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WANDERLUST / Istanbul

Istanbul

Fast factsCountry: Turkey / Region: Marmara / Airport: Istanbul Atatürk Airport (IST)

Time: UTC +2, daylight savings during summer / Currency: Turkish Lira (₺ / TRY) / Population: 14 million

Country Code: +90 / Area code: 216 (Asia side), 212 (Europe side) / O�cial language: Turkish

�e Süleymaniye Mosque. Image by Stefan Holm/Shutterstock

Power: 230V, plug types C and F

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About

Since 2013, ArtInternational has brought together leading local and international galleries. An impressive programme of exhibitions, events and forums complete the week-long event held in September.istanbulartinternational.com

�e Istanbul International Architecture and Urban Films Festival is part of the Architecture and Urban Festival organised annually by the Chamber of Architects of Turkey. �e week-long event starts with World Architecture Day on the �rst Monday of October. �e �lms, as you can imagine, focus on the built environment. archlmfest.org

Istanbul Design Week will be celebrating ten years this October. Over �ve days a variety of venues play host to exhibitions, installations, conferences, workshops, panels and conferences. istanbuldesignweek.com

�e Istanbul Design Biennial was �rst organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts in 2012 with the idea of promoting the importance of design and culture for the economy. During the two-month period (October to December) the city comes alive with a series of curated exhibitions, design walks, seminars, �lm screenings and much more.istanbuldesignbiennial.iksv.org

Contemporary Istanbul is now in its ninth year, and is the city’s �rst international contemporary art fair. Close to 100 exhibitors from around the world showcase their work, plus there is a series of talks, conferences and VIP events over a period of four days in November.contemporaryistanbul.com

When to GoIstanbul’s climate is not easily categorised due to the city’s size, location, diverse topography and many coastlines. �ere are several microclimates that fall somewhere between Mediterranean, humid subtropical and oceanic. Winter (December to February) in Istanbul is substantially colder than other cities in the Mediterranean region, with average temperatures dipping as low as 3°C (37°F). �e weather in spring and autumn is milder, but can be wet and windy. Summer ( June to August) temperatures reach as high as 41°C (106°F), with an average high around 26°C (79°F). �e most ideal times to visit are mid-May to the end of June and September to mid-October. �e burgeoning design scene is reason enough to visit; here are a few events you might like to plan your trip around.

Istanbul is a city of nearly unparalleled historical and cultural signi�cance. Spread across both banks of the Bosphorus River with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia, the city has long played a strategic role in, quite literally, bridging the cultures and traditions of East and West, while its unique geography has thrust it into the centre of world history

time and again. Capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople, as it was �rst known, £ourished as the western terminus of the Great Silk Road. Evidence of this legacy is still visible today in the bustling bazaars that brim with exotic spices, and the crumbling walls that once enclosed the world’s most heavily forti�ed city. Later, under the Ottoman Empire, the city was renamed and rose again in prominence, this time as the epicentre of Islamic culture with its rich artistic and architectural forms. �e Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and traditional hammams, all teeming with lavish textiles, mosaics and calligraphic art, recall this rich heritage.

To visit Istanbul today is to walk thrugh history, both ancient and contemporary. Mediaeval city planning, arcaded avenues and cobblestone streets give visual record to its inheritance while housing an array of modern galleries, boutiques and cafes. Sumptuous sweet shops will tempt you with their cases brimming with colourful Turkish delight, marbled halva and geometric baklava; at night, historic passages clamour with patrons commanding trays of meze and bottles of raki while buskers on accordions and clarinets �ll the air with their melancholic melodies. We highly recommend a read of Orhan Pamuk’s Istanbul, considered the uno¦cial memoir of the city, to fully prepare your senses for the delight that awaits you here, at the crossroads of history and world traditions. Enjoy!

