Discover Istanbul: From Traditional Shaves in the Grand Bazaar to Rooftop Restaurants Overlooking the Bosphorus
- Food Blogger Journey
- Nov 21
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 22
By Dirk Ebener - November 21, 2025
Coming back to Istanbul after a few years away always feels special. Even if you know the city well, it still finds ways to surprise you. Istanbul is where East and West naturally come together. You can sense the history in the narrow streets, while the city buzzes with vibrant sights, sounds, and tastes.
Istanbul doesn’t just sit between Europe and Asia—it embodies both. You see it in the skyline, where Byzantine domes and Ottoman minarets rise beside modern towers; in the cuisine, where Mediterranean olive oil mingles with Middle Eastern spices; and in the people, who balance tradition and modernity.
For first-time visitors, Istanbul is the ideal starting point. It is the nation’s heart, a crossroads of civilizations, and a living museum blending tradition and innovation. Whether you visit for history, food, shopping, or culture, Istanbul’s experience lingers well after you leave. Enjoy reading "Discover Istanbul: From Traditional Shaves in the Grand Bazaar to Rooftop Restaurants Overlooking the Bosphorus."
Experiencing Istanbul’s Heart: Hotels, Museums, and Mosques
One of the best aspects of staying in Istanbul is the wide range of hotels available for every budget and style. International brands offer comfort, while boutique hotels allow you to experience the local character. If you choose a local place, you might wake up to the smell of fresh simit from nearby cafés or hear merchants setting up their stalls outside your window.
A stay near historic Sultanahmet brings the city’s heritage to your doorstep. Step outside and walk to landmarks like the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque. For travelers who prefer a modern scene, Beyoğlu and Karaköy have boutique hotels that blend stylish design with Istanbul’s bohemian flair. Across the Bosphorus in Kadıköy, family-run hotels offer a glimpse into local daily life in an authentic district.
Museums add even more depth to the city. The Istanbul Archaeology Museums display treasures from Greek, Roman, and Ottoman periods, including the Alexander Sarcophagus and the Treaty of Kadesh. Smaller institutions, such as the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, feature carpets, calligraphy, and ceramics. Across the Bosphorus, local galleries and cultural centers showcase modern Turkish creativity, demonstrating that Istanbul’s story continues to evolve.
Istanbul’s mosques unite faith and artistry. The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque), completed in 1616 to rival Hagia Sophia, is the most iconic. Its six minarets and domes dominate the skyline. Inside, over 20,000 İznik tiles shimmer in natural light. Standing in the courtyard as the call to prayer rises reveals the city’s timeless soul.
The Bazaars of Istanbul: A City Within a City
No trip to Istanbul is complete without a journey into its legendary bazaars. These markets are not just places to shop—they are living reminders of Istanbul’s history as a global trading hub.
The Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı) is the highlight of Istanbul’s markets. Sultan Mehmed II had it built after the Ottoman conquest in 1453 to help the new capital’s trade. Today, it is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. The bazaar is designed like a city within the city, with streets named after the crafts once sold there, such as jewelry, carpets, leather goods, and ceramics. As you wander through its 4,000 shops, you’ll find a stunning variety of handmade treasures.
A traditional shave at a Grand Bazaar barbershop is an overlooked experience. Turkish barbers are experts, combining detailed scissor and razor work with hot towel shaves and facial massages. While it’s hard to pick the best barber, names like Yazimi once stood out. Though that shop has closed, its legacy endures in barbers like Zülfikar, who now runs a shop nearby.
A few years ago, I visited one of these barbershops. As I waited, I saw a boy, maybe six, beside his grandfather, the shop owner. The boy watched as his grandfather prepared my shave, and I’d already been served three glasses of tea. Curious, the boy whispered to his grandfather, who translated a greeting for me.
The grandfather smiled and gave his grandson a balloon and some shaving cream. The boy gently spread the cream on the balloon, pretending it was a man’s face. With some encouragement, he tried his first shave. The balloon popped, making the boy laugh. His grandfather handed him another balloon and told him to try again. As I got my shave, the boy kept practicing, focusing more each time. It was a playful moment, yet also meaningful, as a child learned a craft that had been passed down for centuries in the Grand Bazaar.
Close by, the Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) is a feast for the senses. Next to the New Mosque, it greets visitors with colorful piles of saffron, paprika, sumac, fragrant teas, nuts, dried fruits, and Turkish delights. The mix of sweet and savory scents stays with you as you walk through the stalls.
For a quieter shopping experience, the Arasta Bazaar, located behind the Blue Mosque, is a serene spot. You can find handmade scarves, ceramics, and Turkish bath towels without the crowds. The Çarşamba Pazarı, or Wednesday Market, is where locals buy fresh produce and goods at good prices. It’s busy and authentic, offering a genuine glimpse into daily life.
Through these bazaars, Istanbul reveals its history and artisan spirit, making them essential stops for understanding the city's past and present.
Tasting Istanbul: Street Food, Cafés, and Culinary Traditions
Istanbul’s food scene is as diverse as its history. Every meal feels like an opportunity to connect—with the city, with its people, and with centuries of tradition.
Begin with a Turkish breakfast—a spread of cheeses, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, honey, clotted cream, and fresh bread, often served with menemen—eggs scrambled with tomatoes and peppers. Endless glasses of çay, the strong black tea brewed in a double teapot, keep conversation flowing well after the plates are cleared.
