The information in this post was updated in December, 2015.
You know when you live in a city, you don't hurry to learn about it. Even after living there for 10 years, you may still not know many neighborhoods. You keep going to your favorite cafe shops, your favorite stores, your top 5 restaurants/bars, your favorite movie theater, etc. Very few adventurous reasons will inspire you to get-out-of-your-habits during the ordinary weekends. But if you are a tourist for a week in a city, let's say Havana in Cuba, you will try to explore every single street, building, plaza, museum, church, restaurant, bar, store, supermarket, ... till your return flight requires you to be at the airport ready with your suitcases.
I lived in Istanbul for 10 years. Now, as a
tourist visiting this city once a year, I have this stronger-than-ever desire to see more of Istanbul every time I'm there. I made below to-eat list (for the vacations I'm in town). I visited some of them, but it's worth to go again (and again, and again).
1. Gelik
I have been to here, in Atakoy branch; it is one of the best places to experience Turkish cuisine. There are 3 Gelik restaurants in Istanbul: in Atakoy, Levent and Zeytinburnu. Gelik-Zeytinburnu has a special menu for the sea food.
Cuisine: Turkish
Address for Gelik-Atakoy: Kennedy Street Atakoy Sahilyolu, Istanbul
Check the website for Zeytinburnu and Levent locations.
Website: http://www.gelik.com.tr/En/
2. Nomads
Entertainments start after 11pm. I am curious about the food here and am open to hear your opinions.
Cuisine: Lebanese
Address: Muallim Naci Caddesi No: 65 Ortakoy, Istanbul. (Located across the street from Club Reina.)
Webiste: http://www.nomads.nl/istanbul/en/about
3. Reina
One of the most popular night clubs in Istanbul. I haven't heard about their food, but you better dress up.
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Address: Muallim Naci Cad. No:44 Ortakoy, Istanbul.
Website: http://reina.com.tr/
I have never been to here. But it's popular for nightlife-lovers, just FYI.
4. PiPa Restaurant
The right time to be there is after 11pm at the bar section if you want to have fun after dinner. Make sure you arrange a reservation a few days beforehand if you are planning to go in the weekend.
Cuisine: Italian
Address: Süleyman Nazif Sok. Şebnem Hanım Apt. No 7/B Nişantaşı, Istanbul
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/PiPaNisantasi
I ate here with my friends in August, 2012. There is no air conditioning!
6. Leb-i Derya Restaurants
There are two Leb-i Derya restaurants in Istanbul, and it is strongly recommended to pick the one on the roof of Richmond Hotel. It has an amazing scenery.
Cuisine: International
Address: Istiklal Caddesi, No: 45 Richmond Hotel Beyoglu, Istanbul
I haven't had the chance to eat in this restaurant yet. But it is one of the most respected places to eat in Istanbul, and not cheap! Just FYI.
7. Emirgan - Sütiş
| I have been here many times with my family to have breakfast under the shadows of old oak trees by the Bosphorus. |
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There are a few Sütiş restaurants (pronounced like
Sue-tish) in Istanbul, but I recommend the one in Emirgan. It is crowded in the weekends, so you better be there early. You can also visit the Sabanci Museum after breakfast.
Cuisine: Turkish
Address: Emirgan Mah. Sakıp Sabancı Cad. No:1/3 Emirgan Sarıyer, İstanbul
For more info: http://www.sutis.com.tr/eng/index.asp
8. Hacı Abdullah
This 120 year-old restaurant is a must-visit-place to have traditional Ottoman dishes. There is so much variety that it takes long to decide.
Don't expect entertainment in Haci Abdullah: If I were you, I would have an early dinner here, then would spend the rest of the night in Beyoglu trying several pubs on the Istiklal Street.
