Mercan’s guidebook
Food scene
KAHVE 6
NO:13/A Anahtar Sk.Favorite breakfast spot.
Journey
21/A Akarsu Ykş. Sok.Local hang-out.
Great kebab restaurant with an amazing view. Make sure you make a reservation prior to your visit.
9 locals recommend
Ali Ocakbaşı Gümüşsuyu
22 İnönü Cd.Great kebab restaurant with an amazing view. Make sure you make a reservation prior to your visit.
Twins Coffee Roasters
No: 23/A İnönü CaddesiFavorite neighborhood coffee shop.
Gezi Pastanesi
Historical patisserie, everything is fresh and delicious.
İnci Pastanesi
18/A Mis Sk.Best profiterole in Istanbul.
Aret'in Yeri
No:9 Nevizade Sk.Classical meyhane, good mezes.
Smelt & Co. Gastro Spot / Kombucha
No:16/A Kiremit Cd.Yeni Lokanta
No:66/B Kumbaracı Ykş.HODAN
Hayriye CaddesiPandeli Restaurant - Mısır Çarşısı
Eskibağ Restaurant
AdalarBest meyhane in Istanbul.
Sinem Dondurma
Yalı CaddesiBest ice-cream in Istanbul
Favorite bakery in Buyukada, their eggplant stuffed pastries (Patlıcanlı Poğaça) and cookies are the best. I always get their mille feuille cake with cherries for my birthday.
Büyükada Pastanesi
16 Şht. Recep Koç Cd.Favorite bakery in Buyukada, their eggplant stuffed pastries (Patlıcanlı Poğaça) and cookies are the best. I always get their mille feuille cake with cherries for my birthday.
Asitane Restaurant
No:6 Kariye Cami Sk.The place to try Ottoman palace cuisine.
Sightseeing
Hagia Sophia
No:1 Ayasofya MeydanıSultanahmet Camii station
Blue Mosque
Basilica Cistern
1/3 Yerebatan Cd.Galata Tower
500-year-old Turkish bath (hamam) built by the famous Mimar Sinan.
71 locals recommend
Çemberlitaş Bath
No:8 Vezirhan Cd.500-year-old Turkish bath (hamam) built by the famous Mimar Sinan.
Beautiful little mosque perched at the edge of the Bosphorus. Designed by the famous Ottoman architects Nigoğayos Balyan and Garabet Balyan.
Ortakoy Mosque
No:5 Mescit SokakBeautiful little mosque perched at the edge of the Bosphorus. Designed by the famous Ottoman architects Nigoğayos Balyan and Garabet Balyan.
Neighbourhoods
Cihangir
Artsy neighborhood with many cafes, bars, and cute shops.
Right in between Cihangir and Taksim, this neighborhood is known for its many antique stores. Lots of cute cafes, bars and restaurants as well.
22 locals recommend
Çukurcuma
Right in between Cihangir and Taksim, this neighborhood is known for its many antique stores. Lots of cute cafes, bars and restaurants as well.
The artsy neighborhood of the Anatolian side is known for its street art, good food, and live music venues.
505 locals recommend
Kadıköy
The artsy neighborhood of the Anatolian side is known for its street art, good food, and live music venues.
A beautiful neighborhood perched at the edge of the Bosphorus. Many beautiful cafes, restaurants, bars and shops around. Highly recommend walking on the promenade from here to Rumelihisari (Rumeli Fortress).
16 locals recommend
Arnavutköy
A beautiful neighborhood perched at the edge of the Bosphorus. Many beautiful cafes, restaurants, bars and shops around. Highly recommend walking on the promenade from here to Rumelihisari (Rumeli Fortress).
Art & Culture
The old bank building transformed into an art and design library and gallery. Check out its calendar for exhibitions and workshops.
209 locals recommend
SALT Galata, Istanbul
No:11 Bankalar Cd.The old bank building transformed into an art and design library and gallery. Check out its calendar for exhibitions and workshops.
You can catch a play, ballet, or a concert at this recently renovated historic opera house.
21 locals recommend
Ataturk Cultural Center
Tak-ı Zafer CaddesiYou can catch a play, ballet, or a concert at this recently renovated historic opera house.
Horhor Antikacılar Çarşısı
No:1 Kırma Tulumba Sk.Antiques Bazaar
Istanbul Archaeological Museum
Music
Salon Iksv
No:5 Şişhane Sk.Favorite place to catch live concerts