Fish market in Istanbul. Restaurants and cafes in Istanbul Traditional Turkish cuisine restaurants

It is very easy for a tourist in Istanbul to end up with a large check and poor service. To stay full and satisfied, it’s good to know trusted places, navigate the names of Turkish dishes and prices. We went to cafes and restaurants in Istanbul, tried street food, bought groceries and cooked ourselves. Where to eat in Istanbul and what to bring home?

Turkish cuisine

Istanbul is located between Europe and Asia, so you can find cuisines from different countries here, but Turkish is especially popular. Turkish cuisine combines Mediterranean, Caucasian, Arabic and many other culinary traditions. Even those who have never been to Turkey have definitely tried Turkish dishes such as kebab, dolma, Turkish delight and Turkish coffee. Similar dishes are typical of the southern republics of the former USSR, whose restaurants operate successfully in Russia. Turkish cuisine is not exotic for us, it is spicy, but not too spicy; in Turkey they eat meat (except pork), fish and a lot of vegetables, and they like sour-milk drinks.

Istanbul Restaurants

Until you get comfortable in a new city, it is better not to check prices and service for yourself, but trust the reviews of travelers. Before the trip, I read reviews about restaurants and cafes in Istanbul and noted several establishments in the Taksim area where we booked an apartment.

The first evening we had dinner at the Aretin Yeri restaurant in a side street near the pedestrian Istiklal Street (Kameriye Sk). We ordered fish meze and white wine. The restaurant turned out to be exactly as they wrote about it - delicious food and good service. The price category is above average.

Fish restaurants in Istanbul is everywhere. Restaurants with views of the Golden Horn are located on the lower level of the Galata Bridge, where people come to watch the sunset. Another, more original place for lunch is the fish market on the Karaköy side. There are tables along the shore where fish are fried right there. The ambience is simple, but the prices are not cheap, so we checked them in advance (from 20 TL per serving). Taking fish by weight is more expensive.

The popular meat dish kebab is prepared in different forms and is offered at every turn in Istanbul. The owner of our apartment recommended one of the good and inexpensive places for dinner. “Taksim Bahçıvan” (Kebap Lahmacun & Pide Salonu) is located between Istiklal and Tarlabasi streets at Suslu Saksi Sk. 27. A large portion of kebab with vegetables costs 20 TL, in addition, first they bring a hot flatbread with meat and vegetable sauces, and at the end they offer tea. Our dinner for two cost 32 TL (pictured).

Istanbul has restaurants serving traditional and modern Turkish cuisine. Restaurants in the Sultanahmet district serve original dishes of Ataman cuisine (ottoman). The menu of the Sultan and his entourage is best described by the exhibition of the Topkapi Sarai palace kitchen.

Allows you to see the beauty of evening Istanbul, try traditional treats and watch Turkish dances.

Cafe Istanbul

Coffee in Turkey not as popular as tea and to some extent replaces alcohol for Turks. In addition to traditional places, Istanbul has a chain of Starbucks cafes and other trendy coffee shops with a wide range of drinks. We chose a cafe on the shores of the Bosphorus near the Kabatash pier. Turkish coffee 6 TL, served with a bottle of water.

Turkish tea and sweets at the Savoy confectionery

Turkish tea (çay) often served as a compliment at the end of a meal. If you just want to have a cup of tea, you can choose any place on Istiklal Street and watch the people passing by. We went to the cafe-confectionery "Hafiz Mustafa 1864" and "Savoy". Many pastry shops have tables where you can try purchased sweets. A cup of tea cost 3 TL, desserts 8-10 TL.

On our first day in Istanbul we drank Turkish tea overlooking the Bosphorus. Panoramic views of the Sea of Marmara and the strait can be seen from the cafe in Gulhane Park and Topkapi Palace. A kettle for two costs 15 TL. In non-tourist areas, tea will cost much less (1-1.50 TL per cup).

Street food in Istanbul

Kumpir in the Ortaköy area

Kebab (döner kebap) or shawarma - meat is cooked on a spit, served in pita bread or in the form of a roll with vegetables. 4-6 TL
Kumpir- baked potatoes with fillings, especially popular in the Ortaköy area. 15 TL
- white bread with fish (mackerel). Our favorite lunch. Sold from boats near the Galata Bridge in the Eminonu area. 8 TL
Salash fish- a variation of balık ekmek, but in fried lavash. Sellers stand next to the fish market on the other side of the Galata Bridge (Karaköy district). 10 TL

Balık ekmek at the Galata Bridge

Small snacks for 1-2 TL from street vendors with carts: simit - bagel with sesame seeds, roasted chestnuts, boiled corn. They sell mussels with lemon from trays, but we didn't dare try them.

In Istanbul, there are very tasty ice creams of different types, the price is 5 TL per waffle cone, the sellers put on real shows. You can also always buy freshly squeezed juice on the street. Turks love the healthy fermented milk drink ayran.

Groceries and supermarkets in Istanbul

Like any big city, Istanbul has many grocery and vegetable stores and shops. Local residents go shopping to large centers, and tourists are looking for something closer to their place of residence. We found 2 supermarkets: Şok and Carrefour. The foods I liked were vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers), herbs, and delicious bread.

Supermarkets have good prices for Turkish tea and coffee. We bought with us a 500 gram pack of tea for 10.50 TL and several packages of ground coffee for 1.85 TL per 100 grams. The most delicious Turkish coffee is produced under the brand Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi. Walking through the spice market (Spice bazaar), we noticed a queue at the window from which there was a delicious smell of freshly ground coffee. It turned out that this is a point of packaging and selling Mehmet Efendi coffee, we bought 500 grams for 17.5 TL. Finely ground Turkish coffee is suitable for coffee pots and coffee machines.

Oriental sweets have always been considered a good gift from Istanbul. You can buy Turkish sweets in specialized stores or at the market. If you are bringing it for yourself, then it is best to try and buy by weight, if as a gift, then in a beautiful box. We shopped at Koska stores, there are many of them all over Istanbul. The Turkish Delight sets are called Turkish Delight. Pay attention to the weight of the package. The most expensive box we bought cost 19 TL (500 g), the cheapest 4.50 TL.

Istanbul is more of the East, where the concept of price and honesty in the service sector is very vague. In tourist areas you will be persistently invited, offered to see or try something. They try to make money from tourists everywhere, but in Istanbul you have to be especially vigilant. The main advice for tourists in Istanbul is to ask for prices and don’t be shy to say “Chok pakhali!” (very expensive).

