In this issue

According to recent studies, “authenticity” is the number one factor that travelers look for in a destination. This is why exploring roads less traveled or meeting the locals are the most sought-after elements of every journey.

But what does authenticity stand for when it comes to food? Does the term apply to a restaurant that hasn’t changed in decades? Does it describe a place that served the original dish first? Or the one that did it best? Should we take a closer look at ingredients and only call those sourced from their place of origin authentic? Is authentic a synonym for “unchanging”? Or is it perhaps a reflection of current trends and present-day preferences?

Although many believe that food is the best way to expand one’s horizons, the search for well-defined authenticity can dangerously limit our perceptions. Following only one definition, we all risk missing out on something memorable just because it didn't fit the original vision.

The idea behind this food issue was to avoid this approach, and instead to cut through the plethora of claims of “authenticity” made on the many tastes of Istanbul to explore the old and the new, general and regional, local and fusion, rooted and imported—without the baggage of the term.

The only thing left for you to do is to explore all the options with an open mind.

The Guide Istanbul Magazine Description:

The Guide Istanbul, founded in November 1991 and published bimonthly by Apa Uniprint, is an essential guide to the city, offering candid recommendations and expert advice on restaurants and cafés, nightlife, the arts and entertainment scene, as well as design, fashion, touristic sites, and undiscovered places. We are a publication based on the principles of unwavering honesty and an insistence upon quality. Our goal is to simplify choices and make life easier for travelers as well as locals by providing information on select venues and events. All of our writers are locally based and offer insider advice on what to see and do in the city.

The official website of The Guide Istanbul magazine, theguideistanbul.com is a sharp, sophisticated, and trustworthy filter for the city’s happenings, and offers comprehensive listings of restaurants, bars, hotels, and more. The locally sourced information is written and edited by experienced writers who are in the know and dedicated to offering their wisdom impartially. We value quality over quantity and we are selective when it comes to our recommendations: we scour all the corners of Istanbul with a critical eye and recommend only what we rate positively amongst ourselves. The first of its kind, theguideistanbul.com aims to enrich your Istanbul experience and share its wealth of information to bring you the true essence of Istanbul and those gems that might otherwise get overlooked.