Must-see nightlife in Turkey

  • Black Cat Coffee & Roastery

    Eskişehir

    The best cup of coffee you'll get in Turkey. This is serious coffee-nerd territory complete with a vintage-meets-contemporary interior vibe and baristas…

  • Dusk by Koza

    Göreme

    Sip sunset cocktails while taking in the best view in town. Tamer and Lisa have created Göreme's most chilled-out, intimate summer drinking spot on the…

  • Şeytan Kahvesı

    Ayvalık

    One of the town's best-loved and most historic cafes, Şeytan Kahvesi (the Devil’s Coffeehouse) was named after the current owner’s grandfather, who…

  • Mimar Sinan Teras Cafe

    Istanbul

    A magnificent panorama of the city can be enjoyed from the spacious outdoor terrace of this popular student cafe in a ramshackle building located in the…

  • Castle Café

    Antalya

    This perch on the cliff edge is a superb choice at sunset, attracting a crowd of young Turks with its affordable drinks. Service can be slow, but the…

  • Sazz Cafe

    Trabzon

    One of central Trabzon's most alternative cafe corners, Sazz occupies a funky old house. Favoured summer seating is on low, cushioned stools alongside a…

  • Hogwarts Express 9¾

    Trabzon

    Harry Potter fans prepare to be bewitched. Dress up for a selfie in a wizzard's gown holding the wand of your choice in a room dangling with candles and a…

  • Bezmigah Cafe & Restaurant

    Trabzon

    If you climb up through the forgettable lower floors of Trabzon's historic covered marketplace (Bedestan), you emerge in this magical, low-lit space of…

  • Kronotrop

    Beyoğlu

    Specialty coffee bars have proliferated in İstanbul in recent years, spearheaded by businesses such as this hip place opposite the Firuz Ağa Mosque in…

  • Yalı Hanı

    Çanakkale

    Hidden in the wisteria-covered courtyard of a late 19th-century caravanserai is this atmospheric hybrid çay bahçesi (tea garden) and bar that doubles as a…

  • Fazıl Bey

    Kadıköy

    Making the call as to who makes the best Turkish coffee in İstanbul is no easy task, but our vote goes to Fazıl Bey, the best-loved khavehan (coffeeshop)…

  • Manda Batmaz

    Beyoğlu

    Bored with contemporary coffee culture? Don't care where your beans have been roasted, or whether the milk has been heated to the prerequisite 54°C? If so…

  • Bahçe Cafe

    Black Sea Coast

    Set in an apricot-washed stone Ottoman house, the main attraction here is the walled garden-courtyard that a delightful place to linger over a çay or real…

  • Linckia Roastery Cafe

    Kaş

    One glance at the gleaming La Marzocco machine (cost in Turkey €20,000!) in this spacious cafe and it's clear Linckia is totally serious. Drip coffee …

  • Keçi Coffee Roastery

    Fethiye

    Fethiye's best specialist coffee shop, with imported beans that are roasted on the premises. There's a choice of specials (brews and drips include Chemex…

  • Solera

    Beyoğlu

    Stocking more than 300 Turkish wines and pouring an extraordinary 47 by the glass, this atmospherically lit cavern is the city's best wine bar. Regulars…

  • Geyik

    Beyoğlu

    Getting our endorsement as the home of İstanbul's best cocktails, this place is so crowded on Friday and Saturday evenings that the action spills out of…

  • Fredonia Coffee

    Marmaris

    Fredonia boasts a prime spot on the prom, and from its lovely front terrace you can gaze over the azure waters of Marmaris bay. Offers a full range of…

  • Coffee Sapiens

    Beyoğlu

    Serving coffee home-roasted at their facility in Hasköy, these sapiens have well and truly wised up to the science behind the brew. Choose from Aeropress,…

  • Club Gümüşlük

    Bodrum Peninsula

    This hip new addition to the Gümüşlük scene enjoys a shorefront location, and there's ample space for loafing and lounging with a coffee during the day…

