Elif's Istanbul Favorites

Zehra Elif
Elif's Istanbul Favorites

Eating & Dining

For food lovers! Good value restaurants, 'it' cafes, hidden gems, local tastes plus fine dining places... All the best in Istanbul...
This is absolutely my favorite cafe in Kadıköy. 5 min walking distance to my home. Every hour: breakfast, lunch, dinner or coctails - everything is tasty! and compared to other places around, relatively less priced.
Boden
This is absolutely my favorite cafe in Kadıköy. 5 min walking distance to my home. Every hour: breakfast, lunch, dinner or coctails - everything is tasty! and compared to other places around, relatively less priced.
If you have a sweet tooth, this tiny cafe will be your fav! 5 minutes walk to appartment. on your way to Kalamış park. I'd recommend you to take your coffee and dessert before heading to the park. You can also dine in!
Boter
If you have a sweet tooth, this tiny cafe will be your fav! 5 minutes walk to appartment. on your way to Kalamış park. I'd recommend you to take your coffee and dessert before heading to the park. You can also dine in!
This pub is our neighborhood's hang-out place of locals... Great coctails, cold beer, house wines - what else would you ask for?:)
NANE
This pub is our neighborhood's hang-out place of locals... Great coctails, cold beer, house wines - what else would you ask for?:)
If you're hungry and looking for some healthy and home-cooked style food, Fatel is a great option. Everything is fresh and daily prepared (if you arrive late afternoon, some dishes may be finished) They also have vegan options.
Fatel Kalamış
24-A Itri Dede Sokağı
If you're hungry and looking for some healthy and home-cooked style food, Fatel is a great option. Everything is fresh and daily prepared (if you arrive late afternoon, some dishes may be finished) They also have vegan options.
This place is buzzing right now with its variety of delicious croissants! If you love croissant, add Brekkie to your breakfast or lunch list! After feeling guilty of the calories, you can take a walk in Yoğurtçu Parkı (straight in front of the cafe)
Brekkie Breakfast Club
This place is buzzing right now with its variety of delicious croissants! If you love croissant, add Brekkie to your breakfast or lunch list! After feeling guilty of the calories, you can take a walk in Yoğurtçu Parkı (straight in front of the cafe)
This place is special for many reasons: 1. they do vertical farming (name comes from this) and use the harvest as ingredients. 2. Many vegan options 3. They are -almost- no waste restaurant. They compost and send foods to feed the animals in shelters.
Vertical
This place is special for many reasons: 1. they do vertical farming (name comes from this) and use the harvest as ingredients. 2. Many vegan options 3. They are -almost- no waste restaurant. They compost and send foods to feed the animals in shelters.
This is the place to go to if you want to try Turkish specialty, mantı. There are 2 types of mantı: boiled or baked. Boiled is the traditional way but I love the crunchiness of the baked one. Your call, both is good :) Also you can try Çökertme: a plate of meat, fries - their other specialty.
Casita
This is the place to go to if you want to try Turkish specialty, mantı. There are 2 types of mantı: boiled or baked. Boiled is the traditional way but I love the crunchiness of the baked one. Your call, both is good :) Also you can try Çökertme: a plate of meat, fries - their other specialty.
If you crave for a yummy pizza!
Pizza Locale Bagdat Cad.
If you crave for a yummy pizza!

Neighborhoods

An old and vibrant neighborhood with lovely cafes, pubs and restaurants. Plus parks and walking path around seaside. It is walking distance to my home! You'll love the area:)
Moda
An old and vibrant neighborhood with lovely cafes, pubs and restaurants. Plus parks and walking path around seaside. It is walking distance to my home! You'll love the area:)
Bomontiada is a mixed space of cafes, restaurants, bars, events, concerts, parties, workshops, street fairs and offices... Whenever I go to Bomontiada, I feel good with the casual yet artistic atmosphere. It is always vivid and lively...
Bomonti Bira Binasi
1 Silahşör Cad., Birahane Sok.
Bomontiada is a mixed space of cafes, restaurants, bars, events, concerts, parties, workshops, street fairs and offices... Whenever I go to Bomontiada, I feel good with the casual yet artistic atmosphere. It is always vivid and lively...
This is the main neighborhood of Anatolian side. You can find every needs here: dining, shopping, pubs, cafes, parks for walking and running, nice sea view, trees and cool shadows to rest your tired feet:) and all...
Caferağa, Kadıköy Sahili, Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turquía
This is the main neighborhood of Anatolian side. You can find every needs here: dining, shopping, pubs, cafes, parks for walking and running, nice sea view, trees and cool shadows to rest your tired feet:) and all...

Must See Places!

This park is in front of the sea/marina with a beautiful view. There are cafes and parks inside. As another option you can buy your coffee and desert on your way to the park from Boter and picnic in the park.
Zühtüpaşa, Kalamış Parkı, Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turquía
This park is in front of the sea/marina with a beautiful view. There are cafes and parks inside. As another option you can buy your coffee and desert on your way to the park from Boter and picnic in the park.