Journey Lounge

Journey is the favorite brasserie of Cihangir. It stands out with its casual yet attentive and accommodating service. A feat that probably either attracted local artists and the Cihangir elite or had to match their attendance. Journey is a good place to grab a bite for lunch, have a coffee or apéritif or use as a better-decorated office. The inside is decorated like a spot from a coffee table with an emphasis on tropical modern.

What to order: This is a classic brasserie menu hosting breakfast, pasta, healthy eats and a few more Turkish lunch classics. I truly enjoy the dolma with yogurt here but perhaps sharing plates and hearthy breakfast options make more sense.

What to know: The two artists I see often here that I think are worth writing about are Teoman, the heartthrob rockstar defining 2000s and Mabel Matiz, an urban pop artist with influences of Anatolian folk. The latter may be of higher interest to foreigners as he holds a unique music style. If you are in Cihangir and want a place to spend time and people-watch, this is the spot.