Top: �e Golden Horn, Istanbul. Image by Boris Stroujko/ShutterstockBottom: Decorative tiles inside Topkapi Palace. Image by saiko3p/Shutterstock

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Where to Stay4Floors IstanbulTercuman Cikmazi 20, Tomtom Mahallesi, Karaköy, Beyoğlu / 4£oorsistanbul.com

As the name suggests, this boutique accomodation in the creative neighbourhood (that used to be called Galata and sometimes still is) is laid out over four £oors, one apartment per £oor. Owner Sema Topaloğlu also happens to be a designer, so you know the spaces are tastefully decorated. Furnished with a mix of her own designs, as well as pieces by a roster of international designers, the apartments are spacious with high ceilings and feature panoramic views of the Bosphorus.

Four SeasonsTevkifhane Sokak 1, 34122 Sultanahmet / fourseasons.com

�is luxury chain actually has two locations in the city where east meets west — one on the Bosphorus, one in the old town of Sultanahmet — but the Sultanamet location is particularly special. Here you’ll �nd 65 rooms housed in a charmingly restored, century-old neoclassical former prison. �e hotel is only minutes’ walk from the most treasured architectural and religious relics — the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.

Georges Serdar-I Ekrem Sokak 24, Müeyyedzade Mahallesi, Galata, Beyoğlu / georges.com

�is small hotel is tucked away on a quiet lane, and on �rst entry you’ll feel you’ve walked into the most glamorous bar in town. �e building is historical, but the interiors have tastefully been brought into the 21st century. �ere are 20 rooms in total, some of which have sea views. �e ground -£oor lobby/bar is also a restaurant, and management will be happy to organise in-room yoga sessions if you feel the need.

HeirloomAdile Naşit Sokak (G-4 Sk.) 6, 34433, Kuloğlu Mahallesi, Cihangir / heirloomistanbul.com

Heirloom, a relatively new boutique hotel of only �ve rooms, is eco-friendly and design-oriented. Housed in a �ve-storey Ottoman-era building that has been painstakingly renovated by husband-and-wife team Dilek Çamli and Ender Sezgin, the hotel is located near the charming

Çukurcuma neighbourhood, which is known for its antique shops. �e design of the building was inspired by the leader of the Arts & Crafts movement, William Morris, and includes many of his wallpaper designs throughout. All the materials are natural, and use of chemicals has been kept to a minimum.

House HotelsAbdi İpekçi Caddesi 34, Harbiye Mahellesi, Nişantaşi, Şişli / thehousehotel.com

�e House group of hotels, the same group as the House Cafe (see Where to Eat and Drink), has four di°erent locations, all unique. �e Nişantaşi outpost is located in the middle of one of Istanbul’s chicest neighbourhoods, surrounded by high-end shopping and dining locations, while the Karaköy outpost has its own in-house art concierge. �e group was founded by three friends, one the brother of local design talent Seyhan Özdemir of Autoban (see page 76), so it’s no surprise that Autoban has designed several of the hotels and cafes. �e group’s ethos is a°ordable luxury, and they deliver this in spades.

Istanbul EDITIONBüyükdere Caddesi 136, Levent Mahellesi, Beşiktaş / editionhotels.com/istanbul

Eight years after NYC-based Gabellini Shepherd �rst designed it, the Istanbul EDITION hotel still looks as modern and fresh as ever. �e modern tower is home to 78 guest rooms plus a luxurious full-£oor penthouse. Two restaurants and a club, plus full spa, business centre and a screening room round out the facilities.

SOHO HouseMeşrutiyet Caddesi 56, Evliya Çelebi Mahallesi, Beyoğlu / sohohouseistanbul.com

Located in the heart of Beyoğlu and spread across four impressive buildings, one of which was built in 1873 as the home of a Genoese shipbuilder and later housed the US Embassy. �e hotel has 87 rooms, all designed by CEO Nick Jones and in-house design director Vicky Charles, whose inspiration was taken from the city and its mixed design traditions. Many of the furnishings were sourced from local craftsmen. On site are the members’ club, several restaurants, Cowshed spa, gym, two rooftop pools and a screening room.

