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Nature and Peace
Buyukparmakkapt Sokak 21, Beyoglu, 34430 Tel (0212) 252 86 09
Nature and Peace was one of Istanbul's first vegetarian restaurants and it has stayed in the forefront when it comes to providing wholesome, healthy foods. Vegan dishes are also served. Chicken and fish are on the menu but red meat is not on offer. Desserts, tea-time treats and fresh fruit juices are available all day. Highly recommended. özkonak
Akarsu Caddesi 60 Cihangir, Taksim, 34430 Tel (0212) 249 13 07
Istanbul's celebrity journalists, writers and fashion models flock here for the freshly cooked, honest stews, pilavs (rice dishes), salads and baked puddings. Some come just for the tastiest tavuk göğsü (m\lk pudding made with shredded chicken breast) in the city. This is mainly a lunch-time spot with speedy service. Alcohol is not served. Tadım
Meşelik Sokak, Taksim, 34430 Tel (212) 249 82 28
Set below street level, this bright and friendly restaurant serves a good selection of Turkish stewed meats, vegetables, heart-warmmg soups and grills. The obligatory salad and pilav (rice) appears with each dish. It is deservedly popular with local office workers who crowd in for lunch. No alcohol is served Zencefil
Kurabiye Sokak 3, Beyoğlu, 34430 Tel (0212) 243 82 34
This is one of the premier vegetarian restaurants in Istanbul Daily specials are marked on a blackboard. Everything is fresh and wholesome and the service is skillful. Baked vegetable dishes, home-made breads, soups and herb teas do not disappoint. There are also delicious desserts available. Alcohol is served. chezvous
Firuzağa Mahallesi, Cezayir Sokak 21, Galatasaray, Beyoğlu, 34430 Tel (0212) 245 95 32
Part of the rebirth and design revolution sweeping most of Beyoglu, this small café (part of a restored period mansion) clings to the steep steps of trend-setting French Street. Light snacks and salads are served. The service is rushed and the table wines are expensive, but trendy Chez Vous is great for fun. Curry House
Umanın Caddesi 33, Taksim, 80090 Tel (0212)361 48 07
Istanbul's only Pakistani restaurant serves delicious spicy curries Lamb, vegetarian, beef, shrimp and chicken are prepared to any degree of spiciness you desire. The biryani nee is a masterpiece. Ask for the masala tea afterwards. The family waits on the tables. Top Pakistani singer, Hadika Kiyani, heads here when in Istanbul. Alcohol is served. Hacı Baba
İstiklâl Caddesi 49, Beyoğlu, 34430 Tel (0212) 244 18 86
This busy and popular restaurant on two floors turns out the most amazing variety of tasty, colourful dishes - over 40 different hot main meals, mezes and 25 different desserts. Try the star dish, kuzu tandır (slow-baked lamb). The service is polished and professional, however, the decor is somewhat drab. Hacı Salih
İstiklâl Caddesi 20111-2, Beyoğlu, 34430 Tef (0212) 243 45 28
The Hacı Salih has been delighting diners for over 60 years with honest, fresh Anatolian dishes. The Imam bayıldı (stuffed aubergine) is fantastic. Classic choices with lamb or aubergine will autflavour other dishes. Great stews are baked in earthenware, and there is a wide range of baked and sweet desserts. Alcohol is discreetly available. Natural Grill House
Şehit Muhtar Caddesi 38/A, Taksim, 34430 Tel (0212) 238 33 61
Rustic tables and talented cooking are the appeal here. Fresh salads, grilled meats and baked vegetarian dishes are well cooked and presented. Mexican steak is one of the house specialties. The Grill House is popular with locals and also guests from the nearby hotels. Several different beers are served. Rumeli Meyhane
Faik Paşa Sokak 37, Çurkurcuma, Taksim, 34430 Tel (0212) 244 38 01
A vibrant symbol of recent Turkish/Greek bonds, this is a hugely popular Greek taverna. Ten choices of meze, main courses and desserts are offered Their whimsical website gives interactive updates on menus and news about their gourmet shop. All types of alcohol are served. Rum-eh is recommended with gusto. Taksimoda Café
Siraselvıler Caddesi 9, Taksim, 34430 Tel (0212) 334 85 00
You will find a wonderful variety of food at Taksimoda, including excellent pastries and afternoon tea cakes. It is part of the Taksim Hill hotel and makes a convenient meeting point and refreshment station. Service is frenetic, more often chaotic, but the well-prepared food compensates. Alcohol is served and there is a small bar. Asır Rest
Kalyoncu Kulluk Caddesi 94, Beyoğlu, 34430 Tef (0212) 297 05 57
Asır is the kind of friendly, convivial place you hope to find on holiday. The staff are friendly and attentive and tne food is outstandingly good and economical. Over 50 varieties of mezes are offered amongst many innovative dishes with fish, chicken and chick peas. Typical of meyhane (wine bar) culture, there is live fasıl music in the evenings. Leb-i-Derya
istiklâl Caddesi, Kumbaracı Yokuşu, Kumbaracı Han í f 5/7, Beyoğlu, 34430 Tel (0212) 293 49 89
it is hard to beat this restaurant's marvellous view over Istanbul. Glass, wood and soft lighting are the backdrop for the abundance of appetizers and weli-cooked Mediterranean-style healthy main courses, vegetable dishes and salads There is a lively bar that attracts a dedicated happy hour crowd.
