Step outside Mr. CAS and you’re already on İstiklal Avenue, at the heart of Beyoğlu. One of Istanbul’s most iconic streets, İstiklal has long been a meeting point for culture, architecture, art and city life, with its landmark buildings, passages and institutions shaping the character of the area. Beyond the avenue, Beyoğlu unfolds through galleries and museums, shops and antiques, landmarks and hidden corners, alongside some of the city’s most talked-about restaurants and bars. Here are a few places worth stepping out for — all within walking distance of the hotel.
Mr. CAS Recommends
Shops & Antiques
A LA TURCA
A Çukurcuma institution bringing together antiques, rare textiles, kilims and contemporary art across four floors. A place to browse slowly, where every room reveals something unexpected.
8 MINUTES
GEM ALF
A carefully curated world of collectible design, rare finds and distinctive objects in the heart of Çukurcuma. Gem Alf brings together pieces from different periods with a contemporary eye, making it a must for anyone drawn to design and the unexpected.
7 MINUTES
ASLI GÜNŞIRAY
A Çukurcuma institution where antiques, art and interior design come together through the distinctive eye of Aslı Günşıray. The eclectic collection moves between furniture, decorative objects and one-of-a-kind finds from different periods, making it a favourite for collectors and design lovers.
7 MINUTES
HIKMET MİZANOĞLU ARTS & ANTIQUES
A Çukurcuma institution shaped by more than three decades of collecting. Its eclectic selection spans Anatolian and ethnographic pieces, alongside distinctive finds from the 1930s to the 1970s — a fascinating stop for anyone with an eye for art, objects and interiors.
8 MINUTES
MINOA PERA
More than a bookstore, Minoa Pera brings together books, design, culture and food inside the late-19th-century Union Française building. Its carefully curated selection, café and cultural programme make it a favourite place to browse, linger and discover something new in Pera.
8 MINUTES
VITRUTA KARAKÖY
A multi-brand concept store bringing together fashion, accessories and lifestyle pieces from more than 100 local and international brands. Housed in the early-20th-century Yazıcızade Apartments, it’s a go-to address for discovering contemporary design in the neighbourhood.
10 MINUTES
GEO GALLERY
A meeting point for contemporary design, collectible objects and creative ideas. Founded by Mahmut Anlar and Tuğçe Örtmen Güvenilir, Geo Gallery brings together works by artists and designers alongside exhibitions, installations and events — a space made as much for discovery as for design.
8 MINUTES
Museums & Galleries
PERA MUSEUM
Housed in the former Bristol Hotel in Tepebaşı, Pera Museum brings together art, culture and the many layers of Istanbul’s past and present. Its permanent collections sit alongside an ever-changing programme of contemporary exhibitions, film screenings and collaborations with leading artists and institutions from around the world.
4 MINUTES
İSTANBUL MODERN
Türkiye’s first museum of modern and contemporary art, Istanbul Modern brings together art, photography, design, film and an evolving programme of exhibitions. Its waterfront home at Galataport, designed by Renzo Piano, is a destination in itself — connecting contemporary art with the Bosphorus and the city around it.
18 MINUTES
ASLI GÜNŞIRAY
A Çukurcuma institution where antiques, art and interior design come together through the distinctive eye of Aslı Günşıray. The eclectic collection moves between furniture, decorative objects and one-of-a-kind finds from different periods, making it a favourite for collectors and design lovers.
7 MINUTES
THE MUSEUM OF INNOCENCE
Created by Nobel Prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk alongside his novel of the same name, The Museum of Innocence turns everyday objects into a portrait of Istanbul life, love and memory. Set in a 19th-century house in Çukurcuma, it is an intimate and distinctly Istanbul experience.
8 MINUTES
GALERİ NEV
One of Istanbul’s most established contemporary art galleries, Galeri Nev has played a defining role in Turkey’s art scene since 1987. Located just along İstiklal Avenue in the iconic Mısır Apartment, its programme brings together influential modern and contemporary artists with a new generation of emerging names.
1 MINUTE
DİRİMART
Founded in Istanbul in 2002, Dirimart is one of the city’s leading contemporary art galleries, bringing together established and emerging artists from Türkiye and around the world. Its Dolapdere space hosts an ambitious programme of exhibitions with a distinctly international perspective.
25 MINUTES
ÖKTEM AYKUT
Founded in Istanbul in 2014 by Doğa Öktem and Tankut Aykut, Öktem Aykut is one of the city’s leading independent contemporary art galleries. Its programme brings together emerging and established artists from Türkiye and abroad, with a distinctly current and critical perspective.
