Hakan’s guidebook for a trip like a local
Neighbourhoods
It is the home and neighborhood of the most progressive, young community of the city, which especially foreign visitors know very little about. If you are wondering what the young generation living in Istanbul is doing, take a ferry from Karaköy pier and you will reach Kadıköy in just 20 minutes. Take a walk towards Moda street from Caferağa fish market. You can rent a bicycle belonging in Moda beach park and enjoy a long ride on the seaside bicycle lane up to Caddebostan area.
In the evening, return to Kadıköy and sip your drink with pleasure in one of the many wonderful bars of the district’s center.
Recommended Bars:
Karga Salpa Bina Arkaoda Punch Viktor Levi
505 locals recommend
Kadıköy
It is the home and neighborhood of the most progressive, young community of the city, which especially foreign visitors know very little about. If you are wondering what the young generation living in Istanbul is doing, take a ferry from Karaköy pier and you will reach Kadıköy in just 20 minutes. Take a walk towards Moda street from Caferağa fish market. You can rent a bicycle belonging in Moda beach park and enjoy a long ride on the seaside bicycle lane up to Caddebostan area.
In the evening, return to Kadıköy and sip your drink with pleasure in one of the many wonderful bars of the district’s center.
Recommended Bars:
Karga Salpa Bina Arkaoda Punch Viktor Levi
Welcome to Balat, a rising star of recent years with its colorful houses, cobblestone streets, centuries-old history, antique shops and auction houses, and hipster cafes :) You can reach Balat by taxi in just 15 minutes from our house.
Put on your comfortable shoes and spend a pleasant day wandering in the historical streets. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Chora Museum and the Greek School. At the end of the day, do not forget to drink rakı with some appetizers at Agora Meyhane.
24 locals recommend
Fener
Welcome to Balat, a rising star of recent years with its colorful houses, cobblestone streets, centuries-old history, antique shops and auction houses, and hipster cafes :) You can reach Balat by taxi in just 15 minutes from our house.
Put on your comfortable shoes and spend a pleasant day wandering in the historical streets. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Chora Museum and the Greek School. At the end of the day, do not forget to drink rakı with some appetizers at Agora Meyhane.
It's a lovely neighborhood located between our house and Istiklal street. Its marvelous cafes, antique shops and The Museum of Innocence are among the must-sees.
22 locals recommend
Çukurcuma
It's a lovely neighborhood located between our house and Istiklal street. Its marvelous cafes, antique shops and The Museum of Innocence are among the must-sees.
Perhaps the most beautiful district of the Anatolian side, it is one of the must-see places of Istanbul, with its plane trees, cobblestone streets, cafes and galleries, the number of which has increased rapidly in recent years.
108 locals recommend
Kuzguncuk
Perhaps the most beautiful district of the Anatolian side, it is one of the must-see places of Istanbul, with its plane trees, cobblestone streets, cafes and galleries, the number of which has increased rapidly in recent years.
Food scene
If you want to have a special dinner with a broad choices of typical Turkish mezes and fresh seasonal fishes, all while enjoying an amazing view of the city, then this restaurant is exactly what you are looking for and it is just 5 minutes away (walking distance) from our place!
36 locals recommend
Sur Balık Restoran Cihangir
No:30 Akarsu Ykş. Sok.If you want to have a special dinner with a broad choices of typical Turkish mezes and fresh seasonal fishes, all while enjoying an amazing view of the city, then this restaurant is exactly what you are looking for and it is just 5 minutes away (walking distance) from our place!
Nobody should leave Turkey without experiencing the typical Turkish breakfast ritual at least once. We strongly advice you to enjoy a late breakfast/brunch at this traditional restaurant. You will be delighted by the variety of delicious cheeses, olives, vegetables, pastries and organic jams.
148 locals recommend
Van Kahvaltı Evi
52/A Defterdar Ykş.Nobody should leave Turkey without experiencing the typical Turkish breakfast ritual at least once. We strongly advice you to enjoy a late breakfast/brunch at this traditional restaurant. You will be delighted by the variety of delicious cheeses, olives, vegetables, pastries and organic jams.
Are you looking for a calm and charming place to sit and sip delicious cocktails? Then this place and its lovely garden are exactly what you are craving for!
19 locals recommend
Emily's Garden
no:13 Susam Sk.Are you looking for a calm and charming place to sit and sip delicious cocktails? Then this place and its lovely garden are exactly what you are craving for!
Very close to Istiklal Avenue, in the heart of Beyoğlu/Taksim, you can find this very authentic Turkish restaurant. There is absolutely no other place in the city where you can taste typical food from the famous Hatay region’s cuisine From fried starters like içli köfte and spicy soups, to the dozens of different kebabs available, the kitchen of this restaurant offers successfully a taste of the Southern cuisine. Note that this is one of the restaurant branches of the famous chef Czn Burak ( AKA the annoyingly smiling chef ).