You can learn more about Turkish cuisine at.

Friends often ask me to recommend places in Istanbul where they can try something special. I ask them to remember the most important thing: when traveling to Turkey, it is important to resist visiting familiar places that have become signs of globalization - McDonald's, Burger King, Starbucks and others that make some cities similar to others.

Istanbul is home to thousands of restaurants and cafes with a special atmosphere and excellent menu. The main thing is not to be afraid to try. Turkish cuisine is very diverse. Moreover, here in Turkey, it is especially important not only what is cooked, but also how it is served. The meal often turns into a whole ceremony.

I will be happy to share with readers information about those places that are not described in standard guidebooks, but which locals adore.

Inexpensive cafes and restaurants in Istanbul

Turkish cuisine is not synonymous with the word “expensive”, and I will prove it to you.

Bambi

By the way, in all Turkish stores that sell sweets, you can ask to try everything that is sold by weight, and it is absolutely free. Even if you leave without shopping, no one will look at you askance. It’s best to do this and, if you wish, purchase a couple of boxes of Turkish Delight, as Turkish sweets are called here, in chain stores Koska. Most of the sellers there speak at least some English (in fact, it's not that important).

A kilogram of classic assorted Turkish delight will cost $4.06 (12 TL). The more toppings in a particular type of Turkish delight (coconut flakes, pistachios, etc.), the more expensive its price. You can ask for a mix of different varieties of this delicious oriental sweet.

Arriving as a tourist, you will inevitably end up on the main pedestrian street of the city - Istiklal, so I give the address of the chain store located exactly there: İstiklal Caddesi No.238 Taksim.

Turkish tea and Turkish coffee

Speaking on the topic of Istanbul cafes and restaurants, I can’t resist telling you a little about Turkish tea and coffee. Turks are equal parts “tea drinkers” and “coffee drinkers”. Moreover, as I said at the very beginning of my story, eating and drinking in this country is not only a means of quenching hunger or thirst, but also a real ceremony.

Turkish tea is prepared in a special way: in special double kettles based on the principle of a water bath, constantly heated. It is served in glass cups that look something like this:

Many of my friends are surprised when I say that we drink tea from such dishes even at home - after a year of living in Istanbul, I got so used to it that I can no longer drink my favorite hot drink from large mugs. This form of serving allows you to enjoy not only the taste and aroma of tea, but also its rich color.

The cost of a glass of tea differs depending on the class of the establishment and, on average, is $0.85 (2.5 TL).

Turks are very proud of their coffee. And I am convinced that they have every good reason for this! It is worth noting at least that before moving to I drank coffee 3 times in my life: twice in Russia, and the third time in one of the best coffee shops in old Vienna. All attempts equally did not bring me any pleasure. I tried in vain to understand why everyone was delighted with this drink, but I could not find an answer to this question. And only here, in Istanbul, having tried Turkish coffee, I understood what was what, and now I can safely say: I love coffee - Turkish coffee (Türk kahvesi - (Turk Kahvesi)).

Turkish coffee is served very hot, with a small piece of Turkish delight on a saucer and a glass of cold water - this is drunk before coffee. If you order Turkish coffee, you will definitely be asked about the amount of sugar. There are three varieties: sade (sade), orta (orta), şekerli (shekerli) - without sugar, “medium” sugar and sweet, respectively. I advise you to start by ordering orta - with a medium amount of sugar.

By the way, fortune telling using coffee grounds is very common in Turkey. Traditionally, this is done as follows: after you have finished drinking your coffee, you need to cover the cup with a saucer and quickly turn it over. To make the grounds and the cup cool faster, you can put a gold ring on the bottom of the cup (you will have it on top) - gold absorbs heat very quickly. In about 5 minutes you can look into your future! I’m not good at this: I see only rain or forest. My Turkish friends, in turn, were able to see a long road, a woman, a big house, a dress, a dog and many other different symbols. Few people here take this seriously; rather, this tradition serves as a good training for imagination and a kind of game.

Tips

If you go to a small bistro restaurant or pastry shop, it is enough to leave $0.34-0.68 (1-2 TL) as a tip. Moreover, if you don’t do this at all, you shouldn’t be afraid of disapproving glances. Tipping here is considered solely as gratitude to the waiter for attentive service, but is not a mandatory or natural condition.

After dinner at a higher-class restaurant, like the ones I described above in the paragraphs “Fish restaurants” or “Panoramic restaurants,” you should leave a tip of 10% of the check amount. This is explained by the high level of service in these places and the special attentiveness of the waiters. Again, if funds are running out, you can leave a symbolic amount of $3.38 (10 TL).

Useful phrases in Turkish

You will hear the phrase hoş geldiniz all the time. It means “welcome”. This way you will be greeted by employees of shops, cafes, and restaurants. If you want to return this kindness, say hoş bulduk (hosh bulduk). This is the standard form of greeting between seller and buyer, waiter and guest.

Here are other words and expressions that will probably be useful to you:

Teşekkür ederim - thank you very much - [teshekkür ederim];
Lütfen - please (if requested) - [lyutfen];
Hesap lütfen - bill, please - [hesap lütfen];
Küllük lütfen - ashtray, please - [küllük lütfen];
Bir çay lütfen - tea, please - [bir tea lütfen];
İki çay lütfen - two cups of tea, please - [iki tea lütfen];
Bir Türk kahvesi lütfen. Sade - Turkish coffee without sugar, please - [bir turk kahvesi lutfen. Sade];
Bir Türk kahvesi lütfen. Orta - Turkish coffee with a medium amount of sugar, please - [bir turk kahvesi lutfen. Horta];
Bir Türk kahvesi lütfen. Şekerli - sweet Turkish coffee, please - [bir turk kahvesi lutfen. Shekerli].

Istanbul among Russians evokes strong associations with “shoppers” who flood our bazaars and 24-hour winter clothing stores with their imports. In general, there is nothing bad about this. In our climate, fur coats are needed. Associations also arise with Turkish builders, who built half of Moscow and revived the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Thanks to the Turks, Moscow again confirmed its status as a supercity, where there is something that is not found anywhere else. Neither New York, nor Paris, nor Tokyo have multi-storey stores selling sheepskin coats 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or a very large newly built cathedral.

