Staying in Istanbul for 2 days. Looking for restaurant recommendations, worthwhile experiences and etc.
Suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Do you know @Gence_Alton ? He’s on FB as well.
It’s been a minute since I’ve been to Istanbul, and I generally don’t make recommendations unless I’ve been in the past year, but I’d head immediately to Çiya Sofrası in the Kadıköy Market on the Asian side.
Two days is not enough for Istanbul. You have to visit the Blue Mosque and Aya Sophia which are close to each other. And definitely a market/bazaar.
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I haven’t been in several years, but I wholeheartedly second this. Just go up to the window and point to what looks good - you won’t be disappointed. And you’ll walk through some amazing markets on the way in and out!
Bumping an old thread but I always scan this forum for travel advice and the only other one is even older (but I’d love to know how you got on @David_K_o_l_i_n)
I am thinking of a city break here in Feb. Not really looking for fine dining but any tips for nice restaurants with reasonable Turkish wines and also any good wine shops? Thanks.
I am very happy this thread has been resurrected. My wife and I will be in Istanbul in July for 4 nights before we take a cruise. I have read the tour books for the main attractions but welcome any personal recommendations for eating, shopping, concerts, art galleries /museums and general tourist stuff. We are staying at the Park Hyatt.
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While I haven’t been to Istanbul so I can’t vouch for it myself, I’ve heard wonderful things about Yeni Lokanta. The chef splits his time between Istanbul and London, and the last meal we had at this restaurant in London was phenomenal.
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I had my very food-oriented friends go this past year and they raved. Happy to re-second @M.Kaplan’s recommendation with my friends’ recent experience. Not fine dining - just delicious.
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LOVED Istanbul. Fascinating city with only 18 million people and about the same number of cats. We didn’t explore fine dining and the wines I tried were mediocre (ended up binging on raki), but we ate very well from cafés to fish sandwich places to sit down restaurants. The best meals may have been our hotel buffet breakfasts. I generally was much more a fan of the small plates than the meats, which seemed chronically under seasoned and overcooked. I do keep simit and labne at home as well as zatar and olive oil dip. What I miss most are the huge cashews with the skin on sold be street vendors that I can’t find here. And the people, who are terrific
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Thanks all for the tips so far. Did you have to make reservations or just eat wherever looked good?
My time in Istanbul was limited to a 5 hour tour but after that I really want to go back.
This video has lots of specific recommendations. This couple did a video about Hanoi and it was spot on.
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Thanks for the advice everyone. Despite being aware the prices were a real shock, if you want to drink wine its going to cost you ££££ and even food in nice restaurants (wasn’t after fine dining or stars) is on par with what I’d pay in the UK. Entry costs for the tourist attractions are also insane.
Some highlights from me that are hopefully useful for others:
Hane Kadıköy - loved this place on the Asian side and heartily recommend it. Really good mezze. Really nice atmosphere. Staff and cat were so very kind. Small but good wine list, drank a Kayra Buzbag Reserv which was lovely. Menu with prices on their website, reserve by whatsapping them. 90% locals.
Foxy Nişantaşı - recommended by a friend. 110 bottles (I counted) of Turkish wines from grapes you have never heard of. Natural including lots of orange, not natural, whites, reds, they have it. There’s a blackboard of by the glass but not knowing my Turkish varieties at all I just asked the lady serving me for advice and she pulled some bottles that weren’t even on the board. Food is small plates and was very good. Place was rammed with locals, reservation mandatory. Staff were rushed off their feet but still really kind and helpful. Resident cat joined me for dinner. If you want to drink interesting Turkish wines from a huge selection this is it.
Ali Ocakbaşı - Bib Gourmand kebab restaurant down a dark creepy unlit alley. Kind and friendly staff. The kebab was excellent and I drank a Kayra Kalecik Karasi which is like a spicy PN / Gamay and worked well. Only non local in the place. Reserve via email (was full so a good idea).
Çiya Sofrası - was a bit on the fence about this one as current reviews are mixed, some say its gone downhill due to its fame others say that’s rubbish. I am glad I did - the person greeting (may have been the owner?) was really kind and talked me through it all. Not sure they even do reservations but got in with no issue. Lamb shank with quince was exceptional. No booze but its on a street full of bars if you fancy one before or after. 50/50 locals and tourists.
Wine Shops:
La Cave - was closed on Sunday early afternoon when Google said it would be open but looked like it was still trading.
Solera Winery - nice wine bar that also does take away. Friendly guy, bought a couple of bottles here.
Rind - funky off licence at the other end of the bar street from Çiya Sofrası. Craft beers, spirits, world wines but also a decent selection of Turkish wines at fair (for Istanbul) prices and the friendly lady running it was very knowledgeable.
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