10 MINUTES
GALERİST
One of Istanbul’s leading contemporary art galleries, Galerist has been part of the city’s art scene since 2001. Its programme brings together established and emerging artists from Türkiye, with exhibitions that reflect the evolving language of contemporary art.
10 MINUTES
ANNA LAUDEL
Founded in Istanbul in 2012, Anna Laudel brings together emerging and established artists from Türkiye and beyond through a diverse contemporary programme. Now based in Gümüşsuyu, its exhibitions span painting, sculpture, photography and new media, with a distinctly international outlook.
10 MINUTES
ARTER
One of Istanbul’s leading contemporary art institutions, Arter brings together exhibitions, performance, music, film and multidisciplinary programmes under one roof. Its striking Dolapdere building, designed by Grimshaw Architects, makes the space as much a part of the experience as the art itself.
20 MINUTES
SALON IKSV
İKSV’s much-loved performance venue in Şişhane and a fixture of Beyoğlu’s cultural scene since 2010. Its year-round programme moves between contemporary music, theatre, literature, talks and jazz, bringing both international and local voices to an intimate stage.
14 MINUTES
SALT BEYOĞLU
A cultural institution on İstiklal Avenue where contemporary art meets architecture, design, film and ideas. SALT Beyoğlu’s ever-changing programme of exhibitions, screenings, talks and performances makes it one of the neighbourhood’s essential stops for contemporary culture.
3 MINUTES
CASA BOTTER
A beautifully restored Art Nouveau landmark on İstiklal Avenue, designed by Italian architect Raimondo D’Aronco in the early 20th century. Today, Casa Botter hosts exhibitions and cultural programmes, bringing contemporary creativity into one of Beyoğlu’s most remarkable buildings.
6 MINUTES
YAPI KREDİ KÜLTÜR SANAT
A long-standing cultural landmark on İstiklal Avenue, bringing together contemporary art, archaeology, literature and cultural heritage. Its galleries, museum, research library and programme of talks and events have made it part of Beyoğlu’s cultural life for decades.
1 MINUTE
Restaurants
MIKLA
Perched above Beyoğlu, Michelin-starred Mikla is one of Istanbul’s most celebrated dining destinations. Chef Mehmet Gürs’ New Anatolian Kitchen reinterprets the ingredients and culinary traditions of the region through a contemporary lens, accompanied by sweeping views across the city.
8 MINUTES
YENİ LOKANTA
Chef Civan Er’s contemporary take on Anatolian cooking, shaped by seasonal ingredients, local producers and a deep respect for traditional recipes. Tucked just off İstiklal Avenue, Yeni Lokanta has become one of Beyoğlu’s defining dining addresses.
2 MINUTES
NEOLOKAL
Chef Maksut Aşkar’s Michelin-starred restaurant reimagines Anatolian culinary traditions through a contemporary and deeply personal lens. Set within SALT Galata, Neolokal combines local ingredients, forgotten recipes and modern technique with sweeping views over the Golden Horn.
15 MINUTES
TAVERN
A Cihangir favourite known for its creative cocktails, late-night DJ sets and effortlessly cool crowd. Intimate and slightly rebellious, Tavern captures the after-dark side of Beyoğlu, moving easily from drinks into a livelier late-night mood.
8 MINUTES
ASMALI CAVİT
A Beyoğlu classic and one of Istanbul’s best-loved meyhanes, Asmalı Cavit is known for its traditional meze, seasonal dishes and rakı-led tables. Unpretentious and full of character, it offers an authentic taste of the city’s long-standing meyhane culture.
8 MINUTES
GÜN LOKANTASI
A contemporary take on the traditional Turkish lokanta, Gün Lokantası celebrates familiar flavours through seasonal ingredients and a fresh, modern approach. Relaxed yet considered, it brings the spirit of everyday Turkish cooking into a distinctly current setting.
10 MINUTES
AHESTE PERA
A modern meyhane rooted in the flavours and traditions of Anatolia, Aheste pairs inventive meze with seasonal ingredients and a contemporary point of view. Intimate and atmospheric, it offers a fresh interpretation of Istanbul’s much-loved meyhane culture.
8 MINUTES
KARAKÖY LOKANTASI
A modern Istanbul classic, Karaköy Lokantası is known for its refined take on traditional Turkish cooking, generous meze and unmistakable turquoise-tiled interior. A long-standing favourite in Karaköy, it moves effortlessly from relaxed lunches to lively rakı-filled dinners.
