Experiences
Şerefe
As well as street stalls selling cheap and tasty bites, there are grill houses serving kebab skewers and Meyhane (traditional taverns ) serving a range of meze along with a glass of rakı, the most popular spirit in Türkiye. Rakı, an anise-flavoured liqueur made from the Razaki grape, is also known as "lion's milk" because it takes on a milky colour when diluted with water. It is typically served with kavun (melon) and beyaz peynir (white cheese) and is something you definitely should not miss. Toast your guests by saying "Şerefe", which means "in your honour" or "cheers".
There are also Lokanta (artisan cafés) in the neighbourhood that offer affordable, comfort food on the go, and finally some of the most prestigious fine dining restaurants in the world.
It's not just traditional cuisine either. İstanbul is pioneering a new wave of hip restaurants offering fusion cuisine and drinks that are as photogenic as they are delicious. Third-wave cafés and edgy bars are serving locally brewed beer and West Coast-style barbecue in areas like Bomonti, Bostancı, and Moda.
Where To Party and Meyhane?
Popular places for a wonderful Meyhane experience can be found in the Yedikule and Çengelköy neighbourhoods, which offer a rich heritage of meyhane cuisine that has been passed down from generation to generation.
For an alfresco experience, the terraces in Karaköy and Balat offer stunning views of the Golden Horn and are perfect for warm nights.
In Beyoğlu you'll find plenty of meyhane with tables spilling out into the side streets, but Kurtuluş offers a few cosy places where the meze is always fresh and delicious and you can wash it down with Turkish coffee and a glass of mint liqueur.
Head to Kadıköy and the hip backstreets of Moda and you'll find yourself in the pedestrianised Osmanık Sokak, where the neighbourhood is buzzing with Meyhanes on the street and the entertainment of rock, jazz, and traditional Turkish folk music jostling for the attentions of the patrons' ears.
