Göreme
This beautiful old konak (mansion) was shuttered for years, hiding its salons of fresco-painted wood panelling from view. In 2019 it reopened as a cafe…
Must-see nightlife in Turkey
İzmir & the North Aegean
Painted in the island's signature blue and white, this quirky cafe-bar on the road linking the iskele (dock) and the main square is one of the island's…
Amasya
There may be no view but this cafe, with courtyard seating and more tables within the old konak (mansion) rooms and on the rickety wooden balcony, is a…
Caferağa Medresesi Çay Bahçesi
Sultanahmet
On a fine day, sipping a çay or freshly squeezed orange juice in the gorgeous courtyard of this Sinan-designed medrese is extremely pleasant. Located…
Cappadocia
After a long, hot valley walk, we can think of no better place in Çavuşin to sit back with a tea or fresh-pressed orange juice than under the shady…
Ankara
One of a number of lively pubs in this area, Retrox has friendly staff and a youthful fun atmosphere in the evening. There are outdoor areas both in front…
Kars
Popular with Kars' under-35 fashionistas, Pasha has a great glass-fronted upstairs gallery, plenty of shaded pavement seating and a gently buzzing…
Ankara
A bit of a favourite with the embassy set, this cafe with its garden, set back from the road, is a tranquil spot to recharge your batteries after spending…
Nişantaşi, Bomonti & Harbiye
Named after the Brazilian footballer rather than the Greek philosopher, this sleek but cosy venue is located on the hippest bar and cafe strip in…
Kuşadası
The outdoor tables at this hybrid cafe and çay bahçesi (tea garden) in a small park on the water's edge have a million-dollar view and are sensational…
Black Sea Coast
Atop Sinop Fortress's best-located tower, this atmospheric spot is unbeatable for views down onto the harbour – though it's a better option for dry days.
İzmir & the North Aegean
Secure a comfy cushion outside under Tenedeion's street art–style mural and enjoy a tasting of nine different wines from the island's Çamlıbağ winery…
Black Sea Coast
This hard to beat location for tea (₺3) and nargile (₺35) has tables in a tree-shaded park and beanbag seats right on the beach. The setting is especially…
Cappadocia
On a stinking-hot summer day, climb up the stairs on Atatürk Caddesi to this stone house for a thirst-quenching homemade lemonade or fruit smoothie. Prime…
Bodrum Town
Bodrum's poshest and most popular address for Turkey's clubbing elite, Küba books the nation's leading DJs in the summer months. lts terrace bar…
Western Anatolia
A favourite haunt of younger İznik locals who come here to gossip and sip çay for hours, Kalyon is a friendly joint with a wide lake-facing veranda. Head…
Edirne
Local residents are as enamoured of the Mado chain of dondurma (Turkish ice cream) cafes as the rest of their compatriots, and flock to this huge branch…
Ürgüp
The shaded porch here is one of the nicest places in Cappadocia to partake in a spot of wine tasting. Tastings consist of eight wines and you can order…
Kadıköy
Describing itself as the 'world's first coffee lab' (a claim we repeat with a degree of scepticism), this designer roastery and cafe takes its coffee…
Beyoğlu
Broadcasting from the basement of its tiny pub just off İstiklal Caddesi, this indie radio station livestreams on Facebook and YouTube and hosts popular…
Cappadocia
Follow the signs down into the valley, from the ridge in front of Uçhisar Castle, to find the sweetest cafe in town on a terrace right in front of a fairy…
Ankara
With a fun felt shop on the ground floor and quirky local art gracing the walls of the cafe upstairs, this place is a lovely find. Great for a çay or…
Eastern Mediterranean
Need a vitamin injection after some hard travelling? This friendly place, lined with photos of famous clientele, is the spot for freshly squeezed juices…
Mardin
Join the moustachioed throngs in Mardin's most authentic tea and coffee house. In between blokey rounds of backgammon, cards and okey, the faded amber…
İzmir & the North Aegean
Located high on Behramkale's slopes near the Temple of Athena, this cool and compact cafe and bar has excellent views over surrounding valleys and across…
Adana Şalgamacısı – Gürbüz Usta
Gaziantep
Get your vitamin C fix here. The menu offers plenty of freshly squeezed juices and the 'atom' (combining milk, honey, banana, hazelnuts and pistachios)…
Çanakkale
Regulars crowd in for cocktails served amid colourful street art and wall murals, and the international menu features pizza, pasta, steaks, salads and…
Kadıköy
One of the most popular bars on the Kadife Sokak drinking strip, Bina attracts regulars from across the city, who love its rear garden, upstairs arts and…
Alanya
The first two floors of this all-singin', all-dancin', all-flashin' monstrosity – the biggest, most pulsating club in Alanya – are decked out in (you…
Ankara
A super-cool French bistro-cafe with a mean weekend brunch (from 10am to 2.30pm), plus sandwiches, head-kicking cappuccinos, and a jazz-fusion soundtrack…
Alaçatı
Hip staff, a courtyard garden, good coffee, cold beer and live jazz music – the recipe for a perfect bar-cafe! Traktör is one of the best watering holes…
Cappadocia
This cheap-and-cheerful garden cafe, near the trailhead into Rose Valley, is in prime position to catch weary hikers. Great for a fruit juice stop and…
Western Anatolia
The best of the pubs and bars along the southern end of Atatürk Bulvarı. Most of the crew behind the bar speak pretty good English and, as it's popular…
Gaziantep
This restored han (caravanserai), just steps from the castle, has been turned into one of Gaziantep's swankiest bar-restaurants. After a long hot…
Ankara
Named after the renowned Sufi philosopher, this thriving wine house/restaurant attracts a hobnobbing crowd to its lowered courtyard. It boasts a long and…
Far Northeast
This teahouse makes a fair claim to be number one, with an appealing vibe that isn't all male and what is probably the best view of the castle of anywhere…
Alanya
This 1st-floor venue holding up to 1000 is a summer-holiday favourite for partying young Turks, with DJs playing a mix of club classics, modern pop and R…
İzmir & the North Aegean
Lingering over a glass of wine at one of the laneway tables at this convivial wine bar close to the harbour is a popular local pastime. Choose from local…
Fethiye
The name says it all: Address' roomy waterfront garden is kilometre zero for everyone from çay-sipping locals to beer-drinking foreign residents watching…
Kayseri
Facing the square, inside Kayseri's bijou historic neighbourhood, Vera has regular live music in the evening so is a good place to hang out for a few…
