Dining

Barbeku House

Barbeku House is a hidden gem, located just minutes from the Blue Mosque. This is the place where you can enjoy quality Turkish food at affordable prices in a warm and cosy atmosphere. You can also...

Beyti Restaurant

Beyti Restaurant is a unique Turkish meat restaurant and admired not only in the country but all over the world. The friendly owner Mr. Beyti comes to every table every evening to wish you "bon app...

Eleos

Eleos is a warm and welcoming Greek restaurant which can be hard to find but it will be well worth the effort. The small menu changes daily, depending on the catch of the day. With your fresh food ...

Four Seasons

The luxurious Four Seasons hotel is a converted prison from around year 1800 near the Topkapi Palace. The restaurant is in a round outbuilding on what was once the prison yard, and here you can eat...

Galatasaray Fish Market and Çicek Pasaji

Halfway through the market runs the Nevizade, a lane with a string of good value Meyhanes—traditional taverns. The flower thoroughfare next to the market is a reconstructed restaurant street, but i...

House of Medusa

The restaurant is named after the goddess Medusa and is located in an old building that used to be a mansion before it restored into a restaurant. This charming restaurant provides a lovely courtya...

Bars & Nightlife

360 Istanbul

360 is one of the hippest places in town. Make a memorable evening out of it and go for an amazing dinner at the restaurant, followed by a drink in the chic bar and ending it at the hottest club in...

Galata Tower

On the upper floors of this nine-story tower is a nightclub which hosts Turkish shows like belly dancing. The medieval stone tower is located just to the north of the Golden Horn and is an importan...

Hodjapasha

Hodjapasha is a Culture Center located in a former Turkish bath. These days you can come here an evening for inspiring music and dance shows. Here you can see solo oriental dances as well as group ...

Litera Restaurant / Lounge-Club

You can find Litera Bar at the top of one of the tall Ottoman buildings with an amazing view over Sea of Marmara and the Bosporus. Drinks tend to be on the pricey side, which is made up for in qual...

Orient Express Bar

A nostalgic must-see where kings, spies, writers and film stars have all taken a drink. Don’t forget to see Agatha Christie’s room 411, which is now a museum.

Roxy

Roxy is another reliable address that has kept its position over the years with performances by national and international stars. This is a crowded place with a great dance floor.

Cafes

Fazil Bey

The Fazil Bey Café opened in 1923 and since then it has always roasted its own beans to serve its own spin on Turkish coffee, plus local cookies and pastries. Other options include Chai tea and gin...

Mangerie

This is the perfect place to go for breakfast or brunch. Mangerie offers a nice ambience with a magnificent view of the water and street below. The staff also prepares fresh juices and cocktails.

Meşale Restaurant & Cafe

A local hotspot with great service and a vibrant atmosphere, stop by for some tea and shisha. The café serves cocktails, but nothing with alcohol, although the smoking of hookhas is frequent. Excel...

Patisserie De Pera

Time has stood still here since 1892 and you almost expect Mata Hari to sit down at the next table to enjoy one of the delicious pastries. Patisserie De Pera is located inside Pera Palace Hotel.

Pierre Loti

This café is rightfully renowned for its fantastic view over the Golden Horn, a great place to enjoy a cup of traditional Turkish Tea on the terrace garden. It is extremely popular with Turkish fam...