Polonezköy, Polish village and restaurant in Beykoz district, Turkey
Polonezköy is a village with traditional wooden houses and narrow streets scattered across forested hills on Istanbul's Asian side. The settlement includes a restaurant that serves food from both its Polish heritage and Turkish traditions.
The village was founded in 1842 by Prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski as a refuge for Polish refugees fleeing the November Uprising against Russian rule. The settlement grew into a stable community that maintained its European traditions over the decades.
The settlement retains Polish roots visible in street names and building styles that reflect its founding community. Walking through the village, visitors encounter physical reminders of how a European population chose to build their lives in this Istanbul location.
The village is easiest to reach by bus from Üsküdar or Kadıköy stations, with the journey taking roughly one hour from central Istanbul. The streets are narrow and hilly, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
The restaurant serves Polish classics like pierogi and borscht alongside traditional Turkish dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients. This culinary blend reflects the settlement's dual identity and offers visitors a rare taste of two distinct cultural traditions.
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