Our 24 Hours in Istanbul

One of our favourite districts in Istanbul is Beyoglu, which includes the magnificent Taksim Square and the neighbourhoods Cihangir, Karaköy, Asmalımescit and Galata, the heart of the city. We especially love these areas because you can encounter a mosaic of people from every sociocultural milieu, there is something happening at any hour of the day, and there are so many places to eat, drink, and party. Especially Galata is where we like to visit design shops and cafés. Lately the Topagaci area in Nisantasi has become very popular for dining, having drinks or coffee. An abundance of little cafés, restaurants and pubs have opened their doors in recent years.

Get going with some first-rate coffee from Federal Coffee in Galata. It is our favourite place for coffee, as well as for the stylish interior design and the lovely outdoor seating. The small but welcoming café Kronotrop in the Cihangir neighbourhood is another place to enjoy a decent cup of coffee. M.O.C coffee shop, located in Topagaci, in the Nisantasi district, is also high on our list, and for good reason. They are the best cold brew coffee makers in town and the shop is a nice place to sit down and get some work done. And when you get tired of looking at your computer screen, you can go upstairs to their tiny library and grab  yourself a book to read for a little timeout.

The House Café is another great breakfast place. Not only do they have an appetising menu for every hour of the day, they’ve also decorated beautifully. On the Anatolian side of Istanbul you have Drip Coffeeist, which employs some very unusual brewing methods. They also serve tasty cakes and other treats.

Your next stop should definitely be the Istanbul Modern Museum, a contemporary art museum that showcases permanent collections alongside some highly interesting temporary exhibitions. There is also a large number of art galleries and museums around the Taksim area and the whole Nisantasi neighbourhood, all of which are worth seeing.

When lunchtime rolls around, we recommend getting yourself something that doesn’t take up too much time, as there is still so much to see and do. If you happen to be near the historical centre of Istanbul, head to Filibe Koftecisi (in Sirkeci) for the best meatballs in Istanbul. Next to this place, in the same street, there are many more excellent places to have lunch. For a genuine local kebab experience try Kasap Osman and for ‘pide’ try Hocapasa Pide. For a delicious and juicy burger, Virginia Angus in Nisantasi is the place to go.

After lunch, you might want to do some shopping. Head to Galata or Karaköy and have a look inside the store 290sqm, an Amsterdam-based label that carries unique casual streetwear with a special twist (for him and her). If you’re into interior design, make sure to stop by the design store Archive, which has an amazing selection of innovative design furniture and interior accessories. In the same vein, Gallery Rooms offers some fantastic pieces of art with which to spruce up your own home. And go check out Bey Karaköy—this new hot spot is a must-visit for stylish men. If you’re still up for some shopping after all these, head to the district of Nisantasi, where you can get your hands on high-end fashion and extraordinary designer items at Vakkorama, V2K designers, and Beymen.

Have your afternoon tea in the beautiful setting of the Swissotel while enjoying the incredible view over the Bosporus from their rooftop terrace. This centrally located five-star property is set inside a huge garden and also has a fantastic spa. Bankerhan Hotel, The Sofa Hotel, Witt Istanbul Hotel and The House Hotel are also some exceptional places to stay while in Istanbul.

For an awesome dinner there are quite a few options worth considering. There’s Koço, a fish restaurant in Moda where you can watch a beautiful sunset, drink a glass of raki, and enjoy superb seafood. Adana Ocakbasi is a small but nonetheless delightful kebab restaurant and so is Sanda Tiryaki Ocakbasi, located in the charming Arnavutköy area near the Bosporus. Yeni Lokanta serves typical Turkish food with a modern sensibility; it’s an accomplished fusion of traditional cuisine and contemporary influences. Ferah Feza in Karaköy feels a little posh, which doesn’t however stop it from being a very special restaurant, owing to its incredible menu and the magnificent view over the Bosporus. Asmali Cavit is a more traditional place, a so-called ‘meyhane’, with traditional, tasty Turkish meze. Do not forget to drink their raki, of course. Karaköy Lokantasi is another authentic Turkish restaurant with wonderful seafood. Lastly, you’ll find more Turkish delights—including the best cooked lamb and kebabs—at Ciya Sofrasi, in Kadiköy.

If the raki hasn’t knocked you off your feet yet, have an after-dinner drink at Colonie in Karaköy. This venue has a very cool interior and a well-stocked bar. You absolutely must stop by Off Pera at some point during the night; they play some great music and the small space has a lovely laid-back vibe. If you really want to go hard, check out Klein or Kloster, where you can dance the entire night away. On warm summer nights, Nupera’s rooftop is especially delightful with its view of the Golden Horn. Mitte in Karaköy is another fine place for a fun night out in Istanbul. The neighbourhood of Arnavutköy has recently become popular for its nightlife as well. Two favourite bars of ours are Luzia and Alexandra, two places where you can enjoy some outstanding cocktails.

Whenever we feel like escaping the urban chaos, we head to the island of Burgazada, a short ride away on the ferry. It’s one of our favourite places for a weekend getaway, to recharge our batteries for vibrant life in Istanbul.