The nicest places in Istanbul
It may not be the first destination you think of when you plan a city trip, which is really a shame. A shame because Istanbul is an incredibly cool city, but also because a short city trip is actually too short for this special city. And you have everything here: culture, shopping, so much delicious food and many hotspots, from rooftop bars to spots where you mainly meet locals. And of course, this city is also full of beautiful buildings and you can walk around for days without getting bored. Yes, Istanbul has stolen a bit of my heart. If this city is also on your bucket list, definitely check out the addresses below. These are the places you absolutely want to know.
Some facts beforehand:
Before you start exploring this city, some info beforehand is always handy. I am always a big fan of fun facts, so here you have a top 3 about Istanbul.
1. Istanbul has over 3,000 mosques. That means a mosque on every corner of the street.
2. The tulips, yes, our Dutch tulips, are not so Dutch at all. They actually come from the Ottoman Empire. The clogs, those are really ours. Phew.
3. Next to a river, the Bosporus is also the border between Europe and Asia.
Handy to know: in Istanbul you pay with the Turkish Lira. 1 euro is approximately equal to 6.6 Turkish Lira. So keep a calculator handy. Do's and don'ts regarding taxis: always ride via the meter, or download the app BİTAKSİ, which shows which registered taxi is nearby. Much more trustworthy and you know you won't be ripped off. Tipping is customary here, around 10%. Okay, that was a quick survival course in Istanbul.
Must-see:
Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia is freely translated from Greek: ‘Holy Wisdom’. You will find this former cathedral (now museum) and mosque in the old part of Istanbul, in the Sultanahmet district. A trip to Istanbul is of course not complete without these two beautiful buildings, but it is also absolutely worth visiting them, even from the inside. Not surprisingly, you must be covered to enter, but they have cloths here if you don't have your own.
Grand Bazaar
Just like above, you can't skip this during your trip. A bit of culture, marveling at the amount of fake designer goods, and practicing your haggling skills. But you will also find delicious Turkish food here, as among the more than 4000 stalls there are also many coffee houses and restaurants. It's recommended to go early, as it gets really crowded here.
Taking a ferry across the Bosporus
For the ultimate feeling, do this in the evening at sunset. I personally find discovering a city from the water extra fun to do, and this is also the case in Istanbul. Many ferries offer this, some with dinner included or just a drink. What you can also do is take the ferry to Kadiköy earlier in the day, which is the Asian part of Istanbul. You will taste a very different atmosphere there and this is absolutely fun for a (mid)day outing.
The addresses you want to know
Karabatak
This is the ideal location to order a coffee with cake. There is a super cute terrace out front, but the interior is also very nice. Don't expect traditional baklava here, as the menu also includes red velvet cake, cheesecake, and apple pie. And in terms of coffee, they have the most unique creations here, such as a Black Russian Mocha, also known as a Boris, my personal favorite.
Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa Mahallesi, Kara Ali Kaptan Sok. No: 7
Cecconi’s
Yes, that Cecconi’s indeed. From the Soho House, and which we also have in Amsterdam now. And as beautiful as I find the former UvA building including rooftop pool in our capital... This one wins, though, if only for that inner garden. Guaranteed a romantic night out. But the exterior here is also quite impressive. Oh yes, and the food is really delicious, but I probably didn't need to tell you that.
View this post on InstagramSizler için hazırız. | We are ready for dinner. #cecconis #cecconisistanbul
Evliya Çelebi Mahallesi, Meşrutiyet Cd. No: 56
Urban Cafe
A a very nice all-day spot in Istanbul. For an authentic döner, you are in the wrong place, but for a sandwich or salad, it's perfect. It opens every day from nine in the morning, and on weekends it closes at two (on weekdays at one). A big advantage is that if you want to have a drink in the afternoon or evening, they serve a few beers here. Alcohol is not served everywhere in Istanbul, so if you feel like a cold beer after a day of strolling through the city, this is your spot. Additionally, it is always very atmospheric and cozy here.
