Hacı Abdullah restaurant, which is on a side street just off of İstiklal Caddesi, at about mid point between Taksim and Galatasaray, is undoubtedly Istanbul’s foremost restaurant for truly fine Istanbul cuisine. Since it is owned by a strongly religious Muslim family (as is already implicit from the name) no alcoholic drinks are served there – which should definitely not be a reason to stop anyone from going. I promise you that the food and the courteously well bred atmosphere will more than make up for the lack of tipple.