Guidebook for Beyoğlu
Food Scene
It's been there since anyone discovered Galata's popularity 10 years ago -- and now although there are hundreds of restaurants nearby, they're still my favourite because they serve food from local cuisines across Turkey! Please visit.
36 locals recommend
Kiva Han
It's been there since anyone discovered Galata's popularity 10 years ago -- and now although there are hundreds of restaurants nearby, they're still my favourite because they serve food from local cuisines across Turkey! Please visit.
Go at lunchtime and you'll feel cross-century lunch traditions of workers, office people all coming together to enjoy some traditional Turkish food in a renovated, fabulously tiled interiors.
Go in the evening time and enjoy some 'meze's to get a feel for the 'meyhane' establishment!
Always great food -- may get very busy during the lunch hours.
160 locals recommend
Karaköy Lokantası
No:57 Kemankeş Cd.Go at lunchtime and you'll feel cross-century lunch traditions of workers, office people all coming together to enjoy some traditional Turkish food in a renovated, fabulously tiled interiors.
Go in the evening time and enjoy some 'meze's to get a feel for the 'meyhane' establishment!
Always great food -- may get very busy during the lunch hours.
You've probably experienced or heard about the "meze and raki" notion: the Turkish version of Greek taverna or a Spanish tapas.
Cavit (the owner) Abi is an establishment himself and serves great meze and a fun conversation. You're likely to find Tankut and co. (see Oktem Aykut below) there, too.
17 locals recommend
Asmalı Cavit Meyhanesi
83 Meşrutiyet Cd.You've probably experienced or heard about the "meze and raki" notion: the Turkish version of Greek taverna or a Spanish tapas.
Cavit (the owner) Abi is an establishment himself and serves great meze and a fun conversation. You're likely to find Tankut and co. (see Oktem Aykut below) there, too.
Newly found gem of a 'meyhane' type of establishment: absolutely delicious 'meze's at very reasonable prices.
11 locals recommend
Aret'in Yeri
No:9 Nevizade Sk.Newly found gem of a 'meyhane' type of establishment: absolutely delicious 'meze's at very reasonable prices.
What is Kiva Han to the European side of town, Ciya Sofrasi is to the Asian side. In fact, Ciya is slightly better but also slightly further away... So, if you end up in Kadikoy...
187 locals recommend
Çiya Sofrası
Güneşli Bahçe SokağıWhat is Kiva Han to the European side of town, Ciya Sofrasi is to the Asian side. In fact, Ciya is slightly better but also slightly further away... So, if you end up in Kadikoy...
Well, Vefa Bozacisi is hard to describe. You're probably best served looking up 'boza' on Google -- but then, better yet, just ending up here in the late afternoon at the end of your Historic Peninsula tour and sipping some boza, if you really want to have a traditional experience.
Vefa Eczanesi
65/A Vefa Cd.Well, Vefa Bozacisi is hard to describe. You're probably best served looking up 'boza' on Google -- but then, better yet, just ending up here in the late afternoon at the end of your Historic Peninsula tour and sipping some boza, if you really want to have a traditional experience.
Only tried for the first time a few weeks back and fell in love with it. Went there with a trustable friend who's made it her favourite breakfast spot. You'll be surprised to see how well-informed they are about their products and you'll love the difference choices of cheese, jams, and bread!
Marmalade Cafe
No:8/A Camekan Sk.Only tried for the first time a few weeks back and fell in love with it. Went there with a trustable friend who's made it her favourite breakfast spot. You'll be surprised to see how well-informed they are about their products and you'll love the difference choices of cheese, jams, and bread!
Helvetia
No:8 General Yazgan Sk.Great for a quick, home-made type of food for lunch or supper!
Ficcin
No:13/1 Kallavi Sk.Ditto Helvetia (below)
They serve very good breakfast and coffee. Slightly less popular than the establishments around but I like them better.
22 locals recommend
OPS CAFE KARAKOY
No:45 Mumhane Cd.They serve very good breakfast and coffee. Slightly less popular than the establishments around but I like them better.
When Karakoy just started to pick up, Karabatak was the first -- still serving good coffee, they have the friendliest service and nice seating options outside.
90 locals recommend
Karabatak
No:7 Karaali Kaptan Sk.When Karakoy just started to pick up, Karabatak was the first -- still serving good coffee, they have the friendliest service and nice seating options outside.
If you want to have real 'doner' when you are in the area, go to Nato but get there before they run out of doner, before 2 PM that is...
Nato Restaurant
4 Karanlık Fırın SokakIf you want to have real 'doner' when you are in the area, go to Nato but get there before they run out of doner, before 2 PM that is...
Arts & Culture
Well... Not only because Tankut Aykut (half of Oktem Aykut) is my best friend but also because they now consistently feature on all of city's 'go to' and 'cool places' magazines for art and culture! Besides, if Tankut or Doga (Oktem) are around, just drop my name, and they'll give you any help you need.
