Istanbul/New City

Istanbul's New City is a modern district north of Taksim Square. Its neighbourhoods of Elmadağ, Nişantaşı, Kurtuluş and Şişli were built up in the early 20th C, then more recently appeared the business district between Mecidiyeköy and Levent-Maslak. Most of Istanbul's steel-and-glass skyscrapers are located in Levent-Maslak. The district's main thoroughfare is Cumhuriyet Caddesi between Taksim Square and Mecidiyeköy (passing through or near Nişantaşı and Şişli) and its extension Büyükdere Caddesi, which runs through Levent and Maslak and eventually reaches Sarıyer on the Bosphorus bank to the north.

Get in

• The quickest way to reach New City is by metro which runs beneath Cumhuriyet Caddesi from Taksim to Maslak, with stations every couple of kilometres.
• Buses from other parts of the city run to Mecidiyeköy. Metrobüs, a rapid transit system plying along its own bus lane between western suburbs and Asian Side also passes through the district, calling at Mecidiyeköy and Zincirlikuyu stations (close to those metro stations).
• Dolmuşes ply between Beşiktaş and Nişantaşı.

See

• 🌍 Atatürk Museum (Atatürk Müzesi), Halaskargazi Caddesi 250, Şişli (on the main avenue of Şişli), ☎ [phone]. M-W Fr-Sa 09:00-16:00. The historical 3-storey house, easily recognizable among concrete apartment buildings with its pink exterior, which the founder of Turkish Republic, Kemal Atatürk rented while staying in Istanbul before setting sail to Samsun on Black Sea coast to start the Turkish War of Independence. Hosts Atatürk-related paraphernalia and photos. Free.  
• 🌍 Military Museum (Askeri Müze), Cumhuriyet Caddesi, Harbiye, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. W-Su 09:00-17:00. Among the exhibition of this museum are five thousand pieces from the Ottoman era through the WWII, with the most prominent piece possibly being the huge chain that the Byzantines stretched across the mouth of the Golden Horn to keep out the Sultan's navy in 1453 during the siege of Constantinople. In the yard of the museum, the Janissary Band (Mehter Takımı), world’s oldest military band gives concerts of march music in traditional uniforms each afternoon, at 15:00.  
• 🌍 Nişantaşı. Nişantaşı is a neighbourhood east of Şişli/northwest of Maçka Park known for its Art Nouveau apartment buildings, ground floors of many of which are occupied by upmarket restaurants, cafes, pubs, and garment stores lining the sidewalks. Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk, well-known Turkish novelist, is a lifelong resident of the neighbourhood which formed the background of several of his novels.  
• 🌍 Radio Building (Radyoevi), Cumhuriyet Caddesi, Harbiye (close to Military Museum). This building dating back to 1945 houses the local radio branch of state radio and television corporation of Turkey (TRT). Not an architectural pearl for sure (although fans of 1940s' totalitarian architecture may find a thing or two on its stately exterior), its importance lies on the part it played in the political history of Turkey: It was occupied three times by the Army, in 1960, 1971, and most recently in 1980, when the local radio was decidedly the broadcast type ranging most wide and far, to announce that they had taken over the governance of the country (i.e., they have launched a coup d'etat).  

Architecture

Skyline of Maslak

• When you are bored of Roman/Byzantine/Ottoman architecture whatsoever, this district—especially the northern sections around Levent and Maslak—is where you want to be to run an eye over steel-and-glass skyscrapers of Istanbul. However, southern sections around Harbiye, Elmadağ, Osmanbey, Nişantaşı, Kurtuluş, and Şişli has large numbers of neo-classical and Art Nouveau buildings which date back to the turn of 20th century, making a nice contrast to northern section of New Istanbul.

Do

• Attend the Tataula Carnival (Baklahorani). Shrove Monday every year. Despite a 1943 ban on this Greek Orthodox pre-Lent carnival by the Turkish authorities, it has been revived since 2010. The tradition began in the 19th century or earlier, and even though the event was led by local Greeks, the celebrations were open to everyone. It's also a nice opportunity to look into Turkey's multicultural past. Takes place in the Kurtuluş (previously named Tataula) neighborhood. 

Buy

This part of the city is characterized by having a modern shopping mall every few kilometers along the metro line. Here is a list of them:

• City's Nişantaşı, about a 10-minute walk (250 m) from Osmanbey Metro statıon.
• 🌍 Cevahir. Daily 10:00-22:00. The newest one of malls in Istanbul. At Şişli. Metro: Şişli-Mecidiyeköy. Also accessible from Mecidiyeköy Metrobus Station.  
• 🌍 Profilo. Located a bit away from main street (about 10 min walk) at Mecidiyeköy. Metro: Şişli-Mecidiyeköy. Also accessible from Mecidiyeköy Metrobus Station.  
• 🌍 Akmerkez. At Etiler. Nearest metro station is Gayrettepe/Zincirlikuyu. The mall is about 25-min walk or 10-min taxi ride away from that station.  

