Emilie’s guidebook
Food scene
Limonlu Bahçe is one of our favorite restaurants in Istanbul and is less than a five-minute walk from the apartment! And the magical thing about it: It is totally hidden. From the outside, no one would suspect that this place is any special, but if you walk through the door and long hallway, you will find yourself in the most beautiful backyard filled with lemon trees, amazing ambiance, and no sound of traffic. They both serve Turkish and international cuisine and the tastiest lemonades - also as cocktails!
73 locals recommend
Limonlu Bahçe
No:74 Yeni Çarşı Cd.Limonlu Bahçe is one of our favorite restaurants in Istanbul and is less than a five-minute walk from the apartment! And the magical thing about it: It is totally hidden. From the outside, no one would suspect that this place is any special, but if you walk through the door and long hallway, you will find yourself in the most beautiful backyard filled with lemon trees, amazing ambiance, and no sound of traffic. They both serve Turkish and international cuisine and the tastiest lemonades - also as cocktails!
Tucked away in the fascinating neighborhood Balat is Smelt & Co. hidden - a tiny gastronomic gem exciting and quite experimental dishes according to the season. I had a strawberry risotto this spring, which was mindblowing! The chef - and owner - has been interning at Noma, the most famous restaurant in my home country Denmark, and it's clear to see the Scandinavian influences in both food and decor. Definitely a must-visit restaurant in the city.
8 locals recommend
Smelt & Co. Gastro Spot / Kombucha
No:16/A Kiremit Cd.Tucked away in the fascinating neighborhood Balat is Smelt & Co. hidden - a tiny gastronomic gem exciting and quite experimental dishes according to the season. I had a strawberry risotto this spring, which was mindblowing! The chef - and owner - has been interning at Noma, the most famous restaurant in my home country Denmark, and it's clear to see the Scandinavian influences in both food and decor. Definitely a must-visit restaurant in the city.
Use Google Maps and find the elevator to Tavanarasi Restaurant, a completely hidden restaurant under the loft. Cute and really cheap with good, solid food and many vegetarian options. One of my absolute favorites - especially because of the feeling and atmosphere. I actually celebrated my birthday there this year with dinner and 20 friends, and every guest I take loves it!
43 locals recommend
Tavanarasi Restaurant
No:10 Asmalı Mescit Cd.Use Google Maps and find the elevator to Tavanarasi Restaurant, a completely hidden restaurant under the loft. Cute and really cheap with good, solid food and many vegetarian options. One of my absolute favorites - especially because of the feeling and atmosphere. I actually celebrated my birthday there this year with dinner and 20 friends, and every guest I take loves it!
Best breakfast in Istanbul! Perfect for groups sharing a Turkish breakfast - culturally the most important meal of the day among Turks, especially at weekends where the families gather. This place is, however, known by travelers for a reason. They serve a village breakfast filled with numerous little dishes, fresh local ingredients, and traditional tastes. Hundred percent recommended for a slow, beautiful, and filling start of the day. And remember, in Turkey, it is totally normal to eat breakfast at 12 o'clock - so don't worry if you get late out of bed :)
56 locals recommend
Cafe Privato Restaurant
No:3 Tımarcı Sk.Best breakfast in Istanbul! Perfect for groups sharing a Turkish breakfast - culturally the most important meal of the day among Turks, especially at weekends where the families gather. This place is, however, known by travelers for a reason. They serve a village breakfast filled with numerous little dishes, fresh local ingredients, and traditional tastes. Hundred percent recommended for a slow, beautiful, and filling start of the day. And remember, in Turkey, it is totally normal to eat breakfast at 12 o'clock - so don't worry if you get late out of bed :)
Wine bars
Solera Winery is on the same street as Limonlu Bahçe and perfect for a glass - or bottle - of wine as well as some snacks such as a Turkish cheese plate and local olives. Prices are pretty cheap and the atmosphere super cozy and intimate. One my our absolute favorite places to end a beautiful day and/or after dinner at nearby restaurants.
28 locals recommend
Solera Winery
44 Yeni Çarşı Cd.Solera Winery is on the same street as Limonlu Bahçe and perfect for a glass - or bottle - of wine as well as some snacks such as a Turkish cheese plate and local olives. Prices are pretty cheap and the atmosphere super cozy and intimate. One my our absolute favorite places to end a beautiful day and/or after dinner at nearby restaurants.
Very fantastic and atmospheric wine bar, located in a basement in the hip area of Galata. Reserve a table, take some nice clothes on, and enjoy the local wines and dishes. The wine is produced by the owners, and there's a super nice selection & live music on some evenings. For Turkey, the prices are in the more expensive end - but in my opinion completely worth it for a classy time out.
