If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul.
Alphonse de Lamartine
Istanbul is full of surprises in every corner. The city can surprise you with its colours, sounds, and amazing views as well as the variety of food options. Who can resist the smell of delicious kebab coming from the narrow streets of Beyoğlu or refuse the calling of the fish-and-bread in Eminönü?
The city of all cities, Istanbul is a diverse and unique meeting point for the cuisines of the world. You can find great examples of Turkish&Ottoman cuisine from all over Anatolia and also special locations to taste international food cultures. It is possible to taste the best dumplings made by a Chinese chef and also discover great Indian food in the same neighbourhood. But of course, if you come to this amazing city, first try and enjoy amazing Turkish delicacies.
After tasting great Turkish delicacies, you can try some international eateries and restaurants which have branches in Istanbul. There are various examples of international cuisine in Istanbul but in this article, we would like to discover some famous international restaurants which have branches in this vibrant city. If you are ready to discover, let’s have a look at them!
Shake Shack
Starting as a hot dog cart in New York, this popular street food restaurant now has over 200 branches in 15 countries. You can taste their original New York-style hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, and famous milkshakes! Shake Shack can be a great fast food stop in your travel especially if you are enjoying the shopping malls of the city.
Now they are serving at 6 locations in Istanbul, Shake Shack is a great example of international ties of our great Istanbul.
Magnolia Bakery
Want to taste the world-famous banana pudding of Magnolia Bakery? If yes, now you can try it and all the other special pastries and sweets of Magnolia Bakery in Istanbul.
Delicious cakes, crispy cookies, and of course banana pudding aka ‘the Magnolia Pudding’ are waiting for the foodies to enjoy. They serve a variety of coffee also from freshly brewed filter coffee to lattes with special syrups.
Magnolia Bakery has recently opened in Istanbul and it has been receiving a great deal of attention from people. Especially if you are looking for a food place for your Instagram account, you should definitely stop by this world-famous bakery. Try some delicious cupcakes with an Americano to experience a New York-style coffee time.
And don't forget to tag #loveistanbul in your posts so we can share your moments with our followers!
Nobu
Well-respected Japanese Chef Nobu Matsuhisa with Robert De Niro and Meir Teper created this world-famous Japanese Restaurant some years ago and is expanding globally.
In Nobu Istanbul, you can experience Japanese cuisine with Turkish hospitality and it is surely an excellent blend! If you are craving some sushi, dreaming about perfect edamame or great tempura vegetables, you have a place to have them all. By 2022, Nobu is operating over 5 continents but the capital of the world, Istanbul has a special place always.
Eataly
Italy’s world-famous market & restaurant combination has a great spot in Istanbul. In their own words, Eataly's philosophy is “bringing together the place where you can eat and buy the best Italian food and everything that you may learn about what you eat under the same roof.”
In its Istanbul spot, there is one additional greatness: you can also taste great Turkish coffee from Selamlique with warm Turkish hospitality. If you’d like to try some real Italian pizza or pasta with Italian wines while enjoying Istanbul, Eataly can be the best option for you. You can also buy cheese, dry-aged meat, freshly made pasta and organic fruits & vegetables, and many more in their market.
Cold Stone
Cold Stone Creamery has been serving its delicious ice creams, smoothies, shakes, and cakes for over 30 years! It is one of the world's famous ice creameries and in Istanbul, they have many fans already. They call their ice cream experience a "10-Minute Vacation" which means getting away from the world around you for your 10 minutes of ice cream joy.
Also, a secret tip for you our dear Istanbul.com reader, if you tip the Cold Stone crew, they sing! They call it the 'Entertainment Factor' and it is a great way to enjoy your delicious ice cream.
Please let us know about your favourite spots in Istanbul and we can share them with other readers! Don't forget the follow us on Instagram: Istanbul.com & Istanbul Tourist Pass