Refik
SofyalıSokak 10-12, Tünel, 34430 Tel (0212) 243 28 34
Refik ıs an icon of Bohemian Beyoglu. The restaurant retains its faded plastic tablecloths and bygone era ambience Intellectuals and media types frequent it every evening. It is an authentic meyhane (wine bar) that favours Black Sea dishes The mezes here are large enough for a main meal. Plenty of alcohol is served. Restaurant Nuova Rosa
Cumhuriyet Caddesi 1311, Elmadağ, 34430 Tel (0212)241 28 27
The refreshed and rejuvenated Rosa has traded its 1980s dark interior for gleaming ultra modern decor. The fixed menus are popular and economical. The food has Italian overtones but many of the dishes look and taste more Turkish and Mediterranean. There is an excellent bar where a happy-hour crowd meet. Reservations are advised Rio Bravo
istiklâl Caddesi 303, Beyoğlu, 34430 Tel (0212) 292 92 69/70
The accent at Rio Bravo is on Tex-Mex, including a huge tap room and bar. The fajitas, western salads and burritos are hearty and delicious, as are the guacamole dishes and lime pie Tequila and cocktails are a treat for connoisseurs. Sometimes impromptu music is played. Yakup2
Asmalimescit Sokak 35-37, Túnel, 34430 Tel (0212) 249 29 25
Once the most popular restaurant amongst the journalistic and media elite, Yakup now caters more for groups and tourists. It is in the atmospheric and upbeat backstreets of Beyoğlu. The food is of a high quality with excellent salads, grills and impressive mezes. There are drinks of all sorts and many just come to enjoy this Zindan
İstiklâl Caddesi 13, Beyoğlu, 34430 Tel (0212) 252 73 40
Terracotta bricks and vaulted ceilings form the interior at Zindan. It Is handy for Taksim and the cooking is classic Ottoman with intriguing variations. Stinging-nettle börek (pastry) Is rare and tasty and they spruce up the meaty kebabs with fruit. Everything looks and tastes appetizing, and there are good wines. Çatı
Aşmalı Mescit Mah, Orhan Adli Apaydın Sokak 20 (7th floor), Beyoğlu, 34430 Tel (0212) 251 00 00
This is a popular rendezvous spot for locals and visitors alike. The walls are covered with photos of celebrity journalists, actors and poets who have eaten here. Çatı has won gourmet awards and the mainly Turkish menu is reliable and beautifully prepared. There is live music in the evenings and belly dancing staged for groups. China Plaza
Recep Paşa Caddesi 5, Taksim, 34430 Tel (0212) 256 36 45
If you need a break from rich Turkish foods, China Plaza is a local landmark that offers Cantonese and Szechuan cooking at its finest. This is a Chinese restaurant with urban flair and exotic fare. The chicken with oyster sauce or the pineapple duck are superb. Alcohol is served - the Chinese beer is first rate and there are many wines on offer Feşmeken
Inonu Caddesi 53/A, Gümüşsüyü, Taksim, 34430 Tel (0212) 251 02 03/04
A short distance from the hub of Taksim, this lively restaurant and bar specializes in Turkish classic dishes with meat, aubergines and rice, but also does an excellent steak and chips. The service is better when the enormous TV Is switched off. The happy hour and late night music attract a young crowd. Fisher
İnönü Caddesi 511A, Taksim. 34430 Tel (0212) 245 25 76
Fisher was one of the first middle European restaurants in Istanbul. The clientele has stayed loyal after decades and dishes such as borscht, schnitzel, pirogies and strudel seem as popular today as they have always been. It is a little crab, even austere, but the owners seem reluctant to renovate or change too much of a good thing. Four Seasons
istiklâl Caddesi 509, Beyoğlu, 34430 Tel (0212) 293 39 41
A symbol of cross-cultural Pera, the Four Seasons has reinforced its International Image and menu. Its reputation is built on Chateaubriand, French onion soup and similar dishes. The fixed lunch menu attracts nearby consular staff, however it is also ideal for a romantic dinner for two. Gitane
Firuzağa Mah, Cezayir Sokak 3 (French Street), Galatasaray, 34430 Tel (0212) 245 92 63
Gitane is owned by one of Turkey's most renowned fashion designers. The extensive menu has choices for breakfast, brunch, lunch and festive dinners and there is excellent local wine on offer. The cheese platter highlights the new interest in Anatolian cheeses. Great Hong Kong
Dünya Sağlık Sokak 12/B, Taksim, 34430 Tel (0212) 252 42 68
