enough for leftovers later
The most lovely staff
I had such a fun time. Really recommend for a treat yourself day!
Pros: Big servings , Great flavor and texture , Incredible staff
Guest
LindsayElizabeth
Points +366
Just the cutest and so tasty! - Edit
Was looking for a quant place with some local dishes, and this was just perfect! The owners are the sweetest and the food was so tasty! I tried the manti filled with spinach along with an almond flour brownie and both were heavenly. Definitely will try to return before I leave! #Veganuary
Read morePros: Local, Cozy atmosphere, Supports cat rescues :)
Guest
Keepingupwithfabian
Points +16
Very delicious vegan Kebab - Edit
You can choose between a few dishes, everything is freshly and self-made cooked.
Read moreGuest
Jatm
Points +118
Nice tasty food - Edit
Nice tasty home cooked vegan food. You could see when the food is being prepared.
Read moreVery friendly English speaking staff. I have visited that place at least three times and I will definitely go back!
Updated from previous review on 2024-12-07
Pros: Tasty well coked food, Many different choices, Fresh vegetables
Guest
TheRecoveryMix
Points +26
Disappointing to say the least - Edit
If you don't want all your food drenched in oil, it might be worth taking for "no oil" when you order. Now I'm no health freak, but I use oil sparingly, and when I do, it's good quality olive oil.
Read moreOver-priced, drenched in poor quality oil and the mushroom ravioli was bland. The side salad was a few iceberg lettuce leaves and a couple of half tomato slices.
The doner seitan meat tasted quite good but was served on top of cut up bits of pita bread that was soggy from the bland tomato sauce.
The cashew cream had the consistency of runny yoghurt and had no flavour.
I rarely leave reviews anywhere but I had to say something about this one. For approximately $49 AUD this was appalling and one of the worst meals I've ever had.
2 meals 1 Turkish coffee
To tell you a bit about myself, I'm not fussy, I eat just about anything (as long as it's vegan of course) but I like good food. It's not that hard! And unfortunately this just wasn't good food 😕
Updated from previous review on 2024-12-08
Pros: quiet but central location, wifi, Cosy interior
Cons: excessive oil on the food, Bland ravioli dish, Expensive relative to the quality
Guest
cckathmandu
Points +98
Good homemade food in cosy space - Edit
I had the seitan kebab. It was delicious & a large portion, very filling. My picture doesn't do the food justice.
Read moreI liked the restaurant environment very much, unpretentious, as another reviewer said, & the lady who runs it was super friendly.
I did find it rather expensive, but proceeds go towards the brilliant work they do with street cats and dogs so I didn't mind paying. Nonetheless, definitely worth a visit and I'm glad I went.
Pros: Healthy, homecooked food , Pleasant eating environment , Friendly service
Cons: Price
Guest
thartl005
Points +43
Excellent Homecooked Food - Edit
Excellent vegan food in pleasant but unpretentious setting.
Read morePros: Nice selection of vegananized Turkish classics, excellent quality of food, Surrounded by other happy customers
Guest
sunsatori
Points +1175
Lovely home cooked vegan food - Edit
Definitely worth a visit.
Read moreI ordered the sweet potato ravioli and a vegan ayran.
The meal was lovely, homemade and filling.
Pros: All vegan menu, Wholesome food
Guest
saneas
Points +222
Delicious food - Edit
Relaxed and informal. The food we had was lovely. The seitan and yogurt was divine and all home made
Read morePros: Reasonable prices, Friendly, Great service
Cons: Menu on happy cow isnt always on offer., Bit of a climb - but worth it.
Guest
PaulaHirst
Points +202
Friendly staff and good food - Edit
This was a lovely, cute little cafe that raises money for rescue cats (and dogs). We didn’t see any cats in the restaurant but their names are listed on the menu board.
Read moreThe lady spoke very good English and was very friendly and informative.
It was cheap and very good portion sizes for the price with a good variety of dishes to choose from.
Definitely worth a visit.
Pros: Portion sizes, Price, Raises money for rescue animals
Cons: None
Guest
AayushShah
Points +117
Insane Vegan Doner and Shish - Edit
Nice vegan options, friendly staff.
Read moreThank
Pros: Lots of choice, Tasty Shish
Guest
LeilaRussell
Points +34
Wonderful food! - Edit
Had the most delicious vegan kebab!! Was amazing to try traditional Turkish dishes, made vegan. The vegan ayran was very tasty as well. Super kind and friendly service, all round lovely experience!!
Read morePros: incredibly tasty food, great portion size, lovely service
Guest
kamözüt
Points +771
Not what i hoped - Edit
It is hard to find vegan restaurants in turkey. So I was very pleased to find this one. But they have few options. Not very tasty, especially the browny wasnt to my likeing. And quite expensive.
Read morePros: Great cause, Fully vegan, Huge portions
Cons: Not tasty, Expensive
Guest
nutribolt
Points +66
Poor quality food - Edit
After careful consideration, I have decided to provide an honest review of the establishment, setting aside their commendable efforts in rescue work. This review focuses solely on the quality of food and ambience, irrespective of their philanthropic endeavors.
Read moreThe food, unfortunately, fell short of expectations. Despite the establishment's premium pricing, the quality did not justify the cost. The location, situated in a basement, may not appeal to those seeking a pleasant dining environment. For the price, there are superior culinary options and ambiences available.
Among the vegan establishments I have visited, this one proved to be the most disappointing. I am perplexed by the rave reviews their food has received. Out of the four limited choices, we sampled three, and none left a lasting impression. The ravioli had an unpleasant, slimy texture, while the salad consisted of crunchy leaves with minimal effort in presentation.
While their cause is undoubtedly noble, I recommend supporting them through donations rather than expecting a satisfying dining experience. There are numerous other establishments in the city that offer both delectable cuisine and enjoyable atmospheres.
Pros: The cause they stand for, Friendly staff
Cons: Limited Food choices with below average quality, Not great ambience
Destroybokchoy
Kudos for the honesty. It’s never easy to be critical of people who seem to be fighting the good fight. But yes, I would never recommend VCK to anyone visiting Istanbul and am often baffled by the positive reviews. Moreover, you were lucky: They have questionable hygiene and people sometimes get stomach issues after eating there. Finally the owner is known to physically and verbally attack people she doesn’t like.
Read moreVelillaDeOswestry
Thank god it wasnt just us. Yet good reviews continue to come in for the place, i will never understand this. When we went it was old stale food and very questionable hygine, not least the placement of the toilet so close to where the food is prepared.
Read moreGuest
Juliestravels
Points +1061
Big portions - Edit
I had the iskender kebab (homemade seitan). The portion was big, so I would recommend going there when hungry! Felt very welcome there. They also have rescue cats and dogs! Just very nice all around place.
Read moreGuest
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