Kanyon
Distinctly different in every way from Istanbul’s haphazard Grand Bazaar, the dramatic, ultra-modern interior streets of Kanyon —an expansive curved building that uses open-air walkways to connect residential, retail, and entertainment areas—provide residents of the city with a truly unique shopping experience. The project’s lead consultants used a multidisciplinary design approach to create Kanyon’s unique silhouette. They wanted it to sit perfectly with the domes, minarets and other ancient Istanbul landmarks. As well as shopping opportunities, the dynamic building also houses terraces and gardens where visitors can interact with one another, over 20 restaurants and cafés, plus a cinema.
Unmissable restaurants
Remarkably, there are more than 20,000 restaurants in Istanbul, ranging from arty Michelin-starred stalwarts to basic cafés serving comforting, family-style Turkish cuisine. But a handful of the city’s best dishes can be found in blink-and-miss spots—don’t leave Istanbul without sampling these standout dishes.
Sehzade Cag Kebap
Kebab restaurants can be found on almost every street of Istanbul, but not all are created equal. The menu is limited to seven items. Sehzade Cag Kebap It is a simple, delicious meal with efficient service. The lavash is thin enough to be seen through, the lamb is charcoal-grilled and the tomato dip is spicy without being overpowering.
Hanimeli Vegan
Hidden in the aforementioned bohemian neighborhood of Cihangir sits this unassuming hole-in-the-wall café which, confusingly, isn’t actually strictly vegan, but it is, however, a true delight. This is a more point-and order type of restaurant as the dishes change every day depending on season. It’s a great place to grab a quick lunch between antique hunting or a visit to the hammam. If you only get to visit once, must-try dishes are plump eggplant perfumed with oregano and tomato, a herbed cucumber salad topped with a smattering of fresh red chili, and the vegetarian manti (mini spiced dumplings) served with cacik (yogurt and sumac sauce)—slightly addictive, but definitely not vegan.
Karaköy Lokantasi
Recommended by numerous Istanbulites, Karaköy Lokantası is what dreams are made of: service is attentive, the wine list is impressive, and a jovial atmosphere awaits each and every evening. The restaurant’s creative dishes fuse local ingredients and Turkish flavors with a tapas-style ethos, meaning ordering a selection of small plates is the way to go—not ideal for solo travelers but more than worth a trip regardless. It’s the shrimp in a hotpot with chili, garlic and tomato that is the standout. I returned a few days after to try it again. Samphire was also in season for my visit, and when dressed in dense local olive oil, it provided the perfect accompaniment to Karaköy Lokantası’s fresh seasonal fish. The potato croquettes were some of the best that I have ever eaten. Spain‘s offering), while the fried slithers of beetroot and zucchini are an absolute joy—suitably crisp on the outside, cooked to perfection on the inside. It is a must-try in every aspect.
