Artsy & vibrant · Central Istanbul
💰💰 Mid-rangeThe soul of the Asian side — art, food, and the best street energy in Istanbul.
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Istanbul's most iconic Turkish coffee shop. Tiny, no-frills, and perfect. The dark roast is mandatory.
Muvakkithane Cad. No:1, Kadıköy💡 Queue outside is normal — it moves fast. Get the dark roast (koyu).
Specialty coffee pioneers in Istanbul. The Kadıköy branch is the best spot to work from in the morning.
Moda Cad. No:5, KadıköySeafront café with stunning Bosphorus views. Come for sunset coffee.
Moda Sahili, Kadıköy
Photos from Smileys events in Kadıköy
Restaurant
Asian-side spot in Kadıköy with strong Shanghainese roots — xiao long bao, scallion pancakes, drunken chicken. Friendly to first-time Chinese-food diners.
Restaurant
Expat-owned Indian kitchen in Kadıköy. Curries, biryani, chai — a friendly Asian-side option run by long-time Istanbul residents.
💡 Arrive 30 min before sunset to get a window seat.
A legendary Anatolian kitchen serving rare regional dishes from across Turkey. A must for any food lover.
Güneşlibahçe Sok. No:43, Kadıköy💡 Arrive at noon when the daily specials are freshest. Always changing menu.
The best lahmacun in the city. Thin, crispy, loaded with herbs. Queue is worth it.
Muvakkithane Cad. No:21, Kadıköy💡 Get there at 12:30 on weekdays — shorter queue, fresher batches.
A Kadıköy institution since 1923. Their copa (chocolate sundae) is iconic and unchanged for decades.
Moda Cad. No:19, KadıköyNo-frills fish restaurant loved by locals. Fresh catch of the day, excellent meze, very reasonable prices.
Damgacı Sok. No:7, KadıköyThe bar street of Kadıköy. A dense strip of meyhanes, live music venues, and cocktail bars. Start here on any night out.
Kadife Sokak, Kadıköy💡 Weekdays are mellower and more local. Weekends get packed after 11pm.
Kadıköy's most beloved alternative bar. Art on the walls, great music, mixed crowd. A classic.
Kadife Sok. No:16, KadıköyRooftop bar with an exceptional view of Kadıköy. Live music on weekends. Great for a sundowner.
Moda Cad. No:28, KadıköyOne of the best outdoor markets in Istanbul. Perfect for fresh produce, olives, cheese, and spices. Saturdays are best.
Güneşlibahçe Sokak area, Kadıköy💡 Go on Saturday morning. Bring a bag — you will buy more than you plan to.
A quiet waterfront park with beautiful Bosphorus views, perfect for morning runs or evening walks.
Moda Sahili, KadıköyThe Yeldeğirmeni neighbourhood just behind Kadıköy is covered in incredible street art. Great for a walking tour.
Yeldeğirmeni, Kadıköy
