Salam

My tips for Istanbul is food related. For turkish sweets one good place I found in SultanAhmet was Hafiz Mustafa. The kebabs we tried from different restaurants were pretty similar in taste.

 Best kebab for me is cağ kebab, heritage of Arzum. Very limited in Istanbul.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/68nVCw8v7onDbd3w7?g_st%3Dcom.google.maps.preview.copy&source=gmail&ust=1734879846759000&usg=AOvVaw0CWzN-KrM5oBCBSu4Wj-j 6"> https://maps.app.goo.gl/68nVCw8v7onDbd3w7?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

There is a small place 20 to 25 mins from topkapi palace..  towards eminonu...

they cook meat chunks packed with fat pieces.. like a skewer for shawarma...

The only problem is limited space to sit. It was some cag kebab but need to search the name.

There is also kumkapi area.. where the seating is outside on each side of street.. alot of restaurants.. a few artisan are always going from table to table and playing guitar etc. You can sit any restaurant and eat as per your choice.

Also there is a pakistani restaurant at the end of the street.. lahore darbar hotel.. u can have tea there later.. something i missed for over 2 weeks when I went there..

Lastly, kumpir.. from ortakoy.. European side.. the best place as u have many places selling this. It's a but different street food, do try it once.

Lastly, the ice cream from buyukada... bigger of the prices island.. don't go after the cone.. go to anadalou club.. outside is a cart... younus ice cream.. he sells home made ice cream... the best you wud taste anywhere.

If you have to choose one of these 4 places.. go for the ice cream.

Somehow, the kebabs & schwarmas in turkish restaurants @ doha are tastier than those in istanbul . Maybe just my tastebuds 

I agree, but Cağ kebab is another level. I tasted turkish food in Amsterdam and Manhattan; yes, they are tastier

I agree, but Cağ kebab is another level. I tasted turkish food in Amsterdam and Manhattan; yes, they are tastier

https://maps.app.goo.gl/2jnCMJoAvJUJHF3Y6&source=gmail&ust=1734591292458000&usg=AOvVaw1IOo7PoX0D-yellIwfCjb o"> https://maps.app.goo.gl/2jnCMJoAvJUJHF3Y6

This place is alhamdulillah excellent.For Baklava try Karakoy Gulluoglu

: Hafiz Mustafa is good, but this is in my view another level

Best breakfast (cesme bazlama) located at the famous shopping street Bagdat Caddesi, I suggest from there, go to Kadikoy fish market, and later enjoy the best french dessert at Kuzguncuk, little french town. At night at Maiden tower, or buyuk camlica hill for bosphorus sunset view.