Gallada

From modern to traditional, from luxury to convenient…dining, shopping and sightseeing in this amazing city! You’ll find several options for great accommodation, as well. Istanbul is where Europe meets Asia and here you'll encounter elements from both continents. Mind yourself - this city is huge and really crowded. Traffic can be horrific at times and getting from one point to another could take up some time. Still, it's full of savory contrasts, echoes of the past and glimpses of the future and could easily get you addicted! 💡Tip: visit the less-touristy areas Fatih, Fener and Balat! Highlights: ☕️ Turkish coffee - whether it’s made in sand, over fire or on stovetop, it is prepared in a “cezve” (ibrik) using very finely ground coffee beans without filtering; 🫖 Turkish tea - called “çay” (pronounced chai) in Turkish - is a kind of black tea brewed in a dual teapot and served in tulip-shaped small glasses called “ince belli”. 🥨 Simit (Turkish Bagel) a sesame-bathed, circular Turkish bread. Very common - the cheapest street food in Turkey. 🍥 Turkish delight - also called lokum, jellied confection with different flavours (may contain pieces of fruits/nuts) commonly found in the markets. 🥟 Baklava - is a layered pastry dessert made of filo pastry, filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with syrup or honey. It was one of the most popular sweet pastries of Ottoman cuisine. 🏺 The Nargile, also known as hookah or hubble-bubble or sheesha or Turkish water pipe, is an old tradition in Turkey for smoking Turkish tobacco (plain or fruit flavored - with or without nicotine). 🧿 Evil Eye Symbol - the Nazar Boncuk symbolizes the jealous and envious look of others, which, according to the popular belief, would have the power to cause various misfortunes to a person or his property. Turkish people believe that this amulet protects its holder from the bad energies by absorbing them. In addition, Turkey is famous for its sweets/desserts, ceramics, silver/gold jewelry, spices. Don’t forget to bargain - it is kind of a national sport. 😉

If you are traveling for food, and food is the first thing that you search for before your trip, this guide is for you! As a local from Istanbul, I collected my favorite food and drink spots located on the European side, in addition to the must-try food items. Although the majority of the places are located in famous neighborhoods such as Fatih (Historical Peninsula), Karakoy, Beyoglu, Besiktas, and Tarabya, sometimes you need to get away from the center to find the best food. This guide also covers these off-the-beaten-track locations. ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ The list contains the following sections: ✔️Breakfast 🍳🥯 ✔️Fine Dining 👩‍🍳⭐🍾 ✔️Kebab ✔️Authentic Turkish Cuisine & Street Food 🥘🌯🌭 ✔️Meyhaneler (Meze & Rakı Places) & Seafood Restaurants🐟🧊 ✔️Pubs/ Cocktail Bars/Wine House 🍷🍺🍸 ✔️International Cuisine 🍣🍱🍜 ✔️Traditional Sweets, Patisserie and Cafes 🍰🍨☕

Words are not enough to describe Istanbul. Home, history, love, devotion, melancholy, chaos, happiness, excitement, loneliness... if I had to be a city in the world, it would be Istanbul. Istanbul is like a movie whose ending you cannot predict, a poem that makes you cry when you read it, a song that reminds you of the past when you listen to it... I hope you enjoy this guide, which I have prepared with all my feelings and local recommendations.