I'm heading to Istanbul in a little over a week. I'll be there for five days. It's my first time in Turkey, and I'm traveling solo.
I like eating at restaurants where there is a friendly vibe. I can always bury myself in my phone or tablet, but I'd rather have the opportunity to make conversation with a bartender or server or other guests.
Any suggestions? I'm staying close to Galata Tower, so something within walking distance would be ideal, but I'm not averse to taking a taxi.
No help, but take notes. I may do the same in March. :)
Our Best of Istanbul tour stayed at the Haze Hotel. It has a wonderful restaurant on the top floor with a case of dishes from which you can choose. I think they had some bar seating.
ETA: Mükellef Karakoy, reservations recommended on weekends at least
(You can see the Galata Tower from the street in front of the Haze.)
If you're looking for something friendly and very casual, there is an alley near the Haze with loads of small cafes and restaurants and lots of outdoor tables. You'll know you've found it by the colorful overhead umbrellas... we called it Umbrella Alley, but it's Mumhane Cd.
We did a progressive Turkish street food style dinner there, starting at the end near the Haze with stuffed mussels and working our way down the street, having soup (choice of 16 kinds) and eventually dessert.
ETA: Gala KARAKÖY (not a restaurant, just a little place to get started with stuffed mussels)
Around the corner is a friendly little bar - with 3 or 4 outdoor tables and a super friendly bartender, maybe the owner. He let us bring our mussels paired with glasses of his Turkish wine. Across from the bar is a small place where you can finish your progressive dinner with the Turkish dessert of chocolate and fruit. If I can find the names, I'll add them.
ETA: REDS Coffee & Chocolate (can't find this on Google Maps)
I can't find anything with the name of the friendly bar, but it's directly across the alley from REDS
None of this is fancy, it's all fun and friendly. And if you can't make friends with that bartender, well.... at least you'll have a fun meal!
Near the Istanbul Modern Art Museum, on the boardwalk facing the Bosphorus, there are a string of restaurants and cafes with outdoor tables and great views of yachts coming and going that ought to keep you from being glued to your phone.
One name to search for on Google Maps (which I did not eat at) is The Populist Galataport, which looks quite fun.
The lower level of the Galata Bridge has a dozen or so restaurants, all vying for your business as you walk by. If you score a table near the water, the people watching and boat watching should keep you entertained.
OK, I have to add one more "dinner" idea .... at either end of the Galata Bridge, both on the side nearer the Bosphorus, you'll find a kiosk selling fish sandwiches. On the Old Town side, grab one before sunset and enjoy the evening with a few hundred other tourists and locals on the benches and seawall.
(As recommended by one of the guides on one of the Rich Steves Audio Europe tracks for Turkey.)
And now perhaps others will have some actual restaurant recommendations for you 😁
Wow, thanks for all the suggestions! I'll be sure to post about where I end up going.
I've traveled to Istanbul solo, can't recommend any place in particular. Just go for whatever you think looks good. However I can say that the Pudding Shop (a relic from the overland trail to Asia days) was a huge disappointment. Clearly trading off of its history, I had one of the worst meals I've ever had. I can recommend the excellent fish sandwiches you get off the boats in Eminonu tho.
Adding to GregW's point, and assuming you'll be visiting the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia, we had free time in that area during our Best of Istanbul tour and walked a few blocks to find a quieter lunch spot that we really enjoyed.
Lekker is about 5 minutes from the Blue Mosque, 400 meters, a tiny bit uphil and worth getting away from the beehive of activity around the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. They have lots of outdoor tables, on a slightly quieter (not quiet, just quieter) street. We had wonderful chicken kebabs with freshly grilled vegetables, rice, fries and a coke for about $12.50.
And they have the nicest tie-dye pattern style plates in indigo color that I am proud to say I did not steal, though I did warn the waiter that they might go missing ;-)
And, Lane, if you're fortunate to have "Johnny Walker" as your waiter, he is quite the friendly conversationalist.