51 locals recommend
Hatay Medeniyetler Sofrası
No: 39 İstiklal CaddesiVery close to Istiklal Avenue, in the heart of Beyoğlu/Taksim, you can find this very authentic Turkish restaurant. There is absolutely no other place in the city where you can taste typical food from the famous Hatay region’s cuisine From fried starters like içli köfte and spicy soups, to the dozens of different kebabs available, the kitchen of this restaurant offers successfully a taste of the Southern cuisine. Note that this is one of the restaurant branches of the famous chef Czn Burak ( AKA the annoyingly smiling chef ).
Historically Lokantas are places where you can choose among a quite big variety of meals of the day and you will be served right away, while sitting at the table with other people. For this reason they are perfect for a quick bite or a lunch break. This specific Lokanta will give you a taste of homemade Turkish cuisine.
23 locals recommend
Şahin Lokantası
11/A Orhan Adlı Apaydın Sk.Historically Lokantas are places where you can choose among a quite big variety of meals of the day and you will be served right away, while sitting at the table with other people. For this reason they are perfect for a quick bite or a lunch break. This specific Lokanta will give you a taste of homemade Turkish cuisine.
Karaköy Lokantası has become much closer to a normal restaurant than a traditional locanta, however it did not lose its authentic tastes.
160 locals recommend
Karaköy Lokantası
No:57 Kemankeş Cd.Karaköy Lokantası has become much closer to a normal restaurant than a traditional locanta, however it did not lose its authentic tastes.
Another place where you can enjoy an amazing Rakı dinner with mezes, thanks to its lovely view of the city.
19 locals recommend
Mükellef Karakoy
8/A Maliye Cd.Another place where you can enjoy an amazing Rakı dinner with mezes, thanks to its lovely view of the city.
In the heart of Eminönü’s Spice Bazar, this beautiful historical restaurant will give you a taste of Ottoman cuisine.
20 locals recommend
Pandeli Restaurant - Mısır Çarşısı
In the heart of Eminönü’s Spice Bazar, this beautiful historical restaurant will give you a taste of Ottoman cuisine.
In the square of Eminönü, a few steps from its beautiful Bazar, you can find this restaurant which offers a nice selection of Kebabs and delights you with its view on the Golden Horn Canal.
7 locals recommend
Hamdi Restaurant Eminönü
No:11 Kalçin SokakIn the square of Eminönü, a few steps from its beautiful Bazar, you can find this restaurant which offers a nice selection of Kebabs and delights you with its view on the Golden Horn Canal.
In the heart of the vibrant neighborhood of Kadıköy, located in the Asian side of Istanbul, you will find this place which is not just famous for its Kebabs but also for its mission to bring back to life the old, lost recipes of the Anatolian cuisine.
187 locals recommend
Çiya Sofrası
Güneşli Bahçe SokağıIn the heart of the vibrant neighborhood of Kadıköy, located in the Asian side of Istanbul, you will find this place which is not just famous for its Kebabs but also for its mission to bring back to life the old, lost recipes of the Anatolian cuisine.
Patisserie // Baklava // Lokum
This historical patisserie has been making Baklava and other delicious sweets since 1949. Have a portion of Baklava and a glass of çay and Afiyet Olsun!
151 locals recommend
Karakoy Gulluoglu
No:67 Kemankeş CaddesiThis historical patisserie has been making Baklava and other delicious sweets since 1949. Have a portion of Baklava and a glass of çay and Afiyet Olsun!
Would you like to try the famous Turkish delight that everyone is talking about? This is the right address for the best and most authentic ones!
21 locals recommend
Ali Muhiddin Haci Bekir
83 İstiklal Cd.Would you like to try the famous Turkish delight that everyone is talking about? This is the right address for the best and most authentic ones!
You will be overwhelmed by the quantity of different sweets, candies and desserts that this nicely decorated cafe in the heart of Kadıköy can offer.
11 locals recommend
Confectioner Cafer Erol
19 Yasa Cd.You will be overwhelmed by the quantity of different sweets, candies and desserts that this nicely decorated cafe in the heart of Kadıköy can offer.
Do you need another break from the Turkish traditional cuisine and want to enjoy a classic western dessert? This place offers the best waffles available in the city.
22 locals recommend
Kemal Usta Waffles
Do you need another break from the Turkish traditional cuisine and want to enjoy a classic western dessert? This place offers the best waffles available in the city.
Night Life
Geyik
22 Akarsu Ykş. Sok.Kiva Bomonti
Birahane SokakNevizade Sokak
Nevizade SokakSightseeing
Karaköy