Monocle 25/25 Istanbul Turkey

Monocle 25/25
Istanbul
Turkey
Doing business in Turkey
can be riddled with
bureaucracy but a
burgeoning economy and
increasingly nimble
transport links have made
Istanbul an important hub
for East/West deals. Istanbul
also remains the imperial
capital built on Seven Hills –
so pack a sturdy pair of
trainers. Traverse the old
city within the ruined walls
built by the Romans. At
night, treat yourself to a
cold Efes beer in the Tunel
neighbourhood of Beyoglu.
Essentials
01
02
03
04
05
Ask a local to tell you
the story of where the
country got its name.
On each weekday a
different neighbourhood
features its fresh produce
in the open markets.
Take a ferry ride to the
Asian side past the
breathtaking Haydarpasa
station, then on to
Kadikoy.
Walk on the Ottoman city
walls at the Yedikule
Fortress Museum.
Eat a fresh mackerel
sandwich off the boats
in Eminonu.
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Guide/Info
Hotels
Independent and easy
The House Hotel
Nisantasi
Abdi Ipekci Caddesi 34,
Nisantasi
+90 212 224 5999
thehousehotel.com
Dependable chain
Park Hyatt –
Macka Palas
Tesvikiye, Bronz Sokak 4,
Sisli
+90 212 315 1234
istanbul.park.hyatt.com
Premium
Sumahan on the Water
Kuleli Caddesi 51,
Cengelkoy
+ 90 216 422 8000
sumahan.com
Dining
Fast breakfast
Namli Gurme
Katotopark Alti 1,
Karakoy
+90 212 293 6880
namligida.com.tr
Business breakfast
Mangerie
Cevdetpasa Caddesi 69,
Bebek
+90 212 263 5199
mangeriebebek.com
Mid-morning coffee
Hotel Empress Zoe
Akbiyik Caddesi 10,
Sultanahmet
+90 212 518 2504
emzoe.com
Working lunch with
colleagues
Karakoy Lokantasi
Kemankes Caddesi 37,
Karakoy
+90 212 292 4455
karakoylokantasi.com
Lunch on your own
Kantin
Akkavak Sokagi 30,
Nisantasi
+90 212 219 3114
kantin.biz
Afternoon tea
Leb-i-der ya
KumbaraciYokusu 57/6,
Tunel
+90 212 293 4989
lebiderya.com
Private dinner
Vogue
Akaretler Spor Caddesi
92, BJK Plaza A Blok
K:13, Besiktas
+90 212 227 4404
voguerestaurant.com
Dinner with colleagues
Asmali Cavit
Asmalimescit Caddesi
16/D, Beyoglu
+90 212 292 4950
Big dinner with
partners/clients:
Munferit
Yeni Carsi Caddessi 19,
Galatasaray
+90 212 252 5067
munferit.com.tr
Drink after dinner
Lucca
Cevdet Pasa Caddesi 51,
Bebek Mahallesi
+90 212 257 1255
luccastyle.com
On the tiles
Georges Hotel
Mueyyedzade Mahallesi,
Serdar-I Ekrem Caddesi
24, Beyoglu
+90 212 244 2423
georges.com
Night out
Anjelique
Salhane Sokak 5, Ortakoy
+90 212 327 2844
istanbuldoors.com
Reading
Bookshop
Robinson Crusoe 389
Istiklal Caddesi 195,
Tomtom Mahallesi
+90 212 293 6968
rob389.com
Thank yous
Turkish Sweets
Ali Muhiddin Haci Bekir
Hamidiye Caddesi 83,
Eminonu
+90 212 522 0666
www.hacibekir.com.tr
Shopping
Something you can’t get
anywhere else
Hand-printed fabrics from
SivasliYazmaci
Yaglikcilar Caddesi 57,
Beyazit
+90 212 526 77 48
Lost luggage – where to
buy shirts, socks and
underwear
YKM Cevahir
Buyukdere Caddesi 22,
Sisli
+90 212 380 0343
istanbulcevahir.com
Something for the kids
Custom-drawn cartoons
from Yalvac Abi Kitabevi
Valikonagi Cadessi 13,
Nisantes
+90 212 234 9589
Something for someone
you love
Jewellery by Ozlem Tuna
Design Zone
Hobyar Mahallesi, Ankara
Caddesi 65, Nemlizade
+90 212 527 9285
ozlemtuna.com
Two-hour tour
01 The Hagia Sophia,
Sultanahment (“Blue”)
Mosque, Grand Bazaar,
and Yerebatan Cistern:
The Bazaar is closed on
Sundays and the others
are closed on Mondays,
so plan accordingly.
02 Princes’ Islands: Hop off
at Burgazada, the smallest
and least-visited island and
take a horse and trap to
Kalpazankaya Restaurant,
a glorious open-air
meyhane overlooking
the sea.
03 Rumeli Hisari: Climb the
fortress ramparts.
04 Sakip Sabanci Museum:
Take in an exhibition
and visit the excellent
Muzedechanga café
for lunch.
muze.sabanciuniv.edu
Limousine/car
Travelium
+90 212 240 8820
travelium.com.tr
Transport
Get Akbil: an all-access
pass for every mode of
public transport in the city
(there is an Akbil kiosk in
Taksim Square).
Fitness
Good gym
Mars Athletic Club
Harbiye Mahallesi
Kadirgalar Caddesi 3,
Macka
+90 212 232 4440
marsathletic.com