Of course, almost all of us know that in addition to sheepskin coats, Istanbul also has Hagia Sophia and other architectural masterpieces, magnificent museums, and an incredible old market. We know that Istanbul is the only large city located on two continents, that its historical center is located on the shores of the Golden Horn, that it was the capital of Byzantium, the Ottoman Empire, and that Christianity came to Rus' from there.

But Istanbul is not all about this. This city is one of the greatest in the world: without visiting it, you cannot think that you have seen what you need to see in life. It's not just about its ancient history and the splendor of its monuments. Istanbul is a powerful hub of vital energy. And it strikes in any season, in any weather. So, when planning your travels, be sure to think about a trip to the shores of the Golden Horn.

We will not try to tell in this article where to go in Istanbul. There are so many routes that their description would take dozens of pages. Anyone visiting this amazing city on the Bosphorus will surely find something to their liking. Travel agencies can organize excursions for you, and you can also find many guidebooks in bookstores. By the way, a quite decent guide in Russian was recently published. But it’s worth preparing a little in advance so as not to feel like a blind kitten in the bustling and very diverse Istanbul.

How to get around?

There is no metro in Istanbul - unfortunately. There are several tram lines. There are buses, but it is very difficult for a visitor to understand their routes and schedule. There are also minibuses that travel around the city, something like our minibuses, but they have the same problems as regular buses. So, if you need to get somewhere that is too far to walk, use a taxi. There are many of them, all of them are yellow, all are equipped with a counter. And, what is extremely pleasant, they are very cheap by Moscow standards. Usually the fare costs two or three dollars; a trip from end to end of Istanbul (and this is a big city) will cost you ten dollars at most. The only thing is to make sure that the driver turns on the meter. The vast majority of taxi drivers are honest people, but occasionally there are crooks. Try to pronounce the address clearly, or even better, write it on a piece of paper, indicating the area of the city: there are hundreds of streets and tiny alleys in Istanbul. Most Istanbul residents speak at least some English, German or French, and in recent years more and more people are beginning to understand Russian.

To cross the Sea of Marmara and go to the Asian part of the city, take a ferry or boat. They depart from several piers in different parts of Istanbul. By water it is worth taking a walk along the Bosphorus towards the Black Sea. Or take a trip to the Princes' Islands.

But in general, if you want to get to know Istanbul better, you need to walk. The historical part is not that big; you can walk through it in a day. Don’t be afraid to get lost: the tourist maps are very detailed, and in addition, the majority of Istanbul residents are friendly and will be happy to show you the way. Wandering the streets and alleys, climbing the steep stairs leading to the tops of Istanbul's hills, relaxing in the quiet squares adjacent to the mosques, you will feel the atmosphere of this amazing and incredibly diverse city.

Where to live?

There are hundreds of hotels in Istanbul, and their range is very wide. These include international five-star hotels like Marriott and Kempinski, and modest small hotels scattered throughout the city. The most fashionable international hotels are located in the “European” part of the old city, in the Pera and Taksim areas, as well as near the Dolma Bahce Palace. In Pera, for example, there is the legendary Pera Palace, built at the beginning of the century especially for passengers of the Orient Express, famous by Agatha Christie. Here, in the Taksim area, there are comfortable hotels "Imperial", "Marmara", "Nippon", "Green Park" and "Golden Age". In the “old” part, on the opposite bank of the Golden Horn, there are several amazing small and not very expensive hotels. Almost all of them were rebuilt from ancient city mansions (in Turkish - “konak”). They have preserved or restored magnificent interiors that combine comfort and local flavor. They have all the modern comforts. Of the former “konaks” that attracted the attention of “i” correspondents, we will mention first of all Ayasofia Pansiyonlari: a suite of nine ancient houses attached to the wall of the Sultan’s palace in Top Kapi. Amazingly romantic place. Not far from the “Little Hagia Sophia” (the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus) there are two wonderful “konakas” - Amber and Turkuaz. They got lost among the narrow streets of old Istanbul, from the windows you can see the Sea of Marmara, and within a five-minute walk are the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Top Kapi. In the Sultanahmet area we recommend the Acropolis Hotel. On the outskirts, next to the Chora Church (Kariye Jami), world famous for its mosaics, in a quiet and green quarter, located on a hill above the Golden Horn, is the Kariye Hotel. A great place for a quiet time. “On the outskirts” means a forty-minute walk from the center. However, if you feel homesick already at the Istanbul airport, you don’t have to return home. You can settle in the Laleli area, occupied by “shoppers”. Most of the inscriptions here are in Russian; Turkish is rarely heard. But the question arises: is it worth leaving your homeland? You can just go and hang out at the Dynamo clothing market.

Freely convertible

The Turkish lira is almost the smallest currency in the world; one US dollar costs about 240,000 liras. You can change it right at the airport, but there are many exchange offices in the city, especially in tourist areas. Naturally, you can change cash at the hotel. There is almost no black market. Larger stores and restaurants, of course, accept credit cards. But the situation with ATMs is rather bad. But quite often you can pay in dollars or German marks. Helpful advice: carefully monitor the number of zeros on banknotes. Astronomical sums, wild even for ordinary Russians, sometimes make you go crazy, and you risk paying ten times more than necessary.

What to eat and drink?

Turkish cuisine is part of the “Mediterranean” cuisine, that is, it is not very different from Greek, Balkan - and even Armenian or Georgian. A meal in Turkey is divided into appetizers (meze), a main course and all kinds of desserts. “Meze” is salads, olives, pickled vegetables, spicy cheese, mushrooms, anchovies or sardines, and so on. Meze can be either cold or hot. In winter, Turks often eat soup - "chorba" made from lentils, tomatoes or other vegetables. An indispensable dish is the cold soup "jadzhik" made from ayran (a type of fermented milk product), cucumbers, herbs and garlic. By the way, ayran diluted with mineral water is a very tasty drink and an excellent thirst quencher. In addition, Turks love “borek” - small fried pies, usually filled with cottage cheese or soft, sharp cheese. It's actually very tasty. Turks are traditionally pastoralists, so their cuisine includes many dishes made from lamb and beef, as well as poultry. These are, of course, all kinds of kebabs, dozens of types of “kebap” (products made from minced or finely chopped meat with spices) and “kufte” - small round cutlets. It is impossible to imagine Turkish cuisine without “dolma”, and this is not just cabbage rolls made from grape leaves with vegetable or minced meat. “Dolma” simply means “filled,” so the concept of “dolma” also includes stuffed tomatoes, quince, zucchini, and eggplant.

