Istanbul - Discover Turkey: Experience the Best of Turkey - page 189

Drinking

İstanbullus love a drink or three in the bars and rakı (aniseed brandy)-soaked meyhanes .
The city's bohemian and student set gravitates to the bars in Beyoğlu's Cihangir, As-
malımescit and Nevizade enclaves. Alternatively, you can check out the alcohol-free,
atmosphere-rich çay bahçesis or kahvehanes (coffeehouses) dotted around the Old City.
These are great places to relax over a nargile ( " 15 to " 25), accompanied by a Türk kahve
(Turkish coffee) or çay.

Crazy about Keyif
The best setting to try out the magic combo of tea and nargile (water pipe) is the traditional çay bahçesi (tea
garden), of which İstanbul has many. Locals come here to practice keyif , the Turkish art of quiet relaxation. To
emulate them, follow the smell of apple tobacco to the following faves.

• » Tophane Nargile Cafes Offline map Google map ( of Necatibey Caddesi, Tophane;

24hr; To-

phane)
• » Erenler Çay Bahçesi Offline map Google map ( Yeniçeriler Caddesi 35, Beyazıt;

7am-midnight;

Beyazıt-Kapalı Çarşı)
• » Lale Bahçesi Offline map Google map ( Şifahane Caddesi, Süleymaniye;

9am-11pm; Laleli-

Üniversite)
• » Derviş Aile Çay Bahçesi Offline map Google map ( Mimar Mehmet Ağa Caddesi;

9am-11pm Apr-

Oct; Sultanahmet)
• » Set Üstü Çay Bahçesi Offline map Google map ( Gülhane Park, Sultanahmet; 9am-10.30pm;

Gülhane)
• » Yeni Marmara Offline map Google map ( Çayıroğlu Sokak, Küçük Ayasofya;

10am-1am;

Sultanahmet)
• » Cafe Meşale Offline map Google map ( Arasta Bazaar, Utangaç Sokak, Cankurtaran;

24hr;

Sultanahmet)
• » Türk Ocaği Kültür ve Sanat Merkezi İktisadi İşletmesi Çay Bahçesi Offline map Google map ( cnr
Divan Yolu & Bab-ı Ali Caddesis; 8am-midnight; Çemberlitaş)