We ate two dinners in Sultanhamet, and both were expensive and bland. (in addition, I believe my wife got sick from eating at one of them). The guidebook warned us about restaurants in this area, but they were close to our hotel and we were exhuasted by the end of the day. We ate one meal in Taksim, at Haci Abdullah. It was a delicious local ‘Locanta’ that has been there since 1888. It’s real Turkish food, and has a colorful display of pickles in the window. It’s at 17 Sakizagaci Cad. just off the main street in Taksim.