Street food is a big part of life in Istanbul. Vendors offer simit, a sesame-crusted bread ring. Along the waterfront, boats serve balık ekmek, which are grilled fish sandwiches. In winter, the scent of roasted chestnuts fills the air, and döner stands are always ready to serve hungry visitors.
For slower moments, try Istanbul’s cafés and meyhanes. A meyhane is a Turkish tavern serving alcoholic drinks, especially raki, with mezes (small plates) and main dishes, usually seafood or meat.
Enjoy a cup of strong, foamy Turkish coffee with Turkish delight, or meet friends in a meyhane for mezes like stuffed grape leaves, smoky eggplant dips, and spicy ezme, accompanied by rakı, an anise-flavored drink. Meals here are not rushed; they are about sharing, savoring, and celebrating together.
Dining with a View: Famous Restaurants in Istanbul
While street food and cafés capture Istanbul’s heartbeat, its rooftop restaurants pair cuisine with unforgettable views.
Mikla sits on top of the Marmara Pera Hotel and is listed among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. It offers a modern Turkish-Scandinavian menu along with wide views of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn.
Seven Hills Restaurant, situated in Sultanahmet, offers stunning views of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. It’s a classic spot to savor fresh seafood and traditional Turkish dishes.
Firuzende Restaurant is situated near the Galata Tower and offers a bohemian atmosphere with stunning views of the Bosphorus.
360 Istanbul is a rooftop restaurant on Istiklal Avenue. It offers panoramic city views, creative cocktails, and a lively atmosphere.
Sunset Grill & Bar, found in Ulus, serves Mediterranean and Japanese-inspired dishes with views of the Bosphorus Bridge.
Ulus 29 is another popular spot in Ulus, renowned for its modern Turkish cuisine and sushi, as well as stunning views of the Bosphorus.
Leb-i Derya is renowned for its stunning sunset views. It serves modern Turkish-Mediterranean plates.
Pandeli Restaurant is inside the Spice Bazaar. It has served traditional Turkish cuisine since the early 1900s.
Whether you’re enjoying fine dining at Mikla or tasting traditional dishes at Pandeli, Istanbul shows that food is deeply connected to its places, history, and experiences.
Exploring Istanbul’s Neighborhoods: Where Culture Lives
To truly know Istanbul, you must explore its neighborhoods, each offering a unique window into the city’s soul.
In Sultanahmet, history reigns supreme. Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque are all close to each other. Just beyond, Beyoğlu pulses with modern energy along Istiklal Avenue. Here, shops and cafés mix with historic buildings.
Karaköy and Galata have a bohemian charm. Warehouses have become stylish cafés and art spaces. The Galata Tower rises above, offering panoramic views.
Across the Bosphorus in Kadıköy, the pace is different. Markets brim with fresh produce. Street art colors the walls. Families stroll the waterfront. Kadıköy is less touristy and feels authentic. Many describe it as the heart of modern Istanbul.
Every neighborhood shows a different side of Istanbul. Together, they create a rich and varied city with many layers to discover.
The Bosphorus: Between Two Continents
No matter how many times you visit, the Bosphorus never loses its magic. This strait divides Europe and Asia, yet also unites them.
Taking a ferry across the Bosphorus is one of Istanbul’s simplest pleasures. For the price of a cup of tea, you glide past Ottoman palaces, elegant yalı mansions, and soaring bridges. At sunset, as Istanbul’s lights sparkle on both shores, the view is timeless.
Life on the Bosphorus is deeply woven into the city’s identity. Fishermen cast lines from the Galata Bridge, families picnic along the waterfront, and vendors grill fish sandwiches on boats.
If you have more time, a Bosphorus cruise can show you even more. Some cruises last just a few hours, while others go all the way to the Black Sea, passing old fortresses and peaceful villages. Istanbul is always lively, but the water brings a sense of beauty and calm.
Final Thoughts - The Soul of Istanbul
Returning to Istanbul after years away feels like reuniting with an old friend who always has new stories to share. The city is full of contrasts and connections. Asia and Europe blend together here. Bazaars stand next to modern shops, and even a short ferry ride can feel like traveling between worlds.
What makes Istanbul unforgettable is not just its monuments or food. The city invites you into its rhythm. Sipping tea in a bustling bazaar or standing under the domes of the Blue Mosque, each moment is layered with history, culture, and hospitality.
For those visiting Turkey for the first time, Istanbul is the ideal starting point. If you’ve been before, the city shows that some places never lose their magic. Istanbul promises to change everyone who explores its streets. You’ll leave with the flavors, sounds, and spirit of a city that truly connects two worlds.
Dirk Ebener is the founder and creator behind the Food Blogger Journey website, drawing on over 40 years of international travel across more than 60 countries. His global adventures have deepened his understanding of regional cuisines, local customs, and the powerful connection between food and culture. From bustling street markets in Asia to quiet vineyard dinners in Europe, Dirk captures authentic culinary experiences through immersive storytelling. Through Food Blogger Journey, he invites readers to explore the world one dish at a time.
© 2025 Food Blogger Journey. All rights reserved. The experiences, opinions, and photos this blog shares are based on personal travel and culinary exploration. Reproduction or distribution of content without written permission is prohibited.
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Excellent article about the history, culture, and daily life in an impressive city. I had the opportunity to visit Istanbul, and it is rare to find information that covers so much detail. I also appreciated the links.