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Kuloğlu Mh., Galatasaray Kartal sok No: 6/A
Pomelo
Perfect for early birds: this spot in Istanbul is open from seven in the morning. A small side note: they are closed on weekends. I am a big fan of the interior here, with brick walls covered in graffiti. Besides Turkish dishes, they also serve oatmeal with dried fruits for breakfast. And that Turkish menu changes daily. You won't find this spot in the most charming neighborhood, namely in Maslak, but it is definitely worth a visit.
Maslak Mahallesi, Kazım Karabekir Mahallesi No: 6
Attic
Lunching Turkish style is a must here. Really, the food here is so delicious. As for the interior, it's not exactly Instagram-worthy, but it is very cozy and relaxed. This spot is also open until late at night, so if you want to toast with a glass of Raki: go for it. The entrance is a bit tricky to find: you need to look for the building called Emre Han, and then take the elevator all the way up. There are also plenty of vegetarian options. There's a good chance you'll want to order the full menu here. Category round little barrel back outside.
Asmalımescit Mah, Asmalı Mescit Cd. No: 10
Mikla
A city like Istanbul is truly a pretty sight. I'm always a fan of rooftop bars, so I often look for them during every city trip. And this one was already tipped by us, and rightly so. The food here is a work of art, but a cocktail on the rooftop terrace is also not bad, you know. And just a bit about that food: this spot in Istanbul is in the top 50 of restaurants in the world. Just so you know. Make a reservation.
The Marmara Pera Meşrutiyet Caddesi 15
From Havan
This is a nice restaurant run by a family. It has a daily changing menu. So expect a lot of secret family recipes here, but on Saturdays, it's standard beef rib burgers. And not just any burgers, because these have been slow-cooked for seven hours. Nice: several items in this spot are for sale. Who knows, you might pick up something nice to take home.
Reşitpaşa Mahallesi, Emirgan Sk. 30/B
Old Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant
Turkish food as it should be. Mi gado, the food here is so good, I must say. You find this spot in the Sultanahmet district, it is also a popular place among locals, often a good sign of course. The staff is super friendly too. It's within walking distance of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, so it's handy to end a day in Sultanahmet at this place. You won’t regret it.
Alemdar Mh., Cağaloğlu Hamamı Sk. No:17/J
Rana Meyhane
This spot was previously called Topaz, so you might know it from that. It's located in the Taksim district, also known as the area where you want to have drinks in the evening and perhaps hit the dance floor. First, let yourself be pampered here and if possible, ask for a table on the terrace, as you have a beautiful view over the Bosporus.
Ömer Avni Mh., İnönü Cd. No:50
Maiden’s Tower
In the Netherlands, this tower is called the Leandertoren, which is located on a small island in the Bosporus. And yes, you can dine here. And yes, you want to. Besides the fact that this is a very special place to dine, the evening is also completed by romantic live music. It probably won't surprise you that this is a popular place to get married. If you're on a romantic getaway in Istanbul: do it.
Feriye Lokantasi
Do you get seasick quickly but still feel drawn to the Bosporus; check this spot. Here you are almost sitting on the terrace right on the Bosporus. Not bad, I can tell you. The whole building is beautiful, it used to be an Ottoman police station, nowadays it is called a palace. I can understand that. I personally think the view is the most beautiful during the day, so a decadent extensive lunch here is ultimate enjoyment.
Yıldız Mh., Çırağan Cd. No:44
St. Regis Brasserie
The St. Regis Hotel is of course a name in the hotel industry, but the restaurants are also worth mentioning. And this spot in Istanbul they show that they have a good grasp of French cuisine. Here and there a Turkish touch, that’s true. If you go here, start well at the bar with one of the delicious cocktails on the menu. By the way, what's nice here is that they have an all-day menu, meaning: all dishes can simply be ordered from open to close. Quite convenient.
Teşvikiye, Mim Kemal Öke Cd No:35
Written by: Wieke Veenboer
