Makarizza Cafe&Food

Makarizza Cafe&Food operates as a dedicated casual dining restaurant and cafe situated on Esekapı Sokak in the Cerrahpaşa quarter of Fatih, Istanbul. Specializing in Italian-inspired staples and international cafe fare, the establishment centers its kitchen around an extensive selection of pizzas, pastas, fresh salads, hot appetizers, traditional baked goods, and specialized coffee preparations. By bridging casual table service with streamlined digital conveniences like online ordering and on-premise QR menus, the venue functions as an everyday culinary stop for neighborhood residents, hospital visitors, and university attendees navigating the historic Fatih peninsula.

The kitchen distinguishes itself through an adaptable portioning architecture designed to cater to diverse dining needs, offering half, standard, and oversized servings across its pasta offerings alongside three distinct pizza diameters. Guests visit Makarizza Cafe&Food for straightforward, made-to-order comfort dishes ranging from classic Bolognese and creamy mushroom chicken pasta to regionally adapted oven-baked flatbreads topped with cured pastırma, Turkish kavurma, or spiced beef and lamb döner. Complemented by full-leaf teas, espresso-based beverages, Turkish coffee, and desserts such as San Sebastian cheesecake and warm soufflés, the cafe maintains an approachable mid-tier price range. Operating continuously throughout the day from mid-morning until late evening, Makarizza Cafe&Food provides the Cerrahpaşa district with a reliable setting for quick lunches, leisurely afternoon desserts, and evening takeaway meals.

Cuisine and Menu

The culinary repertoire at Makarizza Cafe&Food focuses heavily on pizzas and pastas, complemented by fresh salads, comforting appetizers, and classic desserts. A defining attribute of the pasta selection is its three-tiered portioning model, allowing diners to select half portions (½), standard single plates (1), or oversized servings (1½). Notable options include the Arabiata Pasta prepared with flat spaghetti, tomato sauce, red peppers, black olives, onions, and chili flakes (priced at 180 to 200 TL for half, 300 to 330 TL for standard, and 400 to 440 TL for 1.5 portions), as well as the Bolognese Pasta featuring minced beef, carrots, basil, and olive oil over flat spaghetti (230 TL for half, 360 to 400 TL for full, and 480 to 530 TL for large). For cream-based selections, the Kremalı Mantarlı Tavuklu Penne combines 130 grams of chicken and 50 grams of mushrooms in a seasoned cream sauce (210 TL, 340 to 380 TL, and 450 to 500 TL across respective sizes), while the signature Makarizza Pasta showcases flat spaghetti tossed with sweet corn, mixed red and green peppers, and aromatic thyme.

The pizza menu features Small (Küçük), Medium (Orta), and Large (Büyük) sizes baked on standard crusts, with an optional thick crust (Kalın Hamur) upgrade available for 30 TL. The signature Makarizza Pizza brings together mozzarella, Turkish sucuk, sliced sausage, mushrooms, corn, olives, and peppers (ranging from 225 TL for small up to 530 TL for large). Diners can also explore vegetable-forward recipes like the M.E.T Pizza, layered with roasted eggplant, garlic powder, garlic tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella (200 to 500 TL across sizes), or protein-rich regional specialties like the Kavurmalı Pizza topped with braised kavurma meat and onions (240 to 600 TL) and the Pastırmalı Pizza featuring fenugreek-free pastırma (240 to 550 TL). A comprehensive customization menu allows patrons to add ingredients such as 75 grams of kavurma (80 TL), 40 grams of sucuk or pastırma (50 TL), chicken portions (50 to 100 TL), or extra cheeses like Ezine, Cheddar, and Parmesan (50 TL each).

Beyond pizza and pasta, the menu offers traditional Ev Mantısı, crisp salads such as the Sezar Salata with fried chicken and pomegranate molasses dressing (325 to 360 TL) and Hellim Salata with fried halloumi (325 to 360 TL), alongside an Atıştırma Tabağı platter loaded with mozzarella sticks, onion rings, and potato croquettes (240 TL). Desserts include San Sebastian Cheesecake (200 to 220 TL, with an optional 25 TL chocolate sauce addition), rich Brownies (180 to 200 TL), and warm Sufle (180 to 200 TL), paired with classic Turkish coffee (110 TL), filtered coffee (90 to 110 TL), or specialty beverages like Churchill (85 TL).

Atmosphere and Who It Suits

Makarizza Cafe&Food provides an informal, functional dining environment tailored for casual gatherings, solo visits, and quick service meals. The integration of QR menus at tables facilitates seamless menu browsing, giving guests direct digital access to dish compositions, sizing choices, and customization options. With operating hours stretching from mid-morning until late night, the cafe transitions smoothly from an energetic lunch hub to an unhurried afternoon retreat and a relaxed evening gathering spot.