In Turkey, dishes from fish and various “fruits of the sea” are excellently prepared, although without any special frills - the Black Sea, Marmara and Mediterranean Seas abound in them. There are mullet, red mullet, stingray, swordfish, flounder, and God knows what else. And mussels, and oysters, and squid, and cuttlefish, and octopus, and lobsters, and many varieties of shrimp. Seafood, as elsewhere in the world, is somewhat more expensive than meat in Istanbul. One feature of Turkish fish restaurants must be taken into account: the menu does not indicate the cost of the dish, but the price per kilogram of this or that sea creature. You yourself choose the fish that you like and pay depending on how much it pulls.

As for Turkish sweets, they are excellent, although somewhat heavy - as, indeed, are almost all oriental confectionery products.

The opinion has taken root that the Turks are masters of coffee. Actually this is not true. Really good coffee is not so easy to find in Istanbul - only in expensive cafes and restaurants. Turks hardly drink coffee. But they consume liters of tea. They drink it from small tulip-shaped glasses called “chayybardak” (remember that glass means “mess” in Turkish. And traffic stop, by the way, means “fool”). An Istanbul resident can drink more than thirty of these “messages” in a day. And tea merchants, “chaichi,” walk the streets, carrying this national drink on special trays. Sometimes you can meet tea sellers with carts on which something like a samovar is mounted. In general, it turns out that the samovar was not invented by the Russians, but by the Turks. At the same time, Turkish tea does not differ in special qualities. We brew it better.

As for alcoholic drinks, do not forget that Turkey is still a Muslim country. Although there are no prohibitions on alcohol here and the locals are not known for absolute sobriety, alcohol is still not an important part of the culture. The main national strong drink is aniseed vodka "raki", which is supposed to be drunk by mixing with cold water (like the Greek "mastic" or the French "pastis"). Turkish vodka is of disgusting quality, we do not recommend trying it. And the wines are quite acceptable, although, of course, they do not reach French or Spanish heights. Perhaps the best is the red “Villa Doluja”. Turkish beer is also not bad. So don’t disdain the brands “Efes” and “Astika”.

Several addresses. If you want to taste real Turkish cuisine, then go to one of the “lokant” - that’s the name of the traditional restaurants. One of the very pleasant establishments of this type is “Hamdi” in the Eminonu area. The specialty of this lokanta is "Testi Kebapi", a dish of meat and vegetables baked in a jug. The owner beats the neck with a special mallet before your eyes. The spectacle is entertaining, the taste is excellent. Also Turkish cuisine, but Europeanized and more refined, we recommend trying it at the wonderful Asitane restaurant in the Kariye hotel. Dolma and stuffed quince, as well as flounder "sol" are fantastic. The interiors of the restaurant, as well as the adjacent garden, are equally beautiful. A very cozy place - a small restaurant "Altyn Kupa" ("Golden Corkscrew") on Sultan Ahmet Yerebatan Caddesi, next to Hagia Sophia. The food is quite correct, the atmosphere is very friendly. We also recommend Sarnich in the Nisantasi area: amazing fried meat, offal stew, ancient interiors and real folk music. If you want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Russian emigration of the 20s, visit Regence in Galata. Not far away, at the beginning of Istiklal Street, there is the Çiçek restaurant, which specializes in both meat and fish dishes. The turn-of-the-century interiors help you enjoy your meal. But to eat seafood, it is better to go to a specialized fish restaurant. Most of them are concentrated in two places, near the two main Istanbul fish markets. The first is in Karakoy, at the foot of Galata. Here is the famous "Chiftnal" for several decades. And in another part of the city, near the shore of the Marmara Sea, in the Kum-Kapi area, on Telli Odalar Street, there are about a hundred fish restaurants. It's hard to choose, but they all seem to be pretty good. If you want to have a fish breakfast early in the morning, the best place is “Havuzbashi”, located right on the shore of the Sea of Marmara, in the center of the Kum-Kapi fish market. All around are shopping arcades with incredible still lifes of sea creatures, the sea is splashing, fishermen are unloading boats, clouds of seagulls are flying in the air, raising a deafening clamor...

Well, if you just want to drink a cup of coffee or tea in a beautiful place, we recommend visiting the Citadel, a cafe located in the garden of the Top Kapi Palace, above the Bosphorus. Not far away, on the very edge of the cape, there is a large teahouse "Khalij" ("Golden Horn"). The view of the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara from there is breathtaking. At the other end of the city, in the suburb of Eyup Sultan, on a high hill overlooking a magnificent architectural medieval complex, the cafe "Pierre Loti", named after the French engineer who settled in Istanbul at the end of the last century and loved this place very much. View from the cafe terrace - the whole city, the sea, the Bosphorus.

You will be pleasantly surprised by the prices in Istanbul restaurants. Russians, who have already ceased to be amazed at the cosmic figures in our new Russian “catering”, will be amazed by the fact that in a good restaurant it is difficult to spend more than fifty dollars for a dinner for two with wine. Usually it costs even two or three times less. Of course, in Istanbul there are establishments where they will charge you a lot of money. But this applies specifically to tourist restaurants, as well as those hot spots where, unfortunately, they are accustomed to domestic “brothers” who do not count money and do not understand what is happening around them. So don’t fall into excessive patriotism and avoid places where the Russian dialect drowns out other languages. But in Istanbul you can have a pretty decent meal for three to five dollars for two. For this, there are hundreds of “kebap parlors” and “buffets”, where shashlik, kufte, chicken, soup, and meze, while not being high culinary masterpieces, will not deceive your stomach.

Usually the price of the service is included in the bill. But if you don't feel offended, it's customary to leave another 10% as a tip.

Go shopping

Istanbul is a trading city. Surely you will not return from it without your luggage gaining weight. And you can find almost anything there. However, it is hardly worth buying clothes from famous European companies, Swiss watches or expensive perfumes here. Their prices are no lower than in Moscow, and the choice is no more. It’s the same with cheap consumer goods. At retail you can buy the same thing and the same disgusting quality for no more expensive on domestic markets.

Traditionally, in Istanbul it is customary to buy antiques, carpets, leather, ceramics, all kinds of embossing, and spices. And, of course, small souvenirs. And this can be done in a thousand places.

