ITTN in Istanbul with GoTürkiye: Tradition, Taste and Final Impressions!

ITTN’s Julia Labedz concludes the Istanbul Art and Gastronomy press trip with GoTürkiye, rounding off the experience with a day that perfectly captured the city’s rhythm — part tradition, part surprise, and entirely one-of-a-kind. Attending were Siún Lennon (Business Post Ireland), Samantha Huff (Huff Media), Jessica Phillips (The Independent), and Gerry Duffy (The Scottish Sun), alongside Gökçe Erbatu from GoTürkiye and their guide Alim Kocabıyık.

Day 3 – Heritage with a Twist

Tuesday began with another round of breakfast at The Marmara Pera, which had become something of a daily ritual for the group. Set high above Beyoğlu, the hotel has given its all from great views to being what the group called home throughout the trip – relaxed, central, and very accommodating.

The first visit of the day took the group to Vefa Bozacısı, a boza shop where history meets a touch of the unexpected…

Opened in 1876, the shop still displays its original wooden furniture and wall paintings — not behind glass or as part of a museum setup, but as part of its daily operations. The space feels lived-in and loved. While boza, a thick fermented drink with a lightly sour ( and fizzy!) flavour, may not be familiar to everyone, the roasted chickpeas sprinkled on top added a crunch that somehow made it all click. Adding to the beauty of the space – pillars wrapped in mirrored disco ball tiles, an oddly fitting detail that kept the space fresh. The drink, much like the place, is an acquired taste — but one worth acquiring.

From there, a walk through the nearby streets led the group toward Galataport, Istanbul’s new waterfront development. It’s a sharp difference to the historical corners of the city — all glass, polished stone, and open views across the Bosphorus. There are plenty of shoppers and locals moving between designer stores and outdoor cafés here. 

That day continued with a visit to the Istanbul Modern Museum, newly reopened in its purpose-built home designed by Renzo Piano. The architecture alone is a statement — minimal, coastal, and confident — but it’s the art inside that holds the attention.

The group moved through galleries of photography, sculpture, and mixed media. The museum’s collection didn’t lean on spectacle, instead asked us all to slow down and consider each piece, and the group particularly enjoyed the Reflection pool located on the rooftop overlooking Istanbul.

Next came a short walk to OCTO Restaurant, where the group rolled up their sleeves for a Turkish cooking workshop. The chefs guided everyone through the steps of making manti, small handmade dumplings filled either with minced meat or spinach for a vegetarian version. This was a hit activity for the group, with everyone participating at each step of the process. Certain dumplings perhaps weren’t as neat as the chefs, but they were certainly just as tasty.

Lunch followed the effort — a spread of traditional appetisers, a standout main of slow-cooked ribs, and just enough time to sit and enjoy the space. OCTO is located near the Bosphorus and is a great example of dining in ‘unfussy elegance’ – nothing forced, nothing overdone, just solid food accompanied by a seriously gorgeous view.

After lunch, the group transferred to İstiklal Street, where Istanbul once again flipped the script. The city’s main pedestrian avenue is a mix of old and new — centuries-old churches hidden behind clothing shops, bookstores next to street food carts, and a side alley that might lead to a music venue or a tiny courtyard tea shop. A short visit to St. Anthony of Padua Church, one of the largest Roman Catholic churches in the city, stood out — a quiet, red-brick structure among noise and crowds. Here, the group lit some candles before moving onto the day’s last cultural stop – the “Taste and Art: Delicious Paintings” exhibition at İş Sanat.

The title might sound whimsical — and it was (in a seriously delicious way) — but the exhibition offered more than expected. Playful, saturated displays of fruit and food all led the group on a journey ‘from farm to table’. Still life with a wink, but not without purpose.

Back at The Marmara Pera, there was some free time to get ready for one final group dinner.

The trip’s closing meal took place at Neolokal, a MICHELIN Star restaurant known for its modern reinterpretations of Anatolian cuisine. Neolokal pride themselves in serving good, honest food bridging the gap between the old and new, giving traditional dishes new life so that they can be enjoyed well into the future.

Housed within SALT Galata — a former Ottoman bank turned cultural space — Neolokal’s dining room is cool, clean, and pared-back, letting the food speak first. The group was served a 10-course tasting menu that moved from delicate fish to tangy lemon sorbet, with each dish delivered with explanation. It was a meal that felt like a summary of the trip itself – layered, thoughtful, and surprising in places.

Day 4 – Departures

The final morning began quietly, with one last breakfast at The Marmara Pera. Then came check-out and transfers to Istanbul Airport, with ITTN’s Julia Labedz and Síun Lennon from The Business Post travelling home separately to the group. The pair headed back to Dublin on the 12:55 Turkish Airlines service – which quite literally flew by!

ITTN’s Julia Labedz would like to extend sincere thanks to GoTürkiye and their partners for a press trip that was not only well-organised and generous in spirit, but also rich in content and fabulous conversation. Getting to visit centuries-old landmarks to contemporary kitchens and gallery spaces gave a timely and honest window into how Istanbul delightfully honours its traditions, and welcomes us into its future. It was a privilege to witness the city in motion — and to be welcomed so warmly throughout!