Kumkapı
Kumkapı, the Sand Gate of old Istanbul: lanes of fish taverns with live music, the seat…
Photo: courtesy of Çapari Restaurant
Çapari
The Kumkapı fish restaurant that a fishing family opened in 1966, with sea bass baked in salt and turbot served whole on the lane of Çapariz Sokak.
Overview
In 1966, an established fishing family opened a restaurant on a lane of Kumkapı. This is the old fishermen's quarter inside the sea walls of Istanbul. Çapari Kumkapı still stands on Çapariz Sokak, among the fish restaurants that fill the lanes of Kumkapı every evening.
The Family Behind Çapari
The family came to Istanbul from Rize in the 1960s. Arif Fişek began fishing as a boy on his father’s boat in Kumkapı. Later, he went on to cook at Çapari with his brothers. The restaurant has long had friends at Galatasaray. Arif Fişek also cooked seafood for the team at its Florya training ground. Besides, former club presidents have gathered here for their traditional Galatasaray evening.
What to Order at Çapari Kumkapı
The kitchen leans on the classics of a Kumkapı table. Sea bass comes baked in a crust of salt, and turbot arrives whole. Fish also comes cooked in paper or on a clay tile, alongside grilled squid, fish köfte and a saffron pilaf. For a slower dish, ask for the fish buğulama, a gentle stew, or the kavurma, fish browned in the pan.
Who Çapari Kumkapı Suits
We suggest it for a long dinner in the old city, with meze (small dishes shared at the start of a meal) first and the fish to follow. The menu runs from simple grilled fish to whole fish made for sharing. Book a table for friends or family.
Our suggestion
Our Kumkapı walk visits the Armenian quarter in the early evening and ends with dinner among the fish restaurants. So tell us if you would like a table here. Before you sit down, see the Surp Asdvadzadzin Patriarchal Church a few streets away.
We reserve your table at Çapari.
Updated: November 1, 2026.
A Fish Dinner in Kumkapı with Us
Tell us which evening you have free in the old city. Then we will walk you through Kumkapı and book a table at Çapari for the salt-baked sea bass.
Things to See & Do
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Surp Asdvadzadzin Patriarchal Church
The church of the Holy Mother of God in Kumkapı, across the street from the Armenian…
Map
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Frequently asked questions
When did Çapari open?
A fishing family opened Çapari in Kumkapı in 1966.
What should I order at Çapari?
The house specials include sea bass baked in salt, whole turbot, fish cooked in paper and saffron pilaf.
Where is Çapari in Kumkapı?
It is on Çapariz Sokak, No:16/18, in the fish restaurant lanes of Kumkapı.