A taste of imperial China in the middle of Taksim, the Great Hong Kong Is easily recognized by its imposing pagoda-shaped entrance. Dragons, lanterns and rich trappings add to the decoration. The spicy Szechuan dishes, beef with hot pickles and delicious rice are good choices. Chinese beer and rice wines are available. Rejans
Istiklal Caddesi Emir Nevruz Sokak 17, Beyoğlu, Tel (0212) 244 16 10
One of the most respected eateries in Istanbul, Rejans has been in business since the 1920s when it was established by homesick Russian immigrants. Come here to sample the fine regional dishes such as beef stroganoff, chicken Kiev and piroshki (vegetables in pastry). The owners often serve caviar and always vodka. Şeref
Cumhuriyet Caddesi. Seyhan Apt. No. 12/1 Elmadağ, Taksim, 34430 Tel (0212) 291 99 55
The carefully prepared menu at this very stylish up-to-the-minute cafe-bar cum restaurant has masterful touches. Appetizers, hamburgers and pizzas are good, and the steak, vegetable dishes, stews, fries and salads come in generous portions. Şeref has domestic wines and a well-stocked bar. Sofra
Cartoon Hotel Yanı, Tarlabaşı Bulvarı 36 Taksim, 34430 Tel (0212) 297 21 78
The Turkish owner at Sofra has made a great impact on the London restaurant scene and brought his culinary concepts back home. The accent is on colourful Neo-Mediterranean dishes with assertive flavours. Meat and f.-.. courses are flawless and the presentation exciting. There are fine views of the Bosphorus from the terrace in summer. Sofyalı
Sofyalı Sokak 9, Tünel, Beyoğlu, 34430 Tel (0212) 245 03 62
Tucked away in a leafy alleyway where restaurant competition is fierce, Sofyalı has delicious home-made mezes, pretty tables and a solid reputation for skillful, professional cooking The menu Is not large but quality dominates. Try the stuffed fish. Their stuffed chard creation is also legendary. Domestic wines and other alcoholic drinks are served. Asmalimescit Balıkçısı
Asmalimescit Mah. Sofyalı Sokak 5/A Tünel, Beyoğlu, 34430 Tel (0212) 251 39 39
The pulse of Beyoğlu beats at this popular fish-only restaurant. Linen, silver service and candles add class to the stone walls and cheerful, chic atmosphere. Every kind of fresh daily catch in Istanbul is served here. Desserts are good and there Is a reasonable wine list. There are monthly art exhibitions that adorn the walls. Flamm
Sofyalı Sokak 16/1, Asmalimescit, 34430 Tel 0212 245 76 04/05
One of the pioneer "nouveau" restaurants, Flamm is small and intimate with a casual, friendly cocktail bar. The owner came to Istanbul from Bodrum, and imported some dishes from sunny Med-side kitchens, including ingenious ways with pasta and rice. You will want to return for the excellent honest cooking and convivial ambience. 41 Paralel
istiklâl Caddesi, Hüseyin Ağa Mah, Ezine Apt 1/3 Beyoğlu, 34430 Tel (0212) 244 74 22
Extensive and imaginative menus are offered at 41 Paralel. Many dishes have irresistible gourmet sauces. The leek and spinach köfte is divine and the Eastern dessert with baked cheese, künefe, is a masterpiece, arguably rivaled by the chocolate souffle. This is a remarkable restaurant in an already trendy area. Mikla
Marmara Pera Hotel, Meşrutiyet Caddesi 167/185, Tepebaşı, Beyoğlu, 34430 Tel (0212) 293 56 56
Mikla provides a magnificent dining experience - if you can get a reservation. It offers a predominantly seafood menu but unusual culinary influences mingle and the results are exquisite. The decor is subtle and the mood dignified. There are stunning vistas from the bar at the top of the Marmara Pera Hotel. Panorama
Marmara Hotel, Taksim Square, Taksim, 34430 Tel (0212) 251 46 96
This restaurant with fine views on the top floor of the Marmara Hotel was one of the first in the city to embrace International cuisine. It still deserves its original praise for creative cuisine. Visitors revel in the truly outstanding French and Italian food and authentic decor. Live jazz and dance music is played on weekends. Ta Nhcia
Aşmalı Mescit Mah, Orhan Adli Apaydın Sokak 36-42, Beyoğlu, 34430 Tel (0212) 245 93 66
This successful gourmet Greek restaurant serves dazzling Mediterranean creations that combine the best of Greek and Turkish cookery. The decor, presentation and signature touches make this a real treasure. Fish is recommended and the lamb dishes redefine gourmet tastes. There is an extensive wine list and Greek music after hours.
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