This is an oasis in the middle of a dense and commercial area of central Istanbul (European side)…read more Despite the rain, my colleagues and I enjoyed a few happy hours :) in the enclosed terrace. The natural finish wood and glass were a nice nod to nature in a concrete jungle... The model train that travels overhead is a whimsical nod to a slower time and place, concepts I don't associate with IST. There was a train car not far from our table as well. The food was ok, but not particularly noteworthy. Service was dutifully attentive, but it helped that our host was a regular patron when he worked in Sisli. I'd recommend Garden Cafe if you're in the neighborhood.

It's the best coffee I had in Istanbul, incredibly flavorful, you can in fact taste the floral…read moretones. The interior design and atmosphere is incredible, extremely modern yet has the odd telescope or oldtimer to add a bit of flair. Like some other coffee joins, it gives you a card so for buying 10 coffees you get one for free. The only drawback is the location. It's not very easy to get to and the there isn't much of a view. The desserts, while seemingly healthy, you know no glutons, no sugar, no fat, basically anything that makes a dessert tasty, resulted in one of the most dense brownies I've ever tried to eat. So as long as you stay away from the desserts, you should be fine.

I visited this place and this place is just marvellous! Nothing like any other coffee house I have…read moreseen before. I also purchased coffee beans (Kenya karinga) and the espresso I made with them was so tasty that I forced every person in my office to taste it! Seriously, you should visit this place.

Went there on a Tuesday at noon with one other person (party of 2), the restaurant was empty aside…read morefrom two tables, but was told they were fully booked. I tried to make a reservation for a later time but the waiter told me to reserve online. Their online reservation directed me to a Skype app, that called the restaurant. I asked for reservations and was told "no, we're busy" before I even asked about the date or time. Very rude staff. We ended up going to a nearby place that was much friendlier and great food

Breakfast here is amazing and worth the trip over - an easy walk from Kadikoy ferry. Best breakfast…read moreof our trip to Istanbul, and our first time technically in Asia!

Oh how I love this cafe. This was the first place I ate in Istanbul and now 3 weeks later after…read morehaving been all over both the asian side and the european side, I still think this is the best breakfast in Istanbul. Their Khavalti plate is the biggest, best, most wonderful thing ever. I haven't had another one quite as good anywhere I've gone. And their outdoor seating on this cute little street is so perfect. It's just adorable and the service is so friendly. I think I left a part of my heart here.

Finding this place is easy enough. The problems start when you're stranding in front of the door…read moreand realise that you really have removed yourself from the tourist hot spots. No English in sight anywhere. First issue is how do I get in. Well, if there is a key in the door then just enter. It's looks more like a private home then a restaurant. But it's alright. You haven't by mistake entered the home of a Turkish family. Don't mind the gigglish girls inside, just find yourself a table. Next issue. The menu. There are a few pictures, but otherwise knowing a few Turkish words will be helpful at this point. If you don't, then point (your waiter has a very very limited English vocabulary, but he is more than willing to help) and hope someone in the restaurant can help you a bit along the way. Expect the food to be Turkish breasfast with limited spices, but an otherwise very nice selection of primarily Turkish produce.

If the line to go up the Galata Tower is long or you missed their cutoff for tickets (10pm I think)…read morethen the Firuzende Galata Restaurant is a good substitute for the view. And a good place to have a drink and relax on the outdoor rooftop patio. We didn't try the food as there are so many good restaurants down at street level that have to excel with the food rather than the view.

The views and ambiance can't get any better! Friendly staff and good drinks (not amazing…read morethough...Aperol spritz was pale orange and didn't have a traditional taste). The food was just okay as well: we've tried hummus and salmon tartar. They do have inside and outside areas: outside has breathtaking views of Galata as you are literally 10 meters away from it but, of course, it can get a bit windy. We were fortunate enough to witness a proposal, and the staff did such a wonderful job with setting everything up. It was so special, even for the random witnesses, like us :) Overall, it's a great place to stop by and enjoy the views with a glass of wine!

A slightly strange experience - coming all the way to Turkey, yet eating in a Swiss restaurant…read more The decor of the restaurant and hotel is modern European (dark wood and subdued lighting) and the location is next to a main highway in a business / residential area, so you could be anywhere in the developing world. All that said, the food is good as is the local Turkish wine, but I really wished we had got a taxi and gone somewhere a bit more authentically local.

In an area filled with mostly fancy overpriced cafés this place offers filling meals for a…read morereasonable price. Chicken salad was fresh and the curry chicken was serve with basmati rice.