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
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
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
