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Eating & Drinking in Istanbul
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Istanbul Modern Café
Whether or not you're visiting the museum, you have to pass by this café for the magnificent Bosphorus views. The interior is elegantly designed to be the setting for a meal of cosmopolitan flavors, although you'll likely want to sit at the terrace instead. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or simply come for a drink (from fresh fruit juices, to tea, to cocktails).
Lucca
Getting a table at this café-bistro-bar at night is often difficult, but do pass by at any time of the day if you're looking for a light meal. It offers breakfast throughout the day, with special coffee and tea blends, as well as daily cakes and pastries. The rest of the menu is mostly Mediterranean-inspired. This is a well-designed space that hopes to create a hip but unpretentious atmosphere, and is one of the best meeting places in the city.
THE HOUSE CAFÉ ORTAKOY - Salhane Caddesi 1
There are now different branches of this café, but the one in Ortakoy is our favorite for its summer terrace where you can have a cocktail and admire the views. But no matter which branch you choose, this is a casual place where locals enjoy a cup of coffee and a light meal (usually large salads, pizzas, and some international gourmet offerings). What most stands out in all of them is the décor, mixing design pieces with old furnishings.
Vogue
As the name suggests, every attempt is made to make this a fashionable place. The Bosphorus views are fantastic, although the beautiful people really come here mostly to look at each other. Sunday brunch is popular, but so are the sushi dinners on any day of the week. The rest of the menu lists mostly Asian dishes and there's an extensive wine list too.
360 Istanbul
Restaurants don't come any trendier in Istanbul than the rooftop 360 Istanbul. It's a restaurant-lounge-club combo where more attention goes to how everyone looks than to the international cuisine on the plate. If you wish to dine somewhere else, still do pass by for a drink. The 360 degree views of the city are fantastic and the DJs provide good background noise for post-dinner drinks. You'll find it midway along Istiklal Caddesi and expect it to always be packed.
Leb-i derya
Another hip rooftop restaurant created to serve views followed by food, this is the place to overlook the Bosphorus as you try some Turkish and international cuisine. Meat and pastas dominate the dinner menu, while the Sunday brunch is one of the best in the city.
Korfez
If you're staying on the European side of Istanbul, move to Asia for dinner at this waterfront gourmet restaurant. It's a classic, serving fresh fish dishes to a well dressed clientele. Take the water taxi which departs regularly from Rumeli Hisari on the European side and enjoy the romantic ride to experience one of the city's gastronomic highlights.
Lokanta
The name simply means "restaurant" but the food it serves is a little more imaginative. It is cooked by one of the country's most famous chefs who has written cookbooks and had his own TV shows, and consists of Mediterranean-inspired dishes. It's a laid-back place in a post-industrial space for a pasta, salad, or pizza during the day, while at night it turns into a popular bar.
Changa
Housed in an Art Nouveau building you'll find what is arguably the city's best fusion restaurant. You'll savor Turkish ingredients mixed with Asian flavors imagined by New Zealand chef Peter Gordon who is not at the kitchen here, but who was consulted to create the menu.
Gaja
Serving breathtaking views and fine cuisine from the 14th floor of the Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul, Gaja is a sophisticated restaurant, especially attractive during the summer when its roof opens up for cocktails and live DJ music. Contemporary continental cuisine and a selection of over 160 wines is offered at the restaurant, while the minimalist-styled Roof is a spot to relax with a seasonal menu and signature drinks under the star-studded sky.
Muze De Changa
The success of Changa (see above) led to the opening of this spin-off serving modern interpretations of traditional Turkish and international dishes. You'll need to go on a 20-30 minute taxi ride up the Bosphorus to reach it, but it's well worth it even if just for the design, having earned Wallpaper magazine's 2007 award for best designed restaurant in the world. This is an especially good option when the sun is out and you can sit at the terrace overlooking the Bosphorus.
Ulus 29
Probably the trendiest of all dine-and-drink-with-views establishments, this is another Istanbul hotspot for the city's affluent and attractive crowds. The menu consists of Ottoman and Middle Eastern dishes, with the 29 in the name referring to the number of classic dishes listed. Another list worth taking a look at is that of the cocktails, which make Ulus just as attractive as a bar. The décor is of a stylish modern Turkish look, with classic furnishings and some outrageous chandeliers.
Wan-na
The wonderful flavors of Vietnam, Thailand, China, and Japan are on the menu, together with a varied sushi list and an oriental atmosphere. But don't expect Buddha statues on the walls - the decoration is much more original and simple with abstract neons providing the lighting. Big name DJs are guests on weekends as video art images are projected, inviting you to stay for cocktails after dinner.
Mikla
Located at the top of the Marmara Pera Hotel, this restaurant offers 360-degree views of Istanbul through floor-to-ceiling glass windows and serves a mixture of Scandinavian and Turkish cuisine. You're also paying for the views, so it's not exactly cheap but worth booking a table here. The city's hip crowd is also attracted to the minimal design and the cocktails.
Zuma
Zuma opened its third international branch in Istanbul after the ones in London and Hong Kong. It's a contemporary Japanese restaurant with a large waterfront terrace and a simple décor made up of furniture from all over the world. There are two levels, the upper floor is the bar and lounge area, while downstairs is the main dining room and Sushi Bar.
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