Restaurants in Taksim (Istanbul)

City Lights Bar

Relax in a classy top-floor lounge bar with superb views of the Bosphorus and Seraglio. Sip a banana daiquiri and munch on Russian caviar while gazing out at Leander's Tower. Hob-nob with the world-famous bigwigs while listening to foreign and Turkish musicians all year round. Slinky jazz, Latin and salsa house bands change every two months. It is hard to read the menu because of the subdued lighting; probably to blur the prices! There is no live music on Sundays. This bat is located in the InterContinental Ceylan Instanbul.

Musafir Indian Restaurant

If you are in the mood for some Indian/Pakistani curries, there's no better place than Musafir to serve you. In fact, it is the only place in the city to offer this cuisine. Located right in the heart of the city, step in and choose your seat in its spacious dining area. The menu displays an interesting array of tangy, spicy and exotic dishes, both vegetarian and with meat as the base. There are soups, starters, salads, tandoori dishes, rice dishes and curries to choose from. The distinctive flavors along with the generous portions are good enough to leave you a satisfying feeling.

English Bar

A home away from home. Thats exactly how one would describe the cozy ambiance at the English Bar, located in InterContinental Ceylan Istanbul. Catch up the latest happenings with your friends over a beer. Or else this place also airs derby soccer games across a huge screen which one can enjoy without any disturbance. So lay back with your gang and a couple of drinks in the comfortable chairs munching on some French fries. Perfect place to escape the hustle-bustle of the city and chill out with your buddies.

Kafika

Kafika is a slick Cafe located in the heart of Taksim. The ambiance at the place is modern and sleek, and the place is usually frequented by the young and hip of Istanbul. There is a huge coffee list to choose from, right from the cappuccinos to the lattes and espressos. Apart from the various coffees there is also some delicious fast food available here, such as Sosis Tava, Broccoli Nuggets, Sicak Sandwich, Mexican Wrap With Fillet, Spaghetti Carbonara and more. Since Taksim square is a pretty popular place for tourists and locals alike, this place can get pretty crowded during peak hours.

The Mezzanine

Travel back to the Ottaman times at The Mezzanine in Hyatt Regency Istanbul. Grab something to drink along with some starters and enjoy it while you sink into the big cosy sofas here in the lounge. Relax in the afternoon while you listen to the soft music, with a beautiful view of the garden outside. The Bohemian chandeliers and the fragrance of hot teas, pastries and exotic Turkish sweets, adds to the restful atmosphere making it a comfortable place to chill out.

Shaman World Music Club

Istanbul's only world music club is housed in a basement beneath the Shaman World Music Club right by Taksim Square. The unappealing interior decor involves bizarre porthole windows and kitsch wooden African masks and spears. There's a very low stage for live performers to tread the boards and the low ceilings and confined space mean the bands are right in your face. They import some good international bands from time to time including Mexican and African groups. Live music starts at 11:30p.

Spazio Restaurant

Spazio Restaurant in the Hyatt Regency Istanbul lets you enjoy the best of the Turkish, Japanese and Italian cuisines. From classical dishes, to a range of exotic wines from the vineyards of Italy...Spazio has it all. The traditional wooden ovens in the kitchen, a specialty of the restaurant, gives pizzas and breads a distinct flavor. The pastas, risottos and seafood dishes are also certainly worth a try.

Agora Cafe Restaurant

Located in the Hyatt Regency Istanbul, Agora Cafe Restaurant serves authentic princely Turkish specialties. Try the wide range of lunch, desserts and salads, all arranged buffet style. With stress on local flavors, the dishes are all prepared from fresh, local produce. The comfortable and intimate ambiance and the friendly staff make dining here a memorable experience.

The Brasserie

This stylish restaurant in the InterContinental Ceylan Istanbul, is the right place for an intimate dining experience. The Brasserie serves the best international buffets that includes an extensive variety of oven fresh breads, pastries, soups and choicest delicacies picked from traditional Turkish recipes. For something a little different, the ham or bacon pizzas with pineapple, peppers and mozzarella is a must try. Wash it down with some of the best wines and champagnes from France, Turkey and Spain.

Garden Grill

There's nothing more peaceful than spending time in the Garden Grill at InterContinental Ceylan Istanbul Hotel. The ambiance here, works perfectly after a hard days work. Here, you can enjoy a variety of tasty steaks and a range of wines. Away from the city's busy streets, Garden Grill offers delicious hot grilled barbecues, and a never ending fillet of beef, entrecote and lamb. The restaurant's specialty of fine seafood, seabass, salmon and prawns offered here is really amazing.