Monocle 25/25 Istanbul Turkey

Monocle 25/25
Istanbul
Turkey
Ambition is the stuff that drives
Istanbul and its streets tell a
story of entrepreneurial zeal
that has shaped the city. That
old spirit is back as growth in
retail and hospitality revives
neighbourhoods and makes
them ready for business. The
city’s advantage lies in its
panoramic perspective: it looks
from central Asia to the Middle
East and Mediterranean and
is as much a crossroads for
investment as culture. Couple
this with a rich intersection
between business and culture
within the city and its moniker
as “the city of the world’s
desire” seems as assured as ever.
Essentials
01 Taxis can be erratic. Don’t
be afraid to say, “Biraz daha
yavas, lutfen!” (“A little
slower, please!”).
02 Most museums and galleries
are closed on Mondays.
03 Learning some Turkish is
essential for getting around.
04 Turks are proud of their
generosity: never refuse
a cup of black tea.
05 If in town for business,
expect quick meetings to
run into lunch.
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Guide/Info
Hotels
Independent and easy
The House Hotel
Vault Karakoy
Bankalar Caddesi 5,
Beyoglu
+90 (0)212 244 6434
thehousehotel.com
Dependable chain
Park Hyatt – Macka Palas
Bronz Sokak 4, Tesvikiye
+90 (0)212 315 1234
istanbul.park.hyatt.com
Premium
Ciragan Palace Kempinski
Ciragan Caddesi 32,
Besiktas
+ 90 (0)212 326 4646
kempinski.com
Dining
Fast breakfast
Van Kahvalti Evi
Defterdar Yokusu 52A,
Cihangir
+90 (0)212 293 6437
Business breakfast
Mangerie
Cevdetpasa Caddesi 69,
Bebek
+90 212 263 5199
mangeriebebek.com
Mid-morning coffee
Murat Muhallebicisi
Halil Pasa Sokak 14,
Karakoy
+90 (0)212 245 1949
Working lunch with
colleagues
Karakoy Lokantasi
Kemankes Caddesi 37A,
Karakoy
+90 (0)212 292 4455
karakoylokantasi.com
Afternoon tea/drink
A’ya Rooftop Lounge
Tevfikhane Sokak 1,
Sultanahmet
+90 (0)212 402 3000
fourseasons.com
Dinner on your own
Mikla
Mesrutiyet Caddesi 15,
Pera
+90 (0)212 293 5656
miklarestaurant.com
Big dinner with partners/
clients:
Munferit
Yeni Carsi Caddessi 19,
Galatasaray
+90 (0)212 252 5067
munferit.com
Drink after dinner
Unter
Karaali Kaptan Sokak 4,
Karakoy
+90 (0)212 244 5151
unter.com
On the tiles
Gaspar
Arap Oglan Sokak 6,
Karakoy
+90 (0)212 293 6660
Night out
Lucca
Cevdet Pasa Caddesi 51,
Bebek
+90 (0)212 257 1255
luccastyle.com
Reading
Bookshop
Robinson Crusoe 389
Istiklal Caddesi 136,
Beyoglu
+90 (0)212 293 6968
rob389.com
Thank yous
Turkish Sweets
Ali Muhiddin Haci Bekir
Istiklal Caddesi 83A,
Beyoglu
+90 (0)212 522 0666
hacibekir.com
Shopping
Something you can’t get
anywhere else
Authentic handcrafted
diaries from Ece
Necati Bey Caddesi 30,
Karakoy
+90 (0)212 522 5544
eceajandasi.com
Lost luggage – where to buy
shirts
Beymen
Abdi Ipekci Caddesi 23/1,
Nisantasi
+90 (0)212 373 4800
beymen.com
Something for the kids
Custom-drawn cartoons
from Yalvac Abi Kitabevi
Valikonagi Cadessi 13,
Nisantes
+90 (0)212 234 9589
Something for someone you
love
Turkish-glass art from
Pasabahce
Istiklal Caddesi 314,
Beyoglu
+90 (0)212 244 0544
pasabahce.com
Two-hour tour
01Istanbul Modern: Take
in a contemporary-art
exhibition and have lunch
on the terrace.
02Arnavutkoy to Bebek: A
leisurely stroll that passes
the art nouveau Egyptian
consulate in Bebek.
03 Kilic Ali Pasa Hamami:
A hamam experience in a
16th-century masterpiece.
Transport
Limousine/car
Travelium Limousine
Service & private tours
Saray Caddesi 5A,
Besiktas
+90 (0)212 240 8820
travelium.com
Istanbulkart
An all-access pass for every
mode of public transport in
the city. It can be purchased
from kiosks around the city
for about €2.
Taxi
Hailing a cab is easy but
be sure to check the meter
is turned on. Alternatively,
download BiTaksi’s app
and order a taxi.
Fitness
Good gym
Mars Athletic Club
Kadirgalar Caddesi 3,
Macka
+90 (0)212 232 4440
marsathletic.com