Elif's Istanbul Favorites

Zehra Elif
Elif's Istanbul Favorites

Eating & Dining

For food lovers! Good value restaurants, 'it' cafes, hidden gems, local tastes plus fine dining places... All the best in Istanbul...
Tatbak's lahmacun is the best in town!
22 Einheimische empfehlen
Tatbak
38/B Akkavak Sk.
22 Einheimische empfehlen
Tatbak's lahmacun is the best in town!
Cool cafe in Nişantaşı... Hang out place for fashionistas!
30 Einheimische empfehlen
Delicatessen
No:19 Mim Kemal Öke Cd.
30 Einheimische empfehlen
Cool cafe in Nişantaşı... Hang out place for fashionistas!
Great breakfast place! Recommendation: Try Turkish egg style, Menemen... Also ideal for tea, coffee, cookies and deserts
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Grandma
38 Ahmet Fetgari Sk
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Great breakfast place! Recommendation: Try Turkish egg style, Menemen... Also ideal for tea, coffee, cookies and deserts
I love Mangerie, great view and good food together. My favorite place in Bebek... (Please note that you climb 3 floors up.) To enjoy the view, I recommend you to go in day time, for example, brunch! If not cold, prefer the tables at the balcony... You can even feed birds :)
42 Einheimische empfehlen
Mangerie
69 Cevdet Paşa Cd.
42 Einheimische empfehlen
I love Mangerie, great view and good food together. My favorite place in Bebek... (Please note that you climb 3 floors up.) To enjoy the view, I recommend you to go in day time, for example, brunch! If not cold, prefer the tables at the balcony... You can even feed birds :)
Amazing view + delicious Kebap = fantastic combination! After visiting Eminönü Spice Bazaar, stop for lunch or dinner... To get a table with view, reservation is recommended.
49 Einheimische empfehlen
Hamdi Restaurant Eminönü
No:11 Kalçin Sk.
49 Einheimische empfehlen
Amazing view + delicious Kebap = fantastic combination! After visiting Eminönü Spice Bazaar, stop for lunch or dinner... To get a table with view, reservation is recommended.
Chef Mehmet Gürs's 'Fine Dining' place. Such an elegant and world class restaurant. No suprise it is among the Top 50 World's Best Restaurants. Also it has a marvelous Golden Horn view. Reservation recommended. And dress to impress :)
93 Einheimische empfehlen
Mikla
15 Meşrutiyet Cd.
93 Einheimische empfehlen
Chef Mehmet Gürs's 'Fine Dining' place. Such an elegant and world class restaurant. No suprise it is among the Top 50 World's Best Restaurants. Also it has a marvelous Golden Horn view. Reservation recommended. And dress to impress :)
I love Çiya because here I can taste different food recipes from Turkey's Southeast regions... This restaurant is a delicious cuisine exploration of local foods - even for a local! :)
187 Einheimische empfehlen
Çiya Sofrası
Güneşli Bahçe Sokağı
187 Einheimische empfehlen
I love Çiya because here I can taste different food recipes from Turkey's Southeast regions... This restaurant is a delicious cuisine exploration of local foods - even for a local! :)
Baylan is famous for its 'Kup Griye' but any desert you choose will be, no doubt, tasty! There is also another Baylan in Bebek, neighborhood. However this is the original place. Interior is historic. Therefore I would recommend you to visit Baylan in Kadıköy (Anatolian side)
32 Einheimische empfehlen
Baylan
No: 9/A Muvakkıthane Cd.
32 Einheimische empfehlen
Baylan is famous for its 'Kup Griye' but any desert you choose will be, no doubt, tasty! There is also another Baylan in Bebek, neighborhood. However this is the original place. Interior is historic. Therefore I would recommend you to visit Baylan in Kadıköy (Anatolian side)
If you would like to experience fine dining together with local taste; Karaköy Lokantası is the place to go! It is a classic... Also great for business lunches/dinners, family gatherings...
160 Einheimische empfehlen
Karaköy Lokantası
No:57 Kemankeş Cd.
160 Einheimische empfehlen
If you would like to experience fine dining together with local taste; Karaköy Lokantası is the place to go! It is a classic... Also great for business lunches/dinners, family gatherings...
Fine Dining & Bosphorus view... Expensive yet well deserved!
45 Einheimische empfehlen
Sunset Grill & Bar
No:2 Yol Sokağı
45 Einheimische empfehlen
Fine Dining & Bosphorus view... Expensive yet well deserved!
A wide spectrum Bosphorus view... Good food (global cuisine, including sushi) A good choice for a romantic night out!
39 Einheimische empfehlen
Vogue Restaurant & Bar
No:48 Süleyman Seba Caddesi
39 Einheimische empfehlen
A wide spectrum Bosphorus view... Good food (global cuisine, including sushi) A good choice for a romantic night out!
Must go! This restaurant serves the same meatball recipe for years and taste has never changed, always delicious. The restaurant is located in the midst of Sultanahmet. You may plan it on the day of Old City Tour