Top: �e new Soho House in BeyoğluBottom: �e EDITION Hotel

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Where to Eat and drink

360Istanbul Istiklal Caddesi Misir Apt 163/8, Beyoğlu and others / 360istanbul.com

�is award-winning bar, restaurant and club is situated in the penthouse of a 19th-century apartment building on Istiklal Caddesi, one of the city’s most popular thoroughfares. �e views are spectacular and, as is alluded to in the name, provide a 360-degree panorama of the city. An extensive menu is available for those who wish to eat, but it seems most of the patrons are here to drink and be seen. �e latest outpost by the 360 team is 360Istanbul East Moda (360istanbuleast.com), where you can enjoy equally breathtaking views from the eastern shores of the Bosphorus.

Hünkar Mim Kemal Öke Caddesi 21, Nişantaşi, Şişli / hunkarlokantasi.com

If traditional Turkish and Ottoman cuisine is what you seek, then �nd yourself at a table at Hünkar. Founded by Talip Ügümü in 1950, the restaurant is now run by Ügümü and his three sons plus a few grandsons who still serve the same quality meals in their simple and unpretentious restaurant. Typically a meal here starts with soup and will involve some sort of meat dish; however, vegetarians need not worry as there is also a wide variety of vegetable dishes available — in fact, Hünkar is said to be the only restaurant in Istanbul to be approved by the Vegan Society in the US.

Meze by Lemon TreeMeşrutiyet Caddesi 83/B, Asmali Mescit Mahallesi, Beyoğlu / mezze.com.tr

In this small meyhane (the word for a traditional restaurant or bar in Turkey) opposite the grand iconic Pera Palace Hotel, the dining concept is of course meze — a succession of small dishes, warm or cold, that are typically consumed with some type of alcohol, which in Istanbul would be raki. �e meze here represent a modern take on traditional dishes and are produced with fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. �ere are only seven tables, so be sure to make a reservation.

�e House Cafe Asmali Mescit 9/1–2 Beyoğlu and others / thehousecafe.com

�e numerous and reliable House Cafes are scattered throughout the city, with seven locations in total. �e Tünel outpost in particular, situated in a century-old passage, is quite atmospheric as well as conveniently located. �e basement has been converted from a wine cellar and doubles as a private venue space. �e menu, the same throughout the outlets, o°ers a selection of Turkish and international £avours, catering for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Paired with great co°ee and a tempting selection of cakes and desserts, a meal in one of their locations will be hard to avoid.

AlanchaMaçka Kempinski Residence, Hüsrev Gerede Caddesi, Şehit Mehmet Sokak 9, Maçka, Beşiktaş / alancha.com

Alancha, one of Istanbul’s latest and greatest gastronomic outposts, is the brainchild of progressive Turkish chef Kemal Demirasal. �e hip modern interior, designed by Gürcan Dere of Cacti Architecture and Design, plays the perfect backdrop to a delicious, theatrical and contemporary multi-course tasting menu — if you allow yourself. Go on, do it — it’s an experience you won’t forget anytime soon. And get the wine pairing while you’re at it!

CezayirHayriye Caddesi 12, Galatasaray, Beyoğlu / cezayir-istanbul.com

Cezayir consists of a series of spaces, both indoor and outdoor — a lounge, bar and dining salon, an undercover garden room, and a series of meeting rooms of varying sizes. Occupying most of an impressive historic building that was formerly an Italian school, the cosy spaces are deceptively large. �e menu consists of contemporary Turkish cuisine and an intriguing list of cocktails. Apparently a favourite after-work hangout for architects, designers and other creative types.

