Changa

Price guide: Expensive

Sıraselviler Caddesi No. 47, Taksim, Istanbul

Price guide: Expensive

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Changa

By Jennifer Hattam, your Istanbul expert

I write for DK Eyewitness, Time Out .... Read more
#2 of 40
expert-rated restaurants in Istanbul
Expert overall rating:4.8 out of 5
Food and drink:
4.8
4.8
Ambience:
4.3
4.3
Service:
4.5
4.5
Location:
4.3
4.3
Value for money:
4.2
4.2
Recommended for:
Business travellers, Couples, Culture vultures, Foodies, Nightlife, Romance, Special occasions, Trendiness

Best for Gourmets - Expert review of Changa

Last updated 21 November 2010

Fine fusion dining in a historical Art Nouveau building.

This pioneer of Turkish fusion food -- its name means “mix” in Swahili -- is still among the best, serving up innovative dishes in a sleek atmosphere.

Food and drink: 

Apart from some common local ingredients -- goats cheese, pomegranates, pistachios -- the preparations of meat and fish are so far from traditional fare, I have a hard time seeing how they’re still “Turkish,” but that’s a mere conversational diversion when everything is so satisfying. There’s not much here for vegetarians though. The bar, includes excellent specialty cocktails, many made with fresh and unusual fruits.

Recommended dishes: 

The duck spring rolls with apple and plum chutney, slow-cooked beef cheeks with Turkish noodles, and lime-flavoured chocolate cake were among the stars of a recent meal.

Ambience: 

Large windows and open staircases expand the small rooms spread over four floors of a 103-year-old Art Nouveau townhouse and are done up in a pleasing minimalist style, with retro chairs, big mirrors, and works by local artists.

Service: 

Service is attentive and fairly formal.

Location: 

Just off the bustling Taksim Square in the central Beyoğlu district.

Price advice: 

Main dishes range from 40-55 lira.

Other useful branches: 

The offshoot at the Sakıp Sabancı Museum, Müzedechanga (“Changa at the museum”) is just as good and offers views across the Bosphorus (also known as the Istanbul Strait) in a relaxing garden setting.

More information on Changa:

Price guide:
Expensive
Type:
Bar, Restaurant
Food:
Fusion, Modern
Address:
Sıraselviler Caddesi No. 47, Taksim, Istanbul
Telephone:
0212 251 70 64
Website:
http://www.changa-istanbul.com
Serves:
Dinner
Opening times:
Open Mon-Sat 6pm-1am.
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Reservations:
Always essential

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