Discover Istanbul’s 200 best Influencer spots for your trip

Karaköy

Wander Karaköy, the Golden Horn's reinvented harbour quarter. Browse galleries and design shops along sloping lanes, pause for specialty coffee, and end at the waterfront for views of the old city skyline.

Spago Istanbul by Wolfgang Puck

★ 4.0 · 1,384 reviews

Discover Spago Istanbul by Wolfgang Puck, the St. Regis restaurant that pairs refined global cooking with a lively bar scene. Begin with cocktails on the rooftop, then settle in for a long, polished dinner.

Cihangir

Wander Cihangir, the bohemian hillside neighbourhood above the Bosphorus. Browse antique shops on steep lanes, claim a café table among local regulars, and take in the view from the terrace.

Akira Back İstanbul

★ 4.5 · 256 reviews

Dine at Akira Back İstanbul, the fashionable Asian-fusion restaurant in the JW hotel. Enjoy attentive service and waterfront views over a refined dinner built for a special evening.

FLEKK

★ 4.8 · 1,368 reviews

Discover FLEKK, a dark and effortlessly stylish cocktail bar in Istanbul. Sip fresh, inventive drinks prepared by a skilled bar team in a cozy yet chic setting built for evenings out.

Frankhan by Selectist

★ 3.9 · 396 reviews

Discover Frankhan by Selectist, an after-hours techno venue where nights run into the morning. Take in the lighting and concept, and dance through the small hours in an unusual, unexpected location.

Yeni Lokanta

★ 4.8 · 2,752 reviews

Discover Yeni Lokanta, the Michelin-rated restaurant a short walk from Taksim Square. Pick the fish or meat route and work through a carefully plated multi-course menu of modern Turkish cooking.

Nobu Istanbul

★ 4.0 · 935 reviews

Dress up for Nobu Istanbul, the city's stylish Japanese fine dining address. Sample omakase and signature dishes in a buzzing, late-night dining room.

TURK FATIH TUTAK

★ 4.7 · 1,190 reviews

Discover TURK Fatih Tutak, a fine-dining evening that starts with a restaurant pick-up and unfolds over roughly three hours. Settle into the tasting experience in a refined, design-minded room built for special occasions.

Balat

Lose yourself in Balat, the Golden Horn's colour-washed hillside quarter. Wander steep cobbled lanes past painted houses, browse vintage shops, and settle into a café tucked among the old synagogues and churches.

Beyoğlu

Dive into Beyoğlu, the beating cultural heart of Istanbul. Stroll İstiklal Avenue, duck into historic passages and side-street meyhanes, and stay as the district shifts into its lively nightlife.

WUNDER

★ 4.3 · 305 reviews

Drop into WUNDER, a boutique for distinctive shoes and streetwear labels. Browse a curated sneaker selection and chat with staff about limited-edition pairs you won't find elsewhere.

Sunset Grill & Bar

★ 4.1 · 4,625 reviews

Discover Sunset Grill & Bar, a glamorous hilltop restaurant with sweeping views of the bridge. Order Mediterranean plates or sushi and linger from golden hour into a late-night cocktail.

FLUX

★ 4.6 · 85 reviews

Discover FLUX, a high-up Istanbul club devoted to underground electronic music. Dance to international DJs on a strong sound system, among a relaxed crowd that is there for the music.

Tiny Drinkery House

★ 4.4 · 2,325 reviews

Discover Tiny Drinkery House, a small, photogenic cocktail bar that pulls you in with its decor. Perch at the bar, order inventive drinks with a burger on the side, and stay late.

GALLADA by Fatih Tutak

★ 4.4 · 604 reviews

Dine in an elegant setting at a Fatih Tutak restaurant. Reserve an evening table and enjoy the occasion.

Kadıköy

Cross the Bosphorus by ferry and step into Kadıköy, the Asian side's beating heart. Graze through the covered market, browse record shops and bookstores, then settle into a bar on one of its lively side streets.

Neolokal

★ 4.3 · 1,351 reviews

Book a table at Neolokal for a dinner where presentation is half the show. Work through a contemporary Turkish tasting menu, plated with care in a refined, design-led setting.

Kastel

★ 3.7 · 1,720 reviews

Discover Kastel, an Istanbul nightclub built around electronic music and label nights. Pick a lineup, pass the door, and dance late into the night in a designed, security-conscious space.

Nişantaşı

Stroll Nişantaşı, Istanbul's elegant fashion district. Browse designer boutiques and galleries along shaded avenues, then rest at a patisserie among the well-dressed locals.

AŞEKA KARAKÖY

★ 4.7 · 667 reviews

Discover AŞEKA KARAKÖY, the Michelin-starred dinner address in Karaköy. Settle in for a two-hour evening of à la carte dishes, including well-reviewed lamb, in a trendy, couple-friendly room.

Basta Neo Bistro

★ 4.4 · 495 reviews

Book a table at Basta Neo Bistro for an evening built around creative, beautifully plated food. Share starters like tarama and hummus, then try the uykuluk or octopus that diners rave about.

Apartıman Yeniköy

★ 4.4 · 849 reviews

Spend an afternoon at Apartıman Yeniköy, a leafy, botanical-style restaurant on the Bosphorus. Order the prawn toast, fava and slow-cooked lamb, then stay on for cocktails into the evening.

The Townhouse

★ 4.7 · 3,785 reviews

Discover The Townhouse, a buzzing restaurant and bar with a stylish patio in the heart of Istanbul. Settle in for elevated pub food and well-made cocktails, from an afternoon Negroni to a long dinner.

Moda

Stroll Moda, Kadıköy's relaxed seaside quarter. Wander tree-lined streets to the clifftop park, then watch the sun drop over the Marmara with a glass of tea in hand.

ROKA Istanbul

★ 4.3 · 1,222 reviews

Dine at ROKA Istanbul, the premium Japanese restaurant on the Galataport waterfront. Order sashimi and nigiri, pair them with a sake chosen by the staff, and enjoy the refined setting.

Mürver Restaurant

★ 4.4 · 2,716 reviews

Seek out Mürver Restaurant, a signless Beyoğlu hideaway with a view that earns its reputation. Order the charred octopus and sour cherry hummus for a calm, festive evening.

shopi go

★ 3.9 · 238 reviews

Explore shopi go, an Istanbul concept store built around international fashion brands. Wander its well-designed rooms and look through apparel and accessories from a range of designers.

Ulus 29

★ 4.2 · 2,207 reviews

Discover Ulus 29, the hilltop restaurant, terrace bar and nightclub that gives Istanbul's evenings a view. Linger over dinner with sweeping city views, then move to the terrace or the dance floor as the night picks up.

Sankai by Nagaya

★ 4.3 · 89 reviews

Discover Sankai by Nagaya, an omakase counter hidden behind a keycard door on the third floor. Work through a signature tasting menu of precisely cut fish and carefully seasoned rice in an intimate, secretive setting.