Intimate in Istanbul

The corridor's literary meyhane, keeping a guest-book tradition since 1967.

Microphone-free fasıl ensemble in a restored 20-year house, the real version of what Sultanahmet sells tourists

A three-storey mansion off Kadıköy's beaten track, meze-first, with a garden of old Turkish records.

Koşuyolu's Aegean meyhane, a proper meze cabinet and a neighborhood that keeps it to itself.

World cuisines meets Antakya aromatic culture in Akaretler row house

Live jazz, refined cocktails and dining inside Khai Hotel Karaköy

Seasonal kitchen and an opinionated Turkish wine cellar on the quiet Mühürdar slope, adults-only, no menus in seven languages

Turkish viticulture by the glass at the Tünel mouth, 85 boutique producers, no foreign-name flex

Beyoğlu's serious 400-cap live room, international bookings (Sextile, Hugo Kant), no tribute bands

Chef-driven fine-casual seafood with daily catch and creative small plates

Tucked-in Sakız Gülü wine bar with a tight, evolving Turkish-focused list.

The original: Chef Khun Nuch, ex-Thai royal family chef, since 2006

Living-room-sized wine bar with charcuterie that punches above the General Yazgan address

Cafe by day, hi-fi cocktail bar by night on Şakayık

Day-to-night high-fidelity bar and bakery on Hüsrev Gerede

Maksut Askar and Levon Bagis pair Anatolian grapes with endangered regional plates.

Selectist's harbour-side hi-fi house with Funktion One sound

Small Bebek room with 20+ wines by the glass, Bosphorus-edge tables, and the early-evening crowd that owns the neighborhood.

Bosphorus-side live-rock institution out at Burunbahçe

1871 Pera wine house in the Hazzopulo Pasajı arcade, intellectuals' canteen, not a museum

Michelin-listed culinary archaeology reviving forgotten Anatolian dishes

Neighbourhood listening bar on Ahmet Fetgeri with vinyl-only program

Modern twist on traditional Turkish cuisine with daily-changing market menu

One legendary steak, one unforgettable experience

Rooftop dining with stunning Bosphorus views near Galataport

Chef-driven lokanta by day, modern meyhane by night on the Bosphorus

Historic 200-year-old han with lokanta lunch and meyhane evenings

Exclusively Turkish-sourced: octopus orzo and lamb shank on farmers' pasta

Lobby-floor jazz room at The Marmara Pera, four nights a week of local and international sets.

Refined seasonal menus championing small Anatolian wine producers

Three-table omakase fusing Pan-Asian technique with Anatolian soul

Alacati's beloved neo-bistro brings Aegean flavors and craft cocktails to Etiler

Zorlu PSM's 120-seat jazz box, live programme, intimate room, cocktails with the set

Boutique wine and olive house on Emirgan's prettiest backstreet

The neighborhood's modern meze bar with creative interpretations

Old Style New Generation Meyhane with chef-driven seasonal menus

Lal Dedeoğlu's French Passage hideout, kitchen counter, candlelight

1980 Sıraselviler wine cellar, Cihangir's reference for natural pours and serious staff advice

Michelin-listed modern lokanta with fire-focused open kitchen

Michelin-recommended casual fine dining with North Aegean soul

Natural wine bar with chef-driven small plates in Nişantaşı