Yeldeğirmeni is the Brooklyn of Istanbul.
Yeldeğirmeni named the Brooklyn of Istanbul
August 4, 2026 - Brooklyn Of (brooklynof.com), a travel publication that names the coolest neighborhood in more than 150 cities worldwide, has named Yeldeğirmeni the Brooklyn of Istanbul.
The "Brooklyn of" a city is a metaphor, of course: shorthand for the coolest neighborhood in town, the one where independent culture, serious coffee, and creative energy define the character. Not the old town, not where the hop-on-hop-off bus goes. Every big enough city has one, and the site names exactly one per city. In many cities the pick is close to consensus, the name locals would give without hesitating. In others it picks a side. Istanbul's verdict went to Yeldeğirmeni ahead of Moda, Balat and Karaköy, which take the runner-up positions.
"We named Yeldeğirmeni the Brooklyn of Istanbul. It is a neighborhood where murals cover old railway workers' housing and an empty building becomes a gallery overnight without anyone writing a press release. Istanbulites are welcome to tell us we are wrong," says Per, creator of Brooklyn Of.
The verdict comes with a guide to Yeldeğirmeni's independent hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops: no big chains, nothing sponsored, and placements are not for sale. Selections draw on research and local tastemakers in each city, and readers who disagree are invited to make their case.
The full Istanbul verdict: brooklynof.com/istanbul
Press contact: Per, creator of Brooklyn Of, hello [at] brooklynof.com
Press kit and images: brooklynof.com/press/istanbul
Runner-up neighborhoods: Moda, Balat, Karaköy
Free for editorial use in coverage of brooklynof.com. Credit: brooklynof.com.
hello [at] brooklynof.com · Per is available for interviews, quotes, and written commentary on this and every city in the index.