The setting is well-suited for university students, faculty, and healthcare professionals from the nearby medical campus who require efficient midday dining without sacrificing variety. The scalable pasta servings (such as half-portion Peynirli or Arabiata pastas starting at 180 TL) and personal small pizzas (starting from 200 TL) make it convenient for solo guests to enjoy an affordable, portion-controlled hot meal during brief study or work intervals. Solo patrons also find the space accommodating for quiet breaks over a hot cup of filter coffee (90 to 110 TL), a soothing Salep (150 TL), or a slice of Frambuazlı Cheesecake (170 to 190 TL).

For small groups of friends, colleagues, and families, the venue accommodates shared dining effortlessly. Groups can order multi-item spreads by combining large specialty pizzas—such as the Four Cheese with mozzarella, Ezine, white cheese, and cheddar (480 to 500 TL) or the Et Dönerli Pizza (560 TL)—with shared finger foods like the Atıştırma Tabağı (240 TL) or 10-piece onion rings (100 to 130 TL). The extensive ingredient customization list ensures that diverse dietary preferences, whether someone wants extra vegetables, added protein, or specific dipping sauces like garlic mayonnaise and honey mustard, can be accommodated at the table without friction.

Location and Practical Details

Makarizza Cafe&Food is located at Cerrahpaşa, Esekapı Sk. 7A, 34098 Fatih/İstanbul. Situated within the historic Cerrahpaşa and Samatya residential quarters of the Fatih district, the cafe sits directly in the vicinity of the historic Hekimoğlu Ali Paşa Mosque and Complex (Hekimoğlu Ali Paşa Camii ve Külliyesi). The branch is positioned within convenient walking proximity of the Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine (İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Tıp Fakültesi), providing straightforward street access for hospital staff, medical students, and neighborhood locals traversing the Esekapı corridor.

The venue maintains consistent operational hours throughout the entire week, opening its doors daily at 10:30 in the morning and serving patrons continuously until 23:30 at night. This extended schedule accommodates early lunch seekers, afternoon coffee breaks, and late evening dining. Throughout the winter season, the kitchen features a seasonal culinary item—freshly roasted chestnuts (Közlenmiş Kestane), prepared in 150-gram servings and priced at 100 TL.

For patrons preferring off-premise dining, Makarizza Cafe&Food provides comprehensive digital ordering services, including direct online ordering and takeaway fulfillment. The branch operates a dedicated home and office delivery service (Paket Servis) designed for the surrounding district, maintaining an estimated delivery timeline of 30 to 40 minutes. On-site visitors can utilize contactless QR menu technology directly at their tables to review dish ingredients and pricing. For phone inquiries, take-out arrangements, or direct branch coordination, the venue can be reached via telephone at (0212) 965 77 13.

The Mio Angle: As a Meeting Spot

On the Mio Social platform, where users share trustworthy spot recommendations and answer community questions on where to eat, Makarizza Cafe&Food represents a dependable, versatile option within Istanbul's historic Fatih peninsula. When community members ask for flexible dining recommendations near Cerrahpaşa Hospital or the Hekimoğlu Ali Paşa area, this venue stands out because of its unique portion hierarchy. The rare availability of half-portion pastas (½ porsiyon) alongside small, medium, and large pizzas removes the usual compromise between budget and appetite, making it an ideal answer for users seeking quick, customizable meals without paying for unwanted leftovers.

From a budgeting perspective, the establishment sits comfortably in the accessible mid-range tier (fiyat_araligi: orta). An individual diner on a modest budget can combine a half-plate of Arabiata or Pesto pasta (180 TL) with a traditional brewed tea (40 TL) or mineral water (35 TL) for an economical meal. Conversely, pairs and groups can split a large Et Dönerli Pizza (560 TL) or a multi-ingredient Makarizza Pizza (480 to 530 TL), paired with an Atıştırma Tabağı sharing appetizer (240 TL) and soft drinks (70 to 80 TL for 330 ml cans), keeping per-person expenditure remarkably balanced.

In terms of social sharing and visual moments, Makarizza Cafe&Food offers dishes that translate nicely onto community feeds. The golden crusts of freshly baked pizzas topped with melted mozzarella and regional meats like pastırma or kavurma, the richly sauced penne and flat spaghetti plates, and the decadent San Sebastian cheesecake drizzled with glossy chocolate sauce offer inviting presentation. Additionally, the inclusion of winter roasted chestnuts (150g for 100 TL) provides a seasonal highlight that stands out in autumn and winter check-ins. For Mio users seeking honest recommendations for uncomplicated Italian and international comfort food in Cerrahpaşa, Makarizza Cafe&Food proves to be a well-grounded pick.