Istanbul by Locals

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Only one waiter and makes very good recommendations regarding what they have fresh that day. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: A shop who sells many kinds of cheeses from Anatolian or all over the world - Tip: Buy sandwiches here and start walking through Istanbul. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Best beans which are cooked very slowly and the butter adds to the taste and smell or try their rice pudding - tell the waiter to add everything, which means honey and nuts on top! Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Some of the good appetizers include trials of the classic kebabs made with fish instead of lamb meat, strongly recommended. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: They make the exceptional “Çöp Şiş”, small lamb meats marinated in milk and oil, like no where else. Make sure that the mixed kebab includes at least çöp şiş, Adana and eggplant kebab. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Recommendable; “Tarama” (salted fist roe), sour marinated seabass and pickled tunny. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Dessert menu with Turkish coffee is a must! Please notice the cups that they serve Turkish coffee in, they are fine collector’s pieces. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Early morning tip: Ask the waiter to buy you some simits from the breakfast house across the street instead of the bread they serve at Ortaköy Kahvaltı Evi. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Nowadays, İskender Paydaş who is a very well known composer, performs on Fridays. Highly recommended. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Never miss the Satay and the steam cooked Wonton Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Istanbul Pale Ale is a traditional English cask Ale, Haliç Gold is a spicy and strong ale, B4 is a more bitter beer. They are all served in their own special glasses. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Favorite beer is Bomonti Unfiltered and the snacks basket goes well with it. Also for dinner “Bomonti Lokum” worths a try. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: As a starter, try salad with hummus and Turkish sausage with pistachio - Great and refreshing. The view is also breathtaking! Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Desserts; This is what they are famous for! Muhallebi (milk pudding), chocolate dessert, baklava and cake selections should be tried to your liking. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: All pizzas are excellent and the calzones are great as well. Their signature dish is pizza with Nutella. It is self explanatory and a good choice for a dessert. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: They serve small portions of different local desserts. But instead, you can ask for chocolate souffle, which is excellent. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Try the Aegean Fix Menu. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Beside stewed octopus the grilled shrimps or rice with bass is recommendable anytime. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: The secret of Nusr-Et Steakhouse; They know how to choose and cook the meat and they know the best combinations of meats and spices. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Extremely wide breakfast menu and you must try pizzas and Tuscana chicken durum. Then a homemade cheesecake with lemon and caramel will go very well. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Kiki has events for each day of the week and especially this makes them famous Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: It’s all about the taste of meat and don´t forget to make a reservation. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Try their daily home-made patisseries or special cocktails in the evenings. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: If you like quesadillas or wraps, you love tantuni. It is a hot lavaş wrap consisting of julienned lamb stir-fried on a sac on a hint of cottonseed oil. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Beatrice is a chocolate cake with cream and lots of fruits... No need to say any more Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Every Thursday, you can visit for a fantastic Turkish night Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Carefully selected ingredients: Octopus from Cunda, olive oil, Aegean herbs from Izmir or red wine from Edirne - Fantastic! Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: When you order a bottle of wine, their nice cheese platter including grapes and cracker is free Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Their fish soup is probably the best in town. You can consult the stuff about what’s the best catch of the day. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: You shouldn’t miss ‘Köfte-ekmek’(Meat ball & bread) and ‘sausage from the butcher’, the two most traditional Turkish street foods served in a magical form Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Saturdays they have happy hours between 17:00 – 21:00, again Saturdays after dinner there is DJ music till 02:00 in the morning, making it quite a party place. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Best version of ‘pides’ are ‘Karadeniz Pidesi’, that is the Black Sea type just as you find here. The delicious home made pickles served automatically are on the house! Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: A must; The famous Bozcaada Breakfast with various jams, and cheese brought from the Island, omelets served on pizza dough baked in stone oven, special pastries, and veggies. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Secrets: They de-gas the beans and slow cooked them. The tomato paste and butter is melted before coming together with beans and being placed in the oven for another hour so. Delicious! Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Grilled squid for starters is recommendable Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Zencefil is good for a nice and tranquil afternoon, or happy hour drink Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Turkish style cooked rice (called ‘pilav’) with ‘karniyarik’, another lovely Turkish dish prepared with minced beef and aubergine is always a good duet Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Offers a snack with a nice hot Turkish tea, or a mint lemonade with their infamous wet chocolate cake. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Order your Lahmacun with extra vegetables, parsley and tomatoes. They even have a ‘Lahmacun with aubergine’ option, which is a rare thing among kebab houses. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Go down to a small courtyard downstairs where you can enjoy a late-afternoon beer. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: A true Istanbul micro-roastery Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: The olive oil they use in their salads and other little entry dishes, is their own produce from their own olive grove in Mudanya Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: This place offers a lovely ‘people watching’ opportunity and listen to the fishmongers’ loud and inviting shouts Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: The Institute organizes cooking classes for amateurs and culinary tours to various cities of Turkey. They also have half-day culinary walking tours. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Best thing to do would be joining in the inspiring and delicious adventures of the chef. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Their leather and suede pieces are especially creative, and they rate high on an investment value scale. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: vegetables fried with beer, salmon on puff pastry, see bass with orange and pomegranate and their special steak with thin fries is totally amazing and homemade chocolate ice-cream with orange liqueur. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: The structure is so unique and rare that it dominates the skyline of the city. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: The Pierre Loti Cafe, atop the hill overlooking the shrine and the Golden Horn, is a wonderful place to enjoy the tranquility of the view Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Get three slices of the original (the one with pistachios) and a glass of lemonade. By the way the lemonade is as delicious as the Baklava. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Find genres from World Music to Jazz, electronic to classical. It’s a must stop for all music lovers. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: This is all you need for a lunch and believe me it will take you through the day. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: If you have a chance then visit the Yedikule Museum to see the documented cannon balls and get the feeling of the conquest. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: If you are looking for books to buy about Turkey, translated Turkish authors etc Pandora is the best spot for you Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: The co-owner Hulya Akal is a Japan passionate and her efforts are reflected on the food. It’s fresh, yummy and always fulfilling. You can have only ramen or udon or the whole deal. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: This is the most relaxing spot possible for anyone Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: If you’re in the mood for sweets, the chocolate and walnut cookie is amazing, as well as the apple-filled cookies and the tahinli çörek, a spiral tahini-dough pastry. Get it while it’s hot! Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: The hotel’s terrace bar is one of the best places to grab an afternoon drink Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: The food here is also delightful – old favorites are coupled with not-so-familiar mezes Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Whether you’re looking for inspiring pieces of art, elegant or whimsical souvenirs to remember Istanbul by; this design shop is where you’ll find something for your taste. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: English language books on Istanbul and Turkey are definitely worth checking out, and would make good literary souvenirs if you’re in the city only for a couple of days. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Age-old plane trees, good tea, soft breeze, and the water runs just a couple of meters away from your table. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Don’t resist the temptation to try out many flavors – and keep an eye on the seasonal offerings Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Great detail about SALT is its rooftop garden (the “edible estate”) – visitors are allowed to step into the patio and observe this mini-garden in the middle of the city rooftops. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Try the classic menu is 3 pieces of shish, ezme (spicy tomato salad) and hot turnip juice. Tea is complimentary as always Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Try the triangle shaped pastry and fried liver are house specialties or the fresh fish. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: No need to say that customers are Beşiktaş supporters and the atmosphere is not much different than in a stadium. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Tip for a classic menu is dry beans, rice and pickles Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Place for the locals to get their coffee. Mandabatmaz is one of few places to enjoy the genuine Turkish coffee taste. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Karabatak offers a warm atmosphere, whether you want to chat with friends over cups of coffee or tea, or spend hours to read and write, this spot is ideal. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: You’ll regret not starting off with the hearty fish soup. a thick soup with chunks of fish, vegetables and fresh herbs, a meal on its own. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Sentetik Sezar is pretty active on Facebook, check out their page to see if there’s something you like, message the shop and they’ll reserve the piece for you Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: If you’re near Bebek, make sure you don’t miss Mini Dondurma – literally, don’t miss it -always natural and seasonal ice-cream. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Head to Kale to have the ultimate breakfast in a casual atmosphere. Don’t forget finishing off with Turkish coffee while watching the ships go by. Read more.

Spotted by Locals - city guides by locals: Visit Hayvore for a taste of Black Sea cooking! Read more.