In Conversation with Burak Bener of Montag Coffee
If you've been in Kadiköy Merkez, trying to push through the crowds, then it's very possible you've missed this gem of a coffee shop....
From Boza to Bourbon: Norm Coffee
Norm Coffee is the brainchild of Cem Bozkuş and Gizem Yavuz, who met while working at Cihangir’s hip Kronotrop. Cem, who studied physics in...
İslam Araştırma Merkezi ISAM – A Researcher’s Paradise
The constant crowds and the endless rushing can sometimes make Istanbul feel like the least conducive city for study. What's more, the never ending...
Awkward Tales from the ‘Bul #6: On the Power of ‘Lütfen’
‘Musait bir yerde inebilir miyim?’ (Turkish for, ‘may I get off in the next available place?) doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. In fact,...
April 22 Preview: Bosphorus Review of Books Chats with Writer Burhan...
Istanbul is a good city for writers. They have been living here forever, from Turks like Elif Şafak and Yaşar Kemal to foreigners like...
From Boza to Bourbon: Külhanbeyi
In the back alleys of Tünel there is a bar. It has no sign or street entrance. You can call it a speakeasy. You...
Take 5: Balat
Since I moved to Izmir for work, my visits to Istanbul have become more dedicated, more concentrated. Now, every time I return I feel...
A Glimpse into Müz Botanik Kafe
During my first few days in Istanbul, I happened to pass Müz Botanik Kafe by chance. I was in a hurry, but the little...
Take 5: Karaköy (Shopping Edition)
Karaköy is a unique neighborhood with a mishmash of art, culture and food all packed into a zigzag of tiny streets and alleys. Although...
From Boza to Bourbon: Dem Karaköy
It seems everywhere you look in Istanbul there is a coffee shop (or soon to be one). The hip Karaköy district is no exception;...
Ambling Through Arnavutköy
Every once in a while, you come across a place that feels like a home away from home. As an expat, this feeling can...
Venue Spotlight: The Hidden Terrace of #bunk taksim Hostel
#bunk kicked off in 2011 with the aim of bringing high-quality, stylish hostel accommodation to Istanbul in an affordable package. With two locations currently in the...
Awkward Tales from the ‘Bul #1: On Residence Permit Applications
Every yabancı has at least one tale of woe and regret when it comes to residence permit applications in Istanbul. I am no exception.
After passing...
Come what may, Spoken Word Istanbul is here to stay
“There are just three rules: No Racism, no sexism, and no homophobia.”
Rules? I thought this was an open-mic event. There shouldn’t be any rules.
“You...
In Praise of Book Clubs: Istanbul Edition
You know the situation. Your friend keeps talking about a book they’ve just read. ‘It’s the greatest book, ever!’ they say. ‘It’s witty/astute/heart-rending/awe-inspiring/jaw-dropping/sensational/life-affirming.’ Eventually,...
What Colour is Spring?
In Istanbul it is pink. Or it is purple? Rather something in between, or – as the locals say – the color of erguvan.
Every...
I’ll take you to the Pudding Shop: A taste of...
My first introduction to Istanbul came via embellished story, when my father regaled me as a pre-teen with tales of his freewheelin' hippie misadventures traveling...
Top 10 Craft Beer Destinations in Istanbul & Brew Breakdown
The Turkish craft beer scene has been on the march for the last two or three years, and despite rising alcohol prices, 2016 was an...
Büyülü Fener: A Magic Lantern to Istanbul’s Past
A middle aged man passes under a vivid yet rustic sign that reads BÜYÜLÜ FENER, which fits like a puzzle piece among the colors of...
Take 5: Beşiktaş
After living in Beşiktaş for about three years, on and off, I’ve come to realize that it is regarded as a hate or love...
Who Loves Public Speaking?
Ever felt like jumping out of a window rather than giving a speech at work? Well, I have... Although some of us might be...
Awkward Tales from the ‘Bul #4: On Taxi Drivers
It was 4 A.M. and the little taxi we were in was flying down the coastal road. That's where things started to get a little...
Introducing: Spotted By Locals
Our friends at Spotted By Locals are continuing to do some seriously great work on an international level and we here at Yabangee wanted...
A Mythical Tale of Love: Mimar Sinan and Mihrimah Sultan
Istanbul and its architecture are already mystical but it gets even more interesting when considering the Turkish myth about the famous architect Mimar Sinan’s two...