We have been to Istanbul many times and thus have covered nearly all the sights. This time we are visiting Sakip Sabanci and having dinner there after the Museum visit. Another place I thought we could cover is Chora Church as it has such great reviews. Is this church worth a dedicated visit? Have done Topkapi three times so am not planning a revisit. Also, other than Hamdi restaurant any other good kebab restaurants near by?

Yes, of course it's worth a dedicated visit - in both senses of the word "dedication"

It's one of the very few church buildings in Turkey with a full set of Christian iconography.

Convincing evidence of God's unhappiness with iconoclast fanatics is the complete hash 16th century Muslims in Turkey and Protestants in England made of trying to destroy humane Christians' depiction of saints.

I make a point of seeing as many of these rehabilitated works as possible - just to rub bigots' noses in what a waste of time their failure turned out to be. But even if you don't share my joy at their rebirth, the mosaics and frescoes are just terrific works of art.

Do get a decent guide book, though. On my last visit, the information available at the Chora itself was awful.

Yes, well worth the trek. The smaller scale of the church allows a more intimate glimpse of the mosaics
which are stunning.

The Chora Church, aka Kariye Museum, is absolutely worth a dedicated visit. I'm surprised that you haven't already seen it, since you say you have covered "nearly all the sights." I wonder what else you have missed?!? ;-)

Asitane is across the road.

Only a fool would underappreciate the Chora Church and its astounding mosaics and frescoes.

Thin

Asitane declined to serve me -- a solo female traveler.

Really?

I wonder why?

Do you think it was because you were an unaccompanied woman?

That neighborhood does seem very religious/conservative.

It certainly isn't Ortakoy or Nisantasi.

Thin

They seated me, and then no one would take my order. Waiters looked at me, and then looked away when I caught their eyes. After a long while (20 minutes?), I asked the manager, he said he couldn't force his staff to act against their beliefs. Since I was dressed conservatively, I can only assume it is because I was an unaccompanied woman.

BTW, Asitane was the ONLY place in Turkey where I encountered a problem as a solo female traveler.

We went to buy a carpet at a place in Sultanahmet--they had antique Iznik tiles on display in the basement.

The salesman who waited on us was NOT polished, seemed like he came from the lower class.

He kept asking ME what I thought of the carpets even though my mother was the one buying.

He wouldn't talk to her, only me.

She was so angry she didn't buy. I told
the salesman, "She has a very important job in the US and makes 20x
what you do. You are very stupid."

He practically threw us out onto the sidewalk.

I am sure his wife, mother, sisters wear the headscarf.

Thin

Thin, your mother made the right decision!

We will not go to Asitane due to kja's comment. Otherchelebi said the owners and staff are fundamentalists.

Are foreigner women allowed to laugh in public or is it also frowned upon'