Öktem Aykut
99 Aybastı Sk.Well... Not only because Tankut Aykut (half of Oktem Aykut) is my best friend but also because they now consistently feature on all of city's 'go to' and 'cool places' magazines for art and culture! Besides, if Tankut or Doga (Oktem) are around, just drop my name, and they'll give you any help you need.
The 'rhythm workshop' of famous percussionist Okay Temiz is located here, while his entourage has performances across town -- you can check out events and news at their website: http://okaytemiz.com/
Okay Temiz Ritim Atolyesi
7 Tatar Beyi SokakThe 'rhythm workshop' of famous percussionist Okay Temiz is located here, while his entourage has performances across town -- you can check out events and news at their website: http://okaytemiz.com/
Getting Around
Şişhane
32 Dr. Bedii Gorbon Sk.This is your gateway to the rest of the city via the metro network.
Ferries depart for Kadikoy and give you a chance to do a cross-continental sea trip.. in 20 minutes only!
126 locals recommend
Karaköy Pier
No:13 Rıhtım Cd.Ferries depart for Kadikoy and give you a chance to do a cross-continental sea trip.. in 20 minutes only!
This is the tram stop where you can take a tram across to the Historic Peninsula.
23 locals recommend
Karaköy İstasyonu
This is the tram stop where you can take a tram across to the Historic Peninsula.
Sightseeing
If you were wondering where Istanbul's response to London's East End, Berlin's Kreuzberg, New York's Lower East Side techies and hipsters hang out with their laptops during the day and dine and wine in the evening, this is it!
203 locals recommend
Cihangir
If you were wondering where Istanbul's response to London's East End, Berlin's Kreuzberg, New York's Lower East Side techies and hipsters hang out with their laptops during the day and dine and wine in the evening, this is it!
If Cihangir didn't give you enough hipsterism, try Moda!
In fact, Moda is so very nice, you should certainly put it in your mental map (the ferry across the Bosphorus is a bonus).
40 locals recommend
Moda Caddesi
Moda CaddesiIf Cihangir didn't give you enough hipsterism, try Moda!
In fact, Moda is so very nice, you should certainly put it in your mental map (the ferry across the Bosphorus is a bonus).
Well, the guide book will be full of touristic stuff, so I'm just going to mention the Basilica Cistern since that's my absolute favourite, and if you have any time left from the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet Mosque, you should spend it here.
638 locals recommend
Basilica Cistern
1/3 Yerebatan Cd.Well, the guide book will be full of touristic stuff, so I'm just going to mention the Basilica Cistern since that's my absolute favourite, and if you have any time left from the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet Mosque, you should spend it here.
Karakoy has become the new go-to neighbourhood (following the footsteps of Cihangir and Asmalimescit). Abound with galleries, cafes, restaurants, you can just meander its streets for a day or two!
126 locals recommend
Karaköy Pier
No:13 Rıhtım Cd.Karakoy has become the new go-to neighbourhood (following the footsteps of Cihangir and Asmalimescit). Abound with galleries, cafes, restaurants, you can just meander its streets for a day or two!
Drinks & Nightlife
If you've followed the guidances and ended up in Kadikoy / Moda, you're lucky since you now have the chance to end up at what is probably the friendliest (because Turkish people can be quite stuck up even when having fun) bar / music venue in town. Arrive before 11 PM if you want to be able to have a chatter, arrive after midnight for fun!
105 locals recommend
Arka Oda
No:18/A Kadife Sk.If you've followed the guidances and ended up in Kadikoy / Moda, you're lucky since you now have the chance to end up at what is probably the friendliest (because Turkish people can be quite stuck up even when having fun) bar / music venue in town. Arrive before 11 PM if you want to be able to have a chatter, arrive after midnight for fun!
Sometimes the bouncers can be rude but you're guaranteed good music and fun! Try to get there past 2 AM-ish.
108 locals recommend
Minimüzikhol
3 Soğancı Sk.Sometimes the bouncers can be rude but you're guaranteed good music and fun! Try to get there past 2 AM-ish.
New drinking and music establishment in Karakoy with good cocktails, nice interiors.
17 locals recommend
Gaspar
6 Necati Bey Cad., Arapoğlan Sok.New drinking and music establishment in Karakoy with good cocktails, nice interiors.
Salon Iksv
No:5 Şişhane Sk.For live music, no. 1 spot in town.
Still the best live-music line-up, but since they moved to their new location, they're no longer at the heart of the city. However, this new location, former brewery is worth a visit of its own.
74 locals recommend
Babylon
1 Silahşör Caddesi & Birahane SokakStill the best live-music line-up, but since they moved to their new location, they're no longer at the heart of the city. However, this new location, former brewery is worth a visit of its own.
The infamous jazz club of the town, Nardis, is literally on the neighbouring street. Check their listings out at http://nardisjazz.com/
135 locals recommend
Nardis Jazz Club
8 Galata Kulesi Sk.The infamous jazz club of the town, Nardis, is literally on the neighbouring street. Check their listings out at http://nardisjazz.com/