The most popular locale among the new restaurants and cafes around the restored buildings of Franciz Sokagi occupies an early-20th-century schoolhouse. There's a large garden shaded by enormous plane trees, and the food is creative without veering too far off the Turkish culinary map. Choose from an a la carte menu (appetizers and main courses 8YTL-28YTL/$7-$24/£3-£11) or from a selection of prix-fixe menus, including a "cocktail menu" for those not in the mood for a full meal. Open daily 9am to 2am.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Istanbul, 1st Edition, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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