It’s almost impossible to have a bad experience when dining in Istanbul. The culinary culture is so flavorful and interesting, from Ottoman opulence to Central Asian nomadic roots, Mediterranean freshness, and Middle Eastern spices. Traditional Turkish cuisine reflects this rich heritage, focusing on bold, earthy flavors with dishes like kebabs, mezze, and hearty stews—comfort foods that have been perfected through generations.
Yet, as Turkey increasingly becomes a global destination, its food scene has evolved, balancing authenticity with modern innovation to cater to locals and tourists alike. Poppy Karaköy embodies this transformation, offering a twist on classic Turkish flavors, designed to appeal to some of the Western influences with an Italian menu (I think that’s the attempt here).
And a bit of local and international taste can be found in the appetizer we started with: the Meat and Cheese Board. Local with the variety of delicious Turkish cheese, and global with the concept of charcuterie. Not saying boards and spreads aren’t common, but this is not the traditional mezze style of Turkish tables:
Very unfortunately, it’s hard to find a Poppy menu online to be able to highlight which cheeses were used here. However, as you can see there were quite a few varieties.
Turkey is known for so many kinds of cheeses, with each region offering unique tastes and textures. So I can speak generally to them. Classics like Beyaz Peynir, a briny, feta-like cheese, and Kaşar Peynir, a semi-hard cheese similar to mild cheddar, bring familiar flavors, while Tulum—an aged goat cheese with a rich, earthy bite—offers a more rustic profile. Turkey’s cheeses often find their perfect pairing in the bold and smoky spices used in local charcuterie.
That’s a problem here. As you can see, the meat portion of the board was slacking. Slices of pastırma (air-cured, seasoned beef) and sucuk (a garlic-laden dry sausage) should make an excellent combination for each cheese. There is barely any meat on the plate! A total of 5 pastrami slices around the border without any variety are all that come. Such a disappointment and a letdown, to the point that I wish I had said something.
Add the insult of 3 breadsticks, and you have what has to be the worst cheese and meat board I have had at a professional establishment (as in, I probably made it worse at home at one point, but even that, I’m not sure).
Something worth discussing somewhat more than the above though, the Blackberry and Caramelized Onion Pizza:
Now, this is a unique pizza. It immediately caught our attention on the menu and was a no-brainer amongst some of the more common meals.
Caramelized onions, a blackberry sauce, and meat top a wood-fired dough. The base is a perfectly wood-fired dough, slightly charred at the edges and irresistibly chewy, my favorite part in general. The caramelized onions bring a deep sweetness, while the blackberry sauce adds a tangy, fruity brightness that feels like a revelation for pizza toppings.
Some form of meat (perhaps pancetta or prosciutto) adds a savory note that balances the sweetness of the blackberries and onions. The cheese—melty and creamy—ties everything together, enhancing the richness of each bite without overpowering the unique flavors.
What makes this pizza so special is its bold departure from the norm. It doesn’t try to imitate traditional pizzas; instead, it delivers something entirely its own. The balance of flavors and textures is a testament to the skill and thoughtfulness that could be in the Poppy kitchen. This is a pizza that challenges your expectations while remaining incredibly enjoyable.
Now, to the largest part of the disappointment. After seeing a post that Poppy turns into a club environment after dinner, we made sure to make a later dinner time. 8:45 so we could be just in time for the DJ and dancing. To our disappointment, 10 rolled around without any signals that a club was coming. Then, at 10:15, then 10:30, and finally, by 10:40 or so, we made the call to leave.
Fortunately for us, Karaköy is a lively area with plenty of bars and pubs to enjoy some nightlife. Poppy is just one of those spots in it that can be passed over.
