Filizler Köftecisi

What is köfte, and where to eat it on Istanbul’s Asian side

Köfte are Turkish grilled meatballs — the everyday meal of Istanbul, eaten at lunch counters and family restaurants alike. This guide explains what to look for and what you’ll find on a köfte menu.

How to tell good köfte

  • The meat: ask what cut and fat ratio is used — a good köfte maker will tell you.
  • Freshly minced meat tastes clearly different from minced meat that has been sitting.
  • Little filler beyond breadcrumbs and onion.
  • Grilled over high heat: seared outside, juicy inside.

Köfte at Filizler

Filizler started in Tuzla in 1994. The köfte are prepared at Filizler’s own butcher’s kitchen and sent to the branches, then grilled to order. The types and current prices at the Üsküdar branch:

  • 4'lü Filizler4 adet mini hamburger450 TL
  • 6'lı Filizler6 adet mini hamburger635 TL
  • FilizburgerÖzel hazırlanmış hamburger575 TL
  • Kasap KöfteGeleneksel Türk usulü ızgara köfte655 TL
  • Kaşarlı KöfteKaşar peynirli ızgara köfte655 TL
  • Acılı KöfteAcı soslu ızgara köfte655 TL
  • Karışık KöfteÇeşitli köfte çeşitlerinden oluşan tabak870 TL
  • Special FilizlerÖzel hazırlanmış et tabağı1.495 TL
  • Steak KöfteSteak usulü hazırlanmış köfte900 TL
  • Kaşarlı Steak KöfteKaşar peynirli steak usulü köfte1.000 TL

Filizler Üsküdar menu, prices in Turkish lira; updated from the restaurant’s live menu.

Branches

  • Üsküdar — Salacak waterfront, facing the Maiden’s Tower; 08:00–23:00, breakfast.
  • Pendik — spacious room, large car park; 08:00–22:30, breakfast.
  • Tuzla — the original 1994 branch, 6 min from the pier; 10:00–23:00.

Frequently asked questions

What is köfte?

Turkish grilled meatballs, usually made from minced beef (sometimes mixed with lamb), onion and breadcrumbs, served with bread, salad and grilled peppers.

What is “4’lü Filizler”?

A plate of four mini burgers on the Filizler menu; there is also a six-piece version.

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