Balat Travel Guide
If you have been living in the same neighborhood for a long time; You want to be in control of every detail that happens in your living space and to know everyone. Because greeting your neighbors, the sweet smiles on the faces while passing in front of the shopkeepers will probably be a few details that make you feel that you are in your safe area.
I have been living in Balat since my childhood and I want to look around me; I have been a principle since the time I remember myself. Although this neighborhood is divided into categories such as “changes, those who stay the same, newcomers, those we need to meet, people who are always from here” on a huge map in my mind; The excitement of the newcomer makes it easier to keep my familiarity alive in my association with the neighborhood as well as the presence of the old one.
It was in this neighborhood that I met Máh-roc for the first time. I guess that's why I don't feel like we've been together and have known each other for a really long time, either when I knocked on the door of their workshop or when I met the team.
We did a Balat tour with Máh-roc in the past weeks. I want to tell you about this trip; since certain focal points of Balat are highlighted in this guide, you can determine your route by taking the historical corpus behind you with reference to this directive and at the same time realizing the transformation that has taken place in the last fifteen years.
Historical Çıfıt Çarşısı: The concrete aspects of the meanings such as “complex, irregular” that come to mind when the word Çıfıt is mentioned; You can find it on the street that divides into two. When you want to handle your daily work; When you want to stop by a herbalist, a small botanist, or a glass shop in the bazaar, this should be the first place you come to; that your path will surely pass through here.
A few tips on the way:
Sago Balat:
We can recommend you to eat a few scoops of ice cream from the delicious ice cream portfolio of Sago Balat (@sagobalat), which is located on the current Leblebiciler Street in the bazaar, which includes organic products in its production and includes vegan options.
Balat Merkez Candy Store:
When you go a little further on the same street, you will be greeted by the colorful showcase of Balat Merkez Şekercisi (@balatmerkezsekercisi). For tasting, it is enough to look at the candies, each of which is their own production, with interested eyes; because in a few minutes you may find yourself alone with various candies that are pressed into your palms by the shopkeeper.
Agora Tavern 1890:
If your return coincides with the afternoon, if you are looking for a place to have a pleasant conversation with your friends or if you want to drink something and eat delicious appetizers accompanied by Müzeyyen Senar's voice, we can recommend Agora Tavern 1890 (@agorameyhanesi1890). Because exactly as Onur Şenli said;
“This is Agora Tavern.
Where one goodness defies all evil.”
Auctions:
If you come across active hours; You can also spend time at the auctions, which re-establish Balat's memory and recirculate it through various materials. You can buy all kinds of vintage items at affordable prices, or if you're a collector, you can find the new member of your collection somewhere. The first things that come to my mind are; Venue Antik Istanbul (@mekanantikistanbul), Fener Antique Auction (@fenerantikmezat), Folan Filan Auction (@falanfilanmezat).
Bakery of the House, İnebolu Bakery:
If you have coincided your Balat trip with breakfast hours; Of course, there are a few places we would recommend for mini breakfast sessions. We recommend you to taste the homemade pastries of Evin Unlu Mamülleri (@evinpastanesi), which you can find by following the smell of the breadcrumbs being baked, or the bagels baked in the stone oven of İnebolu Bakery, 7-8 minutes away on average.
Things I couldn't skip:
-Coffee Department: We recommend you to visit the Balat branch of Coffee Department (@coffeedepartment) for freshly brewed coffee with coffee beans from different parts of the world.
-Historical Balat Pickle: With pickles and pickle juices made from all the vegetables and fruits you can think of at this stop; it is possible to give your palate all kinds of sour experiences.