15 MINUTES
KONTUAR
A contemporary neighbourhood restaurant in Beyoğlu with a menu shaped by seasonal produce, bold flavours and a relaxed approach to dining. Intimate and understated, Kontuar is the kind of place that feels equally right for a long dinner or a spontaneous glass of wine.
8 MINUTES
NICOLE
Set in the heart of Tomtom, Michelin-starred Nicole offers a refined contemporary interpretation of Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine, led by chef Serkan Aksoy. Seasonal tasting menus, carefully sourced ingredients and a rooftop terrace overlooking the Old City make it one of Beyoğlu’s standout fine-dining addresses.
5 MINUTES
Cafés
Kinu Matcha Bar
A contemporary matcha bar in Çukurcuma dedicated to Japanese matcha and hojicha, served both traditionally and with playful twists. Its minimalist setting and creative menu make it an easy stop for a matcha break while exploring the neighbourhood.
7 MINUTES
PETRA ROASTING CO.
One of Istanbul’s best-known specialty coffee roasters, Petra has helped shape the city’s contemporary coffee culture with carefully sourced beans and a serious approach to brewing. A favourite for excellent coffee in a relaxed, design-conscious setting.
8 MINUTES
CUMA
A long-time Çukurcuma favourite with a relaxed neighbourhood feel, Cuma is known for seasonal breakfasts, generous brunches and simple dishes made with carefully sourced ingredients. Its leafy terrace makes it an easy place to settle in for a slow morning or an unhurried lunch.
7 MINUTES
The Allis
Housed within Soho House Istanbul, The Allis is an all-day spot for breakfast, coffee, light lunches and cocktails. Relaxed and sociable, its outdoor seating overlooking Palazzo Corpi makes it an easy stop from morning through to evening.
8 MINUTES
SANTÉ
A neighbourhood spot in Cihangir bringing together specialty matcha, coffee and light bites in a relaxed, contemporary setting. With its street-side tables and easy-going atmosphere, Santé is made for slow mornings and afternoon breaks in the neighbourhood.
8 MINUTES
Places & Icons
ÇİÇEK PASAJI
An icon of İstiklal Avenue since the 19th century, Çiçek Pasajı is one of Beyoğlu’s most recognisable passages. Its ornate architecture, lively tables and long association with the city’s meyhane culture capture a distinctly old-school side of Istanbul.
0 MINUTE
ST. ANTOINE CHURCH
One of İstiklal Avenue’s most recognisable landmarks, St. Antoine is Istanbul’s largest Catholic church and a striking example of Neo-Gothic architecture. Hidden behind its grand red-brick façade and courtyard, it offers an unexpected moment of calm just off the avenue.
1 MINUTE
GALATA TOWER
Rising above the neighbourhood for centuries, Galata Tower is one of Istanbul’s defining landmarks. Climb to the top for a panoramic perspective across the Bosphorus, Golden Horn and the rooftops of the old city.
12 MINUTES
KILIÇ ALİ PAŞA HAMAMI
Designed by legendary Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan in the 16th century, Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı remains one of the city’s most beautiful examples of Ottoman bath architecture. Meticulously restored, it offers the traditional hammam ritual in an extraordinary domed setting.
12 MINUTES
TÜNEL
Opened in 1875, Tünel is one of the world’s oldest underground railways, connecting Karaköy with the upper streets of Beyoğlu. More than a way to get around, its tiny station and surrounding quarter are an enduring part of the character of old Pera.
8 MINUTES
CİHANGİR
A neighbourhood made for wandering, Cihangir mixes handsome old apartment buildings with independent cafés, antique shops and a distinctly local rhythm. Long associated with Istanbul’s artists, writers and creative community, it remains one of Beyoğlu’s most characterful corners.
7 MINUTES
GALATAPORT ISTANBUL
Stretching along the Bosphorus waterfront, Galataport brings together contemporary art, architecture, shopping and dining in one of the city’s most dynamic new districts. Home to cultural destinations, including Istanbul Modern, it’s as much a place for art and design as it is for a walk by the water.
20 MINUTES
TERSANE ISTANBUL
A new waterfront destination on the Golden Horn, Tersane Istanbul brings together contemporary architecture, art, fashion, dining and culture within the restored setting of the city’s centuries-old shipyards. A new chapter for one of Istanbul’s oldest waterfront districts, with the city’s past and present meeting along the shore.