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.
ADDRESS
Kemankes Mah
Necatibey Cd. 66 A
Karakoy
Istanbul
-
David Kohn’s first book, ‘Stages’, is unpredictable, experimental and informativeThe first book on David Kohn Architects focuses on the work of the award-winning London-based practice; ‘Stages’ is an innovative monograph in 12 parts
-
Jaguar spotlights five emerging artists in its inaugural Arts AwardsThe new Jaguar Arts Awards in partnership with London’s Royal College of Art embody a shared drive to nurture new talent; meet the 2025 winners
-
‘Locally anchored and globally conversant’: Salone del Mobile debuts in Saudi ArabiaSalone del Mobile lands in Riyadh (26-28 November 2025), bringing its creative and manufacturing know-how to one of the world’s fastest-growing markets and setting the stage for Italo-Saudi design relations
-
Sun-soaked European destinations to visit in springDreaming of Florentine palazzos and Greek islands now that the weather is starting to turn? Check into one of these beautiful European hotels and holiday homes
-
Turkish Airlines reveals its flowy new Crystal Business Class cabinsLuxury is in the air as Turkish Airlines pulls back the curtain on its anticipated new Crystal Business Class cabins
-
A wellbeing temple and ocean-side apartments: Scorpios brings its downtempo scene to the Turkish RivieraBeach club Scorpios opens its new Bodrum outpost, including the brand’s first accommodation offering, with Mexican-Mediterranean interiors
-
Istanbul’s Arkestra serves Michelin-starred dishes and three kinds of funArkestra is a one-of-a-kind and three-in-one Istanbul restaurant by chef Cenk Debensason and entrepreneur Debora Ipekel
-
Birdcage 33 opens with simplicity and elegance, perched on the Turkish RivieraBodrum welcomes Birdcage 33, a cool boutique hotel, to its Aegean coastline
-
Turkey’s Bodrum Loft hotel turns sculpture park this summerBodrum Loft hotel hosts artworks by Takashi Murakami, Daniel Arsham, Jean-Michel Othoniel and more in collaboration with Perrotin and consultancy Artsa
-
Visit Istanbul’s architectural gems, best restaurants and a historic bathhouseWhat to see and do in Istanbul – from restored architectural treasures to an experimental cocktail bar, a luxurious Turkish bath, and the city’s best kebabs
-
Villa One at the One & Only Palmilla — Los Cabos, Mexico
