Words Allison Reiber DiLiegroDate 15 November 2024
Eight years ago, Bilgen and Dilek founded In-Between, an agency based in Istanbul that offers tailored communication services in design, architecture, and lifestyle. Seemingly involved in all the most buzzed-about projects, from Maison&Objet to the Istanbul Design Biennial, the agency’s scope ranges from strategic positioning for creative events to video shoots for architectural projects. Bilgen and Dilek are regulars on the international design week scene, popping up in Milan, Paris, and Stockholm, which, as Dilek says, “allows us stay updated and reflect this knowledge in our projects.”
“We travel often for work and pleasure, and each time we return to Istanbul, it feels like home,” Bilgen tells us. “Despite the city’s constant flux, you can always find serene moments and a strong sense of community in this glorious place.” Here, they share the places they’re watching with us.
Dilek Öztürk & Bilgen Coskun
The mosaic of many influences gives Istanbul its unique hybrid identity. Immigration from neighboring countries has reshaped the city’s ethnic structure in the recent years, and we’re starting to see the restaurants and shops that these new citizens are opening.
With the opening of the new airport the notion of “connecting east and west” has become even more visible. Istanbul is one of the world’s most visited cities, and this constant influx is reshaping the city. When you stroll through bustling areas like Beyoğlu or Eminönü, you encounter people from all over the world. In Cihangir or Nişantaşı, you find a lifestyle reminiscent of European metropolitan districts, while in Eyüp or Üsküdar, you feel more of a Middle Eastern atmosphere. This blending and constant evolution are some of the most admirable traits of this ancient city.
Beyoğlu is making a comeback, with bookshops like Minoa, coffee spots like Petra, restaurants like Aheste, and shops like Tiftix, Studio 900, and Özlem Tuna enriching the social scene. You can catch an exhibition at Meşher, Galerist, or Öktem&Aykut, and then head to AKM for a concert or opera.
Seraf Vadi
Karaköy Lokantası
Arkestra
Ayazağa, Vadi
Designed by Yeşim Kozanlı Architects, this restaurant serves a contemporary interpretation of Anatolian cuisine by chef Sinem Özler. Both the menu and the restaurant design are rooted in the idea of “reinterpretation of local cultural values,” providing guests with a unique dining experience. The design centers around the theme of the “tree of life,” visible in its columns, color palette, and organic shapes. Seraf is a hospitality experience creating emotion and memory.
Etiler, Beşiktaş
Kemandeş Mahallesi, Beyoğlu
A classic we still love is Karaköy Lokantası, a fantastic spot for lunch or dinner, where you’ll feel an old-school sense of hospitality. Owners Aylin Okutan and Oral Kurt pay close attention to every detail, ensuring that you enjoy freshly prepared mezes and dishes cooked over a charcoal grill.
Sankai by Nagaya
Paraliaki
Bebek, Cevedet Paşa, Beşiktaş
Sankai by Nagaya is a 24-seat omakase restaurant with a homey Japanese ambiance. Designed by GEO_ID using exquisite materials like sculptural high-gloss lacquered wood, denim wallpapers, and hand-painted bar surfaces, Sankai embodies Zen philosophy and the celebration of life in Japanese culture. The creative tasting menus are updated seasonally.
Gölköy Mahallesi, Bodrum/Muğla
Bodrum became an extension of the Istanbul gastronomy scene in the summer. Paraliaki, also designed by GEO_ID, was the best culinary experience for us last summer. The restaurant is located directly by the Aegean Sea in a tranquil bay and is characterized by its stone masonry, delicately created terracing, lego-like plant pots, and a powder room designed as a jewel box with mirrored walls. With the ambience, quality of ingredients, and excellent cooking, Paraliaki is unforgettable.
Nackiye
Geo Gallery
Vişnezade, Süleyman Seba, Beşiktaş
This fashion brand by sisters Başak and Defne Kocabıyıkoğlu offers a collection of artisanal garments that capture the charm of the Eastern Mediterranean. Their showroom, designed by Autoban and located in a historical building in Akaretler, presents a striking contrast between contemporary and historical elements.
Evliya Çelebi, Meşrutiyet, Beyoğlu
Geo Gallery is a discovery platform where visitors can explore works by renowned global and Turkish designers and brands, vintage finds, loungewear, and specially commissioned artworks. Founders Mahmut Anlar and Tuğçe Örtmen have created an atmosphere that evokes all the senses.
Anna Laudel Gallery
Istanbul Modern
Gümüşsuyu, Kazancı Ykş, Beyoğlu
Anna Laudel Gallery offers a vibrant program showcasing works by renowned and emerging Turkish and international artists. Additionally, the gallery holds works by renowned artists such as Botero and Picasso.
Kılıçali Paşa, Tophane İskele, Beyoğlu
Designed by maestro Renzo Piano, Istanbul Modern has already become a landmark in the recently opened Galataport area, hosting exhibitions by celebrated artists like Olafur Eliasson.
Opening image Marco Argüello
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