Look for fast food, Try the wonderful Turkish food instead
Also
Don´t expect to see this
or this
or even this:
Turkey is not Arabic country, nor spaek Arabic and use Arabic alphabet . Most Turkish women (more than 90%) do not use niqab also.
and from: Ihsan Hzmi, lives in Istanbul
It is simple :
1- It is been said, don’t take a taxi, especially at sultanahmet
2- Don’t shop for carpets and similar expensive stuff at touristy places like covered bazaar and sultanahmet. You have no chances (of making a real deal) no matter what.
3- Don’t eat where tourists eat. For 90% of time you are eating bad food, or just eating something nothing to do with the country. Insist on finding places where locals eat. Guides (online, offline) will help.
As I think, more things come to my mind: If there is a salesman/promoter (? I don’t know how these people are called) in front of a restaurant, pulling/ attracting visitors, don’t eat there, no matter what. The places under Galata Bridge are like this. You may drink a coffee/beer (not rakı) there though, the view is marvellous.
4- Don’t stay at Laleli-Aksaray area, and north-west of Tarlabaşı street, that is the opposite side of Istiklal street. The world changes on one side of this street, you shouldn’t even be walking there.