16 of the best · Istanbul, Türkiye
Rakı and meze, rooftop views and cocktails: where Istanbul drinks.
Our 16 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
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Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Istanbul.
The classic Beyoğlu meyhane
A small, much-loved meyhane in Asmalımescit, with meze, fish and rakı.
Asmalı Mescit Sokak No:16, BeyoğluExplore View on map
A 360-degree view
A rooftop bar and restaurant on top of a historic building on İstiklal, with views in every direction.
İstiklal Caddesi No:163, BeyoğluExplore View on map
Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque from above
A rooftop terrace in Sultanahmet with views of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the sea.
Tevkifhane Sokak No:8, Sultanahmet, FatihExplore View on map
Rakı and the meyhane.
The back story
Lion’s milk, they call it: rakı turns cloudy white when you add water. The meyhane, the tavern where it is drunk with meze, is one of Istanbul’s great institutions.
Meze, fish and rakı.
The classic Beyoğlu meyhane
A small, much-loved meyhane in Asmalımescit, with meze, fish and rakı.
Asmalı Mescit Sokak No:16, BeyoğluExplore View on map
The meyhane lane by the fish market
The lane of meyhanes beside the Balık Pazarı fish market off İstiklal, packed with tables on summer nights.
Nevizade Sokak, BeyoğluExplore View on map
A meyhane with a long history
A long-established meyhane in Asmalımescit, known for Black Sea dishes, meze and rakı.
Sofyalı Sokak, Asmalımescit, BeyoğluExplore View on map
Tables in the lane
A popular meyhane on Sofyalı Sokak with tables in the lane on summer evenings.
Sofyalı Sokağı No:9, BeyoğluExplore View on map
Lively and unpretentious
A lively, busy meyhane in Asmalımescit with a long menu of meze.
Asmalı Mescit Sokak, BeyoğluExplore View on map
The city at your feet.
A 360-degree view
A rooftop bar and restaurant on top of a historic building on İstiklal, with views in every direction.
İstiklal Caddesi No:163, BeyoğluExplore View on map
A terrace above Galata
A rooftop bar and restaurant on Kumbaracı Yokuşu, looking over the Bosphorus and the old city.
Kumbaracı Yokuşu No:57, BeyoğluExplore View on map
Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque from above
A rooftop terrace in Sultanahmet with views of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the sea.
Tevkifhane Sokak No:8, Sultanahmet, FatihExplore View on map
From Tomtom to Bebek.
Kadıköy’s creative bar
A bar with a garden and a programme of DJs and concerts on Kadife Sokak, Kadıköy’s bar street.
Kadife Sokak No:18, KadıköyExplore View on map
Cocktails in Tomtom
A small cocktail bar in the Tomtom quarter below İstiklal, known for creative drinks.
Yeni Çarşı Caddesi, BeyoğluExplore View on map
Cocktails in Cihangir
A small, well-loved cocktail bar on Akarsu Yokuşu in Cihangir.
Akarsu Yokuşu No:22, Cihangir, BeyoğluExplore View on map
Bebek’s favourite meeting place
A long-running bar-restaurant on Cevdet Paşa Caddesi in Bebek, busy from lunch until late.
Cevdet Paşa Caddesi No:51/A, Bebek, BeşiktaşExplore View on map
Cocktails and sushi
A cocktail bar in Asmalımescit with a playful menu and sushi.
Asmalımescit, BeyoğluExplore View on map
A Karaköy favourite
A bistro and bar in the lanes of Karaköy, busy from brunch to late.
Karaali Kaptan Sokak No:4A, Karaköy, BeyoğluExplore View on map
A wine house in Moda
A wine house with a garden in Moda, on the Asian side.
Moda, KadıköyExplore View on map
