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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