Cihangir is the bohemian bourgeoisie quarter of Istanbul. It has gone through significant change in the last 15 years and turned into a hub for young professionals, artists, journalists, advertisers and hipsters alongside old, humble residents of the neighborhood.
This is where you come across low profile celebrities frequently and where cafe’s are always full of people chatting or working on their Apple laptops. It is a fun and cool place to live for youngsters. When we say youngsters, we refer to young professionals in their 30s and 40s, so not so young!
There are two main arteries of Cihangir: Akarsu Caddesi and Cihangir Caddesi.
It is kind of like Soho or Greenwich Village of New York or Angel of London.
Neighborhood Tags:
Bohemian bourgeoisie, hipsters, cool café’s, alternative life style, kinoa salads, organic product stores, art nouveau architecture, European feel
Please also list 5-10 images in total that need to be taken to capture the neighbourhood and give a brief explanation why. Can be both general and specific.
General examples: Café culture is important to this neighbourhood and needs to be captured.
Specific examples: Definitely take pictures of the architecture. Art nouveau architecture from the turn of the century makes this place picturesque.
Example for Nisantasi, Istanbul:
Photo Story 1
One photo should capture one of the most crowded cafes in the neighborhood at noon.
Location ideas:
Journey
Jash Meyhane
Second Photo Story
Pictures of the beautiful buildings on Akarsu or Cihangir Caddesi
2. Map of the neighborhood:
What locations, point-of-interest (POI), and other things would you suggest having on this map?
Can you suggest a walking itinerary for this neighborhood?
Start from Firuzaga Camii
Walk up on Akarsu Caddesi, make a right on Susam Sokak and keep walking till you hit Cihangir Caddesi
POI:
Smyrna
Journey Café
Can Sarkuteri garden
Kasabim steak house
Susam Sokak
White Mill garden: secret heaven
Jash Meyhane
Record Store on Cihangir Caddesi
Kaktus
3. How to get there:
It is a ten minutes walking distance from Taksim Square. One needs to walk down on Siraselviler Caddesi all the way down to Firuzaga Camii
It is also ten minutes walking distance from Tophane. One needs to walk up the hill (it is quiet steep though) on Defterdar Yokusu.
One can also walk in ten minutes from Galatasaray.
Things to be added:
Religious Buildings – Cihangir Mosque is a must-see due to its amazing view from the courtyard. Especially during sunsets.
Museums and Historical Places – Orhan Kemal Muzesi
Architectural Type – Art Nouveau buildings from the turn of the century
Must Do Things of this Neighborhood – Buy cheese at Antre, wine at La Cave, bread from Antre or Komsu Firin, ice cream from Yasar Usta, kazandibi from Ozkonak.
Lunch and dinner at Ozkonak for casual atmosphere and homemade food
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Journey for good food
Breakfast at Kaktus, Kahvealti and Van Kahvalti Evi are quiet good as well
Meat is to be eaten at Kasabim.
Best meyhane is Demeti though Jash is quiet good as well
What to do and where?
Breakfast
Journey: Probably the best breakfast in the neighborhood
This cute and popular café frequented by locals, has a wide variety in her breakfast menu. From eggs benedict to scrambled eggs and local favorite menemen, the menu is quiet diverse and all delicious. Their new addition protein breakfast is also yummy and nutritious.
Van Kahvalti Evi: If you are looking for good food and atmosphere is not important, then this is your place. The place offers regional dishes, great egg dishes and a huge variety of cheese. Definitely try their Van Kahvalti dish
Kaktus: Very good breakfast with menemen and ‘anneannenin kahvaltisi’ which means ‘grandma’s breakfast’. Local ‘pisi’ comes in the grandma’s breakfast which is a must-try for foreigners.
Kahvealti: Check out the secret garden of Kahvealti and enjoy their delicious egg dishes
Lunch & Dinner
Ozkonak Lokantasi: This is the ‘esnaf lokantasi’ of Cihangir neighborhood. Esnaf lokantasi means traders’ place, it is where the locals and store owners eat. They cook a wide variety of dishes everyday. They have a display from where you can choose what to eat. Apart from the food on the display, they always have ‘manti’ which is Turkish ravioli. Their manti is quiet famous. This restaurant was opened in the 60s as a dessert place. So make sure to try their favorite dessert: kazandibi
Journey: You can go here for lunch and dinner as well. From pizza to kinoa salad and chicken baked in owen, they have a wide and delicious menu
Miss Pizza: One of the best pizzerias in town. Try their Mediterrenean, artichoke and asparagus pizz
Kasabim: The only steak house in the neighborhood. Try their sirloin steak and definitely order their delicious yoghurt. It will probably be the best yoghurt you have tasted.
Demeti Meyhane: If you are in need of some ‘meze’ and ‘raki’, then this is your place. Try to make a reservation and get a table on their lovely little balcony with the Bosphorus view. Meze’s are delicious and the atmosphere is typical tavern atmosphere with the addition of the view
Jash Meyhane: If you do not care about the view, then check this place out for ‘meze’ and ‘raki’. You can grab one of their outside tables and enjoy the delicious food with the background live accordion music.
Kaktus: One of the oldest and most famous café’s of the neighborhood is good for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Shopping:
Antre: For cheese, artisan bread, charcuterie, olives, jams and olive oils, this little deli is the place
La Cave: Huge variety of wines sold by wine experts. Has been here longer than anyone else.
Bars
Geyik: Ultimate cocktail bar of the neighborhood is the most popular one for sure. Although it has only been over a year, this charming little place with great music and hospitality has become insanely popular. They sometimes hold jazz nights on Sundays, so follow their social media accounts.
Smyrna: The oldest and still one of the most popular of the bar scene is Smyrna. Grab a table inside or pick a stool by the bar and enjoy your beer
