My favorite places in Nisantasi, Istanbul

Lovely pastries and coffee, good for a European style breakfast. Note that you need to use the bathroom next door at Den.

Our unofficial living room, very stylish cafe with good people-watching and tasty mini-burgers.

Excellent kofte, especially the kasarli (with cheese), and sweet delivery boy. No alcohol.

Favorite spot for window shopping at old-fashioned shops selling jewelry, slippers, and antiques. Don't miss the Ottoman collectibles shop downstairs. Closed Sunday.

Delicious seasonal food, menu changes daily. Food to go downstairs, restaurant and terrace upstairs. No dinner or alcohol.

Sometimes you need a New York style bagel.

Pleasant and un-pretentious spot with very nice English-speaking owner.

Most entertaining magazine-style menu (in Turkish or English) serving every kind of food imaginable, including pork! One of the few spots with a baby changing table.

Less scenic than the Kurucesme location but good people-watching. Delicious salads, eggs benedict, and Bellinis, plus usual Turkish fare.

Less crowded than the Cihangir location, get a full-on Turkish breakfast anytime.

Turkish bakery and cafe, try the tahinli (like a cinnamon roll but with sesame).

Cute children's book store with some small educational toys.

Not sure the official name of this playground and plaza behind City mall. Check out the municipal cat house for street kitties and the small pazar on Thursday for old lady knitted things.

Organic cotton baby clothes at the bottom of the City mall.

Fancy supermarket with many foreign items and pricey but extensive alcohol selection. Also in the bottom of City mall.

Best selection of cheapish wine!

I want everything in this paper shop. Good souvenirs of Istanbul such as simit coasters, notebooks, and other fun things. Multiple locations, also love the one in Karakoy attached to Bej Kahve.

Place to see, be seen, and eat pork. Pricey but gorgeous. Actual deli and bakery for take away as well.

Inexplicable "American sports bar" which never seems to show American sports. Good drink prices and a nice crowd most nights. See also the bizarre American goods store next door, selling peanut butter and such for extortionate prices.

Best selection of English and Turkish books in the neighborhood, though D&R isn't bad either.

Closest to authentic Italian as you will get in Istanbul. Excellent pizza and reasonable house wine.

Necessary stop for baby supplies and clothing.

Mexican food in Turkey?! Expats will understand sometimes you need a burrito and a Margarita that's actually decent.

Try the manti (Turkish ravioli) sampler.

Fun and funky jewelry, nothing too pricey. Another location behind Galatasaray in Beyoglu.

If you need a Pantone notebook or a Fred Perry track suit, this is your place. Also carries own collection of crisp white shirts and some Turkish designer clothing. More locations around town.