6 Istanbul spots that will make you say “I have to save this place”
It’s easy to try a new place every week in Istanbul. This list has six addresses we keep returning to and first recommend to friends: from breakfast to dessert, from a no-frills local eatery to a view.
1BAM Coffee & Eatry, Bostancı
Our new discovery in Bostancı. Its red-awning terrace, brunch plates and coffee make it exactly what we were looking for in a weekend breakfast spot.
2Van Kahvaltı Evi, Cihangir
One of the city’s best-known spots for a Van-style Turkish breakfast spread. Order the murtağa and the herbed cheese, and be ready to wait in line on weekends.
3Karaköy Güllüoğlu, Karaköy
The first place that comes to mind when you think of baklava. Our classic move: go early, start with su böreği, and finish with a slice of pistachio baklava.
4Çiya Sofrası, Kadıköy
Dishes from all over Anatolia that are hard to find anywhere else. Before you order, be sure to check the daily-changing pots in the display case.
5Pandeli, Eminönü
A historic restaurant right above the entrance to the Spice Bazaar, open since 1901 with turquoise-tiled dining rooms. Their signature is the eggplant börek.
6Galata Tower and its surroundings
Go up the tower before sunset. In the evening, the streets around it have plenty of options where you can have dinner to live music, with the tower in view.
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Places in this story
- BAM Coffee & Eatry (Bostancı, Istanbul) — Breakfast & Brunch. Our new find in Bostancı. The red-awning terrace, brunch plates and coffee make it exactly what we were looking for on a weekend breakfast. Must try: Brunch plate and filter coffee
- Van Kahvaltı Evi (Cihangir, Istanbul) — Breakfast & Brunch. One of Istanbul’s best-known spots for a Van-style Turkish breakfast spread. Come prepared to queue on weekends. Must try: Murtağa and herbed cheese
- Karaköy Güllüoğlu (Karaköy, Istanbul) — Coffee & Dessert. Whenever someone says baklava, this is the first place that comes to mind. Going early and starting with su böreği is our classic move. Must try: Pistachio baklava, su böreği
- Çiya Sofrası (Kadıköy, Istanbul) — Restaurant. Dishes from every corner of Anatolia that are hard to find anywhere else. Don’t order without checking the display case first, since the pots change every day. Must try: Today’s pot dishes
- Pandeli (Eminönü, Istanbul) — Restaurant. A historic restaurant above the entrance to the Spice Bazaar, serving since 1901 in halls lined with turquoise tiles. Must try: Eggplant börek
- Galata Tower (Beyoğlu, Istanbul) — Viewpoint. The line gets long around sunset, so go early. In the evening, there are plenty of dinner spots with tower views and live music on the streets around it. Must try: Sunset tour
Frequently asked questions
Where should I go for breakfast in Istanbul?
BAM Coffee & Eatry in Bostancı and Van Kahvaltı Evi in Cihangir top our list.
Where can I eat baklava in Istanbul?
Karaköy Güllüoğlu. Our classic move is to start early with su böreği and finish with pistachio baklava.
When should I go up Galata Tower?
Before sunset; the line gets longer toward evening.
Authors
This story was written by Tuğba & Burak. We have been traveling together for 13 years and we visit every place we recommend ourselves. Instagram: @gezsekdedik