City Guide

CHILL-OUT FESTIVAL ISTANBUL 2017

Chill-Out Festival Istanbul carries its standards further with the 12th edition. Accompanying a unique atmosphere right in the arms of nature, enlivening cultural and creative activities, specially designed shopping areas and luscious food & beverage options, this year’s Chill-Out Festival Istanbul will offer a broad music selection more diverse than ever. Detailed information to follow…
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SALT Galata

The works of Abbas Akhavan, Refik Anadol, Futurefarmers and Laure Prouvost can be watched in "Art Uses: Last Exhibition" which opened in the past days. SALT Galata, the 5-year "Art Uses" project of the European beauty confederation L'Internationale since 2012, Abbas Akhavan, Refik Anadol, Futurefarmers and Laure Prouvost. "Use of Art: Last Exhibition" which will…
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Börek (Patty)

Thought all börek was served at home or in bakeries? Think again. Particularly popular with plaza workers seeking an alternative to tost for breakfast in the morning, street börek usually comes with cheese between layers of dough. Unfortunately, most börek you’ll find on the street is rather bland in comparison to the homemade variety, but…
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Tavuk Pilav (Chicken Pilaf)

Ever thought you’d eat chicken and rice on a street corner? Probably not, but in Istanbul, that counts as lunch for a greater number of people than you’d imagine. It’s fast, hot and filling. It’s easy to spot the men selling it in glass-covered carts around town, but locals swear that there’s something special about…
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Kumpir (Baked Potato)

The ultimate baked potato goes by the name kumpir in Turkey, with Ortaköy being the most popular area in the city to eat it. As soon as you see the row of kumpir sellers, each trying to beckon you to their particular display, you’ll know you found the right place. With a myriad of toppings…
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Kokoreç

One of the most controversial street eats out there, kokoreç is actually spiced and skewered sheep’s intestines, served in either half or quarter of a bread loaf with plenty of grease and salt to go with. No wonder it’s everyone’s favourite post-drunk food – after all, it takes a real lack of inhibition to feast…
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Midye Dolma ( Stuffed Mussels)

More of a snack than a meal, midye dolma is none other than mussels on the half shell, mixed with spicy rice and served with a squeeze of lemon juice, served right out of a tray on every other street corner in Taksim at night. The trick with midye dolma is to keep eating as…
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Tantuni

A close relative of the dürüm, tantuni features beef, tomatoes, peppers and a generous sprinkling of spices wrapped in the thinnest tortilla imaginable. It usually comes in spicy and less-spicy versions, though most Mersin natives (the hometown of tantuni) believe it’s not the real thing unless it leaves a burn on your lips. One of…
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Dürüm (Roll)

Dürüm is one of the most democratic Turkish culinary inventions. Why? You’re just as likely to encounter it on a street corner as you are at the fanciest of restaurants. Whether it’s the chicken, beef, cheese or veggie variety you prefer,this meal in wrap form is sure to set you free from your hunger pangs.…
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Lahmacun (Turkish Pizza)

Often referred to by tourists as "Turkish pizza", lahmacun is a very uncomplicated meal of thin dough topped with a minced meat-onion-red pepper mixture, slid in the oven for a few minutes and served piping hot. It’s customary to top it with a handful of parsley and a squirt of lemon juice, then roll it…
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