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...
Volunteering in Istanbul: Istanbul&I’s Unaccompanied Minors Project
About six times a week, unaccompanied refugee minors from a boys dormitory and volunteers from Istanbul&I gather to partake in educational and social programs....
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....
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...
Istanbul Naval Museum: A Day at Sea
The history of Ottoman achievements is defined in large measure by the empire's relationship with the sea. For instance, some maritime episodes of note...
From Boza to Bourbon: Mandabatmaz
Some places are institutions. They are so good and so perfectly embody their craft that their name becomes synonymous with their art. For Turkish coffee,...
Dispatches from Cappadocia: The Soup Of Shame – A Late Night...
Recently my friends and I have created a rule. We are not allowed to have more than 3 cocktails when we’re out. Whoever is...
An Evening with Popist Supper Club: Istanbul’s Newest Pop-Up Dining Experience
There is an old Turkish saying stating if you are bored with Istanbul, you are bored with life. Although Istanbul is rarely boring there...
(Sort of) Quiet Spots in Istanbul
I love cities. The clamor; the noise; the busyness; the relentless excitement! But one of the things I enjoy the most is finding a...
Take 5: Kadıköy
Calm, cool, easy-going Kadiköy has always been one my favourite Istanbul districts. I love to start my day with breakfast at the picturesque Thales...
The Last Round: Boxing, Martial Arts, and a Social Conscience
In the dead of this past winter, I ran into a friend in Cihangir who seemed uncharacteristically ecstatic. I told him as much and...
From Boza to Bourbon: Vefa Bozacısı
A few weeks ago I was talking with friends after dinner in the warmth of my apartment. We were buying our time before we...
Through the Lens – Anatolian Side: Moda, Kadıkoy
There is an obvious sense of openness within the people on the Anatolian side- a welcoming trait that speaks volumes for those making the...
The Society for the Prevention of Hipster Acceptance
These days, our Facebook feeds and inboxes are full of worthy causes crying out for our empathy and financial support. But as the world seemingly crumbles, one Istanbullu believes...
15 LGBT Friendly Spaces in Istanbul
As a queer person, I can attest to how easy it is to feel isolated in a foreign country. This past year, we saw...
From Boza to Bourbon: Street Juice
Do you remember your first memory of Istanbul? Maybe it was the first call to prayer coming from the nearest minaret. Maybe it was...
7 Best First Date Destinations in Istanbul
Whether it leads to a lasting romance or a cool new friendship, we all get excited about the synergy we might feel on a...
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...
From Boza to Bourbon: House of Hops and Barley
Before coming to Istanbul I worked at restaurants in some capacity for over a decade. There are certain things I miss about working in...
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...
Three Ideas to Improve Istanbul
Most citizens of Istanbul, including myself, have a tendency to get caught up in a cycle of complaining about the things that are wrong...
Top 10 Forgotten Historical sites of Istanbul
When I first lived in Istanbul for 6 months in 2013, some of my most memorable days were spent simply wandering the old city...
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...
Istanbul Tulip Festival: Last Call!
You have been in Istanbul for a while, and you have even seen the posters for the 13th Istanbul Tulip Festival. You have been curious about...