About Us
Our Principles
Since 1920, we have carried our journey forward with the same dedication, passed down through four generations.
From the very beginning, we’ve known that the secret to perfect köfte lies in using only the finest, most natural, and healthiest ingredients — and we work tirelessly to pass this legacy of flavor to future generations.
Our craftsmanship has been shaped by the values of our master chefs and has remained unchanged since 1920. We never serve what we wouldn’t eat ourselves, offer our hospitality with genuine courtesy, uphold the highest standards of hygiene in our kitchen, and devote ourselves to ensuring our guests’ satisfaction at the highest level.
While preserving the rich heritage of Turkish cuisine from generation to generation, we proudly share the authentic taste of Sultanahmet Köfte — free from additives — from Istanbul to all of Türkiye and the world.
Our History
The story began in 1920, when Mehmet Seracettin Efendi, founder of Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi, took the first step in creating a flavor from Turkish cuisine that would one day be enjoyed around the world.
The journey started in Sultanahmet, in a small shop named Turan Kebapçısı. Back then, the köfte — crafted from carefully selected cuts of meat, grilled over charcoal, and prepared without any spices — was served to the public, becoming a distinctive taste in Turkish cuisine. With the dedication of Mehmet Seracettin Efendi and his three sons, this special flavor grew in fame, and in 1944, the shop continued its journey under the name Halk Kebapçısı.
Determined to carry their father’s legacy forward, brothers Selim and İsmail Tezçakın took over in 1964, operating from the century-old shop that would become the headquarters of Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi, serving Istanbul under the name Meşhur Halk Kebapçısı.
Remaining true to its warm hospitality and unmatched köfte recipe, Meşhur Halk Köftecisi grew steadily, and in 1976, the name “Sultanahmet” was added — marking the birth of a culinary icon recognized worldwide: Sultanahmet Meşhur Halk Köftecisi.
The köfte crafted with care in Sultanahmet has crossed borders. Combining vision with strong branding, the 4th generation of the Tezçakın family opened the first overseas branch in Baku.
The journey that began in 1920 continued to spread worldwide, and 2016 marked the year when Turkish flavors reached Europe and America.
Growing from generation to generation and expanding its branch network, Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi now shares its inimitable köfte with people both in Türkiye and abroad. With a history spanning over a century, it holds the pride of being the first köfte brand to join the Century-Old Brands Association.
Drawing strength from the concept of family, refined through the mastery of four generations, Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi has become a true Istanbul classic — continuing its journey with the köfte recipe discovered over 100 years ago, while achieving many firsts along the way.
Our Logo
Follow this emblem for the true taste of köfte!
Our logo was designed by the renowned calligrapher Sinan Sinangil as a tribute to Sultanahmet, where our journey first began. The six minarets featured in the emblem not only symbolize Sultanahmet, but also subtly form the initials of Sultanahmet Meşhur Halk Köftecisi.
Since 1920, our most treasured value at Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi has been the köfte recipe we protect with the utmost care. Wherever you see this emblem, you can be sure you’re about to enjoy the authentic taste of Sultanahmet Köfte.
Mert Tezçakın
Chairman of the Board
Message from the Chairman of the Board
Dear Guests,
Since 1920, we have continued our journey in the heart of Istanbul, carrying forward a köfte recipe that has remained unchanged for over a century. Every day, we strive not only to preserve our flavor but also to improve through our hospitality, commitment to quality, and deep-rooted experience.
With pride, we carry the legacy entrusted to us by our master chefs into the future — working to pass down the culture of Turkish cuisine from generation to generation, and to share the journey that began in Istanbul with all of Türkiye and the world. With our unwavering dedication and our ability to adapt to a changing world, we look forward to welcoming the next hundred years together.
Quality Assurance
In 1920, Mehmet Seracettin Efendi, the founder of Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi, discovered a flavor impossible to imitate.
Since that day, for four generations, we have worked tirelessly to bring this taste to our valued guests without ever compromising on quality.
If today we can deliver köfte — made without additives, from premium-quality meat blended only with bread and salt — to every corner of the world, it is thanks to a quality policy passed down from generation to generation. This is not just our claim; every official certificate we hold stands as proof of our commitment to quality.
Social Responsibility
To our youth — the promise of our future…
While sharing the taste of our köfte with the world, we have never forgotten our students. Over the years, we have sponsored numerous events at various universities, offering our signature flavors to the young people who represent our future.
Beyond universities, we make every effort to support high school and elementary school students as well — contributing to their growth through both our flavors and our sponsorships. In our mission to pass the cultural heritage of Turkish cuisine to the next generation, we welcome students into our restaurant as honored guests, giving them the opportunity to experience the authentic tastes of our culinary tradition.
Carrying the past forward
History is among a nation’s greatest treasures. Since 1920, Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi has not only enriched Turkish cuisine with its signature flavors, but has also shed light on history through the remarkable work of Mehmet Tezçakın.
Mehmet Tezçakın has spent years carefully collecting and preserving Ottoman paper currency from around the world, building a unique collection that bridges the past and the future. In 2005, this passion was immortalized in a book titled Ottoman Empire Paper Money, which was honored with a cultural publication certificate by the Turkish Ministry of Culture.
Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi’s contribution to history did not end there. In 2000, select pieces from this extraordinary collection were featured in a desk calendar and shared with the public.
To ensure more people could discover it, the collection — which offers a vivid glimpse into Türkiye’s last 200 years of financial and social history — has been exhibited in numerous museums, allowing its cultural value to be appreciated by a wider audience.
Keeping Turkish traditions alive
Bereket Parası / Diş Kirası
Two cherished values of Turkish culture live on at Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi.
Bereket Parası is a symbolic coin believed to bring good fortune and abundance, kept in a wallet or pocket without ever being spent. Diş Kirası, dating back to the Ottoman era, is the custom of giving a small token of money to guests after a meal as a gesture of gratitude.
We proudly present both of these traditions to our valued guests. By gifting out-of-circulation Turkish lira coins to visitors from Türkiye and around the world, we help keep these customs alive and share a piece of our cultural heritage with every guest we serve.