6 locals recommend
Sensus Wine Boutique Galata
No:5 Büyük Hendek CaddesiVery fantastic and atmospheric wine bar, located in a basement in the hip area of Galata. Reserve a table, take some nice clothes on, and enjoy the local wines and dishes. The wine is produced by the owners, and there's a super nice selection & live music on some evenings. For Turkey, the prices are in the more expensive end - but in my opinion completely worth it for a classy time out.
Cosy cafes
Find your way up the stairs to J'adore and feel at home at this super intimate loft-like café. Especially known for its hot chocolates (my favorite is the one with chili) and filling desserts. Perfect for couple-sharing!
31 locals recommend
J'adore Chocolatier
22 Emir Nevruz Sk.Find your way up the stairs to J'adore and feel at home at this super intimate loft-like café. Especially known for its hot chocolates (my favorite is the one with chili) and filling desserts. Perfect for couple-sharing!
For me, this cafe is quite fantastic, because its concept is Denmark - my home country. And with a population of 5.5 million people, this makes me a bit proud :) The owner is the sweetest man, who fell in love with Denmark in the 1990s and decided to open up a cafe in the local area Kurtuluş. Here they serve traditional Danish cakes and rye bread dishes with a Turkish touch + the best cafe latte in town in Scandinavian surroundings. It's also quite a good cafe for working and often people come alone and along with their laptops.
12 locals recommend
Marika Kurtuluş
34 Seymen Sk.For me, this cafe is quite fantastic, because its concept is Denmark - my home country. And with a population of 5.5 million people, this makes me a bit proud :) The owner is the sweetest man, who fell in love with Denmark in the 1990s and decided to open up a cafe in the local area Kurtuluş. Here they serve traditional Danish cakes and rye bread dishes with a Turkish touch + the best cafe latte in town in Scandinavian surroundings. It's also quite a good cafe for working and often people come alone and along with their laptops.
One of my absolute favorite places in the amazing neighborhood of Cihangir. Susam Cafe is a must-visit. For a chill breakfast, working day, dinner, wine or cocktails. It got it all. Sophisticated but relaxed surroundings & and interesting, interlectual visitors.
53 locals recommend
Susam Cafe
No:11 Susam Sk.One of my absolute favorite places in the amazing neighborhood of Cihangir. Susam Cafe is a must-visit. For a chill breakfast, working day, dinner, wine or cocktails. It got it all. Sophisticated but relaxed surroundings & and interesting, interlectual visitors.
For a working time, this cafe is a must with its laid-back, work-friendly environment and student atmosphere. I can be hard to find a seat during the afternoon, but it is worth the wait with very nice coffee and German-inspired pies. Also, a cool place for German speakers as they sell lots of German books about Istanbul and Turkish culture.
20 locals recommend
Turkish-German Bookstore & Cafe
237 İstiklal Cd.For a working time, this cafe is a must with its laid-back, work-friendly environment and student atmosphere. I can be hard to find a seat during the afternoon, but it is worth the wait with very nice coffee and German-inspired pies. Also, a cool place for German speakers as they sell lots of German books about Istanbul and Turkish culture.
Street food/Lokanta
Turkey is full of Lokantas - a sort of community cafeterias, where you point out the food you desire and get it served right away. And Balkan is by far the best and cheapest. Taste the healthy and traditional dishes as Turkish grandmothers make them and sit next to strangers at the long community tables. Next to businessmen, students, refugees, and everything in between, who comes for a well-made, quick lunch. And essential experience when visiting Turkey.
48 locals recommend
Balkan Lokantası
7 Şair Leyla Sk.Turkey is full of Lokantas - a sort of community cafeterias, where you point out the food you desire and get it served right away. And Balkan is by far the best and cheapest. Taste the healthy and traditional dishes as Turkish grandmothers make them and sit next to strangers at the long community tables. Next to businessmen, students, refugees, and everything in between, who comes for a well-made, quick lunch. And essential experience when visiting Turkey.
Galata Kitchen is a luxury and hipster lokanta, perfect for vegetarians and those longing for vegetables. Pick out the dish you want and get it served by the friendly English-speaking staff. You can also share plates with many small dishes, the water is free, and the wifi works great!
65 locals recommend
Galata Kitchen
9 B Tatar Beyi Sk.Galata Kitchen is a luxury and hipster lokanta, perfect for vegetarians and those longing for vegetables. Pick out the dish you want and get it served by the friendly English-speaking staff. You can also share plates with many small dishes, the water is free, and the wifi works great!