Recommendations | Istanbul
We have listed our premium selection in Istanbul for you. We hope you enjoy it.
Restaurants
ASMALIMESCIT FISHERMAN
Known for fresh fish, appetizers, and pan-cooked anchovy with special flavor. Cozy spot in Asmalimescit, perfect for a visit. Telephone: +90 212 243 6130 Address: Asmalimescit Mah.Sofyali Sok.No:5/A, Cihangir, Beyoglu,
ISTANBUL AKBABALI MEYHANE
Akbabalı Meyhane in Asmalımescit offers indoor and outdoor seating with live music and great food. Outdoor tables are best on warm summer nights. Reservation recommended. Telephone: 02122514338. Google Web
YENI LOKANTA
Karaköy Lokantası, in historic Karaköy, is a classic Istanbul fish spot known for its blue-tiled interior. Popular with locals and expats. Don’t miss the lunch menu. Telephone: 02122924455. Google Web
ZÜBEYIER OCAKBASI
A top kebab grill spot just off Istiklal Avenue, run by Zubeyir and his brothers since 2006. Know for its authentic flavor and cozy atmosphere. Reservation recommended. Telephone: 02122933951. Google Web
Restaurants
SOFYALI 9
Charming 3-story tavern in Asmalimescit with open-air ground floor and authentic ambiance. Telephone: +90 212 245 0362 Address: Asmalimescit Cad. Sofyali Sok. No: 9, Beyoglu, Istanbul. Google Web
KIVA HAN
Located across from Galata Tower, Kiva Han offers a traditional Anatolian-Ottoman dining experience, inspired by Turkish esnaf lokantası. Telephone: +90 212 292 9898 Address: Galata Tower Center, No: 4, Beyoglu, Istanbul. Google Web
ISTANBUL MODERN RESTAURANT
Enjoy a stylish meal with stunning views of the Bosphorus and Old City from Istanbul Modern’s spacious terrace. Telephone: +90 212 292 2612 Address: Meclis-i Mebusan Cad. Liman Isletmeleri Sahasi, No: 4, Karakoy, Istanbul. Google Web
GALATA HOUSE
The menu features Russian, Tartar, and Georgian dishes like goulash, dumplings, and blini. Live music plays after 8 PM in a small room upstairs. There is also a terrace for aoutdoor dining. Telephone: +90 212 245 1861 Address: Galatakulesi Sok No. 15, Beyoglu, Istanbul. Google Web
WISTERIA
Cozy spot near Galata Tower with modern decor, garden, and live music. Perfect for dinners or casual evenings. Telephone: +90 212 252 7218 Address: Galata Kulesi Sok. No: 20/A, Beyoglu, Istanbul.
Cafes
MOLLY’s CAFE
Molly’s Cafe near Galata Tower is cozy and popular for homemade food, cakes, and lemonades. It offers indoor seating and an outdoor patio with views of historic buildings.
CAFE CUMA CUKURCUMA
Breakfast, brunch and lunch: Located in a hidden corner at the Cukurcuma street, Café Cuma presents home-made breakfast, brunch and a cosy local atmosphere. Telephone: 02122932062. Google Web
FES CAFE GRAND BAZAAR
Fes Caffee located inside the historical covered Bazaar of Istanbul is very good at Turkish Coffee. Sit down, order a coffee and be amazed by the busy streets of the Grand Bazaar. Telephone: 02125281613. Google Web
Cafes
KONAK CAFE
KONAK Café offers a stunning Bosphorus view from its terrace, perfect for special gatherings and Sunday brunch. The menu features breakfast, soups, sandwiches, main dishes, and homemade desserts. Telephone: +90 212 252 5346 Address: Bereketzade Mah. Haci Ali Sok. No: 2 Kuledibi, 34420, Beyoglu, Istanbul. Google Web
CAFE PRIVATO
Café Privato is first opened cafe in Galata.It has a 125-year historical building. If you go to Privato you can see easily how much labor spend for decoration or menus for customers. Their lentil soup is homemade and they don’t tell their secret about their special vodkas to anyone Telephone: +90 212 293 2055 Address: Galip Dede Cad. Timarci Sok. No: 3/B, Galata, Beyoglu, İstanbul
MAVRA CAFÉ
Located on Serdar-i Ekrem Street in Galata, Mavra is a cafe by day serving sandwiches and pastries (try the classic pogaca) and a trendy bar by night. Its thrift-chic decor features local crafts for sale and attracts artists and creatives.
Museums
ISTANBUL MODERN ART
Turkey’s first private modern art museum, founded in 2004, is on the Bosphorus with exhibitions, a library, cinema, and café. Location: Behind Nusretiye Mosque, Karakoy. Telephone: +90 212 334 7000 Address: Meclis-i Mebusan Cad. Liman Isletmeleri Sahasi, No: 4, Karakoy, Istanbul. Google Web
SANTRAL ISTANBUL
Santralistanbul aims to be an international arts and culture platform promoting urban regeneration through diverse events and activities. Telephone: +90 212 311 7878 / 7809 Address: Eski Silahtaraga Elektrik Santrali, Kazim Karabekir Cad. No: 2, Eyup, Istanbul. Google Web
SALT GALATA SALT
SALT is Turkey’s largest cultural institution, focusing on innovation rather than being a traditional museum. It hosts exhibitions, conferences, research projects, and offers a public library and archives. Visiting Hours: Monday, closed; Tuesday-Saturday, 12:00pm-8:00pm; Sunday, 10:30am-8:00pm Telephone: +90 212 334 2200 Address: Bankalar Caddesi 11, Karakoy, Beyoglu.
Museums
DENIZ PLACE
Built by architect Georges Coulouthros in Art Nouveau style, this 7-floor building hosts IKSV, with X Restaurant on top, Perali cafe on the second floor, and the “Saloon” performance space on the ground floor. It’s a key cultural venue in Istanbul. Telephone: +90 212 334 0700 Address: Sadi Konuralp Caddesi Deniz Palas No: 5, Galata-Sishane, Istanbul IKSV. Google Web
PERA MUSEUM
Built by architect Georges Coulouthros in Art Nouveau style, this 7-floor building hosts IKSV, with X Restaurant on top, Perali cafe on the second floor, and the “Saloon” performance space on the ground floor. It’s a key cultural venue in Istanbul. Telephone: 02123349900. Google Web
Sightseeing & Daily Excursions
DAILY ISTANBUL TOURS
Istanbul Tour Studio is a local travel agency offering guided tours focused on storytelling and local tips. Their popular One Day Tour, held every Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM, is ideal for first-time visitors to explore Istanbul’s past and present. Read more
ISTANBUL STREET ART WALK
In Istanbul street art has become a new phenomenon. There are building tall murals and train graffitis, and its like a never ending journey. On this walk, you can discover the most interesting and beautiful street art of Istanbul. This walk is organised every Friday from 1pm to 6pm. Read more
FLAVOURS OF THE OLD CITY
If you like to eat your way through a city as much as we do, you will enjoy very much this culinary walk. Starting from the breakfast to lunch, you visit the most special and interesting local eateries of Istanbul and of course grab a bite! Read more. Telephone: +905333553049. For more information
