When it is not very hot, take a day out –whether you are a resident in Istanbul or a tourist- and go to the Grand Bazaar.
You have several options to reach the Bazaar: fastest by car or taxi, easy and comfortable –if not crowded- is by taking the tram.
Inside the bazaar, there are so many stores selling accessories, jewelries, jeans, carpets, antiques and silverware. If you are not going to shop, you’ll not need more than an hour –two at most- to get the gist of the bazaar. You will definitely get lost inside, and get tired. Stop to have a rest at one of the cafes inside the khans (passages). Fes Café is a modern café, across from which is a more traditional Turkish tea and coffee bar –you’ll notice it from its shallow seats and wooden tables.
From the bazaar walk to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar. You should go out of the Mahmutpasa Exit and walk down –straight- the Mahmutpasa Yokusu (Hill). Ask your way when the hill comes to a stop.
The Egyptian Spice Bazaar is full of sellers of spices and curative goods –creams, drinks etc. Stop for lunch here at the Pandeli Restaurant. One of the oldest restaurants of Turkey, the Pandeli has hosted many famous people including Robert De Niro and Audrey Hepburn.
The menu at the Pandeli is diversified, but also simple. Under each category –which are many—antipasti, antipasti with olive oil (a Turkish speciality), soups, fish, rices, meat and kebab- there are very simple and very typical Turkish dishes. Their lamb dishes goes well with their special rice dish –cilav. Afterwards, savour the almond cookie with digestive Turkish coffee.
Enjoy the history, shopping and bon appetite!
Pandeli: Misir Carsisi No 1 Eminonu Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 527 3909
http://www.pandeli.com.tr/
You will find on Donuz, everything that is unique to where we have been and where you would want to be. Be it food, be it lodging, be it a special feet massage, a bottle of wine, a person… Be it for 7 days, a day, a week, 36 hours or a single moment. On Donuz, is everything, you will need to make your holidays special. We hope you share with us your experiences.
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