Turac's Boutique Guide to Istanbul
Food scene
This tavern, in Turkish we call it "meyhane," which is a 15 minute walk from our place is the place to go for a Raki night if what you are looking for is the absolute best quality fish, impeccable service, great conversations, and light, high quality mezes. The food here tastes as if your mom cooked it, it won't upset your stomach even one bit. The fish is the best you can get in Istanbul, as they cook it a little bit without drying it, maintaining the flavors and the juices. This is not super touristic, it is my favorite place. I used to go there a couple of times a week. There is no view, this is a more intimate setting. Get the "sardalya" and the "levrek" and you will thank me later. These are both fishes.
28 yerel halk öneriyor
Asmalı Cavit
16/D Asmalı Mescit Cd.This tavern, in Turkish we call it "meyhane," which is a 15 minute walk from our place is the place to go for a Raki night if what you are looking for is the absolute best quality fish, impeccable service, great conversations, and light, high quality mezes. The food here tastes as if your mom cooked it, it won't upset your stomach even one bit. The fish is the best you can get in Istanbul, as they cook it a little bit without drying it, maintaining the flavors and the juices. This is not super touristic, it is my favorite place. I used to go there a couple of times a week. There is no view, this is a more intimate setting. Get the "sardalya" and the "levrek" and you will thank me later. These are both fishes.
This is another "meyhane", tavern, for the lovers of Raki and great sea food and meze. I would rank this slightly lower than my main pick Asmali Cavit, however, the quality is still absolutely fantastic although the service is not as intimate and nice as Asmali. The venue looks a lot more luxurious and it does have a spacious garden. Karakoy is the new hipster neighborhood of Istanbul, and if you wish to extend your night at a club or a bar after your Raki experience, you may do so. This place is only 5 minutes away from our listing with the tram that departs from Kabatas. You may also walk and it would take you 20 minutes.
160 yerel halk öneriyor
Karaköy Lokantası
No:57 Kemankeş Cd.This is another "meyhane", tavern, for the lovers of Raki and great sea food and meze. I would rank this slightly lower than my main pick Asmali Cavit, however, the quality is still absolutely fantastic although the service is not as intimate and nice as Asmali. The venue looks a lot more luxurious and it does have a spacious garden. Karakoy is the new hipster neighborhood of Istanbul, and if you wish to extend your night at a club or a bar after your Raki experience, you may do so. This place is only 5 minutes away from our listing with the tram that departs from Kabatas. You may also walk and it would take you 20 minutes.
One of my favorite restaurants. Just a cozy, nice place with good food. Sometimes the service can be slow and sometimes the food is not excellent. Regardless, I like this place a lot, especially their breakfast options and juices. The breakfast here is not traditional Turkish though.
35 yerel halk öneriyor
Cuppa
22 Yeni Yuva Sk.One of my favorite restaurants. Just a cozy, nice place with good food. Sometimes the service can be slow and sometimes the food is not excellent. Regardless, I like this place a lot, especially their breakfast options and juices. The breakfast here is not traditional Turkish though.
A scenic cafe with a tennis theme that is only a minute away from our listing.
20 yerel halk öneriyor
Setup
A scenic cafe with a tennis theme that is only a minute away from our listing.
This is the place to go to get a great Kebab dinner. You might need to call to reserve tables beforehand. Really close to the house.
48 yerel halk öneriyor
Zübeyir Ocakbaşı/Taksim
This is the place to go to get a great Kebab dinner. You might need to call to reserve tables beforehand. Really close to the house.
Yeni Lokanta
No:66/B Kumbaracı Ykş.Another great meyhane, tavern, with a modern look.
For those looking to get a traditional Turkish breakfast.
8 yerel halk öneriyor
Yiğit Sofram Gözleme ve Kahvaltı
31 A Yeni Yuva Sk.For those looking to get a traditional Turkish breakfast.
Absolutely insane place for pilav, rice, with slow-cooked beans and kavurma (slow-cooked meat) with some great pickles and ayran (yogurt drink). Old, authentic, and one of my favs.
7 yerel halk öneriyor
Tarihi Kalkanoğlu Pilavcısı
16/A Ayhan Işık Sk.Absolutely insane place for pilav, rice, with slow-cooked beans and kavurma (slow-cooked meat) with some great pickles and ayran (yogurt drink). Old, authentic, and one of my favs.
Karakoy Gulluoglu
No:67 Kemankeş CaddesiThe place to get baklava.
Very small and authentic restaurant. Incredibly cheap and good food.
6 yerel halk öneriyor
Falafel Koy
29 Kumbaracı Ykş.Very small and authentic restaurant. Incredibly cheap and good food.
This meyhane (tavern) offers an extensive set menu with a lot of delicious small dishes and definitely has a great atmosphere.
49 yerel halk öneriyor
Aheste
No:107 Meşrutiyet Cd.This meyhane (tavern) offers an extensive set menu with a lot of delicious small dishes and definitely has a great atmosphere.
Zula istanbul
101a Harbiye Çayırı Sk.Simply the best burger in town.
