Everything is delicious here! The establishment has recently undergone renovation and a slight change in concept. Previously, the cafe specialized in mussels and coconut stuffed with rice. These are lamb intestines stuffed with giblets. The dish is national, but for an amateur. Now the menu has the same mussels and a good selection of donuts. Everything is delicious, but I give 5 stars for the best dolma mussels that I have ever tasted. Mussels-dolma are the hallmark of the institution. In general, it is a popular street cuisine dish in the coastal cities of Turkey, including Istanbul. Here they can be found in kiosks, shops and fish markets of Beyoglu, Kadikoy and others. But I strongly do not recommend buying dolma mussels on the street and in untested places. The risk of eating an unpeeled or unwashed mussel with shell fragments or parasites is too high. But in the Merdo cafe you can eat without any fear. The establishment has been operating for many years, taking care of its guests and the quality of the dishes. I recommend sampling 15 pieces of each type. 15 is the minimum serving size. If you don't like spicy food, limit yourself to classic mussels. Spicey is really spicey. The dish is brought with a pair of disposable gloves. It's right to eat mussels with your hands, you can help yourself with a shell. Open the flaps, sprinkle the rice with lemon juice, remove the filling with 1 leaf (like a spoon) and put it in your mouth. But it's better not to listen to anyone and eat the way you like)) Previously, an extra plate was always brought with the order for empty sinks, but now for some reason they only bring it if you ask for it. It's also worth considering that it's always crowded here. If there is no table for you, you can wait a bit (passability is fast enough) or take a takeaway (it will be well packed). The price tag is average. I am attaching a photo of the menu. I would also like to mention a very clean and generally super-cool toilet.

See original · Русский

Роман Кудрявцев

Level 12 Local Expert

A normal mussel place, on Istiklal Street nearby, a trader tried to sell us a portion of mussels for 400 lire, just in our hands in the cold. They refused, then went here and bought 2 portions for a sample for 600 lire, but they sat in the warmth at a table on the 2nd floor, with a toilet and the opportunity to wash their hands. Gloves are also given out. The first time we were full and took 2 servings to sample, we realized that it was not worth taking spicy mussels, because the non-spicy ones were already sharp for us, and spicy ones were generally tough for the Russian stomach. The second time we took 4 servings of ordinary mussels for 4 fries and French fries, we liked everything, the money was about 1300 lira, the taste was normal, the saturation was average. In general, we got lucky.

See original · Русский

Ayten Erdoğan

Level 4 Local Expert

The first time I went, I wanted the taste of kokorechin for the second time. Stuffed mussels were very fresh. I ate two doner twice, it was very nice. It's a bright, immaculate, hygienic place. The service is very fast. I won't eat anywhere else in Independence anymore🙏

See original · Türkçe

Merdo Midye Kokorec

Add photo or video

Address

Contacts

Business hours

Guides of similar places

Directions

Features

Customer traffic and business hours

Similar places nearby

10 reviews