  • Kahverengi Roastery

    Çanakkale

    Often bathed in sunshine, this hip cafe and roastery serves up excellent coffees, including very good lattes and flat whites. Secure a table outside or…

  • Yedi

    Turquoise Coast

    The best cafe in town, a hip little joint with expertly prepared espresso options created by a knowledgeable barista; plus cakes and pastries. Alt-Turkish…

  • Dada Salon

    Bodrum Town

    Occupying an old sponge warehouse, this bohemian speakeasy is owned by Okan Bayulgen, a well-known TV, film and theatre actor. An intimate venue for…

  • Luna Garden

    Antalya

    This huge garden cafe on the eastern side of Kaleiçi is rammed to the rafters in the evening with young holidaying Turks sipping tea and coffee, flirting…

  • Coffee Grinder

    Datça & Bozburun Peninsulas

    Datça's best cafe enjoys a lovely position at the north end of the beach prom, and serves the full gamut of perfectly prepared coffee options: cold brew,…

  • Erenler Nargile ve Çay Bahçesi

    Istanbul

    Set in the vine-covered courtyard of the historic Çorlulu Ali Paşa Medresesi, this nargile cafe near the Grand Bazaar is the most atmospheric in the Old…

  • Parantez

    Beyoğlu

    Asmalımescit's most popular bar is tiny, so on weekend evenings the action spills out into Jurnal Sokak and a party atmosphere ensues. Fight your way to…

  • Pelo

    Bodrum Town

    Cultured cafe that's perfect for an espresso (₺7.50), milkshake, smoothie, beer or a light bite: you'll find salads, bruschettas and sandwiches here…

  • Kallinos Kafe

    Selçuk

    The coolest cafe in town is the haunt of students and Selçuk's fashionable youth, serving fine espresso combos, cold coffee brews, teas and tasty sweet…

  • Mikla

    Beyoğlu

    Excellent cocktails and what could well be the best view in İstanbul await you on the top floor of the Marmara Pera Hotel. In winter the drinking action…

  • Hasan Paşa Hanı

    Diyarbakır

    Opposite the Ulu Cami, this restored 16th-century caravanserai is occupied by carpet shops and jewellers, and is perfect for a leisurely breakfast. Live…

  • Cabaret

    Eastern Mediterranean

    This local student hang-out with brick walls and shuttered windows is an atmospheric spot for a tea, coffee or something stronger. There's occasional live…

  • Kavala Cafe & Winehouse

    İzmir & the North Aegean

    Enjoying a sunset drink on the waterside terrace of this restored stone house at the very end of Reha Midilli Caddesi is a Foça highlight. There's a…

  • La Puerta

    İzmir

    La Puerta's spacious inner courtyard is a popular spot for early evening beers and cocktails later at night. The friendly bar staff can advise on the best…

  • Masalim

    Eastern Mediterranean

    We really like this friendly sand-between-your-toes tea garden smack-dab on the seafront. Run by a couple of friendly sisters, its highlights include…

  • Echo Cafe & Bar

    Kaş

    Hip and stylish, this venue has Kaş high society sipping fruit daiquiris to both live and canned jazz and acoustic sounds. There's a historic building…

  • Kaş Türk Kahvecisi

    Kaş

    A hole-in-the-wall specialist cafe with the full gamut of caffeine options, including cold brews and filtered coffee using beans from across the globe…

  • Monk

    Eskişehir

    There are retro vibes aplenty at this chilled-out cafe, with old vinyl stacks, walls lined with bookshelves and a soundtrack of acid jazz and lounge. They…

  • Derviş Cafe & Restaurant

    Sultanahmet

    Superbly located directly opposite the Blue Mosque, the Derviş beckons patrons with its comfortable cane chairs and shady trees. Efficient service,…

  • Ottoman Türk Kahvesi

    Alanya

    Inside a 100-year-old stone villa surrounded by lush gardens, Ottoman Turkish House is an atmospheric cafe, serving coffee and drinks (soft and hard) and…

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