You certainly won't miss the Grand Covered Bazaar, a miracle of oriental trade with its kilometer-long vaulted streets and countless shops and stalls. Here you can buy anything you want. With patience, a good eye and the ability to bargain, it is possible that you will be able to buy very valuable things. Although, of course, antique treasures rarely come to market, so don’t expect to buy a museum-quality carpet here that costs several tens of thousands of dollars at SothebyX’s auction for two or three hundred. But all sorts of funny and very beautiful trinkets, jewelry, leather goods, fabrics, etc. are quite possible to find. Don't forget to bargain. With skill, you can cut the stage in half, or even three times. Please note that when shopping in Istanbul you have to bargain everywhere except European supermarkets and small grocery stores.

Next to the Blue Mosque is the Arasta carpet and leather market. We advise you to walk through it and admire it, but not to buy it. The prices here are phenomenally inflated and aimed at stupid American and Japanese tourists. In general, countless shops throughout the city sell carpets, leather, ceramics, national clothing and all sorts of souvenirs. Traditional leather goods (shoes, bags, clothes) are of very high quality and at very reasonable prices, and are sold, for example, in the Pekjan store on Alemdar Street near Hagia Sophia. On the contrary, the Otag store sells cassettes with real Turkish music and folk musical instruments. One of the attractions of this establishment is the chicken coop on the second floor. And a very good and inexpensive ceramics store, Fettah, is located next to the Kariye Church.

If you are interested in the works of modern Turkish designers, then you need to go to the Taksim area and Istiklal Street. Here you will find quite expensive but good boutiques selling shoes, clothing, household items and fashion jewelry. But middle-class Istanbul residents prefer to buy clothes, bags and shoes in shops in the Zeytinburnu district on the outskirts of the city, on the way to the airport. Prices here are lower and the quality is high.

Be sure to also visit the Egyptian market in the Eminonu area - the kingdom of spices. The fragrances that permeate the air make you dizzy, and there’s so much to see here! The only problem when buying is that you don’t know half of the herbs, spices and other wonders of nature, and it’s not clear what to do with them. Another place where you can also buy spices and real Turkish soap, famous since the Middle Ages, as well as wonderful natural sponges, are the shops on Yeniçerleri Street, next to the University.

And you can buy a folk Turkish cap made of carpet fabric, a felt fez, silk scarves and, of course, the obligatory Istanbul souvenir - a glass blue-white-yellow circle, an amulet against the evil eye, on almost every corner.

How to have fun?

There are entertainments that are harmful to health, and there are also very useful ones. Certainly useful ones include the Turkish bath and hammam. Its prototype, “thermae,” was invented by the ancient Romans. The Turks brought him to perfection. We will not describe the pleasure that the hammam brings. Pushkin did this brilliantly in his “Journey to Arzrum”. Let's just say: do not deny yourself this bliss. There are several dozen hammams in Istanbul. The most famous among foreigners - accordingly, the most expensive - is Çagaloğlu Hammami, located on Kazim Gürkan Caddesi, but there are several others, cheaper, where you can completely relax or undergo the brutal pleasure of an ingenious Turkish massage. For example: "Çemberlitash Hammami" (on Vezirhan Caddesi) or "Galatasaray Hammami" (on Turnadzhibashi Sokak). In addition, many hotels have their own hammams.

Less useful, but still necessary entertainment is nightclubs with “belly dancing” and Turkish dances and songs. How can you visit Istanbul and not immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of an oriental buzz? Of course, such performances are intended primarily for tourists, but you shouldn’t refuse. The most famous places are Galata Tower Night Club, located in the ancient Galata Tower, Kervansaray (Elmadag Street) and Orient House (Beyazit Street). The price of the evening includes dinner (quite average, but you're not going there to eat) and drinks. In an hour and a half, you will be shown “folk” dances from different regions of Turkey, and half-naked beauties will demonstrate their charms and make amazing wave-like movements with their bellies right at your table. The fact that some of the dancers are our compatriots will add additional spice to what is happening.

Spiritual

Istanbul, I repeat, is a predominantly Muslim city. But if you feel that after a night of entertainment you need to atone for your sins, there are every opportunity for this. Two small Russian Orthodox churches (of the Patriarchate of Constantinople) are located in the alleys of the Karakoy district, at the foot of Galata, and they are located on the roofs of houses. You won’t find them yourself; you need to ask the locals. Near Taksim Square stands the large Greek temple of St. Sergius. And in the Fener region, the traditional habitat of the Stamboliot Greeks, you can easily find the Patriarchate of Constantinople, a very beautiful place and conducive to prayer. Nearby, on the banks of the Golden Horn, there is a Bulgarian church. Catholics and Protestants have even more opportunities; there are about a dozen Catholic churches and Protestant houses of worship in the city. Most of them are located in the Pera region, where Europeans have settled since the Middle Ages. There are also several Armenian Gregorian churches, and the main Istanbul synagogue is located next to the Galata Tower.

Call your parents

You will probably have a need to communicate not only with God, but also with your family. As elsewhere, telephone calls from a hotel are significantly more expensive than from payphones. Telephone cards of various denominations can be bought at telephone booths, of which there are many (they can often be found in the underground passages of the central part of the city), magazine kiosks and sometimes in souvenir shops.

Human necessity

When you're walking around the city all day, it's inevitable that you'll need to go to the restroom. Public water closets can always be found near mosques. Don't be surprised by this: for Muslims, a mosque is not only a place of prayer, but also a community center. It is certainly surrounded by shopping arcades, restaurants and cafes, and there is almost always a hammam. Sometimes on the door of the establishment there is the inscription “Modern toilet”. This means that "M-F" is fully consistent with Western standards. There are establishments that are more anachronistic, but they are also acceptable. The cost of use is symbolic - 25-50 thousand liras. Of course, there are toilets in cafes and restaurants. But in real Turkish tea houses and buffets, which are visited exclusively by men, there may not be a ladies' room.

Alien monastery

Türkiye, for a Muslim country, is very Europeanized. However, some rules must be followed. Do not enter the mosque wearing too revealing clothes; Of course, take off your shoes. Agree, the requirements are completely reasonable: would an Orthodox person like it if a Muslim entered the church in shorts, barefoot and with his cap on his head? You should not photograph fundamentalist Muslims (women in black veils and bearded gentlemen in traditional clothes) without asking. However, even if you ask for permission, you will almost certainly be refused. There is no need to try to capture military installations in photographs. You may get into trouble with the police. We do not advise you to express too loudly unflattering opinions about Turkish politicians, including Kemal Ata-Turk: there is a real cult of his personality in the country. And keep in mind that Turkey, contrary to popular misconceptions, is not a paradise for hashish smokers. Drugs here can land you in jail, but there, they say, it’s very hard. In general, Turkish policemen are very friendly and always ready to help.

