Leb-i Derya is one of the first rooftop bars and restaurants – 5. Kat was the pioneer – and still ranks among my favorite establishments in Istanbul. It’s simply hard to beat its marvelous views over Istanbul. In 2007 they opened up their second branch on the sixth floor of the Richmond hotel, but I’ll […]
If you want to enjoy a typical Turkish dinner consisting of mezes (Turkish starters) accompanied by one or more glasses of rakı (Turkish national anise-flavored spirit), then head for one of the meyhanes (casual restaurant) in Nevizade Sokak. And although you really can’t go wrong with any of the eateries there, my favorite is the […]
Rumeli Café and Mozaik are two restaurants in Sultanahmet, located in the historical part of Istanbul, that stand out of the crowd for several reasons. First of all they don’t (falsely) promise you a terrace with a supposedly great view, but instead offer a nice, relaxing atmosphere. And most importantly, they both offer a wide […]
If you’re a carnivore, you should at least eat once in The Hamdi Restaurant (Hamdi Et Lokantası). Located on Eminönü Square, close to the New Mosque (Yeni Camii) and more or less next to the Spice Bazaar, this restaurant has turned grilling meat into an art. Combined with a panoramic view of the Golden Horn, […]
This may seem like a strange restaurant tip. Sultanahmet Köftecisi is a place that doesn’t have a real menu, obviously doesn’t care too much about its interior design, doesn’t serve alcoholic beverages, has no starters and only one dessert, expects you to vacate your table in less than 30 minutes, yet is a must-have-done experience […]