A Day in Istanbul - Restaurants, Bars & Nightlife in Istanbul

Start your day with a breakfast in Bebek .  This quaint neighborhood has some of Istanbul’s best trendiest cafes, bars and restaurants.  I like to sidestep these and go to the one that has been there since Bebek was just a mere fishing locale.  Bebek Cafe sits at the edge of the Bosphorus and serves typical Turkish breakfast fare: tea (cay), simit (Turkey’s version of a sesame bagel), beyaz peynir, sucuk.  It is a shady place and perfect to get your day started.  You will find amazing stores for shopping in Istanbul bebek. (They called Alisveris or Alis veris) check out more detail at www.Turkishwineforum.com

Head to the ferry terminal to catch the tekne from Kabatas to Arnavutkoy.  Arnavutkoy is an hour ferry ride up the Bosphorus to the mouth of the Black Sea.  This ferry ride is a treat in itself and it zig-zags from Europe to Asia and back again until you reach Arnavutkoy- the last stop on this ferry.  Enjoy the view of the gorgeous homes and palaces  that sit on the edges.  Make sure to try the yogurt with powdered sugar from Camlica that they bring on board at that ferry stop.  At Arnavutkoy you will have your pick of fish tavernas. All the waiters are vying for your patronage.  The fried clams and fish sandwich on fresh bread with green onions and white sauce are a must.  Leave room for a freshly made waffle cone with refreshing dondurma (ice cream) and every topping you can imagine.  Relax on the ferry back to Kabatas.

After you refresh and digest from all of the day’s delicacies, take a taxi (or Istanbul’s newest stop on the metro) to Levent Maslak (Istanbul financial district) where you will find Istanbul Sapphire, Istanbul’s tallest  building (residential and shopping building).  The view from the top is breathtaking.  Never before has Istanbul been seen from these heights, with an unobstructed, 360Istanbul-degree view.  Within Sapphire Istanbul is Istanbul’s hottest & best wine bar, Kavist.com.  Kavist.com (www.kavist.com) is a full wine and spirits shop with Enomatic tasting machines so you can actually taste some of the turkish  and international wines that they sell before you make your purchase.  You can even have a cheese (peynir) and meat plate delivered to your table (seating outside of the shop) from the local sarkuteri shop to compliment your wines.  Kavist is the place to start your evening out on the town.  You can even catch a wine tasting or lecture by one of Turkey’s somelliers and find out just how good Turkish wines are.  My favorite Turkish wines are Kavaklidere, Kayra, Doluca, Buyulubag, Vinkara and my favorite grapes (uzum) are Okuzgozu, sarap, sarabi, saraplar, melen, bogazkere, kalecik karasi, sarab, sarablar, sampanya, sanpanya, roze, corvus saraplari and Sirince saraplari. They are also servis hot wine (sicak sarap). They have very large selection of Spirits selection such as Whiskey, Tequila, Votka, Raki, Rum, Viski, tekila, kokteyl, mix drinks, bira. They have really large selection. check all the details at www.Kavist.com
Dinner at Sunset Grill & Bar is a must.  The menu is incredible (the sushi is divine) and the view - up high in Istanbul’s hills - is spectacular.  No doubt you will see one of Istanbul’s many fireworks displays throughout your evening. One of the Best Restaurant of Istanbul ( yiyecek, icecek)
Time to put on your dancing shoes and head to Reina or Sortie, two of Istanbul’s ultra chic nightclubs and party till the sun comes up.  ( Best Clubs in Istanbul- Best Bars in Istanbul) Get more info at www.TurkishwineForum.com
Make sure you have no plans until tomorrow afternoon. You should save some time for Turkish bath ( hammam - hamam)

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About the author

Liz Smith is a freelance Wine & Food writer. She resides in Miami Beach and Istanbul, Turkey.

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