CLOSED: EcoistHan

Closed? Couldn't find it

We spent quite some time looking for this place and eventually we found it closed for good

The place is very cozy, the service is nice and with nice ambient.

I'm not sure if I didn't understand correctly but they only offered one dish which was falafel stuffed balls. They were pretty tasty and it was worth the visit, but if you're expecting the typical falafel or more options might not be your place.

Stuffing falafel with vegetables such as spinach or cabbage turns it into something new, and really yummy! It's not same thing as you eat falafel wrap with fried vegetables. Those vegetables lie at the heart of falafel when it gets fried in oil.

These interesting little filled falafels called poppers were very tasty. Only about half the flavours were available but enough to choose from. I had a mix of humous olive and mushroom. The pomegranate smoothie with peanut milk was good as was the peanut milk latte. Someone was smoking in the next room which wasn't too nice but that seems pretty standard for Turkey! Music selection was nice and free wifi.

Ecoisthan is a inviting and friendly café alongside a hostel, which you can find info on Air B&B. This vegan café served us a great vegan platter, and espresso. Located just down from Galata tower, a must-see area when visiting Istanbul. Other veg friendly places are in the area to. Sonay, the proprietor is also an artist and has a small room next to the café to see her items. We bought a whirling dervish with a candle at the base which spins the dervish upon heating. We loved it and bought several. Very much worth supporting this venue.

We had been to this place a long time ago and that day it was all sold out, even though it was not that late. We were quite angry about that and had only decided to go back because the ownership had changed.
The place is now under Syrian ownership, which is great because Syrians know how to make great falafel...and we love falafel.
The new owner has changed the menu to serving falafel poppers as the only main dish is several variations. For better understanding falafel poppers are filled falafel balls which according to the owner you can only find twice in the world, once as Ecoisthan and once somewhere in Sweden. 6 to 8 options are offered based on availability. We were offered zucchini, eggplant, hummus, spinach and potato and tried them all.
You can have your poppers either as a plate with a side salad, caramelized onions and tahini sauce for 15 TL or as a dürüm where they fill your salad, onions and poppers into a pita bread and then roll it. No matter which option the falafel balls are the hit!!!
We stayed in Istanbul for 5 days and went to eat there twice.
Besides the poppers they serve some fresh juices ans smoothies, coffee (optionally with peanut milk) and desserts (muffins and fruit pudding), which were not ready when we asked for them. but I am sure they are great too.
The place remained all vegan under the new ownership.

The smoothly with peanut milk, stuffed falafel plate, fresh veggie salad and sides, fruit cup, latte with peanut milk--everything was delicious. The service was so friendly and efficient. The seating is comfy and inviting. Price was great! Can't wait to go back!

At this place you can get really delicious falafel, but in fact this is it as of in September 2015. They somehow must have changed the menu, the pictures above are no longer valid. Anyway the falafel is awesome, you should check this out!

they have all kind of plaits with different things , but the best of the best is their peanuts milk coffee and their cupcake.
Updated from previous review on Wednesday June 17, 2015

Updated from previous review on Wednesday August 05, 2015

Updated from previous review on Saturday September 05, 2015

They don't have a menu, I believe what they offer changes day to day but when I went, there was the option of a plate or wrap with falafel, vegetables etc. I ordered the plate and it came out with various falafel balls with mixed stuffing, a creamy sauce and salad. They were also baking choc chip cupcakes which were delicious and a bargain at only 3 lira each! Definitely grab a cupcake.

We had a nice meal here; the food was good, and the restaurant was pleasant -- you can create your own place mat artwork while you wait for your food. They have four main dishes, of which we tried three, and liked them all.

I ate like a king for less than 20 Lira, which is between $6-$7 US, and it's in a touristy area, so their rent can't be cheap. I'm not sure anyone westerner could find this place expensive.