This restaurant in Kadikoy (Asian side) offers the greatest variety of regional dishes from all over Turkey and you can taste a ton of different things along with classics like kebabs or fish dishes.
187 yerel halk öneriyor
Çiya Sofrası
Güneşli Bahçe SokağıThis restaurant in Kadikoy (Asian side) offers the greatest variety of regional dishes from all over Turkey and you can taste a ton of different things along with classics like kebabs or fish dishes.
Neighborhoods
This beautiful neighborhood on the Asian side of Istanbul is not the target for many tourists and understandably so as there are more historical places available on the European side. However, it is a must go if you're planning to hit the Asian side. The Moda beach is beautiful and you may grab a couple of beers to drink as you watch the sunset. Kadikoy, which encompasses Moda, is basically a huge bar/cafe and hangout neighborhood. It is the place for locals to be. Again, not super touristic. You may take the ferry right in front of our listing at Kabatas and you will be there in 20 minutes.
122 yerel halk öneriyor
Moda
This beautiful neighborhood on the Asian side of Istanbul is not the target for many tourists and understandably so as there are more historical places available on the European side. However, it is a must go if you're planning to hit the Asian side. The Moda beach is beautiful and you may grab a couple of beers to drink as you watch the sunset. Kadikoy, which encompasses Moda, is basically a huge bar/cafe and hangout neighborhood. It is the place for locals to be. Again, not super touristic. You may take the ferry right in front of our listing at Kabatas and you will be there in 20 minutes.
The artsy neighborhood of Istanbul where a lot of artists, filmmakers, etc. live. Only 10 minutes from the apartment. Many bars, nice restaurants, and local favorites are here. At nights, there may be huge street parties.
203 yerel halk öneriyor
Cihangir
The artsy neighborhood of Istanbul where a lot of artists, filmmakers, etc. live. Only 10 minutes from the apartment. Many bars, nice restaurants, and local favorites are here. At nights, there may be huge street parties.
Accessible by ferry on the Anatolian side, this is the most hip neighborhood with tons of bars, cafes, beaches.
Ferry schedules:
https://www.sehirhatlari.istanbul/tr/seferler/ic-hatlar
505 yerel halk öneriyor
Kadıköy
Accessible by ferry on the Anatolian side, this is the most hip neighborhood with tons of bars, cafes, beaches.
Ferry schedules:
https://www.sehirhatlari.istanbul/tr/seferler/ic-hatlar
These are the Prince's Islands of Istanbul. You can reach these tiny and gorgeous islands where there are no cars or motorbikes. You can take a ferry from Kabatas pier and be there in 1-1.5 hours. These islands feel very very different from Istanbul, and you absolutely can and should swim there. The sea is usually clean, although sometimes when the wind is bad there may be some jellyfish that don't really hurt too much. The Big Island is where all the tourists usually go, and honestly, it has got the best houses and buildings. However, if you're really trying to get away from the city, go to Burgazada or Heybeliada or Kinaliada. Burgaz is the smallest one and legitimately feels like a village. There will be less things to do in the smaller islands.
Ferry schedules are here:
https://www.sehirhatlari.istanbul/tr/seferler/ic-hatlar
196 yerel halk öneriyor
Adalar
These are the Prince's Islands of Istanbul. You can reach these tiny and gorgeous islands where there are no cars or motorbikes. You can take a ferry from Kabatas pier and be there in 1-1.5 hours. These islands feel very very different from Istanbul, and you absolutely can and should swim there. The sea is usually clean, although sometimes when the wind is bad there may be some jellyfish that don't really hurt too much. The Big Island is where all the tourists usually go, and honestly, it has got the best houses and buildings. However, if you're really trying to get away from the city, go to Burgazada or Heybeliada or Kinaliada. Burgaz is the smallest one and legitimately feels like a village. There will be less things to do in the smaller islands.
Ferry schedules are here:
https://www.sehirhatlari.istanbul/tr/seferler/ic-hatlar
Nice, small district by the Bosphorus. You can eat the famous street food Kumpir, which is basically an oven baked potato with delicious fillings.
304 yerel halk öneriyor
Ortaköy
Nice, small district by the Bosphorus. You can eat the famous street food Kumpir, which is basically an oven baked potato with delicious fillings.
An often overlooked old neighborhood accessible by ferries or bus. Interesting ambiance.
256 yerel halk öneriyor
Balat
An often overlooked old neighborhood accessible by ferries or bus. Interesting ambiance.
Caddebostan shoreline is one of the greenest and most liberal areas in Istanbul. During summers it's great for walking, running, picnicking, or just chilling. You can also swim if you wish, some locals do it. The sea is reasonably clean.
48 yerel halk öneriyor
Caddebostan
Caddebostan shoreline is one of the greenest and most liberal areas in Istanbul. During summers it's great for walking, running, picnicking, or just chilling. You can also swim if you wish, some locals do it. The sea is reasonably clean.
I like this neighbourhood by the Bosphorus. There are nice fish restaurants and it is great for walking or running.
