I spent a few days in Istanbul a few years ago loved it. Love Turkish food too. There was a lovely little restaurant in a side street off the main shopping street which was amazing, great food and very cheap. The chilli green bean dish was lovely as was the chicken. Loved the archeology museum the orientation is great, I had not realised that the Roman Empire continued until almost 1066 over there. People are so nice. I fell down a pothole and I think half of Istanbul arrived to help me up.
I also like their broad bean stuff.
Mind you it gets quite cold suddenly in Istanbul I was there in the snow in November, so was glad I had put in the thermals as well. I went from Antalya where we spent the afternoon swimming in the sea to making snow men in Istanbul on an overnight bus.
Three weeks in Turkey -very green with envy.