The Best New Shop and Restaurant Openings in Istanbul
Istanbul’s retail and restaurant scene is constantly growing. The latest openings attract not only locals but also visitors who want to experience the Turkish lifestyle. From attractive boutiques with beautiful homeware to brand new restaurants with creative menus, let Culture Trip guide you through Istanbul’s dining and shopping landscape, which you really should explore as soon as you can.
Palmhouse Living
There’s definitely a very sophisticated Mediterranean feel to the home decorative items of Palmhouse Living. Everything from the scented candles to the decorative pillows and framed art makes us think of a beautiful summer home right by the light blue sea. Make sure to drop by this shop to add a little bit of Mediterranean flair to your home.
Üvez Sokak, No. 12, Arnavutköy +90 532 777 22 92
Apparel
Serdar-ı Ekrem Street in the Galata neighbourhood is known for its cool boutiques, and the newly opened Apparel fits right in. From Herschel backpacks to Komono sunglasses, Native shoes to Stance socks, you’ll find brands for all tastes and budgets.
Serdar-ı Ekrem Caddesi No.9, Galata +90 212 270 65 16
Frescobol
Probably one of the most unique shops to open in Istanbul, Frescobol, as its name indicates, sells Brazilian paddle ball rackets. Of course, there are also tennis and badminton rackets on sale, as well as accessories for other sports, and very beautiful handmade skateboards.
İnebolu Sokak No.33, Kabataş +90 212 251 66 88
Shopi Go No.62
One of Istanbul’s most popular urban clothing stores, Shopi Go began as a website but has now opened its second and largest store with two floors full of stylish men’s and women’s clothing and accessories. You’ll find brands that will give you that perfectly modern look, such as Marni, J.W. Anderson, Marc Jacobs, and Simone Rocha.
Ahmet Fetgari Sokak No.62, Teşvikiye +90 444 8 684
Yeniköy Lokantası
Restaurant, Turkish
Yeniköy is a lovely neighborhood by the Bosphorus known for its Ottoman waterfront mansions and historic churches. Yeniköy Lokantası reflects its neighborhood not only with its name but also its casual atmosphere and delicious home cooked dishes. With seasonal ingredients that come directly from the Aegean region you can only imagine how delicious the classic Turkish olive oil dishes are, so choose a few to share.
Nur Muhammed
Restaurant, Malaysian
The city’s only Malaysian restaurant, Nur Muhammed is located in a historic neighborhood and overlooks the Mihrimah Mosque and the Edirnekapı Gate. On the menu you’ll find traditional Malaysian cuisine including rice and noodle dishes as well as soups. Definitely try the country’s national dish, the nasi lemak, which includes coconut milk rice with fried egg, cucumber, and spicy sambal sauce.
Grey
Cafe, Restaurant, Italian, Turkish
A very chic venue that quickly became quite popular with the neighborhood’s upscale crowd, Grey’s marble top tables and gold-rimmed mirrors all give off a sophisticated flair. On the menu you’ll find Italian classics with a twist, such as bruschetta with smoked salmon and avocado or cotoletta a la milanese. The desserts are also noteworthy, especially the molten chestnut cake which has a melted caramel center.
Küçük Kulüp Meyhane
Restaurant, Turkish
Modern interpretations of the classic Turkish tavern are very popular in Istanbul and Küçük Kulüp Meyhane is following suit with their laid-back venue and delicious meze. Choose from among the freshly made meze varieties from the glass display as soon as you walk in and make sure to order a bottle of rakı for an authentic Turkish tavern feast.