Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

A Women should always cover their heads and shoulders with a shawl or scarf; both women and men should dress modestly. A Avoid visiting mosques within 30 minutes of when the ezan (call to prayer) sounds from the mosque minaret; and also around Friday lunch, when weekly sermons and group prayers are held. A Speak quietly and don’t use flashes on your camera if people are praying (and never photograph people praying). Street Snacking Locals love to eat, and do so at regular intervals throughout the day. In busy areas around town ( iskeles, bazaars, shopping strips), street carts and stands sell a huge variety of quick and cheap eats. The most popular of these are fish sandwiches and döner kebap or kokoreç (seasoned grilled intestines) stuffed in bread, but other favourites include roasted chestnuts, grilled corn on the cob, midye dolma (stuffed mussels) and tavuk pilav (rice with chickpeas and chicken). Produce Markets Locals love to shop and, although there seems to be a swish modern mall unveiled every few weeks, the hundreds of traditional street markets across the city retain loyal followings. To see local life at its most vibrant head to the streets around the Spice Bazaar, to the Kadınlar Pazarı in Fatih, the famous produce market in Kadıköy every day except Sunday, or to the streets surrounding the Fatih Mosque on Wednesday. Sunday Brunch A chance for friends and extended families to get together over an inexpensive meal, this ever-growing phenomenon has plenty of local devotees. Popular options include Namlı Gurme, Aheste, Dandin and Cuma