40 Einheimische empfehlen
Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta
No:12 Divan Yolu Cd.
40 Einheimische empfehlen
Must go! This restaurant serves the same meatball recipe for years and taste has never changed, always delicious. The restaurant is located in the midst of Sultanahmet. You may plan it on the day of Old City Tour
Chef Arda Türkmen's meze restaurant and nice sea view makes this place a hit!
19 Einheimische empfehlen
Mükellef Karakoy
8/A Maliye Cd.
19 Einheimische empfehlen
Chef Arda Türkmen's meze restaurant and nice sea view makes this place a hit!
Best address for baklava...
151 Einheimische empfehlen
Karakoy Gulluoglu
No:67 Kemankeş Caddesi
151 Einheimische empfehlen
Best address for baklava...
Go crazy with their breakfast variety! Impossible to leave with a hungry stomach... Make sure you go starving. Otherwise you will be sorry to miss the goodies on the table!
BAZLAMA Kahvalti cesme
No:8, 34365 Osman F. Seden Sokak
Go crazy with their breakfast variety! Impossible to leave with a hungry stomach... Make sure you go starving. Otherwise you will be sorry to miss the goodies on the table!
The restaurant is inside Sakıp Sabancı Museum... It has great view of Bosphorus, delicious food and elegant atmosphere.
MSA’nın Restoranı
42 Sakıp Sabancı Cd.
The restaurant is inside Sakıp Sabancı Museum... It has great view of Bosphorus, delicious food and elegant atmosphere.
This is absolutely my favorite cafe in Kadıköy. 5 min walking distance to my home. Every hour: breakfast, lunch, dinner or coctails - everything is tasty! and compared to other places around, relatively less priced.
Boden
This is absolutely my favorite cafe in Kadıköy. 5 min walking distance to my home. Every hour: breakfast, lunch, dinner or coctails - everything is tasty! and compared to other places around, relatively less priced.
If you have a sweet tooth, this tiny cafe will be your fav! 5 minutes walk to appartment. on your way to Kalamış park. I'd recommend you to take your coffee and dessert before heading to the park. You can also dine in!
Boter
If you have a sweet tooth, this tiny cafe will be your fav! 5 minutes walk to appartment. on your way to Kalamış park. I'd recommend you to take your coffee and dessert before heading to the park. You can also dine in!
This pub is our neighborhood's hang-out place of locals... Great coctails, cold beer, house wines - what else would you ask for?:)
NANE
This pub is our neighborhood's hang-out place of locals... Great coctails, cold beer, house wines - what else would you ask for?:)
If you're hungry and looking for some healthy and home-cooked style food, Fatel is a great option. Everything is fresh and daily prepared (if you arrive late afternoon, some dishes may be finished) They also have vegan options.
Fatel Kalamış
24-A Itri Dede Sokağı
If you're hungry and looking for some healthy and home-cooked style food, Fatel is a great option. Everything is fresh and daily prepared (if you arrive late afternoon, some dishes may be finished) They also have vegan options.
This place is buzzing right now with its variety of delicious croissants! If you love croissant, add Brekkie to your breakfast or lunch list! After feeling guilty of the calories, you can take a walk in Yoğurtçu Parkı (straight in front of the cafe)
Brekkie Breakfast Club
This place is buzzing right now with its variety of delicious croissants! If you love croissant, add Brekkie to your breakfast or lunch list! After feeling guilty of the calories, you can take a walk in Yoğurtçu Parkı (straight in front of the cafe)
This place is special for many reasons: 1. they do vertical farming (name comes from this) and use the harvest as ingredients. 2. Many vegan options 3. They are -almost- no waste restaurant. They compost and send foods to feed the animals in shelters.
Vertical
This place is special for many reasons: 1. they do vertical farming (name comes from this) and use the harvest as ingredients. 2. Many vegan options 3. They are -almost- no waste restaurant. They compost and send foods to feed the animals in shelters.
This is the place to go to if you want to try Turkish specialty, mantı. There are 2 types of mantı: boiled or baked. Boiled is the traditional way but I love the crunchiness of the baked one. Your call, both is good :) Also you can try Çökertme: a plate of meat, fries - their other specialty.
Casita
This is the place to go to if you want to try Turkish specialty, mantı. There are 2 types of mantı: boiled or baked. Boiled is the traditional way but I love the crunchiness of the baked one. Your call, both is good :) Also you can try Çökertme: a plate of meat, fries - their other specialty.
If you crave for a yummy pizza!
Pizza Locale Bagdat Cad.
If you crave for a yummy pizza!