Yeni LokantaKumbaraçi Yokuşu Sokak 66, Kumbaraci Mahallesi, Beyoğlu / lokantayeni.com

After a stint at one of Istanbul’s �rst fusion restaurants, Changa, chef Civan Er opened Yeni Lokanta (yeni meaning ‘new’, lokanta meaning ‘canteen’ or ‘diner’) just a few years ago. Despite its newcomer status, Yeni Lokanta has been hailed as a game changer in the local dining scene. Enjoy a selection of meze that combine traditional and fusion in a French bistro-style interior that manages to balance elegance and comfort.

Park ŞamdanMim Kemal Öke Caddesi 18/1, Nişantaşi, Şişli / parksamdan.com

Set within a lush green park in the fashionable Nişantaşi quarter is Park Şamdan. �e rather elegant restaurant belongs to Chef Hüseyin Gürsoy, who specialises in classic Turkish cuisine with a European touch. �e perfect spot to celebrate a special occasion — or just a regular weekday lunch with Istanbul’s high society.

Pierre Loti Hill İdris Köşkü Caddesi 34050, Eyüp / pierrelotitepesi.com

Literally o° the beaten track, a visit to Pierre Loti Hill’s hotel and restaurants requires more than just a little detour, so make sure you have plenty of time before you make the diversion. �e view over the Golden Horn from its hilltop vantage point — particularly the Teras Cafe —is certainly worth the trouble, and is reason alone to make the cable car journey or the walk through the cemetery. �e area is named for the French naval o¦cer-turned-novelist Louis-Marie-Julien Viaud, who used the pen name Pierre Loti and frequented the spot for inspiration, though it has seen extensive upgrades in facilities since his time.

Rami Utangac Sokak 6, Cankurtaran Mahellesi, Sultanahmet / ramirestaurant.com

Rami is located in a charming Ottoman-era weatherboard home in the historic neighbourhood of Sultanahmet, and overlooks the Blue Mosque. �e food is based on traditional Ottoman cuisine, and lamb features extensively. �e interior is as charming as the exterior, and is decorated with pieces by the restaurant’s namesake, Turkish impressionist painter Rami Uluer. �e enviable view from the top £oor is reason

Mikla¥e Marmara Pera Hotel, Meşrutiyet Caddesi 15, Asmali Mescit Mahallesi, Beyoğlu / miklarestaurant.com

From the top £oor of the Marmara Pera Hotel, at almost any table (thanks to the mirror-lined walls) you will dine overlooking one of the best views of Istanbul. �ankfully the food and the service are as memorable as the view. Choose from prix �xe, a-la-carte or the innovative multi-course tasting menu by Turkey’s most recognised celebrity chef, Mehmet Gürs.

Alancha’s modern interior provides the perfect backdrop to its menu

enough to dine here, so make a reservation and make sure you get a table by the window to see the sun setting behind this iconic landmark.

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Where to Shop

Istanbul is widely regarded as a shopper’s mecca. Bazaars are a must, starting with the Grand Bazaar (Büyük Çarşi), which happens to be one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. Here you’ll �nd a wide variety of goods. A slightly less crowded and pushy alternative is the Arasta Bazaar. Meanwhile, the Spice Bazaar specialises in

spices, dried fruits and legumes, while most neighbourhoods hold their own weekly markets selling everything from food to kitchen equipment. If that’s not enough to keep you occupied, here are a few of our favourite stores around the city.

Antijen DesignLüks Apt 9B, Yeni Carşi Caddesi, Galatasaray, Beyoğlu

Designer Nilüfer Karaca’s boutique Antijen Design is located on the fashionable Yeni Carşi Caddesi strip, just a few steps from the uber-trendy Munferit bar and restaurant. All of the pieces are made on site — in fact, her atelier is visible at the back of the boutique. We particularly loved the dresses, which have an urban, architectural edge to them.