Skyline of Levent, the main business district of the city, as seen from Asian Side across the Bosphorus

• 🌍 Metrocity. Levent metro station has a direct exit to the mall.  
• 🌍 Kanyon. one of the most exclusive shopping malls in Istanbul with sophisticated, modernistic architecture, has a conncection to Levent subway station and to Metrocity by an underground passage. (updated Sep 2017)
• 🌍 İstinye Park. , extremely expensive and upscale mall about 400 m from Ayazağa metro station in Maslak. (updated Sep 2017)

Additıonally, Nişantaşı, downhill from Osmanbey metro station, is quite literally full of upscale boutique shopping options (e.g.: Gucci, Prada, Armani).

Eat

Budget

Mid-range

• Sultana's Dinner and 1001 Nights Show. In Elmadag, near Taksim, has traditional Turkish cuisine (meze, kebabs, desserts) with a show every evening of belly dancing, Turkish folklore and live music. 
• Set Kebap at Nispetiye Cad. No:13 in Levent. Has a wonderful meze table and delicious Adana Kebab. The staff speaks very little English but are most anxious to be helpful.
• Kosebasi Kebap. This Zagat-rated kebab joint serves traditional Turkish kebabs in modern/ upscale atmosphere. Levent is the main branch but they have 7 more locations (including 3 express versions) in Istanbul. 
• Sosa. At Akmerkez Mall, Etiler. tel - [phone]. Fairly priced salads and wraps among others.
• 🌍 Kristal Ocakbaşı, Eşref Efendi Sokak 14 (At the southern entrance to Osmanbey Metro), ☎ [phone]. Classic Turkish steak-house. (updated Apr 2017)
• 🌍 Sans, Palmiye Sokak 1. (SE of the 4. Levent metro station.), ☎ [phone]. 11:00-24:00; Su off. Nice restaurant in a small garden serving Turkish and Mediterranean food. (updated Apr 2018)

Splurge

Drink

• Aytekin Cafe, Sehit Muhtar Cad. 71 (north of Taksim Square), ☎ [phone]. Sidewalk cafe offering hooka (nargile). 
• Reassürans Pasajı in Nişantaşı houses many bars and cafés and is a good place for bar hopping on a Saturday night.
• Taps. A bar, restaurant and brewery in one. The crowd is the general Nişantaşı crowd, it also attracts a lot of expatriates. 
• Bar Blush, Teşvikiye Mah. Şakayık Sokak Sisli. Nice cocktail bar in Mecidiyekoy/Sisli area. They also do have imported beers and bar food as well. 

Adult entertainment

• The city's most reputable strip club, or gentleman's club, is Regina Revue, in Elmadag, near Taksim. It's not a sleazy place and has been running for nearly 30 years. Rather than a standard strip club with just a pole on the stage, Regina has many different decors and performances to music, with the girls acting out different scenarios on stage.

Sleep

At its south end this district shades into Taksim / Galata, where there's more choice.

Budget

Mid-range

• Istanbul Suites, Ergenekon Mahallesi, Harbiye Çayırı Sk. No:111, 34373 Şişli, ☎ [phone]. Ranging from duplex to studio apartments which are all furnished with modern appliances. It's located in the city center and is within a 5 minute walking distance to Taksim. Possibility for short and long term rentals. B&B doubles from €50. (updated Jul 2018)
• Gallery Residence Hotel, Vali Konağı Cad. Süleyman Nazik Sk. 10, Nişantaşı, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Suites with fully equipped kitchens, DVD players, and fax machines. Free wi-fi, breakfast, sauna, jacuzzi, and fitness. Doubles 80€. (updated Jul 2018)
• 🌍 Jazz Hotel, Bahtiyar Sokak 1, Nişantaşı, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 3-star jazz-themed hotel with 12 rooms named after famous jazz artists. Free wi-fi and breakfast. B&B doubles from €70. (updated Jul 2018)
• 🌍 Arts Hotel, South of Osmanbey Station, ☎ [phone]. Check-out: 12:30. Modern and elegant hotel. B&B doubles from €90. (updated Jul 2018)

Splurge

• 🌍 Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus, Cumhuriyet Caddesi, Harbiye, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Hotel offers a business center, fitness facilities, pool and Turkish baths. Rooms have high speed internet access. Hilton have several other hotels in the city. B&B double from €120. (updated Jul 2018)
• 🌍 Park Hyatt Istanbul - Maçka Palas, Tesvikiye, Bronz Sokak No. 4 Sisli, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 5-star hotel in the residential and shopping district of Nisantasi. Rooms combine Art Deco style and historic Turkish decor with modern amenities: wireless internet access, DVD player and iPod docking station. The hotel is also home to a spa, swimming pool and restaurants. B&B doubles from €230. (updated Jul 2018)