5 or 6 hours to kill in Istanbul-suggestions please ??

[Adidasfish]

We have 5 or 6 hours to kill between flights on 18 September - we're arriving Istanbul at 17:30 and our Dalaman flight doesn't depart until 23:55.

We're hoping that, come the date, we may be able to get on an earlier flight (they're all full at the moment) and get to Kalkan at a reasonable hour.

But if not, can anyone recommend a decent restaurant near to the airport we could visit to kill a bit of time? (It's either that or spending the whole 5 hours drinking overpriced Efes in the 'North Star' pub in the domestic airport) .
Any suggestions of how to pass the time between flights will be welcomed!


Linkback: https://www.enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?topic=4205.0

[Mercimek]

Normally as 'in transit' passengers you are not meant to leave the airport. Having said that I have taken the Havas bus into Taksim where there are numerous restaurants.
From memory the journey took 20-30 mins & cost in 10tl one way.
See this link for more details http://www.havas.com.tr/en/otobus_istanbul_ahl.asp

You can also get the metro from the airport http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/Maps/ist_metro_map.html

[Lantana]

At peak rush hour time on the end of Ramazan/start of Seker Bayram holiday weekend, you might be taking a big risk trying to go anywhere too far from the airport area.  I've known the non-rush hour 30-40 minute journey turn into 2 hours of interminable traffic jam, so do keep that in mind.

But if you are looking for a really good restaurant near the airport, try Beyti at Orman Caddesi 8, Florya. (http://www.beyti.com.tr/). It's where the Istanbullu choose to go themselves and it's about 10-15 mins from the airport. Well known to taxi drivers and probably about a 10-15 lira ride away.  Not cheap, but excellent traditional Istanbul cuisine and frequently written up in travelogues.  We've eaten there many times and always had a meal to remember.

Lantana

[Adidasfish]

Many thanks for the suggestions Mercimek / Lantana.
As Lantana mentions, it's rush hour and the start of Seker Bayram holiday - which is exactly why I didn't fancy our chances trying to get into the centre of Istanbul and back. I am guessing public transport to and from the airport will be very crowded too with a lot of people on the move for the holidays.
Will have a look at the Beyti website - sounds like it could be an excellent start to the holidays! Thanks again.