MÜJGAN YELDEĞIRMENI

"Drowning in the abyss of self-reflection I decided it time for breakfast."​

Carried by occult winds of foreign skies, my steps fell tender on the hard-baked tarmac of Kadikoy. I paused briefly for a coffee at a friendly spot, then continued the zig-zags until my destination was before me. My friend Selin arrived fashionably late rushing out of her taxi as if life itself depended on punctuality. We took shelter beneath an awning and she did the ordering in her native tongue.

Knowing not what to expect I'll admit I was slightly taken aback when a tray the size of a flying saucer appeared and landed at our tiny table. The contents shone in brilliant colours, tempting you with every hue and saturation. Delicate smells began to filter into the surrounding air and grace our nostrils. 

With no shame, I began disassembling the behemoth. Tactically avoiding the carb-heavy dishes until later so my stomach wouldn't betray me before a comfortable enough dent had been achieved. We ate for what felt like an eternity. Coffee cups were filled and emptied, the streets were alive with arguments and prayer, the sun baked down hard between a split in the tarpaulin, and I sat dizzy with love.

To anyone that may be reading this, and planning a visit to Istanbul, may I beseech thee to look this place up and park your dreams and futures here on a wooden chair, and allow life to gently envelop you in wonder and bliss for a frail hour or two.

These recommendations are just personal opinions based on my palate, things change, chefs get fired or replaced, places open-close, relocate, so take it all with a pinch of MSG  and discover your own gems too. But please do try a few of these, they have been researched exhaustively.