To tell in detail about Istanbul, pages and pages are needed. But if our advice helps you discover the universe of this wonderful and always unexpected city, we will consider that we have fulfilled our duty. So, forward to the shores of the Bosphorus!

If you try to immediately name the calling card of Istanbul, then... you simply cannot do it.
This city is so multifaceted and huge that it is simply impossible to single out just one thing.
Therefore, he has a lot of business cards and one of them, of course, is fish.
Ask anyone what is a must-do in Istanbul? They will definitely tell you to go to the Galata Bridge and try balik-ekmek. And in Istanbul there are a million fishermen with fishing rods, a million fish markets and markets and a million fish restaurants and restaurants.
In this post we will walk through several fish markets in Istanbul, go to and under the Galata Bridge, and also hang out in line for balyk-ekmek...

2. First, I’ll tell you about fish wounds.
There are quite a lot of them in the city and they are of various sizes, although they are not particularly huge, unlike other specialized markets. In addition, in various other markets there will definitely be either locations with fishing places, or just one or two outlets selling fresh catch from the Bosphorus, Marmara or Black Sea.

3. One of the most famous fish markets in the European part of Istanbul is Kumkapi. It is located in the quarter of the same name along a busy road right on the shores of the Sea of Marmara. There are not very many trading places here, but in fact, a whole block of fish restaurants adjoins the market itself, where the bulk of the catch of the fishermen who supply fish to this area goes

4. A choice for every taste - from the smallest tulka to large scallops and tuna

5. Each owner lays out his goods according to the principle “can I see everyone?”
No pile up in boxes, as for some reason happens here

6. The Istavrite is not hysterical) She lies quietly and waits for them to come for her)

7. What caught my eye at the Istanbul fish markets was the desire of the sellers to literally turn out some fish)
The mouths are open invitingly, the bright gills are pulled out on display...

8. Another rotozey) monkfish

9. And this anchovy humbly lies in an even layer.
But it was necessary to try to lay out the fish so evenly, which we are used to seeing in frozen briquettes that grandmothers and cat owners buy for three kopecks for their cats...

10. Red mullet is one of the most delicious fish in the world)))
And here she pleased.
By the way, it's not cheap. 70 Turkish lira is approximately equal to 23 euros.

11. I sometimes see these fish at the bottom of the Black Sea, diving for crabs and ruffs, but in very miniature sizes.
People call it the sea rooster. In Turkey - triglia or damselfish fish

12. The scales, which have seen many tons of fish... There are not many buyers on Saturday at Kumkapi...

13. And these are the rows of the fish market near the Galata Bridge, on the Beyoglu side. This is the shore of the Golden Horn Bay
The market is smaller here, but trade is more brisk

14. And, of course, at any fish market right here you can either ask for the fish you just bought to be cooked in several places, or simply buy ready-made “specialty” dishes. And in Istanbul this same balyk-ekmek.
This is a simple, but very tasty dish, consisting of a cut fresh loaf of bread, into which pre-chopped and sometimes slightly pickled onions in lemon juice are thrown (sometimes with other herbs and even seasonings), and on top they are placed, fried on both sides, spread out, like an unfolded book. mackerel.
The guys at the Kumkapi market can also fry sprat for you or cook shrimp... Balyk-ekmek is somehow not very actively bought...

15. At the Galata market, the signature fish burger is actively purchased. This cook throws a lot of different herbs and a lot of seasonings into it.
But the main traffic for the Galatian fish brand is not here at all.
Many people advise going under the Galata Bridge...

16. Under the Galata Bridge there are numerous restaurants, which, of course, in addition to dozens of other fish dishes, also have balyk-ekmek. But to experience all the flavor, this is not the place for us again.
You need to cross the bridge in the direction of the Fatih area...

17. By the way, along the way you will be amazed at the number of fishermen who fish directly from the bridge.
This crowd stands here in the morning, during the day, in the evening, and late at night...

18. They frantically cast their fishing rods, pull out horse mackerel, dorado or mullet, and re-attach the bait...
Bites very quickly

19. And now, we are on the anti-youth side of the Galatian market. Longboats dangle right on the water, right on which horse mackerel is fried and balyk-ekmek is prepared at lightning speed.
Pay attention to the number of cooks! Let's welcome the one on the left, a little behind, just serving rolls and that's it!!!
It's just a conveyor belt here!

20. This is a layer of already prepared, only fried horse mackerel. If you think that “ahh, it’s fried, the fish will be stale if I order it,” you are mistaken.
The traffic here is incredible. It seems that the entire area is now eating these fish sandwiches.
What is the secret of this point?
I don’t know, maybe in simplicity? They don’t mess around with variations of herbs and spices here.
Bread, onion, fish. All. There are bottles of lemon juice and salt on the barrel tables.
You add everything you need yourself.
But... it's incredibly delicious.
It costs 6 liras (2 euros), but you can eat enough from one balyk-ekmek.

21. All these people are eating those same fish sandwiches from this point.

22. There is not enough space for everyone at the barrel tables. Therefore, they eat on whatever they can and wherever they want. Or even on the go...

23. And, of course, be sure to visit some fish restaurant!!!
You will be amazed by the taste)
By the way, it is worth keeping in mind that there are quite a few state-owned fish restaurants in Istanbul.
They are located along the entire shore of the Bosphorus on both the European and Asian sides.
They are of very high quality and simply incredibly low price. It was these restaurants that many years ago began to instill in Istanbul residents the culture of visiting restaurants not only on holidays, but also just to eat.
And since then, these are very popular and visited establishments, which, due to the huge traffic, can afford to keep their prices much lower than those of private restaurants.
You can find out their coordinates either by Googling on the Internet or by looking at the large Turkish flags that are sure to flutter at the entrance.
In the photo, the chupura that just killed me with its bouquet of taste, baked with potatoes, tomatoes and onions in a frying pan in the oven, which we were fed at the Palatium restaurant. I highly recommend this establishment!!!..
I need to try to repeat the dish at my next bachelor's dinner...

It's no secret that Turkey and Istanbul are famous for their special cuisine. In this guide, I will tell you about the main restaurants and cafes of Istanbul - you will find out where they serve the most delicious desserts, and where - incredibly tender fish in a salt shell and the most authentic Turkish kebab.

