Sunnyvale’s Meyhouse Restaurant Revives Traditional Meyhane Culture

Turkish cuisine, known for its rich blend of flavors influenced by diverse cultures along the ancient Silk Road, finds a vibrant expression at **Meyhouse Restaurant** in Sunnyvale, California. This establishment embodies the traditional concept of a “meyhane,” or wine house tavern, reflecting a culinary heritage where various cultures converge.

Co-owner **Koray Altinsoy** emphasizes the significance of these spaces in Turkish culture. “The first meyhane opened during the Byzantines,” he noted. “People go there to eat and drink and have very deep conversations together with music. We are trying to mirror this here, in the heart of Silicon Valley.”

Altinsoy, along with his partner **Omer Artun**, transitioned from successful careers in the tech industry to pursue their passion for cooking. Their journey began in 2017 with pop-up dining events, which quickly gained popularity, selling out within hours. “Food is kind of a religion for us,” Altinsoy explained, highlighting their commitment to serving **100% authentic Turkish food**. The positive reception from diners motivated them to open their first permanent location in **2019**, just a few doors down from their current venue on **South Murphy Avenue**.

In **2023**, the restaurant expanded further by opening a second location in **Palo Alto**. Altinsoy reflects on the satisfaction derived from serving customers, stating, “When you serve the food to your customer, you see in their face right away if they like it or dislike it.”

Meyhouse stands out not only for its ambiance but also for its dedication to quality. The restaurant prepares all dishes in-house, including **pastrami**, **sausages**, **yogurts**, and **baklava**. Many ingredients are sourced directly from Turkey, such as seafood options like **octopus**, **turbot**, and **sea bass**. Altinsoy is proud of the authenticity, saying, “Some customers say they return to Turkey just for the food, but they say they can’t find authentic dishes like ours anymore.”

The menu offers a variety of **meze**, small plates that serve as appetizers or form part of a larger tasting menu. One of the favorites is **Türkman Manti**, soft dumplings filled with lightly spiced beef or vegetables, served over garlic yogurt and topped with paprika sauce. Another notable dish is **Lakerda**, salt-cured bonito prepared according to a recipe dating back to Byzantine times, served with red onions and extra virgin olive oil.

For those seeking a flavorful alternative to pizza, **Lahmacun**, a flatbread topped with ground beef and tomatoes, is available. A unique twist on traditional hummus features a warmed version with thin-sliced beef pastirma and brown butter.

Among the main courses, the **Adana Kebab**, made with premium lamb from **Superior Farms**, is particularly popular. Served with a salad of onions, Aleppo peppers, and tomatoes, this dish can be enjoyed as finger food, wrapped in flatbread with a squeeze of lemon. Altinsoy explains their technique, stating, “We knife-chop the fresh lamb breast instead of grinding it, so it’s not mush. Then we mix it only with salt and red pepper. It is quite a unique kebab.”

Customer **Yankaan Tanurhal** praises the Adana Kebab, describing it as “authentic” and “extremely well done.” He appreciates the dish’s balance of flavors that honor its origins.

Meyhouse employs traditional Turkish grilling techniques, using charcoal that is carefully covered in ash to regulate temperature and create a distinct smokiness in the meat. “In Turkey, anywhere you eat they are cooking on this grill,” Altinsoy noted.

The restaurant’s house bread, **Pide**, is a delightful sourdough with a unique texture, served with a dipping sauce made from herbs and olive oil. This bread is typically available in Turkey only during Ramadan, adding to its appeal.

Meyhouse also offers a selection of Turkish wines, including a **2022 Isabey Sauvignon Blanc** from the Aegean coast and a **Produm 2022 Öküzgüzü Kalecik Karası**, a medium-bodied red from Elazığ.

Desserts like **Kunefe**, a phyllo dough dish filled with mozzarella, and **Damla Sakizi** ice cream made from mastic are must-tries. A tip from Altinsoy: order them together for a perfect contrast of flavors.

“Every dish tells a story, every night is an experience, and every guest becomes part of our rich Turkish dining tradition,” Altinsoy remarked, underscoring the restaurant’s commitment to sharing Turkish culture through its food.

**Meyhouse Restaurant** is located at **187 S. Murphy Ave.** in Sunnyvale. The restaurant operates from **11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.** and **5-9 p.m.** Sunday through Thursday, and from **5-10 p.m.** on Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit their website or follow them on Instagram.