Monocle's Guide to Istanbul

Kaan Çağlar
17 August, 2014

This is Monocle's Guide to Istanbul, which is a printed one-pager I found at their shop-in-shop corner at Beymen Store in Zorlu Center. 

Monocle is a London-based magazine that covers international affairs, trends, business, culture, and design. Online Monocle focuses on broadcast and has become one of the most viewed news sources in many of our key markets. Monocle's journalists report from around the world and craft films that are more documentary in form rather than a collection of clips. 

Here is video on their team, vision, and company, which was founded in 2007. 


Recently, I stopped by the Beymen store at Zorlu Center in Zincirlikuyu, and realized that Monocle opened up a shop-in-shop within Beymen. Apparenly, they are also opening up an Istanbul office quite soon according to my friend Ekin. There was an interesting city guide they printed and left for their visitors, and I thought it would be great to share it with Atdaa readers. Here is all the places, things Monocle suggests to people visiting Istanbul. 

MONOCLE | ISTANBUL GUIDE

monocle's guide to istanbul

Doing business in Turkey can be fraught with misunderstandings and bureaucracy but it's a burgeoning destination that is becoming an important hub for East/West deals. Istanbul also remains the imperial capital built on Seven Hills - that means pack a sturdy pair of trainers. Traverse the old city within the ruined walls built by the Romans. At night, treat yourself to a cold Efes beer in the-fund neighbourhood of Beyoglu.


Essentials

01. Ask a local to tell you the story of where the country got its name.

02. On each weekday a different neighbourhood features its fresh produce in the open markets.

03. Take a ferry ride to the Asian side with a brief stop at the breathtaking Haydarpasa station, then on to Kadikoy.

04. Walk on the Ottoman city walls at the Yedikule Fortress Museum.

05. Take a cooking course at the Istanbul Culinary Institute.

 

Hotels

Independent and easy

Istanbul Suites

Harbiye Cayiri Sokak III, Harbiye

+ 90 212 224 53

istanbulsuites.com

 

Dependable chain

Park Hyatt 

Mach Palas Tesvikiye

Bronz Sokak 4 Sisli +90 212 315 12 34

istanbul.park.hyatt.com

 

Premium

Sumahan

Kuleli Caddesi, 51, Cengelkoy

+ 90 216 422 80 00

sumahan.com


Dining

Fast breakfast

Delicatessen

Mimar Kemal Oke Caddesi 19, Sisli + 90 212 225 0604

delicatessen.com 

 

Business breakfast

Mangerie

Bebek Mahallesi, Cevdet Pasa Caddesi 69 Bebek + 90 212 263 5599

mangeriebebek.com

 

Mid-morning coffee

Hotel Empress Zoe Schwarzenbach

Akbiyik Caddesi 4/r Sultanahmet + 90 212 518 25 04

emzoe.com

 

Working lunch with colleagues

Dükkan

Fatih Sultan Melunet Mahallesi v/Ataturk Cad 6 Kucukarmutlu +902122778860

dukkanistanbul.com

 

Lunch on your own

Auf

Mesrutiyet Caddesi 67 Beyoglu + 90 212 245 6070

auf.com.tr

 

Afternoon tea

Ops Café

Mumhane Caddesi 45/B Beyoglu + 90 212 245 0288

opscafekarakoy.com

 

Private dinner

Lokanta Maya

Kemankes Karamustafa Pasa Mahallesi, Kemankes Caddesi 35 Beyoglu + 90 212 252 6884

lokantamaya.com

 

Dinner with colleagues

Karakoy Lokantasi

Kemankes Karamustafa Pasa Mahallesi, Kemankes Caddesi 37 Karakoy + 90 212 292 4455

karakoylokantasi.com

 

Big dinner with partners/clients

Sunset Grill & Bar

Adrian Saygun Caddesi, Yol Sokak 2, Ulus Parki + 90 212 287 03 57

sunsetgrilbar.com

 

Drink after dinner

Lucca

Cevdetpasa Caddesi 51/B Bebek + 90 212 257 12 55

luccastyle.com

 

On the tiles

Georges Hotel

Mueyyedzade Mahallesi, Serdar-i Ekrem Caddesi 24, Beyoglu + 90 212 244 2423

georges.com

 

Reading

Newsagent

Robinson Crusoe Kitabevi

Istiklal Caddesi 389 Taksim + 90 212 293 69 68

rob389.com

Kaan's note: As far as I know, this store is about to be closed. If so, you should go to Robinson's SALT GALATA branch instead.  

 

Thank yous

Turkish Sweets

Ali Muhiddin Haci Bekir Hamidiye Caddesi 83, Eminonu +90212522 8593

 

Shopping

Something you can't get anywhere else

Hand-printed fabrics from Sivasli Yazmaci

Yaglikcilar Caddesi 57, The Covered Bazaar + 90 212 526 77 48

 

Lost luggage - where to buy shirts, socks and underwear

Beymen Nisantasi

Abdi Ipekci Caddesi 23/1, Nisantasi + 90 212 373 48 00

beymen.com

 

Something for the kids

Custom-drawn cartoons fromYalvac Abi Kitabevi

Kanyon AVM Kat: B2 Levent + 90 212 353 07 98

 

Something for someone you love

Jewellery by Ozlem Tuna Design Zone

Alibaba Turbo Sokak 21/4, Nuruosmaniye + 90 212 527 92 85


Two-hour tour

01. The Hagia Sophia, Sultanahment ("Blue") Mosque, Covered Bazaar, and Yerebatan Cistern The Covered Bazaar is closed on Sundays and the others are closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly.

02. Head for one of the Princes' islands to escape from the traffic, as these are car-free isles.

03. Climb the fortress ramparts at Rumeli Hisari.

04. Take in an exhibition at the Sakip Sabanci Museum (Muzedechanga café for lunch). Sakip Sabanci Caddesi 22, Emirgan + 90 212 323 09 01

muze.sabanciuniv.edu
changa-istanbul.com
 

Limousine/car

Travelium + 90 212 240 88 20

travelium.com.tr

 

Transport

Get AKBIL - an all-access pass for every mode of public transport in the city (there is an AKBIL kiosk in Taksim Square).

 

Fitness

Good gym

Mars Athletic Club Harbiye Kadirgalar 3, GMall, Macka + 90 212 232 44 40

marsathletic.com
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Kaan Çağlar

Co-founder of Atdaa, Inc. Product & UX Designer based in Berlin.

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