Meşhur Dönerci Hacı Osman'ın Yeri

Even though this is “just” a buffet-style sandwich döner, I can easily say it’s one of the best examples of its kind in Istanbul. The döner is leaf-style and the sandwich is kept refreshingly simple: just a small amount of garnish, carefully balanced so it never steals the spotlight from the meat.

What makes it especially interesting is the flavour profile. The döner itself is made entirely from beef, but the fat used (most likely lamb fat or tail fat) gives it a richness that almost tricks you into thinking there’s lamb in the mix. In other words: it’s a solid four-star meat that somehow eats like a five-star sandwich.

Expect queues. This is one of those places where you often see a long line stretching outside, although we got lucky and arrived at a quiet moment. Location-wise, it’s in Fatih, one of Istanbul’s oldest and most historically dense districts. If you’re already visiting the Grand Bazaar, Beyazıt Square, or the surrounding area, it’s an easy detour and a very rewarding one. I recommend trying this one with tombik ekmek.