The meal started with complimentary bread and sun dried tomatoes in olive oil. I ordered the falafel plate and got 4 falafel, a bit of puréed roasted vegetables, some sweet basil hummus, regular hummus, tabouli, pigeon pea salad, chick pea stew, and stewed vegetables (picture posted). This was 15 Lira. The food was fresh and tasty and the people were very friendly.

I did find the place difficult to find. It's not next to the tower. It is on the back side of the tower and then down a street by about 100 meters. The pin placement on the map is not an accurate placement for where this restaurant is located. They told me that they are open from 8:00 AM until 10:00-11:00 PM every day.

Very delicious foods but I think it's expensive a little. However good place, good location, friendly stuff

We both had a kebap plate (13TL) and a fresh orange juice (6TL) and we were too stuffed to finish. Our dish had a tremendous variety, six items and a salad, and bread and olive oil with herbs to begin. Service was friendly, seating comfortable and with a nice view of the street. We will return.

for Some reason this place was not on the happy cow app. We really loved this place. Prices are VERY good, the people are great and the food is delicious. What more do you want?

EcoIstHan recently changed to all-vegan and revamped the food options to include a menu with four main plates, some desserts and tea/coffee options.

The main dishes are reasonably tasty and filling. They feel healthy and nutritious. However, the style of cooking of the falafel for example is more like lightly cooked or baked, which may be unexpected if you're looking for traditional-style falafels.

The mafush plate is interesting, it's like a vegan type of omelette, and like the other dishes is served with sides such as hummus, rice, cooked beans and salad etc. They're not heavily salted so you may find that you need to add some to bring out the flavour.

At 13tl for these plates (10tl for mafush), it's very good value.

The only thing I didn't really like is that most of the dishes are quite similar to each other. It would be nice to have some more options to increase the variation, however they are trying to keep the prices low and reduce wastage, so it's understandable.

The staff are very friendly and the location is on a pleasant laneway with a number of small shops and cafes winding down from Galata tower.

Updated from previous review on Thursday July 24, 2014

While our stay in Istanbul we came to this Restaurant one Friday evening. It was supposed to be open, but it was closed. We saw light inside and because it's hard to find vegan food in Istanbul we knocked the window to ask what's up. A young woman opend and told us, they are closed because they change into completely vegan and try out new dishes.
We weren't even due to ask, when she already invited us by saying "but come in, welcome to our place, we will share our food with you!" Then we ate several delicious dishes and had an amazing conversation with her (i think her name was Soray). Afterwards we wanted to pay, but she told us, we are invited and refused to take our money because that's what she believes in human relations.
Soray WELCOMED us with OPEN ARMS naturally, without even thinking about not letting us in and so i had an amazing Birthday-Dinner without her even knowing that! Thankyou so much!

THAT'S DEFINITLY THE PLACE YOU SHOULD GO!

We had an amazing sit-down experience here. The atmosphere is very calming, the service very friendly, and the food is subtle but flavorful. I believe the entire menu is vegan and that they just use the vegetarian moniker as it is more recognizable (veganism is not that common here). Two of us each had a bowl of soup, a mixed plate, hot tea, shared a "vegan quiche" (more like a delicious fruit tart), and were given additional appetizers of homemade bread, shredded carrots with citrus, and steamed potatoes. This all cost us 40 tl. Now, you can find cheaper food in Istanbul, but other restaurants that offer organic/healthy food in Istanbul will be far more expensive.
Updated from previous review on Friday January 02, 2015

As others have pointed out they have a daily set menu. The person working there explained that they go to the organic farmers market daily and build the menu based on what they buy there. I have liked everything I have had there but if you happen to not be into what they are serving that day you are out of luck. It is also difficult to find as there is no real sign visible form the street. It is actually located in the lower floor of a hostel. So, if you find the hostel you found this place.

Went there hungry and curious, just to found out the have a daily set. Today it's rice, boiled broccoli and boiled beans. Although a very friendly waiter, the offer food you could get just anywhere. I felt disappointed and walked out.