A La TurcaFaikpaşa Yokuşu 4, Çukurcuma, Beyoğlu / alaturcahouse.com

Quite simply a must-see. Owner Erkal Aksoy has created an antiques emporium like no other in a charming four-storey townhouse in Çukurcuma, Istanbul’s most beloved antiques district. �e experience of entering the store is akin to Alice getting lost down the rabbit hole. You may never �nd your way out, and we’re betting you won’t mind one bit. �e store is merchandised to resemble a house — one of a frenzied but elegant and knowledgeable collector. Here you’ll �nd furniture, lighting, ceramics, art and of course rugs. You are in Turkey, after all…

Autoban GallerySüleyman Seba Caddesi 16–20, Sinanpaşa Mallahesi, Beşiktaş / autoban212.com

Seyhan Özdemir and Sefer Çağlar, the creative duo behind Istanbul’s most famous design �rm Autoban, are also responsible for some outstanding pieces of furniture and lighting design, produced predominantly for the De La Espada brand. You’ll see their designs around the city, notably in the House Cafes and House Hotels, and here you have the opportunity to purchase something for yourself.

Deniz TuncAda Apt 22/2, Abdi Ipekçi Caddesi, Nişantaşi, Şişli / deniztunc.com

Local designer Deniz Tunc studied both set design and industrial design, and calls herself an ‘ambience consultant’. Tunc opened her Nişantaşi boutique in 2000, when she launched her �rst furniture collection Neo-Ottoman. �e name says it all — her work is a contemporary take on the rich culture and history of her home country.

BNG DesignMüze Sokak 34, Piri Mehmet Paşa Mallahesi, Hasköy, Beyoğlu / bng-design.com

Founded by Turkish fashion designers Bülent and Nilgün Gülen in 2004, BNG was the �rst Turkish brand to show at the prestigious Milan Fashion Week. �eir designs have a modern yet timeless edge which we love and can be purchased directly from their boutique, located inside a restored 18th-century building in the Beyoğlu district.

Ayşe OrberkTurnacibaşi Sokak 51, Çukurcuma, Beyoğlu

Not far from A La Turca, in both location and style, is Ayşe Orberk’s outstanding eponymous antique store. Set in a century-old building, each of the three £oors is charmingly cluttered with furniture, silverware, crystalware, antique books, paintings and other treasures.

Gönül PaksoyAtiye Sokak 1, Harbiye Mallahesi, Nişantaşi, Şişli

Turkish designer Dr Gönül Paksoy is more likely to be described as an artist than a fashion designer, choosing to display her new collections in museum-like spaces rather than on a catwalk. Most of her pieces are one-o°s, and are created using antique Ottoman-era fabrics and carpets or hand-woven, hand-dyed textiles (she completed her PhD on natural dyes), which are all hand-sewn. Her boutique is another must-see, displaying her unique experimental creations: clothing, shoes, accessories, jewellery and books that Paksoy has authored or edited, all in a stark but elegant space.

NyksSerdar-i Ekrem Caddesi 49/1A, Şahkulu Mahallesi, Karaköy, Beyoğlu / nyks.com.tr

�e name of this lovely candle boutique is derived from the Turkish spelling for the Greek Goddess of the Night — Nyx, creator of both brightness and day. Co-founders Merve Tatari and Deniz Yurtkuran opened the store just last year but are already attracting a lot of attention. �eir candles are hand made from organic materials — they’re olive oil-based as opposed to being made from para¦n wax, so you won’t be inhaling any chemicals — and contain pure essential oils sourced locally like laurel, thyme, bergamot, mandarin, rosemary, lavender and cinnamon. �e candles are sold in beautiful reusable containers of either copper or naturally pigmented glass. Guilt-free shopping — you have to love that.

Yastik by Rifat Özbek Şakayik Sokak, Olcay Apt 13/1, Teşvikiye, Nişantaşi, Şişli / yastikbyrifatozbek.com

Turkish designer Rifat Özbek, who studied fashion and architecture at what is now known as Central Saint Martins College in London, turned his skills to producing cushions (yastik is the Turkish word for cushion or pillow) in 2005. Özbek is known worldwide for his use of exuberant colours and traditional hand-woven silk ikat and hand-embroidered suzani textiles. His £agship store in Istanbul is a clean, gallery-like space that will have you lusting after all the merchandise.

