I recommend you grab a fish sandwich (6TL) from the
Galata Bridge and enjoy aboard.
Perfect with a hot cuppa Cay which they
sell for 1TL. There are toast and Crackers Orange Juice and milk etc
sold aboard regularly too. Some announcement on important site through the
loudspeakers.
You can rent the audio guide for 10TL at ticket booth.
I did not do it. Relied on my guide book and simply read when we
passed the different historical points along the river and snapping away.
Care for a spot of tea? I've always walked by but never gone in before really. A long queue just to get in as off 3pm in the afternoon. They are pretty much known for their light bites and their pastries as well. Yet to be reviewed, but by the long lines and internet reviews, a place to go for a meal or lunch. The place closes at approximately 5pm along with the main mall.
The Queen Victoria Markets is the largest open market in the Southern Hemisphere, selling organic foods and various dining opportunities. An array of mini-shops/stalls, most of which offer uniquely different items for sale, provides variety and diversity to all whom visit. Watch out for street performers, providing laughter, musical tunes and cheers to appreciative visitors. Nearing closing times are the most exciting and lively, as vendors let go of foods and eats cheap, to clear the days stock.
Getting There
From Flinders station, take either 59/57 or even 19 to Queen Victoria Market.
The Victoria Market as the name inherently suggests is a market. It sells quality meats at good value. Be inspired by their beautiful produce and cuts of meats and array of seafoods.
*Hannah and Jarrod*
*Taken on 29April22*
*Prices on 19Nov22*
*Prices on 19Nov22*
*Prices on 19Nov22*
Light eats are avaiable in the antipesto side of the market.
Two special mentions at the Victoria Parks are the Donut Van
The first goes to a seemingly, hugely popular Donut van, selling freshly fried, and strawberry stuffed donuts at 6 for AUD6. The queue stretches a good 20-30meters at times. See if you can buy off 1 donut from happy patrons at the front. However after 3 years of returning here, I finally got to trying one of these 'gems'. Not too impressed. A little doughy and definitely light on the filling. However one can't deny that freshly friend donuts are still good.
Never will I look at Pens the same again! Here Pens go from timeless designs, to the really exotic. Prices may go up to four figures and beyond. Here are some of the unique ones that I came across.
Pictured Left are the Porsche series. Pen 7 made from the Brake Line of the Porsche and Pen 6 from some other parts of the engine. Its not just an esthetic beauty but its incorporated in function in the deployment of the pen. Pen 6 twists the spokes to be aligned and Pen 7 contracts like a snake, both of which to deploy the pen. Aprox AUD300++ each.
Pictured Right Pens 1 and 3,4 are made from Volcanic rock, from Italy. The selling point were that it could withstand extremely high temperatures, but more interestingly, people suffering from sweaty palms, would have no trouble gripping onto these pens. A really good sell at the shop as proclaimed by the staff. Aprox AUD350++ each.
Pen 2 design, was designed, way back in the 18 something and even put on display in the museum, because of its timeless design. Made from Titanium, this pen goes at about the AUD300 range. Pens 5 and 8 are sleeker, women's pen, with carbon fiber and some deployment by shaking the Pen itself. Amazing!
Much more varieties and collector editions, such as wooden pens, gold tip fountain pens which glide effortlessly as you write, sting-ray skin, limited editions. A unique gift for sure. Click here for ABBA details of Pen City 215 Elizabeth Street
"Little Italy"
Need your
Italian fix and Gelato delights? Lygon street is laden with a large range of
Italian and various dining bistros. To top it all, a Ferrari shop, Forza Italia. Visit this place
especially during the F1 racing period. You'll get to see Super Cars line the streets in support of the racers.
You
have all the big shop name like Myers, David Jones and many more. Take
a stroll and you will find many more big brand shops, specializing in
shoes, clothing, cameras and electronic equipments. There are also,
comic/collectables shop lots, as well as army surplus stores, with great
outdoor camping gears, which line Bourke Street. Further down this street is China Town.
Almost everywhere in the world, you will find a China Town. This relatively small district has all your Asian food delights, with some Ice-cream stores like "Tom Turtle 169 Bourke St"offering very local flavors well known in SE-Asia , such as Teh Tarik, Longan, Durian, Coconut Pandan and more. Above pictured are Passion Fruit and Panda-Coconut flavor.
