(pistachio) and cevizli (walnut),
but it’s also possible to order a
karı ık porsiyon (mixed portion).
(karakoygulluoglu.com)
- SEE DERVISHES W HIRL
The 15th-century semahane
(whirling dervish hall) at the
Galata Mevlevi House Museum
is the venue for a one-hour
dervish sema (ceremony) held on
Sunday evenings. It’s the most
authentic of the city’s semas that
can be attended by tourists. Buy
your ticket the day before, or on
the morning of the performance.
(muze.gov.tr)
- SAMPLE TURKISH WINES
BY THE GLASS
Stocking more than 300 Turkish
wines and pouring an amazing
47 by the glass, atmospherically
lit Solera is the city’s best wine
bar. Regulars head here a er
work for a glass accompanied by
a cheese plate; many stay on for
homemade pasta or perfect
steak. Bookings advisable.
(facebook.com/solerawiner y)
- STEP INTO A NOVEL
Nobel Prize-winning author
Orhan Pamuk’s 2008 novel
The Museum of Innocence has
given shape to a fascinating piece
of conceptual art: the real-life
Museum of Innocence occupies
a 19th-century timber house,
and its vitrines display a quirky
collection of objects that evoke
Istanbullu life in the mid- to late
20th century setting of the novel.
(masumiyetmuzesi.org)
- TAKE THE GRANDEST
OF TURKISH BATHS
Built in 1580 by the greatest
Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan,
and meticulously restored, Kılıç
Ali Pa a Hamamı is one of the
city’sbestoptionsfora clean
andenjoyableTurkishbath
experience.Thehamam’sinterior
is simplystunningandtheplaceis
runwithtotalprofessionalism.
(kilicalipasahamami.com)
- HAV E A HEARTY LU NCH
Notablelokantas(traditional
eateriesservingready-made
dishes)arerarein modern-day
Beyo lu, so bustlingHayvoreis
to becelebrated.It specialises
in BlackSeacuisine,withpilafs,
pides(Turkish-stylepizza)and
fishsoupsbestenjoyedat lunch.
(hay vore.com.tr)
THE URBAN EDIT