TAR TARBoğazkesen Caddesi 66/A, Tophane, Beyoğlu / tartargoods.com

�is is a small, unassuming store that might easily be missed, but trust us, you don’t want to do that. Jewellery designer Pinar Gercek founded the company in 2011 and based the name and logo on the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat, one of her favourite artists. Working with a wide variety of materials (including rope, fabric, leather, brass, wood, metal, semi-precious stones, crystal and resin), Gercek makes each piece herself by hand. Her work is modern, playful and accessible, and is inspired by a variety of sources from ethnic/tribal dress to everyday found objects.

A La Turca Yastik by Rifat Özbek

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Arterİstiklal Caddesi 211, Beyoğlu / www.arter.org.tr

Arter, a contemporary art institution, was founded in 2010 as a platform for exhibiting contemporary art. �e space hosts regularly rotating exhibitions by the likes of Marc Quinn and Kutluğ Ataman.

Borusan ContemporaryBaltalimani Hisar Sokak, Perili Köşk 5, Rumelihisari, Sariyer / borusancontemporary.com

Located in the ‘Haunted Mansion’, one of the most signi�cant historical buildings in the charming Rumelihisari neighbourhood along the Bosphorus, Borusan Contemporary  is one of Istanbul’s most successful art spaces. �e site-speci�c installations and well-curated new media and experimental pieces help propel Borusan towards its ambition — to place Turkish art in an international context.

Istanbul Modern Meclis-i Mebusan Caddesi, Liman İşletmeleri Sahasi Antrepo 4, Karaköy, Beyoğlu / istanbulmodern.org

Istanbul’s �rst private museum dedicated to modern art occupies a large warehouse on Galata Pier, and is always worth the trip. Its waterfront location makes a visit even more worthwhile when the weather is sunny, and is best enjoyed at the museum’s outdoor terrace overlooking the Bosphorus. Istanbul Modern teams up with the MoMA each year to bring the YAP Istanbul Modern: Young Architects Programme.

Museum of InnocenceÇukurcuma Caddesi, Dalgiç Çikmazi 2, Çukurcuma, Beyoğlu / en.masumiyetmuzesi.org

We highly recommend you read the book of the same title by renowned Turkish author and Nobel Prize recipient Orhan Pamuk before embarking on a trip to Istanbul, let alone the museum. It’s a desperately tragic novel that

Cultural Destinations

Design Anthology’s ¨ights to and from Istanbul were kindly provided by Turkish Airlines.

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Pera MuseumMeşrutiyet Caddesi 65, Tepebaşi, Beyoğlu / peramuzesi.org.tr

Ever since its opening in 2005, Pera Museum has brought a massive programme of curated exhibitions including Rembrandt, Joan Miró, Akira Kurosawa, Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, Fernando Botero, Frida Kahlo and Francisco Goya. More recently, the private museum organised the �rst major exhibition of sculptor and painter Alberto Giacometti in Turkey, in collaboration with the Giacometti Foundation in Paris.

Pilot GaleriSiraselviler Caddesi 83/2, Cihangir, Beyoğlu / pilotgaleri.com

Pilot was founded back in 2011 to function as a multi-functional art space, and it has become an established art institution in no time. One recent outstanding exhibition consisted of the latest works by Halil Altindere, a successful contemporary artist focusing on the resistance to repressive structures and marginalisation within o¦cial systems of representation. �e space next door, Co-Pilot, regularly organises talks, forums, screenings, performances and workshops.

SaltBankalar Caddesi 11, Karaköy, Beyoğlu / saltonline.org

Salt is a non-pro�t, experimental and innovative art museum located within the former Imperial Ottoman Bank headquarters designed by the French architect Alexandre Vallaury in the 19th century. �e museum is directed by Vasif Kortun, who is listed among the 100 most powerful �gures in the contemporary art world.

will have you wandering the streets looking at everyone and everything, trying to spot the protagonist, his lover and the apartment block that was the backdrop to their regular trysts. It’s essential for a visit to this museum, and the museum should de�nitely be on your list.