To be honest, I was rather disappointed by the show and in fact, felt it was somewhat a case of false advertising. Here's why. Based on poster designs and images used for media, it gave the impression that it would be largely, be a Michael Jackson impersonator who's going to be the main lead. Not only that and assuming likely to be perform his biggest hits. Perhaps goes through the musical journey or even cover the life history of Michael Jackson.
That was however rather much not the case and was severely underwhelming. It turned out to be mostly singersdoing covers of some of his songs through the ages and with Michael Jacksonimpersonator appearing at most 2-3times and sometimes even as a backup dancer!
The performance lacked stage presence, and too many slow ballads with lesser known songs did not help at all. Mega hit songs like Bad, Black or White were only performedbriefly and at the seemingly ending credits of the show. A real disappointment with, in my opinion apoor, choice of music selection.
If fatigue was a real indicator of how captivating a play was, especially having an early morning arrival, this had myself and friend taking micro naps and struggling to get through. Somebackup dancers could be seen just going through the motions rather than giving their all.
I suspect that apart from the female leads singing performance, the rest of the singerscould either have Pre-recorded or have their voices auto tuned during theirperformance. Even the Michael Jackson impersonator was merely mouthing the words,whilst performing, concentrating fully on the dance moves.
From here on end, am going to review plays before attending them. I'm probably goingto be sticking to story plays, which are so much more engaging than this more concert/homage than life story of Michael Jackson. (Wicked, amazing! click here for review.)
My personal thought is to save your money for something else. Will definitely be researching genuine reviews from here on end prior plays. Thriller play at the Lyric Theater for your consideration.
A very rustic and quaint two story pastry house, which churns out fresh pastures everyday. They do serve some savories but primarily, the message is clear when peering through their front window. Beautiful pastries line the shelves awaiting your order.
Opens at 9am and till 10pm. Check out its list of accolades.
An absolutely phenomenal, picturesque, panoramic view of the city. Located on the 40th story of the Heron Towers, located right next to Liverpool Street station, this British modern restaurant delivers a view like no other. Their food served definitely matches the fantastic view.
A completely different look and feel to the place at night.
Their menu changes monthly, moving with the seasons. Its best to make prior reservations to avoid disappointment. Others have related that their last minute turn up and attempted wait of expected 2hrs, resulted in only having to ditch the meal entirely due to per-purchased plays, which generally start about 1930hrs.
We had made reservation on the day of arrival at 1030hrs for a table reservation at1530hrs. (That was the latest they could reserve as we had targeted a timing just before sunset. As seen from the pictures above, that worked out perfectly.)
A balance of sweet and savory to a T. Served with fresh pea tendrils and I believe and amayo mustard sauce and the bottom. The flavors and textures just work. A definite re-order the next time.
N'duja & Gruyere £6 Freshly baked bread is the best. A warm heat with the balance of cheese is a great start to the meal. Be warned that the red spices colors do run and stains everything. Maybe no big smile pictures after this dish. Roasted Octopus £13 Chorizo, potato, lemon, caper with squid ink Mayonnaise topping. Phenomenal. It's incredibly difficult to get octopus done perfectly. They nailed that cook right on the spot. Cooking the octopus for 45mins before tenderizing it, and finishing it with the broil. Fried brine capers adds a unique salt element, as well as an interesting textural feel to the dish.
A great meal with an unparallelled view. Atmosphere, fantastic and undeniable and as previously mentioned, food meets the mark as well!
A definite revisit and when asked how it compares to Dinner in London (click here for Dinner review), I'd put it way up there as well. Though Dinner has an undisputed standing as a 2 Michelin-stared and, then ranked world no.5 restaurant, the experience here is a completely different. Its like having a simple sandwich on a mountain top. It really doesn't matter what you are having, but here the food is good and worth a visit!
The vibe in the night.
Two stories below is a Sushi restaurant that is often booked out to play host to London's elites and celebrities, often closed for big party events.
A view of their open air area.
ABBAtip: - As seats are limited, try to make a reservation and try plan it near the sun down. Getthe view of both worlds. - It's open 24hrs but they have strict dress codes and minimum orders. Most stays (depending on pax) are often limited to 2hrs. - Free Wifi is available at location