Istanbul city guide

Karakoy is one of the most inspiring districts of Istanbul. Very representative of the whole, this important piece of the puzzle has it all: History, modernism, art, shops, stalls, sea, boats, business, different kinds of restaurants, ongoing construction, and chaos. 

In this lively, chaotic district tucked in a historic passage way called French Passage Way there is Bej Cafe seeming very afar from all the chaos 10 meters away. 

The open plan space with a big long bar, colorful flowers, nice lamps, and an open terrace with long tables to share, feels like an oasis. Seasonal soups, delicious salads, wraps, and pasta are some of the menu highlights. The toasted German bread served with lemon butter, goat cheese salad and pasta along with a glass of wine are my favorites. They also have set lunch menus, and nice -maybe not very fulfilling, as some complain about the sizes of portions – breakfast options.

Though recently started to resemble a classic restaurant rather than a cafe-bar, you still can drop by for a coffee or a drink, and read your guide books or make plans for the rest of the day, after a meal in the more traditional restaurants in the neighborhood.

Saturdays they have happy hours between 17:00 – 21:00, again Saturdays after dinner there is DJ music till 02:00 in the morning, making it quite a party place. 

Right behind the main island of the restaurant there is Kagıthane, a stationary and gift store sharing the premises.