Tapasuma, Istanbul, Turkey

Offering one of Istanbul's best waterside views, the newly opened Tapasuma restaurant is yet another reminder of what a cosmopolitan contender the city has become. Housed within a nineteenth century Ottoman distillery, the interior features a striking centerpiece in the form of an eight-metre long Calcutta marble bar, while a palette of mushroom and charcoal grey have a warming effect, brightened by plenty of natural light. Chef Gokay Cakiroglu serves up a tempting menu of traditional yet modern Turkish fare that includes a selection of hot and cold tapas dishes such as baked, dry figs stuffed with goats cheese. The extensive wine list, offering an array of regional grapes, adds to the locality of this very modern Turkish restaurant.