The wait is finally over. Part 2 of our Istanbul adventure is ready for you. Now, sightseeing is great and all (that is the main reason we select a location for travel) but for every destination I go to, what I really want to know is where to eat — after all a girl cannot survive on water and sights alone!
Since Istanbul was an extremely last minute trip (find out why in Part 1 of my Istanbul trip), we did not have much time to research where to eat. The only research I did do was watch Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations episode on Istanbul. It is always good to start with Anthony =o) Once we arrived there, we asked the locals for recommendations and others we stumbled upon. So let’s break it down by the area:
Sultanahmet:
Lunch: Sultan Pub
The only reason to go here is for the rooftop view. Unfortunately, that means you have to eat here. The food was okay and my mint tea was given to me as a Lipton tea bag (big disappointment!). Despite these let downs, hearing the call for prayer while overlooking the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and people going about their life was a very surreal experience. So for this alone, it is worth having bland food.
Dinner: Khorasani Grill
Personally, as a vegetarian, the only thing I truly enjoyed here was the lavash bread. It a perfect airy pillow and best eaten warm. We did a whole mezze of dips and unfortunately, they were all bland. I would not go back to this restaurant again.
Nightlife: Sah Bar
This bar is supposed to be one of the best for music and partying in the area. We went on an off-peak day during non-tourist season. The music was good but there were barely any people there. They do have a rooftop dining area which we did not get to see. The rooftop has a great view of the Blue Mosque.
Galata Tower
Okay so I caved and had pizza. It was not bad at all and it was a great quick eat while Hubster grabbed his doner kebab from a spot across this place which he said was really good too. There are many sit down restaurants right in front of the tower, but I say the best thing to do is grab some street eats and sit on the big stone fence in front of the tower and people watch =o)
Beyoglu/Taksim
This little café resides on a side street which is across from Caribou Café. Great local spot to stop, take a break and have some tea or hookah. One of our favorite spots that we stumbled upon and one we hope to visit again and again on our next trip there.
I loved this place for its view, ambiance and delicious cocktails and teas. The food was eclectic mix of Italian and Asian. It was delicious. Besides the view, the cocktails are AMAZING! – there list is extensive and for that alone I would want to go back! Make sure you get reservations and request the corner seat by the window.
Thus far, the best baklava I have ever tasted. So much variety (chocolate baklava!) and it all just melts in your mouth. I would recommend getting a couple of pieces each to share. We did bring some home but it did not taste the same as having it fresh. Indulge while you are here. I dream about this baklava!
If you are non-vegetarian, the one thing you should have in Istanbul is a doner kebab. Although I am vegetarian, I wanted to make sure Hubster got to experience the best of the street eats in Istanbul. This place was featured on Anthony Bourdain and according to Hubster, it was well worth the long walk up to Taksim Square (plus not to mention, I got to have baklava at Faruk Gulluoglu since they are almost across each other!) Do not miss this place!
My favorite street for nightlife in Istanbul. We were so sad we discovered it only on our last night there. This street and its surrounding area is filled with only restaurants and bars and even some karoake. This is definitely a street the locals hang out and they are all so friendly. We will definitely be back on this street again.
This was an Anthony Bourdain spot for kebabs and late night cheap eats. The lavash they use in their wraps have a little hint of spice which is what they are known for. They even made a veggie wrap for me which I devoured. Probably one of the best eats I had in Istanbul – next to the baklava of course.
Other places, we found but did not get to try:
We had seen this on the show Party On on E! Unfortunately, we did not get a chance to party here, but we did pass by it on our Bosphorus River cruise. This is a pool, restaurant, nightclub on the Bosphorous River. It’s an all day party spot if you go in warmer weather. Reservations are highly recommended.
This restaurant was recommended to us by multiple stalls inside the Grand Bazaar. We didn’t try it since we wanted a quick bite. However, the restaurant was massive, packed and it the food looked very appetizing. All good signs!
We stopped at a local café for some tea and sandwiches. At this time, I cannot recall the name. The tea was amazing, the sandwich not so much. Just be weary of cheese sandwiches in the Grand Bazaar.
This restaurant was highly recommended to us by many locals. It was in the Eminonu section of Istanbul, an area we only went by to see the Spice Market on our first day. After, we never got a chance to go back. I think it is a restaurant I would go to next time.
Another really famous baklava place in Istanbul. Unfortunately, it was out of the way for us so we did not get to try it. It is on my list as a MUST for next time.
Other information:
1) The walk from Galata Tower to Taksim Square is well worth it in sights and people watching.
2) Enjoy fresh pomegranate juice and the roasted chestnuts anywhere in the city (NYC needs a lesson or two on roasting chestnuts like these pros!)
3) Enjoy some simits from the carts. These are Turkish bagels and they are everywhere (like how NYC pretzel carts are everywhere).
4) Turkish ice cream is a must! The guys use super long handled spatula type scoops to place the ice cream in the cone.
5) If you have the time to indulge, make sure you have a Turkish breakfast. We missed out on this experience but it looks amazing in pictures and reviews.
6) Another indulgence: Turkish baths!
7) Check out this website for all your research on food in Istanbul: Istanbul Eats
Tips: Take the path less traveled and find some of your own hidden treasures.
I hope this helps in some of your travel planning for Istanbul. Don’t forget to check out Part 1 if you missed it! Also, if you have been to Istanbul, feel free to leave comments on your favorite places and share your experiences =o)
XoXo,
heenerzz
THE INDUS TIJORI 