16 yerel halk öneriyor
Arnavutköy
I like this neighbourhood by the Bosphorus. There are nice fish restaurants and it is great for walking or running.
While Besiktas is not as beautiful as Beyoglu, this is a place where a lot of locals hang out with a vibrant night life. You can walk up to Nisantasi from Besiktas and see the old elite neighborhood as well as the Macka Park.
126 yerel halk öneriyor
Beşiktaş
While Besiktas is not as beautiful as Beyoglu, this is a place where a lot of locals hang out with a vibrant night life. You can walk up to Nisantasi from Besiktas and see the old elite neighborhood as well as the Macka Park.
This is an old, rich, small neighbourhood on the coast of the Bosphorus. It is unlike any other place in Istanbul in that it feels like a small city and is full of nature. Despite this, it is only 10 minutes from Uskudar, which you can access by taking a 10 minute ferry from Kabatas.
108 yerel halk öneriyor
Kuzguncuk
This is an old, rich, small neighbourhood on the coast of the Bosphorus. It is unlike any other place in Istanbul in that it feels like a small city and is full of nature. Despite this, it is only 10 minutes from Uskudar, which you can access by taking a 10 minute ferry from Kabatas.
City/town information
This one is for the Ottoman lovers. The old capital of the Ottoman Empire and home of Uludag (Mount Great), Bursa is a great place to spend a couple of nights in. The authentic infamous "Iskender," a special kind of doner kebab, can only be had here at its birthplace. There are beautiful and cheap hamams (turkish baths) all over the city. Some really old mosques and Ottoman buildings are available. The city has, regrettably, grown really fast and might not look as beautiful as Istanbul, but for the avid observer there's a ton to see. I also highly recommend taking the cable car which goes all the way up to 2000 meters where you can feel the temperature drop significantly enjoy the natural vibes. During winter, you can go to Uludag Ski Resorts and ski, they are quite good. You can rent a car, get a bus from Taksim (5 mins away), or take the fast ferry from Kabatas pier. Although bear in mind the fast ferry does not go to the city center, instead goes to the coastal district of Mudanya. You will need to take another bus from this district if you choose this option.
25 yerel halk öneriyor
Bursa
This one is for the Ottoman lovers. The old capital of the Ottoman Empire and home of Uludag (Mount Great), Bursa is a great place to spend a couple of nights in. The authentic infamous "Iskender," a special kind of doner kebab, can only be had here at its birthplace. There are beautiful and cheap hamams (turkish baths) all over the city. Some really old mosques and Ottoman buildings are available. The city has, regrettably, grown really fast and might not look as beautiful as Istanbul, but for the avid observer there's a ton to see. I also highly recommend taking the cable car which goes all the way up to 2000 meters where you can feel the temperature drop significantly enjoy the natural vibes. During winter, you can go to Uludag Ski Resorts and ski, they are quite good. You can rent a car, get a bus from Taksim (5 mins away), or take the fast ferry from Kabatas pier. Although bear in mind the fast ferry does not go to the city center, instead goes to the coastal district of Mudanya. You will need to take another bus from this district if you choose this option.
Bar
Only 2 minutes away from our home, this is a laid back bar and offers a variety of drinks and dishes.
Bi'tabak Dünyadan
No:31/A İnebolu Sk.Only 2 minutes away from our home, this is a laid back bar and offers a variety of drinks and dishes.
Geyik
22 Akarsu Ykş. Sok.This is where the locals go for nice coctails.
Sightseeing
This is the biggest Modern art museum in Istanbul for those who are interested. Only a ten minute walk from our house.
618 yerel halk öneriyor
Istanbul Museum of Modern Art
No:1/1 Meşrutiyet Cd.This is the biggest Modern art museum in Istanbul for those who are interested. Only a ten minute walk from our house.
Cafe
Turkish-German Bookstore & Cafe
237 İstiklal Cd.This is a cute old cafe.
This cafe is only 2 minutes from the house and it is tennis themed and pretty cool.
20 yerel halk öneriyor
Setup
This cafe is only 2 minutes from the house and it is tennis themed and pretty cool.
This is a chain cafe (like a Turkish version of Starbucks), but this branch is very close to our home, just 3 minutes away. It is really large and offers comfortable indoor seating with AC and breezy outdoor seating. If you want to chill before or after your check-in or get some work done, this is the perfect spot.
11 yerel halk öneriyor
Kahve Dunyasi
No:85 Meclis-i Mebusan Cd.This is a chain cafe (like a Turkish version of Starbucks), but this branch is very close to our home, just 3 minutes away. It is really large and offers comfortable indoor seating with AC and breezy outdoor seating. If you want to chill before or after your check-in or get some work done, this is the perfect spot.
Hamam (Turkish Bath)
My favorite hamam, turkish bath, in Istanbul. The prices are fair, the place very clean, the experience superb. Also really old building from the 15th century. For those who want to relax and be bathed.
105 yerel halk öneriyor
Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı
1 Hamam Sk.My favorite hamam, turkish bath, in Istanbul. The prices are fair, the place very clean, the experience superb. Also really old building from the 15th century. For those who want to relax and be bathed.