Turkey

Istanbul

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An awesome gastropub that turns into one of the best Cihangir bars at night. A lantern-lit patio, music, colored sofas – Kiki is everyone's darling – from hipsters to bikers. The venue is famous for its daily events – the 1980s party, aperitif hour, Girl Power Night or a DJ set – so groovy. Their cocktail hit is vanilla and pomegranate vodka. Vodka is really the number one Istanbul party drink though the weather is not cold at all.

Kiki

The famous Turkish delight place selling it for some 200 years. It's the delight kingdom – they offer lokum with pistachio, mint, almond, coconut cinnamon, ginger and five other choices. The place also has halva and fig sorbetto and hazelnut dragée – their selection is to die for. The interior is antique – marble from north-western provinces, wooden stalls and piles of yummy stuff.

Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir

This coffee shop is part of the chain but still has a unique atmosphere due to a beautiful sea view and convenient location. If you are not a coffee fan try their trademark hot chocolate. If you love details you will be have to get a chocolate spoon with your drink to melt in it or eat later.

Kahve Dunyasi Büyükada (The World of Coffee)

The main square is always crowded and offers lots of fun – have an Italian gelato and Turkish lokma or browse around the market to buy jewelry or a flower crown – a traditional decoration of all local girls. If you are lost the meeting point is the clock tower in the center.

Büyükada

The locals eat mussels one by one, right by the stall generously pouring lemon on its rice filling using shell like a spoon. For locals it is a night snack and at the same time a nice chat with a vendor to discuss football or love to seafood. Rice makes it sushi-like, so be careful and don’t overeat.

Street stalls with mussels

The famous Kanaat self-service has been serving excellent traditional food for decades and people stand in lines to try their legendary jambalaya-stuffed meat and vegetables. Bring some cash, no cards are accepted.

Kanaat Lokantası

Bahariye is the Paris oasis in the city, from where you can take a tram to Kadikoy. It looks like a beautiful cross-cultural mosaics with its shops, restaurants, decorated sidewalks, a Greek church and an education center. The street ends (or begins if we follow the one-way logic) by the square with a bull sculpture, which is always crowded. If you are here in the cool chestnut season the smell will make you feel this special atmosphere and the flavor will complete the charm. In summer look for carts with corn, freshly boiled or charcoal grilled.

Bahariye Street

Not far from Kadikoy, there is the legendary Baylan bakery where today's thirty-somethings had their first profiteroles. The interior is still the same, which is very nostalgic, and desserts are fabulous. No words can describe their trademark Kup Griye of vanilla ice cream, caramel, nuts and whipped cream. It you want to take something away get their handmade chocolate candy.

Baylan

Istanbul ferries go back centuries and have become the city symbol. Locals take this super exotic voyage from Europe to Asia without even thinking how special it is. The harbor is packed with tourists feeding hundreds of seagulls waiting for their simit sesame seed bread and weeping like mad. Give them some crumbs and drink herbal tea from tiny cups looking at the horizon. By the way, when Istanbul had no bridges (the first was built in 1973) ferries still looked the same though journeys were taken serious compared to a ride to another city.

Tea on your way from Europe to Asia

Everyone knows Istanbul street vendors who wander around or are always at the same spot at the same time praising their food or proudly drinking tea. Don't be afraid - street food is safe. But be sure to walk a lot, as you will be eating a lot.

Istanbul

Routes

Places of Istanbul