Explore Kadıköy
Sightseeing
Just a few minutes from the apartment, you get a wonderful view of the city.
The traffic free Bahariye Street can be considered as the most lively and famous place in Kadıköy. There is also an old fashioned tram operating from Kadıköy harbor. Bahariye Street is always lively and crowded. You may find variety of lovely cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants as well as quality shops and cultural event centers in the Bahariye Street. The Süreyya Opera House is the most eye catching building on the Bahariye Street.
7 locals recommend
Bahariye
The traffic free Bahariye Street can be considered as the most lively and famous place in Kadıköy. There is also an old fashioned tram operating from Kadıköy harbor. Bahariye Street is always lively and crowded. You may find variety of lovely cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants as well as quality shops and cultural event centers in the Bahariye Street. The Süreyya Opera House is the most eye catching building on the Bahariye Street.
The Bull Statue is one of the most popular symbols and meeting points of Kadıköy. The real name of the statue is “fighting bull statue” and it has a very intersting story that you might not imagine while you stare at the statue thinking that it’s just a statue. The Bull Statue is made by a French artist in Paris, in 1860s to symbolize the war won by France against Germany. It also symbolize power and strength. But in 1870s, this time Germany won the war against France and the Bull Statue was moved to Germany. In 1917, the German Emperor gave the Bull Statue as a present to İttihat and Terakki Community and the community gave it as a present to Enver Pasha.
34 locals recommend
KADIKÖY BOĞA HEYKELİ
Söğütlü Çeşme CaddesiThe Bull Statue is one of the most popular symbols and meeting points of Kadıköy. The real name of the statue is “fighting bull statue” and it has a very intersting story that you might not imagine while you stare at the statue thinking that it’s just a statue. The Bull Statue is made by a French artist in Paris, in 1860s to symbolize the war won by France against Germany. It also symbolize power and strength. But in 1870s, this time Germany won the war against France and the Bull Statue was moved to Germany. In 1917, the German Emperor gave the Bull Statue as a present to İttihat and Terakki Community and the community gave it as a present to Enver Pasha.
The Süreyya Opera House was designed as an opera, theater and ball house in 1927 by Süreyya İlmen Pasha but used to serve as cinema hall for many years. After a hard work in 2007, Süreyya Opera House was restored to its original and became the first opera house on Asian side.
89 locals recommend
Süreyya Opera House
No:29 General Asım Gündüz Cd.The Süreyya Opera House was designed as an opera, theater and ball house in 1927 by Süreyya İlmen Pasha but used to serve as cinema hall for many years. After a hard work in 2007, Süreyya Opera House was restored to its original and became the first opera house on Asian side.
Haydarpaşa Railway Station and Pier is one of the most popular landmarks of Kadıköy. People visiting Kadıköy by ferries first see is this glorious building. The Haydarpaşa Railway Station was first built by the Germans in 1908 as a monumental building for the Berlin-Bağdad railway project.
18 locals recommend
Haydarpaşa Garı
Haydarpaşa GarıHaydarpaşa Railway Station and Pier is one of the most popular landmarks of Kadıköy. People visiting Kadıköy by ferries first see is this glorious building. The Haydarpaşa Railway Station was first built by the Germans in 1908 as a monumental building for the Berlin-Bağdad railway project.
Istanbul Toy Museum is a very lovely museum that is situated in Göztepe neighborhood of Kadıköy. İstanbul Toy Museum was founded by Sunay Akın (the Turkish poet and novelist) on 23rd April 2005, on the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day.
56 locals recommend
İstanbul Oyuncak Müzesi
No:15 Dr. Zeki Zeren SkIstanbul Toy Museum is a very lovely museum that is situated in Göztepe neighborhood of Kadıköy. İstanbul Toy Museum was founded by Sunay Akın (the Turkish poet and novelist) on 23rd April 2005, on the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day.
Kadıköy's Tellalzade Street is home to a cluster of shops selling vintage telescopes, glasses, gaslamps, record players, radios and hidden gems waiting to be found underneath piles of dusty goods. You'll be dazzled by the ornate coffee cups on display here. Be sure to also check out the nearby Kadıköy Antiques Bazaar, where you'll find shops dealing in finer ornaments and antique furniture.
