Nisantasi: Istanbul’s old gem.💎

Finally, after 2,5 years later I am home! It has been too hard for me to focus on anything with the pandemic, had good days, bad ones, terrible ones. . Even if we got stuck here for a while, thankfully I got to see my beautiful family, I smile from inside and outside louder again!

I will have to work more when I get to Sydney but at least now I fueled up!:)

As I am swimming in the warm waters of positivity, firstly, I would like to take you my happy place: Nisantasi!

Nisantasi is a suburb where you can shop the most luxurious brands, you can eat at Turkish & European style eateries, find good coffee shops, hair dressers and tons of plastic surgery clinics. Yep, you can get a proper new look!

What I would like show and tell is, it’s secular & relaxed atmosphere against all posh vibe.

I always feel safe and happy while I am there, maybe it is because I spent first 8 years of my school life (primary & secondary) and actually know the time it was more modest and quiet.

There are new & amazing places that I have not been before. I will also mention old and gold others…

Now release your seat belts because we are walking and eating, good, fatty carbs!!

A view from Nisantasi streets just before 2022!

Tesvikiye Mosque and the streets I grew up around.

That corner shop, called “Cimen Bufe” where we were eating toasties, chicken doner kebab.

I still crave it!

Things are keep changing very fast but Cimen Bufe, next door pharmacy and few more shops still there. Good old friends!

And it is my school!

The street called “Sakayik Sokagi” means Peony Street. How cute!

This patisserie - Peleki- opened a while ago, there used to be shop called “Ekinciler” and Pink decorated shop was “ Simsek Kirtasiye” a stationary shop always full with student from my school.

I tried their chocolate cookies, mille feuillle dessert, bread only produced for new year times.

I liked how everything was freshly baked, nostalgic style and delicious. It makes me purely happy that some people are insisting on “not to follow the trends”

While you are there get a good sip from Moc . It is one of the first 3rd wave coffee shops in Istanbul and enjoy Australian style deliciously created coffees like “Cafe Bondi”, “Flat White” or famous cold brew!

My brother recommended me to visit “Brod”. This is a type of bakery that focused on mainly bread, spreads and simple but delicious cafe food.

I have had the best croissant in Turkey in their bakery so far and asked if they were making themselves. They adressed me to a few streets away place called: Origami!

Croissant, croissant, croissant!

I would definitely rate this place as a baker, cook and a simply human being.

This is one of the best croissants I have ever tasted. Not only in Istanbul.

Savour or sweet, simple or sophisticated. You cannot go wrong!

Coffee is becoming huge in Turkey if we don’t count 500 year old Turkish coffee culture!

I am talking about 3rd wave. People are getting more and more knowledgeable and picky like my Turkish looking Aussie husband.

He loved “Petra Coffee Roasters” as they are knowledgeable around their beans and techniques.

I absolutely find the cafe peaceful & simply elegant.

Another coffee specialty cafe one down the hill called “Moc”. They are one of the very first representer of 3rd wave in Turkey. They are making Australian style coffee and serving their signature coffees like “ Cafe Bondi”.

You thought I would go for a sushi dish or eat in a bakery if I am in Nisantasi, well you are wrong! I love finding the hidden and humble places like “ Pide”

Pide is a type of bread/ pastry that you can add different toppings, baked in woodfired ovens and served hot!

I liked the thickness, crunchiness and taste. They were awarded as top 10 in Turkey.

I would come back to try more!

Nisantasi is a kind of a place that you can see 80’s and way older beautiful buildings, narrow but busy streets, a place where you can still see suburbian culture altough its’ international atmosphere.

Let me go even more brave. This place reminds me a beautiful independent woman who lives one of these apartments, still wears her stylish European clothes she bought from years ago, hanging out with her celebrity friends, kindly smiles & gently handshakes with everyone.