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Elif Balci Fisunoglu, General Manager Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau
My favourite spots: Top restaurants:
Asitane Restaurant: I can say ‘A cultural experience’. It is located in Edirnekapı, considered by many to be one of the most important areas of historic Istanbul.The current menu features dishes originally prepared for the sumptuous celebration feast given for Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent’s two sons at Edirne Palace in November 1539 as well as classic dishes of Turkish cuisine. Asitane also offers a large selection of fine Turkish wines.
NAR Restaurant: Offers a menu of dishes representing traditional and historical Turkish cuisine, ranging from palace dishes to regional specialities. NAR Restaurant is devoted to the principle of natural, healthy eating, inspired by Turkey’s diverse provincial food cultures.
Matbah Restaurant: The Ottoman Palace Cuisine, where you can find a unique menu consisting of twenty-seven outstanding dishes from the kitchen of Sultan’s Palace for an exclusive taste.
Top three bars:
Suada: Enchanted island in the middle of the Bosphorus connecting Asia and Europe… It takes only five minutes' boat ride from a special boat deck. Its Olympic pool and bar is one of the main attractions of Istanbul. G Fish, Suda Kebap, 360, Mezzaluna and Coco Clementine provide a wide variety of food.
Reina: Located at the most important point of the Bosphorus. Specially lighted dance platform and DJ’s international music keep late hours. The glitter of the Bosphorus Bridge combines with the warming music and smiling service of Reina.
Sunset Grill & Bar: The terrace high above the Bosphorus gives a fantastic view of Istanbul. While enjoying the view of Europe and Asia you can find Mediterranean, Turkish, Japanese cuisine and an amazing wine list. One of the 'must-see' places of Istanbul.
Top three hot spots:
Historic Peninsula: Istanbul is a city where the past is very much alive; you can find a bit of history in every corner, yet the city is constantly changing. The historic peninsula remains the center of Istanbul’s cultural history, the point that connects the city’s own past spanning thousands of years. Literally, the city of Istanbul emerged, developed and flourished as a world city on this peninsula.
Bosphorus: Istanbul is the only city in the world spanning two continents; Asia and Europe. Two bridges of the Bosphorus symbolize this unique positioning. I believe that no words can describe Istanbul better than a sunset photograph of the mysterious Maiden Tower located in the middle of the Bosphorus, or a Picture of the Bosphorus Bridge illuminated at night.
Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar: Grand Bazaar is the world’s largest traditional covered market. The best place to start shopping is this historic bazaar which stands in one of the oldest settlements of the city. It contains 3,000 shops, 61 streets and two mosques. Whereas in the Spice Bazaar, the attractive smells of cumin, mint, cinnamon and countless other herbs and spices create an amazing ambiance.
The Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau (ICVB) was founded as a non-aligned, non-profit destination promotion and marketing organization in 1997 under the TUGEV umbrella. The aim of the organization is “to contribute to the development of tourism by promoting and marketing Turkey and particularly Istanbul’s potential for congresses, conferences, trade fairs and exhibitions, thus promoting congress and conference tourism in general and contributing to the promotion of Istanbul and Turkey.” www.icvb.org