Traditional Turkish Restaurants

Asitane

The restaurant specializes in the favorite dishes of the Ottoman Empire, and its main feature is preparing dishes according to ancient recipes. The stylish Asitane Restaurant has a shaded courtyard and is located next to Chora Monastery. The menu is small, and it is noteworthy that next to the dish the year in which it was first prepared is indicated. The restaurant often has seasonal offers - special menus for various holidays. You can order an a la carte menu. Interesting things include almond soup with pomegranate seeds, squid stuffed with rice, dolma, sea bass, melon stuffed with lamb. Guests are treated to starters free of charge. Many meat dishes in this restaurant are simmered, so the meat turns out very tender and spicy.

Restaurant address: Kariye Camii Sokak No: 6 | Edirnekapi, Istanbul 34240
Cost of dishes: main courses – from 50 TL
Cost of drinks: wine – from 120 TL
Rating on Tripadvisor: 4,5/5

Çiya Sofrası

Çiya Sofrası is a restaurant where locals love to eat, located on the Asian side of Istanbul. Here you can have a hearty and inexpensive meal. There are many meat dishes to choose from: kebabs of rack of lamb, kufte cutlets, kebabs, salads and desserts. The place is non-tourist, so the staff speaks neither English nor Russian.

Restaurant address: Caferaga Mahallesi, Gunesli Bahçe Sk. No: 43 | Kadikoy, Istanbul
Cost of dishes: main courses – from 18 TL
Cost of drinks: tea – 3-4 TL
Rating on Tripadvisor: 4,5/5

Şehzade Cağ Kebap

The eatery is located near the Egyptian Spice Market. Here you will be treated to an incredibly tasty and juicy Turkish kebab made from lamb or chicken on a skewer with fresh vegetables and flatbread. Drinks include ayran and tea. The local kebab, prepared according to a traditional recipe from the city of Erzurum in eastern Turkey, literally melts in your mouth and is highly prized by both locals and tourists. Don't expect fancy interiors - this is a regular eatery with tables outside. So far, the visitors here are mainly Turks.

Restaurant address: Hocapasa Sokak No: 6 | Sirkeci, Istanbul
Cost of dishes: serving of kebab – from 24 TL
Cost of drinks: tea or ayran – 3-4 TL, alcohol is not sold here
Rating on Tripadvisor: 4,5/5

Old Istanbul Cuisine

Not a cheap restaurant serving delicious Turkish meat dishes. Be sure to try the iskender kebab or kufte and meze snacks here. The service is very polite and fast. The choice of alcoholic beverages includes beer, wine, cocktails and rakia. After a hearty lunch or dinner, tea with baklava is given as a compliment.

Address restaurant: alemdar mah Prof Dr Kazim Ismail Gurkan Caddesi | No 2 cat 2 Fatih Istanbul, Istanbul
Cost of dishes: main course – from 45 TL
Cost of drinks: bottle of wine – from 100 TL
Rating on Tripadvisor: 5/5

Fish restaurants

Giritli Istanbul

A cozy two-story restaurant serving Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine, Giritli Istanbul is located next to the Marmara Sea on the south side of the city. This is the best place to try a selection of local dishes. Without a reservation, you can only get here during the day - in the evening all places will be occupied. The second floor offers stunning views of the Sultanahmet area; The establishment also has a cozy courtyard. The menu includes grilled octopus, appetizers (meze), and signature sea bass. You can order a set lunch of 5 mezes, a fish dish, pudding or ice cream with fruit and unlimited consumption of local drinks (wine, beer). Visitors especially praise the local white wine.

Address restaurant: Keresteci Hakkı Sokak Armada Otel Yanı Cankurtaran, Istanbul
Cost of dishes: set lunch – from 145 to 222 TL per person
Cost of drinks: from 28 TL for a glass of rakia, from 100 TL for a bottle of wine
Rating on Tripadvisor: 4,5/5

Sultanahmet Fish House

Very warm atmosphere and attentive staff, always ready to help when choosing a dish. The choice is fresh fish and seafood: red pear, sea bass in salt, bonito, shrimp and other marine inhabitants. I recommend that you order the fish casserole - you will lick your fingers. In addition to fish, they offer traditional Turkish kebabs, kufte cutlets, delicious appetizers of eggplant and yogurt with garlic. If you manage to get hungry while walking around Istanbul, you can order an appetizer (meze), which includes anchovies, octopus, dolma and tzatziki - very tasty and filling. If you go to this restaurant as a couple, then when ordering appetizers, take only one main course - you won’t be able to finish the second one. One of my favorites in this place is laurel (aka sea bass) in a salt crust.

Address restaurant: Prof. K. Ismail Gurkan Caddesi No: 14 | Sultanahmet, Istanbul 34400
Cost of dishes: kebab – 49 TL, appetizers – 24-45 TL, appetizer dish for 2 people – 115 TL, fish casserole – 50 TL
Cost of drinks: Efes beer – 15 TL, glass of wine – 19 TL, bottle of house wine – from 65 TL
Rating on Tripadvisor: 4,5/5

Balıkçı Sabahattin

Balıkçı Sabahattin is a stylishly decorated restaurant, perfect for a business meeting or a romantic date. The establishment has very attentive and polite staff: the owner often comes to ask guests’ opinions about the dishes. The restaurant offers a wide selection of meze with octopus, feta cheese, shrimp, eggplant salad, as well as freshly caught fish (haddock, Black Sea Kalkan, sea bass, tsipura, flounder). In addition to delicious fish dishes, they serve a delicious quince dessert with ice cream and nuts. Prices are above average, but the food and service are worth it. I recommend booking a table in advance or asking to reserve it at the reception of your hotel.

Restaurant address: Seyit Hasan Kuyu Sok. No: 1 | Cankurtaran, Eminonu, Istanbul
Cost of dishes: fish – 50-70 TL (always ask – the price is per serving or per 100 grams)
Cost of drinks: a bottle of good wine – about 200 TL
Rating on Tripadvisor: 4/5

International restaurants

Ozi Pizza and Pasta

A secret establishment near the Blue Mosque. Residents of Istanbul visit this family-run establishment to enjoy delicious Turkish-style pizza in a homely atmosphere. They serve juicy pizza with thick dough and generous toppings. The portions are huge - two pizzas for two will definitely fill you up. Visitors can take a table inside or outside - overlooking the sea. Drinks include decent local wine and beer. In addition to pizza, the menu offers delicious pasta dishes, feta salads and grilled halloumi.