Tellalzade Sokak
Tellalzade SokakKadıköy's Tellalzade Street is home to a cluster of shops selling vintage telescopes, glasses, gaslamps, record players, radios and hidden gems waiting to be found underneath piles of dusty goods. You'll be dazzled by the ornate coffee cups on display here. Be sure to also check out the nearby Kadıköy Antiques Bazaar, where you'll find shops dealing in finer ornaments and antique furniture.
Kuzguncuk evleri
Kuzguncuk was the first Jewish village.
Çamlıca Tepesi yolu
Çamlıca Tepesi yoluOne of the best place to view the city.
Food Scene
Great food! Just a few minutes from the flat.
Kadıköy's beloved Italian eatery Aida is one of those place that feels more like a home than a restaurant. Inside, you’ll be greeted by a piano and family portraits lined along the staircase before being served an authentic Italian meal on dinnerware that looks as if it came from your grandmother’s house. We start with the appetizer plate with fried rice balls in a bolognaise sauce, meatballs and fava bean crocchettes, which strikes us as an inventive way to serve fava beans by breading and frying them. The seafood and shrimp fettuccine is fresh and perfectly al dente. Aida also makes its own breads and ice cream, though our favorite treat was the tiramisu made with Quarta coffee imported from Italy.
23 locals recommend
Aida - vino e cucina
No:10 Ressam Şeref Akdik SokağıKadıköy's beloved Italian eatery Aida is one of those place that feels more like a home than a restaurant. Inside, you’ll be greeted by a piano and family portraits lined along the staircase before being served an authentic Italian meal on dinnerware that looks as if it came from your grandmother’s house. We start with the appetizer plate with fried rice balls in a bolognaise sauce, meatballs and fava bean crocchettes, which strikes us as an inventive way to serve fava beans by breading and frying them. The seafood and shrimp fettuccine is fresh and perfectly al dente. Aida also makes its own breads and ice cream, though our favorite treat was the tiramisu made with Quarta coffee imported from Italy.
Çiya serves a variety of Anatolian dishes (mostly Eastern Mediterranean and Southeastern Anatolian), all made with ingredients imported from their native regions. Their wide selection of delicious dishes are accompanied by an assortment of herbs, most of which you’ve probably never have heard of. The two-storey venue offers such unusual dishes as şıhılmahşi (stuffed zucchini from the Kilis region), mualle (aubergine and lentil stew with pomegranate molasses), maş (mung bean) soup, malhıtalı (red lentil) soup, firik (grilled wheat) rice, sitti simidi (thin cracked wheat rice), and yeşil erik tavası (green plum stew).
187 locals recommend
Çiya Sofrası
Güneşli Bahçe SokağıÇiya serves a variety of Anatolian dishes (mostly Eastern Mediterranean and Southeastern Anatolian), all made with ingredients imported from their native regions. Their wide selection of delicious dishes are accompanied by an assortment of herbs, most of which you’ve probably never have heard of. The two-storey venue offers such unusual dishes as şıhılmahşi (stuffed zucchini from the Kilis region), mualle (aubergine and lentil stew with pomegranate molasses), maş (mung bean) soup, malhıtalı (red lentil) soup, firik (grilled wheat) rice, sitti simidi (thin cracked wheat rice), and yeşil erik tavası (green plum stew).
Bonkis doesn’t have a set “menu,” but on weekends you’ll find focaccia sandwiches (Saturdays) and burgers (Sundays). The burgers here are easily some of the best in Istanbul, served with a 120-g beef patty, cheese, mushrooms and caramelized onions as well as your choice of two sauces, with options like homemade tomato paste and eggplant pesto. The homemade breads are soft without being too greasy, which makes them the perfect complement to the beef patty covered in sauce. We also love that the burgers are served with green onion-potato salad instead of French fries.
