You know what pairs perfectly with centuries of imperial history? A sweeping view of the Golden…read moreHorn. Pierre Loti Hill delivers with just enough haze to make you question if you're in a 19th-century French travel memoir. This Hill was named after the French naval officer/romantic writer who had an Ottoman obsession. The hill now offers Istanbul's most melodramatic lookout spot. Take the cable car up if you're feeling lazy or full of baklava. Once there, sit under ivy-laced trellises at a café and gaze at the Bosphorus. If you squint, you can see minarets, ferries, rooftops, and centuries layered like baklava sheets. Just try not to Instagram it immediately, this view deserves at least a moment of hushed awe before the filters swarm in and take over.

Usually I don't give out 1 star reviews but the food in this place was truly bad. Just to be clear…read morelot of folks will go here for the views and those are great. The food however, is really bad, just reheated stuff and not even fresh. The kebab wrap I got was over salty and not fresh. The pizza was a store bought frozen pizza that was heated up. Honestly it's worse than convenience store food. Save your money and have food elsewhere, just go for the views..