Meyhanes

Kör Agop, Kumkapı

Daily Hürriyet Newspaper asked writers who enjoy rakı and gourmets to list the 20 best meyhanes in Turkey.

TOP TEN MEYHANES
Refik
Refik Aslan opened this Meyhane on Tünel Sofyalı Street in 1954 and still runs the place with his son. Refik offers Turkish dishes during lunchtime and serves as a meyhane at night. The specialties are karalahana dolması (stuffed kale), stewed anchovy, and kuzu sarma (lamb's chitterling). It is open every day except Sundays until 01:00. Reservation is required for the weekend. Another pleasure is the tables on the street in summer.

Safa
Safa has continued to serve as a traditional meyhane in its one-story building in Yedikule since opening, at least 100 years ago. Thanks to its high ceilings, the chat doesn't become a din. Arnavut ciğeri (fried liver), special cheese and lakerda (salt bonito) are the favorite mezes. It is also famous for its always-fresh fish. Safa is open everyday until midnight.

İmroz
First opened in Kerpen Arcade - Balıkpazarı in 1941, İmroz is now located on Nevizade Sokak. The owner for sixty years and now partner Yorgo Okumuş is still working there. Lakerda (salt bonito), sauced bonito and tarama (made by spawn and bread) are the most famous among the 35 kinds of meze İmroz offers. It is open everyday until midnight. Reservation is accepted until 19:00. The terrace is open in summers.

Yakup 2
Yakup 2 has been in service on Asmalımescid Street near Tünel for 27 years. It is famous for its special hot mezes. Arnavut ciğeri (fried liver), mushrooms with butter and kağıtta pastırma (dried meat flavored with cumin and garlic and cooked and served in a special paper) are among its indispensable tastes. Lunch is served between 12:00 and 14:30 and dinner is between 18:30 and 01:00.

Huzur - Cavit'in yeri (Cavit's Place)
Cavit Güneş opened this meyhane located at Galatarasay Çiçek Pasajı in 1969. It normally closes at 23:00 but may stay open as late as 02:00 depending on the customers. There are 20 kinds of mezes and squash with yogurt and purslanes are among the favorites.

Hatay
This 35-year old establishment is on Bağdat Caddesi, Bostancı and offers 40 kinds of meze. The owner Mehmet Ali Işık, who was once a waiter, doesn't hesitate to say "there is no other place offering more mezes". Pastırmalı börek, humus (made of mashed chickpeas and spices) and stewed fish are among its favorites. It is open everyday from noon to midnight and reservation is required during weekends.

Kuleli
Kuleli has been in Samatya for 25 years and is famous for its seafood. Kalamar (calamari), ançuez (salted anchovy), sardalya (sardine), ahtapot (octopus), lakerda (salt bonito) and çiroz (dried mackerel) are the favorite mezes. It may be difficult to find a table without a reservation.

Seviç
Seviç was first founded as a beer house in Çiçek Pasajı, Galatarasay in 1948. Foreign customers enjoy the site and Hungarian violinist Korçi performs between 15:00 and 19:00. It is open everyday until midnight.

Kalbur
Mehmet and Bilent Tekmen are the owners of this meyhane in Oran, Ankara. Stuffed grape leaves, börek, pastırma and döner are the most interesting dishes for they are all made of fish. It is a small, cozy place with a capacity of 45 and therefore try to make reservations a week in advance. It is open every day, except Monday, from 12:00 to 24:00. Credit cards are not accepted.

Kör Agop
At the historical customs building in Kumkapı, Kör Agop is a 65-year old establishment preferred by foreign customers. Special "Kör Agop-style" cold and hot mezes are famous. For example, Kör Agop soup is a kind of fish soup. It is open everyday between 11:00 and 01:30. Fasıl Heyeti (a group of traditional style musicians) performs live music from 20:00 on.

THE SECOND TOP TEN MEYHANES
Boncuk
Located on Nevizade Street in Galatarasay, it is famous for uskumru dolması (stuffed mackerel), topik (an Armenian meze), Çerkez tavuğu (Circassian chicken) and Boncuk tatlısı (bead dessert) made of apple. It features live guitar music on Fridays and Saturdays.

Nevizade
This site at Nevizade in Galatasaray is known as "Eski Lefter" (Lefter is a legendary soccer player in Turkey). It is almost impossible to find a place during weekends.

Hasır
Hasir is a 55-year old meyhane in Tarlabaşı next to the Beyoğlu Security Directorate. Famous for its topik and cheese soufflé.

Saki
It is on Kameriye Sokak, Balık Pazarı and is a favorite among tourists.

Neyle Meyle
It is also on Nevizade Street in Galatasaray and is famous four its varieties of eggplant and its mackerel with soy sauce. Turkish and Greek music is played.

Göksu
One of the oldest meyhanes in Ankara, located on Bayındır Street. It serves home made dishes for lunch and meze and fish for dinner.

Cumhuriyet
The most famous meyhane in Balık Pazarı, featuring live fasıl music every day.

Çiçek Meyhane
The most famous meyhane in Antalya. Local mezes such as Hibeş and Ottoman güveç (casserole) are the customers' favorites. Fasıl heyeti (traditional musicians) performs until 23:00

Deniz Restaurant
Among the favorite meyhanes in Ayvalık, it is also known as Ayhan'ın Yeri (Ayhan's Place). Salad made with local herbs, mezes and roasted fish are delicious.

Tarihi İstanbul Meyhanesi
The oldest restaurant in Adana, it turns into a traditional meyhane with tables set on the street.

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