7 locals recommend
Bonkis Bahce
No: 3/C Dr. Şakir Paşa Sk.Bonkis doesn’t have a set “menu,” but on weekends you’ll find focaccia sandwiches (Saturdays) and burgers (Sundays). The burgers here are easily some of the best in Istanbul, served with a 120-g beef patty, cheese, mushrooms and caramelized onions as well as your choice of two sauces, with options like homemade tomato paste and eggplant pesto. The homemade breads are soft without being too greasy, which makes them the perfect complement to the beef patty covered in sauce. We also love that the burgers are served with green onion-potato salad instead of French fries.
This sister restaurant to Bağdat Caddesi eatery Rotisserie Noir serves a French-inspired menu in a setting that’s much more spacious than the original. In contrast to the predominantly black décor of Rotisserie, Brasserie Noir boasts white tablecloths and chic red chairs as well as live music for dinner service. Our favorite starters include the shredded beef taco and the goat cheese tart with caramelized onions. Those who enjoy sweet-and-savory dishes should try the pide with Roquefort and pears. Red meat is the highlight of the menu here as it is at Rotisserie: in addition to sumptuous dishes like lamb karski and Noir beef cutlets, you’ll also find specialty meats like uykuluk. Brasserie builds on the good word of mouth Rotisserie achieved through its expertise in cooking techniques: in other words, you won’t be disappointed. Be sure to make reservations if you’d like to visit for Sunday brunch.
8 locals recommend
Brasserie Noir
455 1 Bağdat Cd.This sister restaurant to Bağdat Caddesi eatery Rotisserie Noir serves a French-inspired menu in a setting that’s much more spacious than the original. In contrast to the predominantly black décor of Rotisserie, Brasserie Noir boasts white tablecloths and chic red chairs as well as live music for dinner service. Our favorite starters include the shredded beef taco and the goat cheese tart with caramelized onions. Those who enjoy sweet-and-savory dishes should try the pide with Roquefort and pears. Red meat is the highlight of the menu here as it is at Rotisserie: in addition to sumptuous dishes like lamb karski and Noir beef cutlets, you’ll also find specialty meats like uykuluk. Brasserie builds on the good word of mouth Rotisserie achieved through its expertise in cooking techniques: in other words, you won’t be disappointed. Be sure to make reservations if you’d like to visit for Sunday brunch.
While it's unusual for an eatery with the word ‘meyhane’ in its name to not offer any fish, the idea here isn’t to have a full family meal; it’s to have a couple of bites to accompany your drink. Warm starters like kokoreç (seasoned, skewered lamb’s intestines), uykuluk (sweetbread) and döner kavurma (braised lamb) more than make up for the menu's lack of a main course. As for the meze, we suggest trying the fried eggplant topped with yogurt, garlic and tomato paste sauce; the haydari (yogurt spread seasoned with garlic, mint and dill), which is just as thick as it should be.
Moda Meyhanesi
82/B Moda Cd.While it's unusual for an eatery with the word ‘meyhane’ in its name to not offer any fish, the idea here isn’t to have a full family meal; it’s to have a couple of bites to accompany your drink. Warm starters like kokoreç (seasoned, skewered lamb’s intestines), uykuluk (sweetbread) and döner kavurma (braised lamb) more than make up for the menu's lack of a main course. As for the meze, we suggest trying the fried eggplant topped with yogurt, garlic and tomato paste sauce; the haydari (yogurt spread seasoned with garlic, mint and dill), which is just as thick as it should be.
Reinventing the humble dürüm (wrap) with gourmet influences, chefs Kaan Sakarya and Derin Arıbaş say that what sets the quality of their dürüm apart is their meat cooking technique as well as the spices and sauces they use. The ribs in their beef dürüm are slow-cooked for seven to eight hours, while the pickles and mustard sauce served alongside it are made using the chefs’ own recipes. Basta! also serves dürüm with homemade chorizo, smoked chicken and a daily-changing variety of vegetarian ingredients. The chefs’ talent really shines through in the desserts, like the vanilla sütlaç (rice pudding).