Cuisine: Ottoman
Address: Aga Camii Atıf Yılmaz Cad. (Eski Sakızagacı Cad.) No:9/A 80070, Beyoglu
Website: http://haciabdullah.com.tr/en/
9. Çiçek Pasajı
Çiçek Pasajı (means Flower Passage) is a long narrow courtyard in a historical building in Beyoglu.
The courtyard is lined with restaurants where you can share dozens of meze plates, kebaps, desserts, seafood and drinks.
Too crowded on Saturdays -prefer another day. No need for reservation.
Cuisine: Turkish (taverna style)
Address: Istiklal Caddesi, No: 172 (Northeast of Galatasaray Square)
I had an amazing dinner in one of the restaurants in Çiçek Pasajı with my Canadian family-in-laws on the New Year's Eve, 2014. The menu was not printed on paper, instead, it was presented as a huge tray full of fresh sea animals taken from a fisherman's store nearby; the restaurant owner asking us "Which ones do you want to eat?". He barbecued them on coal and hosted us like kings and queens... One of the most tasty and beautiful dinner experiences in my life.
10. Krependeki Imroz Restaurant
You may find Nevizade Street a bit chaotics, but here is the right place if you are looking for fresh sea food with raki in a traditional atmosphere. Start with a few cold meze plates, and then some hot meze which are served from a tray.
Cuisine: Turkish / Greek (taverna style)
Address: Nevizade Sok. Balik Pazari No: 16 Beyoglu, Istanbul
11. Kız Kulesi (Maiden's Tower)
An old tower located on an islet in the middle of Bosphorus, closer to the Asian side of Istanbul.
The history of this place goes back to 341BC. You can eat or just have drinks while enjoying the beautiful silhouettes of Istanbul both on Asian and European sides. I haven't heard about the food, but it is definitely worth to take a trip.
Open Hours: 12.30pm-6:30pm in weekdays, and 11am - 6:30pm in weekends.
12. Karaköy - Güllüoğlu
They have legendary desserts here! Try chocolate baklava... and every other baklavas in the store.
Cuisine: Turkish desserts
Address: Mumhane Street No:171 Post Code: 34420 Karaköy, Istanbul
Website: http://www.karakoygulluoglu.com/eng/
13. Sinop Mantı
Manti is a Turkish style dumpling dish. The dumplings consist of mixed lamb or beef meat with spices in a dough wrapper, boiled or fried. There are various styles of manti; the most common dishes are served with a sauce of garlic-yoghurt, a mixture of melted butter and spices on top.
Sinop is a city in Northern Turkey, where manti is served with walnuts on top. Since that I usually avoid eating heavy food, I request the waiter to serve my dish half with yoghurt sauce and half with walnut sauce (See the photo of my last plate there)
Cuisine: Turkish (Sinop region)
Address: Sinanpaşa Köprü Sok, Tellioglu Işhani No 8/1, Beşiktaş / Istanbul (No need for reservation)
Every time I visit Istanbul, I come to this restaurant with my family -as it has become one of our most crucial family traditions to eat here at least once a year. If only I didn't feel guilty after non-vegan meals... There is not too much meat in their dishes (hey, I'm trying to get over my guiltiness!) but more importantly: I have had precious family times in this restaurant and it is too hard to give it up.
14. Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi
Historical restaurant to have traditional
kofte (meatball). This is one of my favourite places to have lunch with my mother.
Check the soup of the day, order
kofte and
piyaz salad, drink
ayran. After having lunch here, you will have a lot to see in the area: Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque (the Sultan Ahmed Mosque), Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Basilica Cistern -You may need two days to see them all + to do shopping.
Cuisine: Turkish
Address: Alemdar Mah, Divan Cad Yolu, No:12 Istanbul
The building was constructed between 1455 and 1461, and then was enlarged in the 16th century. It feels like a labyrinth inside. You must visit here even if you are not a fan of shopping since the architecture is so impressive.
The second largest historical bazaar in Istanbul, which was built with the revenues coming from Egypt in the 17th century. If your time is limited, I would recommend you to visit the Grand Bazaar first.
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