Every city in the world has those spots that are known only to the locals, which has great food and drinks. Usually, expats and foreigners stick to the more touristy areas and miss out on the wonderful places. Well, here I'm going to introduce some of the below the radar places in Istanbul where you can get good food and drinks.
Semolina
Semolina is located in Istanbul Kadıköy district. Maybe from the name, you can guess that what kind of food is best here. If not, it's Pasta, homemade pasta. Unfortunately, Fettuccine is the only kind of pasta on offer, but it is completely homemade.
Address: Semolina Kafe and Restoran, Ressam Şeref Akdik Sok. No: 7/A, Kadıköy
Limanda
Located in the Sarıyer neighborhood, can offer you the best atmosphere for a seafood restaurant. You can reserve a waterside table if you want to have the best experience. Be sure to make the reservation a few days in advanced.
Address: Limanda Balık Restaurano, Yeni Mahelle Cad. No: 118/A, Sarıyer
400˚C
Those who are fan of Italian food might be able to guess what this place serves well. No? Well its pizza. Some might even call it the best pizza in Istanbul, but you have to try and judge it for yourself. You can get toppings like mozzarella, gorgonzola, Napoli salami and prosciutto ham here.
Address: Avukat Süreyya Ağaoğlu Sok. No: 13, Teşvikiye
Sunday Café
This café is close in the same neighborhood as the 400C pizza place I mentioned above. They offer artisan coffee and tea, so it's a bit pricey, but it's worth it.
Address: Teşvikiye, Ahmet Fetgari Sk 44/B, 34365 Şişli/İstanbul, Türkiye
Pendor Corner
This place might not be so secret and off the charts as the rest of the ones on the list, but it could be a place that you would usually avoid. It is located in Taksim and it is packed. If you want to have a drink or two and enjoy the night-life, with good music, this place is for you.
Address: Yeşilçam Sk. No: 1, Beyoğlu
Semolina
Semolina is located in Istanbul Kadıköy district. Maybe from the name, you can guess that what kind of food is best here. If not, it's Pasta, homemade pasta. Unfortunately, Fettuccine is the only kind of pasta on offer, but it is completely homemade.
Address: Semolina Kafe and Restoran, Ressam Şeref Akdik Sok. No: 7/A, Kadıköy
Limanda
Located in the Sarıyer neighborhood, can offer you the best atmosphere for a seafood restaurant. You can reserve a waterside table if you want to have the best experience. Be sure to make the reservation a few days in advanced.
Address: Limanda Balık Restaurano, Yeni Mahelle Cad. No: 118/A, Sarıyer
400˚C
Those who are fan of Italian food might be able to guess what this place serves well. No? Well its pizza. Some might even call it the best pizza in Istanbul, but you have to try and judge it for yourself. You can get toppings like mozzarella, gorgonzola, Napoli salami and prosciutto ham here.
Address: Avukat Süreyya Ağaoğlu Sok. No: 13, Teşvikiye
Sunday Café
This café is close in the same neighborhood as the 400C pizza place I mentioned above. They offer artisan coffee and tea, so it's a bit pricey, but it's worth it.
Address: Teşvikiye, Ahmet Fetgari Sk 44/B, 34365 Şişli/İstanbul, Türkiye
Pendor Corner
This place might not be so secret and off the charts as the rest of the ones on the list, but it could be a place that you would usually avoid. It is located in Taksim and it is packed. If you want to have a drink or two and enjoy the night-life, with good music, this place is for you.
Address: Yeşilçam Sk. No: 1, Beyoğlu