26 locals recommend
Basta! Street Food Bar
No:1 Sakız Sk.Reinventing the humble dürüm (wrap) with gourmet influences, chefs Kaan Sakarya and Derin Arıbaş say that what sets the quality of their dürüm apart is their meat cooking technique as well as the spices and sauces they use. The ribs in their beef dürüm are slow-cooked for seven to eight hours, while the pickles and mustard sauce served alongside it are made using the chefs’ own recipes. Basta! also serves dürüm with homemade chorizo, smoked chicken and a daily-changing variety of vegetarian ingredients. The chefs’ talent really shines through in the desserts, like the vanilla sütlaç (rice pudding).
Muutto
No:57 Cemal Süreya SkYou should definitely try this!
PAUL’S
53 Dr. Esat Işık Cd.müdavim lokantası
104 A Uzun Hafız Sk.Homemade delicious food!
Entertainment & Activities
Featuring multiple floors of cozy, dark seating with exposed brick walls, Karga is a great place to enjoy drinks with friends or quietly nurse one in a corner by yourself. Also one of the best venues for independent music on the Asian side, the top floor of the bar is home to the KargART stage which hosts several live concerts a week during the school year, spanning all genres of music imaginable.
96 locals recommend
Karga Bar
No:16 Kadife Sk.Featuring multiple floors of cozy, dark seating with exposed brick walls, Karga is a great place to enjoy drinks with friends or quietly nurse one in a corner by yourself. Also one of the best venues for independent music on the Asian side, the top floor of the bar is home to the KargART stage which hosts several live concerts a week during the school year, spanning all genres of music imaginable.
Opened in late 2016, Bina/Havuz is one of Kadıköy's most popular hangouts and regularly hosts talks, screenings, performance and other events curated by independent magazine Bant. The bottom floor garden is a wide open, smartly-designed space with plenty of room to wind down with friends over a few drinks, while the ground floor hosts DJs until well after midnight.
62 locals recommend
BİNA
26 Kadife Sk.Opened in late 2016, Bina/Havuz is one of Kadıköy's most popular hangouts and regularly hosts talks, screenings, performance and other events curated by independent magazine Bant. The bottom floor garden is a wide open, smartly-designed space with plenty of room to wind down with friends over a few drinks, while the ground floor hosts DJs until well after midnight.
One of many new arrivals in Kadıköy, the massive Dorock XL hosts concerts of Turkey's top musical acts and encapsulates a spacious lounge with indoor and outdoor seating. When bands aren't playing, the floor is likely to turn into a dance party even on weekdays – a testament to Dorock's popularity.
79 locals recommend
Dorock XL
3C Neşet Ömer Sk.One of many new arrivals in Kadıköy, the massive Dorock XL hosts concerts of Turkey's top musical acts and encapsulates a spacious lounge with indoor and outdoor seating. When bands aren't playing, the floor is likely to turn into a dance party even on weekdays – a testament to Dorock's popularity.
Elephant Pub Kadikoy
No:3 Damacı Sk.I need coffee!
Their dessert menu and counter will take your breath away the moment you walk in. Take a look at the library at the entrance; you can leave the book you finished and head out with a new one. The apple crumble and date cake are competing with each other for best flavor. Don’t worry about which one to pick, order them both and enjoy.
8 locals recommend
180 Coffee Bakery
Their dessert menu and counter will take your breath away the moment you walk in. Take a look at the library at the entrance; you can leave the book you finished and head out with a new one. The apple crumble and date cake are competing with each other for best flavor. Don’t worry about which one to pick, order them both and enjoy.
Küff Yeldeğirmeni
No:54 Karakolhane Cd.Chill!
Kronotrop Moda
No:14 Dr. Esat Işık Cd.☕
Asuman
No:9/a Şair Nefi Sk.Who loves chocolate?
City advice
Useful phrases
Market nerede?
(Where is the market?)
Useful phrases
Hastane nerede?
(Where is the hospital?)
Useful phrases
Eczane nerede?
(Where is the pharmacy?)
Useful phrases
Oraya nasıl gidebilirim?
(How can I get there?)
Useful phrases
Bu ne kadar?
(How much is this?)
Useful phrases
Bir su alabilir miyim?
(Can I have water?)