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While Istanbul has certainly become a design city on an international level, Autoban is still arguably the country’s best-known design studio. Responsible for some of Istanbul’s most achingly hip dining destinations and hotels, Autoban has also designed several collections of furniture and lighting for international brand De La Espada.

�eir style is instantly recognisable and has helped catapult them beyond hometown stardom. Founders and creative directors Seyhan Özdemir and Sefer Çağlar share with Design Anthology some of their favourite Istanbul destinations.

290 sqm: �is is the Istanbul outpost of the Amsterdam-based lifestyle store. Alongside hard-to-�nd Nike Airs and apparel from the likes of Raf Simons x Fred Perry, the store also o°ers magazines and co°ee table books. Serdar-i Ekrem Caddesi 27A, Karaköy, Beyoğlu / 290sqm.com

Bey: Bey means ‘man’ in Turkish, and this contemporary menswear store located in Karaköy carries brands like A.P.C. and SANDRO, to name a few. Mumhane Caddesi 54/1, Kemankeş Mahallesi, Karaköy, Beyoğlu / beykarakoy.com

Gaspar: Housed in an early 20th-century building that was originally erected to function as a letterpress printing house, Gaspar (see bottom left of facing page) is the sibling restaurant/bar of Münferit, overseen by the same self-taught chef Ferit Sarper. �e food is a well-blended mix of local and international £avours designed for sharing. Necati Bey Caddesi/Arapoğlan Sokak 6, Mueyyetzade Mahallesi, Karaköy, Beyoğlu

Gram: We wouldn’t know what we were having for lunch, if Gram, with whom we share the same street, didn’t exist. �is is a small, lunch-only eatery o°ering a wide range of cold dishes as well as a few hot dishes, which rotate on a regular basis depending on what the season o°ers. At Gram, the food is always good and healthy. Meşrutiyet Caddesi 107D, Asmali Mescit Mahallesi, Beyoğlu

MaeZae: �is store, also in Karaköy, feels like you are at a friend’s apartment and going through his or her belongings. From Marvis toothpastes to handmade ceramic objects and vintage one-o° furniture pieces, there’s so much you’d want to borrow from that friend. Hoca Tahsin Sokak 6/A, Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa Mahallesi, Karaköy, Beyoğlu / maezae.com

Magnolia Culture: A bookstore and more, since there are also decorative objects on sale. We were delighted to see our own book Autoban: Form. Function. Experience. published by Gestalten displayed in the window of this beautiful store. Hüsrev Gerede Caddesi 94, Teşvikiye, Nişantaşi, Şişli / facebook.com/magnoliaculture

Münferit: Opened in 2010, Münferit (see top of facing page) brought a contemporary and international approach to the traditional Turkish meyhane culture, and has quickly become a classic among the city’s �ne diners. Best food ever. Yeni Carsi Caddesi 19, Galatasaray, Beyoğlu / munferit.com.tr

�e bar with no name: �ere is this tiny bar tucked away in one of the many side streets of Beyoğlu. �e owners, one a self-taught mixologist, the other an entrepreneur of all sorts, didn’t even bother to name their bar. Serving old-school cocktails in a very intimate space, the bar is one of the best-kept secrets in the city. Gönül Sokak 7B, Asmali Mescit Mahallesi, Beyoğlu

Coming soon and we are very much excited about…

Autoban Bomonti Design Base: Towards the end of the year we’re moving our head o¦ce to the Bomonti Culture and Entertainment Center, which is a complex being converted from a historic brewery. We will not only move our o¦ces but also will create a design base featuring a design library, workshop areas, design market, etc.

Seyhan Özdemir & Sefer Çağlar’s Istanbul Favourites

Clockwise from top: Münferit, Nopa and Gaspar, all designed by Autoban