Merkez Efendi Köftecisi

One of Zeytinburnu District's featured delicacies, in the European Side of Istanbul, Merkez Efendi Köftecisi is located in an easy to access road on Merkez Efendi Street. Dating back to long ago, this restaurant, a must place for the local people and the regulars from all around the country, draws the attention with its ambience and its taste. 

Its history goes back to the meatball restaurant opened in 1917 by the founder İsmet Tatlıdil in İnegöl, Bursa. İsmet Tatlıdil and his sons Fahri and Rahmi opened the current restaurant in 1962, and the tradition was moved to Istanbul. The restaurant transformed into another symbol of the region in a short time just beside the Merkez Efendi Mosque, the heritage of the Ottoman.

In the middle of the tradition for generations, the meatball offered as Rahmi Usta Special stands out with the bean salad in Historical Merkez Efendi style and buttermilk. The sauce served with the meatball is famous. It is a significant restaurant where the shopkeepers come for lunch. Merkez Efendi Köftecisi gets busy especially during lunchtime, and it hosts the families and groups of friends in general during the weekends. It is a sincere and warm place. It offers a closed and an open area. The experience of meatball - bean salad in the open area is a special pleasure during summer months.