Foundation Date: 1897 

Founder: Hacı Ahmet Doyuran 

History: The grandfather of the family, Hacı Ahmet Doyuran, started his journey from the Doğanbey district of Konya in 1895 and opened his first small and humble restaurant with four tables in Sirkeci, with the name “Konya Lezzet Lokantası” on its sign in 1897. After a while, his son-in-law Mustafa Doğanbey took over the business. The restaurant, which quickly earned a reputation for delicious meals and cleanness, became one of the names that comes to mind when talking about Istanbul cuisine. Konyalı was popularized all over Turkey after the 1940s with the efforts of Nurettin Doğanbey. It soon became a restaurant frequented by Turkish and foreign statesmen, kings, queens and artists. 

Today, the company is run by the fourth generation member of the family, Mehmet Eren Doğanbey and it has been honored by visits from many eminent statesmen, famous artists and members of royal families from all over the world since 1924. Some of these esteemed visitors to  Konyalı include Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Queen Elizabeth II, Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, and American President Richard Nixon. 

Images: www.konyalilokantasi.com 

Famous for: Meat and vegetable dishes, salads, rice and pastry varieties, mezes and soups, desserts and stewed fruits.

Promo Video: www.konyalilokantasi.com