Located on a side street in Moda, Bonkis is the latest project by architect Deniz Tezuysal and actress Öykü Karayel. Before you visit, we recommend making peace with carbs so as not to be deprived from the delicious sandwiches and appetizers served on bread slices. Bonkis doesn’t have a set “menu,” per se, but on weekends you’ll find focaccia sandwiches (Saturdays) and burgers (Sundays).
The burgers here are easily some of the best in Istanbul, served with a 120-g beef patty, cheese, mushrooms and caramelized onions as well as your choice of two sauces, with options like homemade tomato paste and eggplant pesto. The homemade breads are soft without being too greasy, which makes them the perfect complement to the beef patty covered in sauce. We also love that the burgers are served with green onion-potato salad instead of French fries.