GREAT FOOD IN ISTANBUL?
Hi all, I will be traveling to Istanbul for 4 days and would really love some great food recommendations. We are college students, so on a budget, but willing to pay more for exceptional food. I'm particularly interested in kebab places, yummy street food, seafood places, and the opportunity to try all types of local cuisine. Thank you so much for any responses!!!
Also, any reviews of the popularly mentioned restaurants currently on the chowhound board would be appreciated as well.
s.stephanie
Nov 06, 2009 09:49AM
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Hi Stephanie,
For kebap, you may try Hamdi Restaurant www.hamdirestorant.com.tr at eminönü, develi restauran www.develikebap.com at samatya, but these resaurants are not cheap. You have to pay 40-50 USD/person starters+salad+kebap+wine
This season is ideal for sea food, but fish restaurant serving alcohol are expensive, instead you may try fish restaurant that are not serving alcohol
In Arnavutköy district you may try Adembaba, Takanik you will find fresh and cheap fish at these restaurants.You should eat fish like Lüfer, çinekop.
In additon to above you may try ottoman cusine Kanaat restaurant at uskudar, and Hacı Abdullah at istiklal street
Also for turkish tapas, Refik, Yakup 2, Cavit are good choices(not cheap as well)
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I would not recommend Hamdi. I've had too many tourist trap experiences there over the years- overcharging, etc. Hamdi, for some reason, is in every guide book and I think they've become comfortable with that and reduced quality and particularly service. For a good local kebab place I recommend Zubeyir. The folks there are wonderful. Sit right at the grill if you can handle the heat.
inexpensive fresh fish with drinks can be had down in the Karakoy fish market. I had a couple of drinks and an extremely fresh grilled blue fish and a salad there last week for ~25 USD. I suggest Akin Balik down there. For upscale and pricey fish in the same area with a spectacular view go to Grifin.
Adembaba for a fish lunch is hard to beat.
Another good place for meze is Sofyali 9, and Antiochia for something a bit different.
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Locate Hocapasa street on your map of Istanbul, and head there for a wonderful variety and quality of "local" food. One could spend 4 days eating in the restaurants along that street and not sample them all. It's a block or two walk from the Sirkeci railway station and Topkapi Place close to Sultanahmet. I hope you enjoy Istanbul as much as I did in
August/September this year.
More about Hocapasa: http://tinyurl.com/yky7nxw
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