Surrounded as it is by the Bosphorus, the Marmara, and the Black Sea, fish is inevitably one of Istanbul's specialties. From the humble fish sandwiches sold from street carts around Galata Bridge, to the fancy fish restaurants lining the Bosphorus coast, there are seafood options to suit every budget. This is one of the more upscale offerings, and one of Istanbul's most loved fish restaurants. Situated in a beautifully restored wooden mansion in a quiet side street close to the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, it boasts a vine-shaded alley where diners can eat during the summertime. This atmospheric setting is accompanied by high-quality fish and delicious meze. Along with the seasonal catch of the day, such as grouper, turbot, or loufer, there are also shrimp, calamari, and octopus. Prices are by the kilo and it certainly isn’t for those on a budget, but is a reliable choice for anyone wishing to live it up with the well-heeled locals, who consider the local aniseed spirit, rakı, to be the only appropriate accompaniment. The baliçi (fisherman) who it is named after opened this spot, in this location, in 1927, and it remains a family business.