Local Restaurants
Hamdi
It is a kebab restaurant that also has traditional Turkish desserts with the view of pretty Istanbul.
Pandeli
Pandeli is one of the “Best Restaurants” according to the list of American Food&Wine review. It is located in a historical building with the Turkish foods, desserts and local wines. It was one of the favorite restaurants of the founding president of the country Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Havuzlu
Havuzlu is located in the Grand Bazaar. It works like an ambassador of Turkish cuisine.
Sultanahmet Köftecisi
Sultanahmet Köftecisi has the most famous Turkish meatballs that always hosts several tourist and locals as well.
Hacı Abdullah
Hacı Abdullah is a traditional restaurant that has over 1000 choices in the menu. Decoration of the restaurant is inspired by the history of Ottoman Empire.
Hacıbekir
It is the most famous place to have some Turkish Delights. They do high export to several countries including the USA, New Zealand and Japan.
Karaköy Güllüoğlu
It is one of the most famous places to have Turkish desserts, especially Baklava.
Savoy
Savoy is a brasserie that has desserts from world cuisine, especially Jewish cuisine.
Chain Restaurants and cafés
World cuisine
- Midpoint
- Welldone
- Kitchenette
- BigChefs
Midpoint, Welldone, Kitchenette and BigChefs are very common restaurants in the central -mostly shopping-related areas. They have several options on their menus, including vegan and gluten-free.
Turkish cuisine
- Günaydın Kebap & Steakhouse
- Develi Restaurant (Kebap & Baklava)
- Nusr-et Steakhouse
- HD İskender
Café and brasserie
- Divan Brasserie
- Baylan
- Beyaz Fırın
- Kahve Dünyası
Bars and Night clubs
Barnattan Instanbul
Barnattan is a rooftop bar located in the historical Galata District.
Monkey Istanbul
It is a cocktail bar which has a rooftop and DJ sets.
Nardis Jazz Club
Nardis is 20 years old jazz club located in Galata district. Generally hosts Turkish musicians and bands, while also welcomes worldwide jazz musicians and bands.
Reservation required from https://www.nardisjazz.com
If Performance
IF Performance is a club with live music, a venue for concerts.
Reservation required from https://www.ifperformance.com
Klein Entertainment
Klein Entertainment has nightclubs that play electronic music, 3 of them are located in Istanbul.
Cahide Palazzo
Cahide Palazzo is a local unique entertainment club with different types of unique shows.
For reservation: https://cahidepalazzo.com.tr/#about
Shopping
The Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops, attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. In 2014, it was listed No.1 among the world’s most-visited tourist attractions with 91,250,000 annual visitors. The Grand Bazaar is often regarded as one of the first shopping malls in the world.
Nişantaşı
Nişantaşı shops are one of Istanbul’s leading fashion markets, featuring high-end fashion houses, international brands, and well-known designer boutiques. Nişantaşı is a lively area that shops and restaurants on Abdi İpekçi Street and Teşvikiye Street teem with large numbers of visitors. It is recommended to visit Nişantaşı repeatedly to keep up with the latest stores, wander in its historical alleys, and eat in its unique restaurants. The entire area has become a prominent, delightful shopping center. The city’s Nişantaşı Shopping Center is a luxurious high-class project, a significant mall among Istanbul’s markets and malls.
Galataport Istanbul features a total of 230 food & beverage and retail stores. All the brands included in Galataport Istanbul, whether they are entering the Turkish market for the first time or not, provide their services based on a concept centered on experience, suitable for all audiences and different tastes. It will offer certification and inspection for the local food & beverage industry, enabling visitors to experience certified and hygienic street food safely.
Zorlu Center
Zorlu Center is a multiple-use complex in the Beşiktaş district of containing an upscale shopping mall, Zorlu PSM (the largest performing arts center in the country), as well as the country’s first Apple Store.
İstinye Park
İstinye Park is a shopping center in the İstinye quarter of Istanbul with 291 stores. The center features both enclosed and open-air sections. The open-air section has a green central park and offers street-side shopping. The center includes an authentic Turkish food bazaar- a traditional market place, inspired by Turkish architecture and history.