Pizzeria address: Binbirdirek Mah., Su Terazisi Sok. No:9, Istanbul
Pizza cost: pizza – 15-17 TL
Cost of drinks: tea – 3 TL

Rating on Tripadvisor: 4,5/5

Nostra Casa

The small Italian restaurant Nostra Casa offers a wide range of Italian dishes - from incredibly tasty antipasti to delicious tiramisu. All dishes are prepared from fresh ingredients and served in beautiful dishes. The restaurant's terrace offers incredible views of the rooftops of Istanbul, the mosque and the sea. Here you are guaranteed pleasant and unobtrusive service, delicious food and an incredible view of the city.

Restaurant address: Mustafa Pasa Sk. No: 42 | K.ayasofya Sultanahmet, Istanbul 34122
Cost of the second course: from 45 TL
Cost of drinks: glass of rakia – from 30 TL
Rating on Tripadvisor: 4,5/5

The Populist bomontiada

Did you think that in Istanbul you can only drink Efes beer? But no! There are some noteworthy beer restaurants here. One of them – The Populist bomontiada – is located in the building of an old beer factory. This bar always has about 20 types of beer on tap, including IPA. You can try a little of each beer by ordering a beer set, which includes a Kölsch light beer, a Scotch ale, an IPA, a pale ale, a red ale and a stout. In this place you will find the best craft beer in the city, DJ sets, authentic interior and international company. As a snack for beer, you can take a tortilla with filling, nachos, chips with guacamole or salad.

Beer bar address: Tarihi Bomonti Bira Fabrikası; Birahane Sokak 1-D, Istanbul 34384
Cost of snacks: from 30 TL
Beer cost: 20-25 TL per glass 0.33 l
Rating on Tripadvisor: 4,5/5

Bosphorus Brewing Company

This beer restaurant brews its own beer - be sure to try the Route 333 and Selanik 81 beers. Like many other beer places, you can order a beer set and a burger or fish and chips for a snack. The entire menu is on an iPad; the menu tells in detail the history of each beer.

Beer restaurant address: Esentepe Mah. Yildiz Posta Cd. No: I/IA | Gayrettepe, Besiktas, Istanbul
Cost of food: burgers – from 35 TL, fish and chips – 32 TL
Beer cost: 19-22 TL for a glass of draft beer 0.33 l, 14-18 TL for bottled beer 0.33 l
Rating on Tripadvisor: 4/5

Coffee shops and pastry shops

Karaköy Güllüoğlu

Karaköy Güllüoğlu is a sweet shop and coffee shop next to Karaköy Marina in the Galata Bridge area that has been in business since 1820. Here you can taste delicious baklava (baklava) with chestnuts, oranges or walnuts, and chocolate. We recommend that you try baklava with pistachios made from 30 layers of thin dough and wash it down with strong traditional Turkish tea - it will literally melt in your mouth. Don't be intimidated by the queues in the establishment and at the checkout - this is one of the best baklava shops in Istanbul, where all the locals come. If desired, the variety of baklava you like can be packaged in bright gift packaging - this will be an excellent gift for your friends.

Address coffee shops: Mumhane Cad. No:171 Karakoy, Istanbul 34425
Cost of desserts: baklava with pistachios – 92 TL/kg, assorted different types of baklava – 127 TL/kg, Turkish delight with nuts – from 64 TL/kg
Rating on Tripadvisor: 4,5/5

Hafiz Mustafa

Hafiz Mustafa is a traditional Turkish pastry shop near Sirkeci Station that opened its doors to the public in 1864. The confectionery shop has two floors - on the first floor there is a display case with sweets and tables, on the second there are only tables. It’s not always easy to find a free place here, but you can always take sweets to go. A very interesting cafe interior in a traditional Ottoman style. You can order at the checkout or from the menu - waiters work here. At Hafiz Mustafa you can enjoy baklava, fruit jelly, Turkish delight, cakes and eclairs, candied fruits - figs, tangerines, peach, pumpkin. My favorite delicacy in this place is pomegranate delight with pistachios, as well as a traditional baked Turkish dessert served in a deep bowl with ice cream.

Coffee shop address: Hocapasa Mahallesi, Muradiye Caddesi NO:25B | Sirkeci, Fatih, Istanbul 34420
Cost of desserts: baklava – from 100 TL/kg, Turkish delight – from 80 TL/kg
Cost of drinks: tea – 4.5-9.5 TL, coffee 7.5-10.5 TL
Rating on Tripadvisor: 4,5/5

Çiğdem Pastanesi

A cozy establishment in the Sultanhamet area near the Blue Mosque. Service is carried out according to a menu with pictures. The cafe has a very cozy, relaxed atmosphere - you can come here for a leisurely breakfast. Those with a sweet tooth will be delighted by a wide selection of baklava: chocolate, with pistachios and walnuts, as well as baskets of fruit, jelly, and many types of shortbread cookies. Be sure to try the delicious local cappuccino and a basket of strawberries - they are simply magical here. For those who are hungry, they also serve snacks, buns and pies similar to Italian focaccia, and omelettes in the morning. A nice feature is that tea is added to desserts for free.

Coffee shop address: Alemdar Mh. Divan Yolu CD. No: 62 | Fatih, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
Cost of desserts: portion of baklava – 12-15 TL
Cost of drinks: tea – 3-4 TL, coffee – 8-10 TL
Rating on Tripadvisor: 4,5/5

Osmanlizadeler

A confectionery with a very good location - close to Gulhane Park and the entrance to Topkapi. Not only traditional Turkish, but also European sweets are presented here, and all this is in an incredibly colorful Turkish interior with bizarrely shaped lampshades located above the display case. Judging by some reviews, they serve the most delicious Turkish coffee and classic coffee (always served with a glass of water). The menu of homemade sweets includes baklava, fruit puddings, Turkish delight. Prices are a little above average. The owner of this establishment is Russian-speaking, so there should be no problems with ordering in Russian. In good weather you can sit at a table outside.

Address coffee shops: Hudavendigar Caddesi, No:2/A, Istanbul 34112
Cost of desserts: cakes 10-15 TL
Cost of drinks: tea – 3.5-4 TL, coffee – 8-10 TL
Rating on Tripadvisor: 4,5/5

If you want to know about the most interesting street food places in Istanbul, I recommend booking a place on one of the Istanbul food tours -. For lovers of folklore evenings, I advise you to book dinner on the Bosphorus with an accompanying program -.