I couldn`t declare that about many cuisines in the world (And I`ve tried quite a lot of them during my colored voyages so far), but the Turkish one is “gerçek aşk”-“my true love”.
Obviously, the Mediterranean influences are to blame for it, with their olives, herbs, so many varied dishes of fish and the absolutely spectacular mix of fresh vegetables; but the combination of savoury yogurts are equally “guilty”, as well as the salads and grilled fresh meat, the fantastic teas and wines, the extremely sweet künefs, ”seasoned”with the tens of tasty stories, told by the chefs ”à la turque”, little by little, which turn the simplest ingredients into pieces of art; and over all, there reign the holiday atmosphere, the sun and the relaxation you can “taste” with every breakfast, lunch or sunset in Bosporus.
It is not by chance that the Turkish gastronomy is renowned as the third in the world, as far as its diversity and…health are concerned.

Are you ready to let your mouth water, to taste, to relish, to…devour?

Colored list of restaurants:

   • Mikla – you will find here a kind of paradise of Turkish gastronomy, a pub of pleasures which you are allowed to indulge in,one of the most famous rooftop restaurant in Istanbul. The guru chef, Mehmet Gürs fixes menus from local ingredients, and the mix of anchovies, lamb, or meat with olives, humus, yogurts, seasoned with lemon or nice and brown garlic, are gorgeous…a drink on the terrace is also a must here!

   • Tuğra from Çırağan Palace Kempinski is for a special evening, with a romantic dinner and exclusivist courses, with fine dishes and a table strategically exposed to the moonlight ...

   • A'Ya Lounge at Four Seasons Sultanahmet is ideal for meze, durum, and wonderful cocktails, with a stunning view over the Hagia Sophia 

   • Karakoy Lokantasi is known in the town for the multitude of meze, made with grilled fish, spectacular octopus, dishes of meat and baked egg - plants or baklavas filled with syrup and puddings with fruit sauce

   • Yeni Lokanta - very cool, with a quite simple design, of Mediterranean inspiration, but also with modern touches. Genuine, Turkish food, zucchini salads, carrot and ginger, tasty little loaves of bread, dolma from dried egg-plants, super tasty yogurt and rice puddings, very much as at home

   • Lokanta Maya is minimalist and, at the same time, warm, dynamic but relaxed, and offers you a great deal of dishes with fresh products, picked in the very same day, for very good menus, with soups that change every day, with extraordinary meze and yummy lemonade

   • Meze by Lemon Tree is traditional and surprising, cool, modern and very creative. The menus are Turkish but very minutely “ornamented” by the chefs Gencay and Gülubi, with squid starters, beef with herbs, sea food with lime, grapefruit and capers, trout pâté with almonds and mustard, dream desserts…and words seem to be useless now…

   • Yali Mezze&Wine Bar have one of the most beautiful terraces on the Bosporus and wonderful meze and you can find it at Four Seasons.
   • Balıkçı Sabhattin has a gorgeous setting, in an old house, and there is a family business here, which is carefully taken care of. The range of fish is impressive, like the one of meze, the rice and mussels and the marinated sea perch which counts among the stars of the menu

   • Gül Ebru Kantin has the best doner in Istanbul(recommendation by Erk), and is in the Grand Bazaar, it is completely unpretentious with only some plastic chairs, but it`s a must, especially if you get to Grand Bazaarr

   • Ciya Sofrasi is a restaurant in Kadikoy(the Asian part) with extraordinary food which they make on the spot and change it from one season to another, it`s actually like a fast food, but healthier

Other cool places recommended by Erk from Locally Istanbul are:
   • Ferah Feza – a modern hot spot, with a Turkish and Mediterranean fusion and many inventive dishes
   • Park Fora, a chic & posh restaurant, on the shore of the Bosporus, with a super varied range of fish and sea food
   • Peymane is a “landmark” of the genuine Turkish kebab, and Munferit is ideal for an original dinner that continues on Friday and on Saturday with a very cool ambiance
   • Kantin – the last but not least, for light lunches, in the well-known area of Nişantaşi.

Colored list of bars:

   • Le Fumoir Bar – is up, at Georges Hotel, a fancy rooftop with a champagne bar and jazz in a low tone and chic food and drinks

   • Rudolph Sky Terrace offers you some wonderful bird`s - eye views of Istanbul while you are enjoying a sunset, one in a million, and an adequate drink

   • 360 Bar – is a glam penthouse from an old building, with a flamboyant and modern air, with dj and music and shows, it`s known for its unique energy and vibe

   • Alex's Bar is a very small and peculiar spot, with only 3 seats at the bar and a small, but delightful  counter, it`s renowned for its creative cocktails

   • Leb-i Derya is wow for its views that take your breath away and for the super hip ambiance, that`s the reason why you need to walk in if you happen to be in Istanbul

   • NuTeras – continuing with the series of the cool bars, Nu Terrace is a real pleasure in the summertime. Meze, starters, along with sophisticated drinks plus club, crammed with people, during the night. What else could you wish from a successful night out in Istanbul?
    • X Bar is quieter, more classic but equally appetizing, from all points of view: fairy tale - like views, extremely tasty food and a wine menu, by the book!
   • The newest hot spot in town, recommended by Erk: Nopa in Nişantaşi with some bartenders and cocktails as you can rarely see! The elegant design perfectly blends with the club atmosphere, when the music and high spirits “flame up” the open air interior, and the culture of cocktails grows rich with every weekend…

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