Gastro-advancements have seen Istanbul’s restaurant scene expand over the past few years. New restaurants keep popping up in Istanbul’s trendiest neighborhoods, and one of the latest to enter the Asmalımescit area is Date, a concept venue that is a bar, a restaurant, and a shopping spot all in one. The venue made a grand entry last week with their official opening that included a fashion show. (You can see the full review of Date here.)

With fall’s approach, the Şişhane district is getting crowded and lively again, especially now that Bird re-opened its doors for the new season. Karaköy has been home to constant new openings in the past few months, one of the latest being Bank, located in Gradiva Hotel. (Click here for the full review.) Coffee & Jazz House, a calm jazz spot that we have yet to discover ourselves, opened up on Kumbaracı Yokuşu in Beyoğlu. It sounds like a quiet getaway in such a chaotic part of the city. Located on the same street, Indochine, Istanbul's first Vietnamese restaurant that opened up at the end of spring, has changed its name to Cocine.

Nişantaşı is also witnessing some changes, one of the most notable being Asmalımescit’s French restaurant La Brise’s move to the area. The Asian Side is welcoming a new five-story Armani store on Bağdat Caddesi next month, with an Armani Café on its ground floor. The Doors Group, which owns some of Istanbul’s most famous restaurants including Zuma, Vogue, and The House Cafe, is planning to open a new restaurant called Raika on the terrace of The Marmara Taksim.

In addition to these, there is gossip around town about upcoming ventures. One of the most exciting ones is a GQ bar set to open in Etiler on top of Nusret.  Cipriani may also open a branch here, and Nusret may open a branch by the entrance of Billionaire Club. Nightlife guru İzzet Çapa is rumored to open a new venue called Mahalle in Akaretler. America’s favorite deli stop Dean & Deluca is said to open in Kanyon shopping mall, and the Chinese chain P.F. Chang is expected to open shop in Etiler.

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