Neighborhoods

Fashion scene of Istanbul - Stylish stores, chic cafes and restaurants. Great for both; day and night!
305 Einheimische empfehlen
Nişantaşı
305 Einheimische empfehlen
Fashion scene of Istanbul - Stylish stores, chic cafes and restaurants. Great for both; day and night!
Akaretler is a very nice and a hip district which connects Beşiktaş and Nişantaşı. This district got popular recently with openings of many chic cafes and restaurants. Especially crowded after work happy hours and weekends.
27 Einheimische empfehlen
Akaretler
27 Einheimische empfehlen
Akaretler is a very nice and a hip district which connects Beşiktaş and Nişantaşı. This district got popular recently with openings of many chic cafes and restaurants. Especially crowded after work happy hours and weekends.
An old and vibrant neighborhood with lovely cafes, pubs and restaurants. Plus parks and walking path around seaside. It is walking distance to my home! You'll love the area:)
Moda
An old and vibrant neighborhood with lovely cafes, pubs and restaurants. Plus parks and walking path around seaside. It is walking distance to my home! You'll love the area:)
Bomontiada is a mixed space of cafes, restaurants, bars, events, concerts, parties, workshops, street fairs and offices... Whenever I go to Bomontiada, I feel good with the casual yet artistic atmosphere. It is always vivid and lively...
Bomonti Bira Binasi
1 Silahşör Cad., Birahane Sok.
Bomontiada is a mixed space of cafes, restaurants, bars, events, concerts, parties, workshops, street fairs and offices... Whenever I go to Bomontiada, I feel good with the casual yet artistic atmosphere. It is always vivid and lively...
This is the main neighborhood of Anatolian side. You can find every needs here: dining, shopping, pubs, cafes, parks for walking and running, nice sea view, trees and cool shadows to rest your tired feet:) and all...
Caferağa, Kadıköy Sahili, Kadıköy/İstanbul, Türkei
This is the main neighborhood of Anatolian side. You can find every needs here: dining, shopping, pubs, cafes, parks for walking and running, nice sea view, trees and cool shadows to rest your tired feet:) and all...

Must See Places!

On Sundays, at Feriköy Pazarı there is a flea market. As always you never know what you will find in a flea market yet it is always a joy to explore. Afterwards you can stop at MOC for coffee or Batard for lunch!
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Flea market
No:8 Semt Pazarı
12 Einheimische empfehlen
On Sundays, at Feriköy Pazarı there is a flea market. As always you never know what you will find in a flea market yet it is always a joy to explore. Afterwards you can stop at MOC for coffee or Batard for lunch!
On Saturdays, there is an organic food market here (On Sundays: flea market) - You can not only come here to buy fresh fruits and vegetables but also to sit down for breakfast on tiny chairs... and enjoy 'gözleme' with potato, cheese, eggplant and many more :)
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Flea market
No:8 Semt Pazarı
12 Einheimische empfehlen
On Saturdays, there is an organic food market here (On Sundays: flea market) - You can not only come here to buy fresh fruits and vegetables but also to sit down for breakfast on tiny chairs... and enjoy 'gözleme' with potato, cheese, eggplant and many more :)
This park is in front of the sea/marina with a beautiful view. There are cafes and parks inside. As another option you can buy your coffee and desert on your way to the park from Boter and picnic in the park.
Zühtüpaşa, Kalamış Parkı, Kadıköy/İstanbul, Türkei
This park is in front of the sea/marina with a beautiful view. There are cafes and parks inside. As another option you can buy your coffee and desert on your way to the park from Boter and picnic in the park.