A New Yorkesq bar near the section of Taksim in Istanbul. It was an amazing experience! Ugr takes…read moremixology to the next level making complex drinks look easy and tasty. He was incredibly interactive with the bar patrons, even asking what our favorite flavors were and made a specialty drink based of our tastes. Do not miss this hidden gem next time you are in Istanbul, you will not be disappointed.

Wonderful cocktails, great barmen and very good music. This place is really great. Perfect to warm…read moreup before going to a club.

Tonight's experience at Unter was nothing short of phenomenal. I am visiting my sister and her…read morehusband in Istanbul. We have had great food, but wanted a change in scenery and variety. Sissy scouted some locations in Karakoy and the three of us meandered the streets to check out our top picks. The area is a hip area of town with neat little shops and many unique restaurants and stores. We came back to Unter, and it was a great decision. The restaurant is small, but the large open windows make it feel airy and broad. Even though we were inside, it felt as though we were siting alongside the happening street. The ambiance from the neighborhood meshed smoothly with Unter. We enjoyed the music and took our time scoping out the menu. We began our meal with olives and a cheese plate. We all gushed over the four delicious cheeses which ranged from a comte-esque to a creamy soft cheese. The plate was sprinkled with fresh thyme which kicked up the flavors a notch. The olives were delish and had bits of lemon and garlic included. Our server also brought out bread and a flavorful spread that was tomato based with a peppery kick. My brother in law and I ordered the same meal (grilled tenderloin) and my sister ordered the salmon. Our food come out quickly and was pristine. All dishes were served with mashed potatoes. The foreign pungent cheese atop of them went beautifully with the creaminess of the potatoes and our steaks. My sister's salmon was cooked perfectly with crispy skin and tender fish. She also raved about the herbed zucchini salad that went with it. We were stuffed. But not too stuffed for dessert. Due to some food allergies, we decided to order a slice of flourless chocolate cake. This was the second best decision of the night (after choosing Unter, of course). This was not just any old wheat tee dessert; this was THE DESSERT. We "ooohed" and "aahed." We tasted and savored. Then I realized I forgot to take a picture of this pure dessert, so I got up to take a picture of the lovely cake itself. Perhaps the server saw the delight in our eyes, because almost as soon as we were done he placed another before our eyes. This kindness was gifted to us and was such a delight. The cake is the best flourless chocolate cake any of us had ever had. The texture was silky and fine and burst with flavor. The exterior had a nice crunch. The cake was so good that when we entered it was whole, and when we left there was only a slice or two left. And I promise we only ate two. And yes, I neglected to take a picture of the second slice as well. This meal was the best I have enjoyed in quite a while. The atmosphere was grand and the food was well prepared and organized. The chefs and menu planners have a strong understanding of flavor profiles. Unter is a must-visit restaurant, especially if you are in the area.

This place is a must. The atmosphere is very calm and inviting and the staff are so pleasant and…read morefriendly (and they speak English). The area is so chic and IG-able with its clean alleys and greenery ceilings!!!! COME HERE!! You will not be disappointed! I think there was a name change though so when you arrive it won't say Unter

If you are in the Macka Park/Besikitas areas, do check this out! This is located in the backstreets…read moreof the Macka area near the Macka and The W hotel. They have casual seating inside and a few tables outside. I looked at their Google Reviews and Instagram and asked the chef to "make it like that one" which was a double cheeseburger with garlic onion paste. The fries here were insane, they have a nice red pepper/oregano like seasoning, its the common seasoning they put on most restaurants in Istanbul.

I love Tarantula! Great decoration, interesting menu (twists on some classic Istanbul…read morefavorites...and they have sliders) and all affordable and fairly priced. Even though it opened just a few months ago, it's already super packed every night! We were a huge group of 12+ and the waitstaff was extremely accomodating and we had a really fun time. Would go back in a heartbeat.

Great kitchen and delicious foods. Around 50 different choices of beers . Complinentary of popcorns…read moreare great .

From the owner: Onlarca bira çeşidi, iyi müzik & iyi yemek ile birlikte.read more

Tiramisu + Turkish Tea = Happy times…read more Looking for something sweet away from the tourist traps , I fell upon this charming cafe. Located in the cool slightly gentrified neighborhood of Cihangir, this cool cafe is surrounded by slightly upscale restaurants, cafes and even wine shops. There is a full bar here and a great vibe. Sit outside to enjoy the people watching. Oh, Cihangir is a very cat friendly neighborhood. Don't be surprised to see a lot of little bowls of cat food and water for our furry purry street friends.

My brother and I came in for brunch on Sunday and we had amazing service. Our waiter was very kind…read moreand attentive. The food was delicious. My brother ordered a Mexican omelette, which he said was cooked to perfection. I ordered the French toast and fruit which I really enjoyed. We were both very satisfied with our meals. I definitely recommend this place!

I ventured over to the Asian or "Anatolya" side of Istanbul for a "Nightlife and Locals hangout"…read moretour and no one showed up for it. That being said, after dealing with the metro and getting lost, I wasn't about to give up and go back to my hotel. I looked for live music, but I wasn't able to find any in the area. I stumbled across this hipsterish place and went in for a beer. It had been pouring rain so it was nice to sit inside under a heater and take in the scenery. It was slow, but it was also a Sunday night. I had a local beer and the price wasn't bad at all. Staff was friendly.

This review is for the coffee. Place looks like a cute…read morehipster spot, and they had a big chalkboard on the street advertising their coffee menu, I stopped by to try something and enjoy 30-min of internet connection. Staff was very courteous and spoke English to me. I sat down and waited patiently for my cup of coffee. Seven minutes later a receive a really bad cappuccino, maybe among the worst I've ever had. I could barely finish my cup. Price for it was 7 Turkish lira -- not worth it. But hey, this looks like a cool place for happy hour and cocktails, so why not try that instead?