Istanbul's main pedestrian shopping street, the former Grande rue de Péra, has a number of cafés, restaurants and light-meal places along its length. Among my favorites of longstanding (uh, 47 years...) is the Saray Muhallebicisi. No, you don't have to be able to pronounce it to enjoy it. More...
Here are more places to look, grouped near landmarks and squares.
Taksim Square Restaurants
The broad, busy plaza at the heart of Beyoğlu is too frantic for a lot of restaurants along its sides, but you'll find plenty at the northeastern end of İstiklal Caddesi, just out of the square. For the best panoramic views of all, take the elevator/lift to the Reika Restaurant atop The Marmara Taksim Hotel facing the square. More...
Busy Galatasaray Square, with the lofty gates of Galatasaray Lisesi. Note also the Nostaljik Tramvay.
Galatasaray Square Restaurants
The 19th-century Constantinopolitan Çiçek Pasajı, a covered courtyard packed with restaurants; the down-market tavernas of Nevizade Sokak. These are just a few of the grand variety of places to sip and bite mid-way along İstiklal Caddesi. More...
Tünel Square Restaurants
The Tünel Pasajı right across the street from the Tünelsubway station is a great place for a drink, snack or meal. Beyond it, Sofyalı Sokak is dotted with trendy café-bars all the way to Asmalı Mescit Caddesi, which has even more places. More...
Breakfast on İstiklal Caddesi
Although you may get a Turkish buffet breakfast included in the price of your hotel room, if you're staying in an apartment/flat, you may want to breakfast on the avenue. More...
—by Tom Brosnahan
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