Istanbul's culinary backstreets: Best ocakbaşı grills

Istanbul is a meat lovers' paradise with kebep restaurants, döner stands and grill houses on just about every corner. A different take on eating grilled meat is eating at an "ocakbaşı," which translates as "fireside" or "stand by the grill." You have the choice of sitting around the grill and watching the "usta" do his thing or even grilling the meat yourself. Feeling the heat on our face and taking in the mouth watering smell of the kebabs is an experience you wouldn't want to miss. Here is a list of some of the best ocakbaşı restaurants in Istanbul.

Zübeyir Ocakbaşı

Zübeyir Ocakbaşı is a fantastic grill house located just off Istiklal Street in the heart of Beyoğlu that always seems to be packed with large groups of people. Serving extremely delicious food since 2006, there are two large hearths where the meats are freshly prepared and cooked before your eyes. The three spacious floors are comfortably engulfed in avid conversations coming from tables, while dishes of fresh meze, as well as meats recently removed from large skewers travel to tabletops. Meals at Zübeyir usually start off with a round of mezes (dips), brought to your table on a large tray to choose from. The Gavurdağ salatası (salad with finely diced onion and tomato), Van cacığı (spread made of strained yogurt and cucumbers), and Balkabaklı ezme (spread made of squash) are some of the best you can try at Zübeyir. After the starters its time for the kebabs. All of the standard grill items, Adana kebab (spicy minced lamb), kanat (chicken wings) and pirzola (lamb chops), are all outstanding.

Sur Ocakbaşı

Located in the conservative district of Fatih, Sur Ocakbaşı is known for its slogan "Savior coming from nature." Offering quality service to its customers from the first day it was established, Sur Ocakbaşı continues to provide an excellent service with the hygiene in its kitchen, its excellent service mentality and overall quality. As any Anthony Bourdain fan would know, Sur Ocakbaşı is the restaurant Bourdian visited in "No Reservations" to sample the famed Buryan kebab. While enjoying your Turkish yogurt drink from a little bowl and shovel-like spoon, make sure you try the Buryan kebab, sac tava, sur kebab and the eggplant kebab. For the full experience make sure you have the mouthwatering special sur dessert. Known for its friendly waiters and staff you are sure to have a warm welcome upon your visit.

Adana Ocakbaşı

Established by Erkan Ezer and Cahit Coşkun, Adana Ocakbaşı has been serving customers since 1978. Located in Kurtuluş, transportation to the restaurant is particularly easy as it doesn't deal with the hassle of city traffic, only being a short walk from the Osmanbey metro station. Even though Adana Ocakbaşı is constantly growing and becoming more and more popular, they are not opening another shop and franchising the brand because they value the sincerity and quality the restaurant has to offer its customers. From day one, their motto has been to ensure the satisfaction of the customers and give them all they could expect from a meat joint. Born and raised in Adana - Kebab heaven -, Adana Ocakbaşı's chef, otherwise known as "usta," is Doğan Usta, a famous chef in the kebab world. Doğan Usta puts his years of experience to work as nothing goes served to the tables without his consent.

Felek Mangalbaşı

If you're looking to dine a bit fancier while enjoying your kebab, make sure you check out Felek Mangalbaşı in Bakırköy. Away from the loud and claustrophobic atmosphere of the city in the quiet district of Bakırköy, Felek is the perfect place to have some great meat and a great conversation along with it. Being a huge hit among the locals Felek Mangalbaşı is a great place to enjoy great food and have a blast with a group of friends at the same time. Also offering the opportunity to bring your own meat and have it cooked for you, this nifty restaurant offers the perfect ocakbaşı experience with a hooded charcoal barbecue on each of the tables. Prices at Felek Mangalbaşı are higher then the other restaurants on our list but still on the affordable side.

Güler Ocakbaşı

Güler Ocakbaşı was established in 1981 by İsmail Akcan and Mustafa Yazıcı in Şişli. As a result of the inclusion of Ali and Rıza Akcan to the partnership, the company expanded to meet the expectations of the younger generation with a new structure. Being a family business that is run by the grandchildren of the establishers, Güler Ocakbaşı is currently celebrating its third generation. Their aim being to cook and serve the most delicious dishes for their customers and ensure quality service, Güler Ocakbaşı has been bringing new dishes and different tastes to the table since day one. With almost 40 different kebabs and 52 different meze varieties that are prepared daily, Güler Ocakbaşı has mouthwatering flavors with a quality you won't want to miss out on. Now with two restaurants giving service in both Esentepe and Harbiye, its easy to find a Güler Ocakbaşı near you.

Peymane Ocakbaşı

Having two restaurants - one in TomTom, the other in Şişhane - in the heart of Beyoğlu, Paymane Ocakbaşı brings over 10 years of experience to the table. Established in 2004 Peymane Ocakbaşı's new building is actually pretty old. Being a restored historical artifact, the gorgeous five-story building gives dining to great meat a new edge. With Ömer Usta still at the grill since day one, Peymane hasn't changed in quality or customer satisfaction over the years. With a wonderful garden surrounded by buildings drenched in history, Peymane is perfect for a summers night out. There are also VIP dining rooms for important dinners, conferences and seminars if needed. Inside there is also a nostalgic bar that was once used as a cellar with brick walls and a fire place. With a variety of meze, kebab, off the grills, appetizers, salads and desserts Peymane Ocakbaşı is meat lovers paradise.