Eating, drinking and dancing
We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Istanbul.
Restaurants
Longtable
Sofa Hotel's stylish resataurant was created by local architect Mustafa Toner and is the epitome of modern Istanbul with slick design and an impressive menu of Turkish favourites with a twist.
Tesvikiye Caddesi No 123, Sisli, Istanbul
+90 (0)212 224 8181
Lucca
Hang out with Istanbul’s footballers and WAGS at this restaurant, after dinner at Muzedechanga nearby – it’s basically Boujis by Bosphorus.
Cevdetpaşa Caeddesi, Bebek
+90 (0)212 257 1255
Mikla
One of the ‘it’ places to go out in Istanbul at the moment, there are great 360-degree views from the roof-top infinity pool.
Meşrutiyet Caddesi Tepebaşı, The Marmara Pera, Istanbul
+90 (0)212 293 5656
Lokanta
The name rather unimaginatively means ‘restaurant’ in Turkish, but this place in Tepebasi certainly has an inspired menu.
Mesrutiyet Caddesi 149/1, Istanbul
(+90 (0)212 245 6039)
NuTeras
This stylish venue in Tapebasi is perched high above the rooftops and has wonderful views; it's the perfect place for summer sundowners.
Tepebaşı Mesrutiyet Caddesi 147-149, Petit-Champs Passage, Istanbul
+90 (0)212 245 6070
Changa
Located in central Taksim, this place is owned and operated by Tarik Bayazit and Savas Ertunc, Istanbul’s most pioneering and connected couple. Peter Gordon – The Providores, Marylebone High Street – consults on the menu.
Siraselviler Caddesi 87/1, Istanbul
+90 (0)212 249 1205
Müzedechanga
A 20-minute taxi ride up the Bosphorus, this restaurant has a sublime terrace in summer.
Sakip Sabanci Museum, Caddesi 2, Atlikosk, Emirgan
+90 212 323 0901
Vogue
A good choice for well-prepared sushi and Pacific-rim cuisine, served up with a backdrop of non-stop Fashion TV (yuck) and fantastic Bosporus view (yeah!).
A Blok 13th Floor, BJK Plaza, (Süleyman Seba Caddesi, Besiktas)
+90 (0)212 227 4404
Ulus 29
An established haunt for local celebrities and business mover shakers, who come to dine on delicious Ottoman and Middle Eastern dishes. The ‘29’ in the name refers to the 29 classic dishes on the menu.
Yol Sokak 1 (off Adnan Saygun Caddesi), Ulus Parki, Ulus, Istanbul
+90 (0)212 265 6181
Cafés
The House Café
This trendy place is part of a chain with outlets in several locations, such as Ortakoy, Tunel and Tesvikiye. All are styled by hot design team Autoban. The original in Nisanstisi on the Boshporus shoreline is our favourite with its secret entrance, tables scattered around the pretty garden and lashings of mint lemonade.
Salhane Sokak 1, Ortaköy, Istanbul
Markiz Café
The art nouveau tiles of Markiz Café, on in Beyoğlu hark back to the bohemian days when artists used to hang out here.
Istiklal Caddesi, Beyoğlu, Istanbul
Mangerie
Near Bebek metro stop is the perfect place for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Fresh pastries are made on site. CNN Turkey film a cookery show here so there’s your chance to make it on Turkish TV!
Cevdetpaşa Caeddesi 69
Simdi
In Tunel is a good stop for coffee, with low sofas inside and a courtyard outside.
Asmalimescit Sokak 69
Istanbul Modern
This place occupies a waterfront warehouse and has a fantastic café with a balcony over the Bosphorus.
Meclis-i Mebusan Caddesi, Karaköy
Indigo
A new electro haunt that is a winner in winter, with a line-up of international DJs and live acts.
Istiklal Caddesi 1-5, Beyoğlu
Bars and clubs
360 Istanbul
This is a restaurant/club, with great views and some pretty impressive eye candy to look at inside, too. Get a table outside on the terrace, up high among the rooftops, and sit under the stars with a view of the big 4: the Hagia Sophia, TopKapi Palace, Bosphorus and Golden Horn.
Istiklal Caddesi
Angelique
An ultra cool place with great Bosphorus views and packed after midnight with super-rich crowd of model types and men who love ogling them.
Muallim Naci Caddesi, 109, Ortakoy