A Hidden Gem for Budget-Friendly Eats in Istanbul

When I'm traveling to a new city, I'm always on the hunt for reliable, affordable places to grab a bite. Sure, you can splurge on trendy restaurants with amazing views, but I'd rather save some cash and try a more low-key spot. That's how I stumbled upon Balcan Locantasi, a cafeteria chain that's a local favorite. Apparently, it's cheap and delicious, so I decided to follow the crowd and give it a try.

This small chain of cafeterias has a few locations, but the one in the Fatih district was the most convenient for me. It's right near the Gülhane tram stop and the Sirkeci Train Station, so I couldn't avoid it.

From the outside, the Locantasi looks pretty unassuming. The red decor and big sign blend in with all the other colorful shops and cafes. But inside, it's always bustling, especially during lunchtime.
The first thing I noticed when I approached the cafeteria was the big menu board with all the prices listed. If they're displaying it like that, I figured the prices must not change often. And if there are always people there, it must mean they're cooking up something tasty and affordable.

First things first, you need to grab a tray and get in line for the food. But then comes the hard part - deciding what to order. I had no idea what most of the dishes were or how they were named. I ended up just pointing to the size of the serving and hoping for the best. Even the soups looked mysterious, and I had no idea what I was getting.

On our first visit, we just went for the lentil soup. We were told to add some lemon slices to it, which was a nice touch. I mean, who are we to argue with the locals?

Next, we headed over to the dessert and drink counter. After a bit of deliberation, we chose a dessert that looked delicious but had no idea what it was. I'll give credit where credit is due - all the desserts are priced the same, so you don't have to worry about the cost. You just grab the one you like and move on to the checkout.

You can grab some bread, forks, knives, and spoons right by the checkout. Plus, you can order some tea. But we always went for something different.

We paid in cash and, honestly, the final price was always surprisingly low. After that, it was just a matter of choosing a table. Despite the crowd, we managed to find a spot every time.

Each table has salt, pepper, and napkins, so we were all set. No tablecloths or decorations, but the wooden tables were a nice touch. Plus, you can grab food to go – they've got a few different container options.

There's also a menu on the wall with prices, so you can take your time if you're planning to come back.

The place also has a restroom – you'll need to head down to the -1 floor via a staircase. It's easy to find, thanks to the sign. The bathroom's got two stalls, one for men and one for women. It was clean, and they even had toilet paper.

When we came back the second time, it was even busier, but the line moved quickly, and we didn't have to wait.

It was too hot outside, so we weren't in the mood for hot food, but we couldn't resist getting another dessert. Some people were just getting desserts, and I can see why – they looked amazing.

I went for the baklava and didn't regret it. It was the most delicious sweet treat I've had in Istanbul. I didn't expect baklava to be this good. The layered pastry with nuts was soaked in the perfect honey syrup. And on top, they added something like unsweetened whipped cream cheese. The combination was mind-blowing. The tangy cream balanced out the sweetness of the syrup, preventing the dessert from being too sweet. I didn't even know baklava could be this good. Back home, I've had baklava that's more like a honey cookie.

Later, we went back to Balcan Locantasi and ordered meat, soup, and two desserts. I have to say, the dishes were quite unusual. We got used to the interesting soups, but the chunky potato and tomato wasn't our cup of tea.

The desserts this time were also a bit strange. One was a chocolate mousse on crushed dry biscuits. The biscuits crumbled, and even the slightly sweet mousse couldn't hold its shape, but at least it wasn't too sweet. The other dessert was a soaked biscuit with coconut mousse. It tasted good, but it was just too weird. This visit was the most expensive, but not the most successful. Although we were lucky to arrive between breakfast and lunch, so the restaurant wasn't too crowded.

I have to say, this chain of restaurants is a good option for budget-friendly food. If you prioritize the taste-to-price ratio over the interior design, then it's worth checking out.

You won't find any fancy stuff here, but you can try various soups and desserts, and save some money for other purchases.