Reviewed report
What happened?
We sat down at a fish restaurant in Kumkapı. Before we even ordered, the waiter brought a large tray of beautiful mezes (appetizers) and started putting 4-5 plates on our table. We assumed they were complimentary starters (like bread and water in some countries). At the end, we found out each plate cost 250 TL, and our bill doubled. The fish itself was reasonably priced, but the unasked appetizers ruined our budget. (The Takeaway): In Turkish restaurants, nothing put on the table is free unless explicitly stated as 'ikram' (complimentary). If a waiter puts plates down that you didn't order, ask immediately: "Is this free?" or "How much is this?". If you don't want it, tell them to take it back.