Mitte Karakoy — Istanbul, Turkey

Dining room at Mitte Karakoy restaurant, Istanbul, Turkey
(Image credit: press)

Once the last marquee has been taken down, it’s sometimes difficult to work out just what to do with a historic theatre building, especially the public spaces. Happily, many have fine bones by way of high ceilings, easy street access, and strong proportions – all attributes that Istanbul-based interior designer Sami Savatli has accentuated in the newly minted Mitte Karakoy restaurant.

Set in Istanbul’s Karakoy hipster quarter, the ground floor of the old theatre has been reimagined as a spacious, light-filled cocktail bar and restaurant that is two parts French art deco and one part Keith Haring.

Very confidently, Savatli imbues the space with a light modern touch whilst emphasising the building's heritage by using Italian terrazzo flooring, handcrafted ceramics, brass lamps, raw iron-legged tables, and a dramatic ceiling embedded with 166 wooden blocks of abstract designs, that are hand-painted with ink and gold leaf.

The somewhat eclectic menu echoes Istanbul’s straddle of East and West, executive chef Irem Esen soaking up the flavours of India, Indonesia, Japan and China to deliver tacos and beef tartar laced with truffled soya sauce, alongside bulgogi noodles, dim sum and beef udon fried Hokkien-styled. 

Mitte Karakoy restaurant bar, Istanbul, Turkey

(Image credit: press)

Sami Savatli interior design at Mitte Karakoy restaurant, Istanbul, Turkey

(Image credit: press)

Sami Savatli interior design at Mitte Karakoy restaurant, Istanbul, Turkey

(Image credit: press)

ADDRESS

Kemankes Mah
Necatibey Cd. 66 A
Karakoy
Istanbul

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Daven Wu is the Singapore Editor at Wallpaper*. A former corporate lawyer, he has been covering Singapore and the neighbouring South-East Asian region since 1999, writing extensively about architecture, design, and travel for both the magazine and website. He is also the City Editor for the Phaidon Wallpaper* City Guide to Singapore.