Iskender Kebap is one of the most favuorite kebaps in Turkey. In simple terms it’s made of thin-sliced meats (doner) with yoghurt, pita and butter sauce. But, obviously it’s more than that!!

1 – Kebapci Iskender
The founder of iskender kebap having the privilege to legally use the name “Iskender” comes from the family owning this restaurant since 1867. The restaurant origins from another city – Bursa, and most of the materials from yoghurt to pita comes from Bursa. The only choice in the menu is iskender kebap. It is located in Kadikoy close to the harbour, next to the main post office and has also branch in Erenkoy – Bağdat Street.

2 – Uludag Kebapcisi
Another restaurant originating from city of Bursa specialized on Iskender Kebap considered as the best for some of the gurme in Turkey. Boiling butter dressing the kebap is said to provide this unique taste. Some people used to travel more than 200 km from Istanbul to Bursa just to eat this phenomenol iskender kebap, but now it has a branch in Istanbul. One of the branch is behind the Carrefour in Kozyatagi, and there is also a branch in a popular street – Nispetiye in Etiler.

3 – Niyazibey Kebap
Another Anatolian-side iskender kebap restaurant Niyazibey is considered to offer one of the best iskender kebap in Turkey. The menu is varied, you can try Niyazibey special – a larger size of iskender kebap with various type of meat. Here is the list of branches.

4 – Uludag Et Lokantası
This first branch of this restaurant is founded in Ankara, and this restaurant has a branch in Florya – a neighbourhood close to Ataturk Airport. The restaurant has a huge garden with a capacity of 2.000 – sometimes full of people – giving you a hint how delicious the iskender kebap is.

1 – Miss Pizza
A small pizza house in Cihangir with a cosy atmosphere serving delicious thin crust pizza. Pizza with zucchini and pizza with artichoke(!) are the most recommended ones. Turn left when you come to Cihangir from Taksim Sq. through Sıraselviler; it’s just on the second left street.

2 – Pizzeria 14
Another small pizza house offering tasty pizza with various choices from marine (with crab, smoked salmon and rocket) to marinara (no cheese, only tomato , pesto and thyme). It’s in Nisantası – Guzelbahce Street No.14 very close to American Hospital.

3 – Pizzeria Pidos
Pizza house with menu of great variety of delicious Italian food from salad to deserts. Pizza Filetto – with filet, rocket and mozarella – is highly recommended. It’s very close to Taksim Square, in Dunya Saglik Street No 13 Gumussuyu.

4 – House Cafe
Choose pizza from the extensive menu of House Cafe – Ortakoy and you won’t be sorry at a “feel at home” atmosphere and a wonderful sea view. House Cafe has many other branches for example in Beyoglu – Tunel, Tesvikiye and on the Anatolian side in Caddebostan (also a seaview). Check here for all branches.

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When we travel, we usually start to think what to bring as a gift for our family and friends on the last day of our journey, but it is always better to get organized before!

1 – Turkish Coffee
It is an original taste, a bit stronger than espresso. It differs from other types of coffee by its cooking style. You cook coffee with sugar in a special pan – so if you buy turkish coffee you will need this pan. Best coffee can be bought from Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi shop which is next to Spice Market, you can also get coffee pan in spice market or  from the shops around it as well as in every shopping mall.

2 – Evil eye
Another original gift from Istanbul, we believe that evil eye protects us from the negative energy, mostly we have one in our house and one in our car. Also we believe that it brings luck to every new born baby. You can get it in every gift shop around the city, also there are bracelets, rings and earings made from the evil eye. Best one is from blue glass with a white, yellow and black point in the middle.

3 – Spices and Turkish Delight
If Turkish cuisine is popular through out the world, one of the reason is the fresh ingredients and spices we have. You will find countless types of spices and we strongly suggest you to buy some not only for your friends but also for yourself. Turkish Delight is another delicious taste that you can bring to home with you. Many flavors can be added to Turkish delight such as nuts, wallnuts, pistacchio, rose essence  and all of them are available at Spice Market. One of the best brand for Turkish delight is Hacıbekir, you can find their shop in the old city.

4 – Peştemal
It is a kind of cotton towel mostly used in hamams to wrap your body. Recently it is very popular in all trendy beaches and pools that it gets dry very easily and it does not make any weight in your bag. You can find in Grand Bazaar in many colors and sizes.

Taksim is a 24-hour live district, so when you come to Taksim, and you don’t know the time, you cannot easily distinguish what time of the day you are in. People in Istanbul mostly go to a stand up diner to have a snack after long hours of standing, dancing and drinking in the bars or clubs of Beyoglu District.

1 – Bambi

You should try dürüm (wrap with meat) with yellow cheese and drink atom (fresh fruit juice made from several kinds of fruits). Bambi is located just in Taksim Square, on right side of the beginning of Sıraselviler Street.

2 – Kızılkayalar

You should try the phenomenon dewy garlic hamburger of Kızılkayalar – its best partner is an ayran (drink made by yoghurt). It is located in Taksim Square, just in the middle of Istiklal and Sıraselviler entrance from Taksim.

3 – Marmaris Büfe

Another Turkish fastfood restaurant where you can eat delicious toasted sandwiches, the most populer one is the toast with yellow cheese and tongue. It’s located in Büyükparmakkapı Street, the second street on the left of Istiklal from Taksim.

4 – Çılgın Dürümcü

It’s another local fastfood cafe, the meat wrap (dürüm) with mashed potato is unique, delicious and officially registered. Fresh fruit juice choices are also savory. It’s located in Taksim Square, on the right side of the beginning of Sıraselviler.

Authentic local cuisine of east Meditterenean and the city of Gaziantep is served here with an ultimate taste. Except for the kebabs, the menu changes everyday; the kebabs are also delicious but the rest of the menu is more unique. Eat as much as you can, the soups, the main courses with or without meat, salads, pilafs, desserts and sorbets are wonderful. The restaurant is located in a crowded street of Kadikoy – Guneslibahce Street No.43 walking distance from the harbour. Their website is inviting: http://www.ciya.com.tr/index_en.php

2- Haci Abdullah

A traditional restaurant in Istanbul with history of more than 100 years, Hacı Abdullah is one of the best places to taste traditional Turkish food. From the main courses Beğendili Kebap (kebab with eggplant puret), Elbasan Tava (lamb casserole with yoghurt) are the favorites. Check their website: http://www.haciabdullah.com.tr/wp-content/English/index.html

3 – Hünkar

The food is delicious and less olive is involved when compared to other traditional Turkish restaurants, so you do not feel discomfort even if you eat forcing your limits. You can see the varities of the menu from an open counter; and choose from there. Hünkar Beğendi (sultan’s delight, lamb stew served on mashed eggplant) would be good choice of main course. Oven baked rice pudding is also worth trying as a dessert.

4 – Abracadabra

You can taste modern interpretations of Turkish food at this prototype restaurant in a waterside residence. Most of the fresh and natural ingredients of the menu is directly brought from the producers, and provides a real taste. If you’re looking for experimenting Turkish food, first go to the classic ones (as above) to understand, then visit Abra Cadabra for well-modified versions. The restaurant is located on Arnavutkoy Street just across the dock of Arnavutkoy.