Entertainment & Nightlife
Discover Istanbul’s vibrant nightlife and entertainment scene, from trendy rooftop bars and world-class nightclubs to live music venues, cultural performances, and traditional meyhanes.
Whether you’re looking for a laid-back evening with scenic Bosphorus views or an all-night party in the city’s hottest spots, our guides help you find the best places to drink, dance, and enjoy live entertainment in Istanbul.
13 Best Cocktail Bars in Istanbul: Where to Go for a Great Drink
Cocktail bars in Istanbul don’t try to impress you all at once. They reveal themselves slowly. A dim room on a side street. A...
Nightlife in Taksim: Best Bars, Clubs & Local Night Plans
Taksim at night can feel overwhelming before it feels exciting. Neon everywhere. Music spilling out of doors. People pulling you into places you didn’t...
Best Things to Do in Istanbul at Night (No Clubbing Required)
Istanbul doesn’t get louder at night. It gets softer. That surprises people. First-time visitors often search for things to do in Istanbul at night...
13 Best Street Food in Istanbul to Try Local Flavors Like a Local
Street food is where Istanbul stops performing and starts being itself. You can spend days reading restaurant lists and still miss this layer of...
8 Best Restaurants in Sultanahmet Old Town, Istanbul: Local Picks
Eating in Sultanahmet can feel overwhelming at first. You are surrounded by history, crowds, and menus competing for attention every few steps. It is...
Best Ottoman Cuisine Restaurants in Istanbul | Dine Like a Sultan
Ottoman cuisine isn’t fast food. It’s layered, slow, and built on memory. These dishes were shaped inside palace kitchens, refined over centuries, and meant...
11 Best Italian Restaurants in Istanbul | Authentic Pasta, Pizza, Trattorias
Italian food in Istanbul works best when it stays honest. Not flashy. Not overdone. Just good ingredients, proper technique, and places that know when...
Best Meat Restaurants in Istanbul: Top 10 Steakhouses to Try
Meat in Istanbul isn’t about size or spectacle. It’s about control. Good meat restaurants here focus on the basics. Sourcing. Aging. Fire. Timing. When...
10 Best Kebab Restaurants in Istanbul: Local Favorites
Kebab in Istanbul isn’t fast food. It’s a craft that shows itself quickly if you know what to look for. Good kebab starts before...
8 Best Sushi Restaurants in Istanbul: Buffets, Bars & Omakase
Sushi in Istanbul isn’t one thing. It splits quickly. Some places focus on volume. Buffets. Fast rolls. Predictable plates. Others slow everything down and...
10 Best Seafood Restaurants in Istanbul: Where to Eat Fish
Seafood in Istanbul isn’t about menus. It’s about timing, sourcing, and restraint. The city sits between two seas, but not every fish restaurant gets...
13 Best Restaurants in Taksim, Istanbul: Best Places to Eat Guide
Taksim is one of those places where Istanbul never really slows down. Streets stay busy from early morning until well past midnight, and food...
Best Tattoo & Piercing Studios in Istanbul: Meet the Top Artists
Getting a tattoo or piercing in Istanbul isn’t just about finding a studio. It’s about timing, trust, and choosing an artist whose work still...
Visiting Kilyos, Istanbul: Beaches, Attractions, Food & Weekend Stays
Kilyos is what happens when Istanbul wants the sea without the commitment. Just 30 kilometers north of the city center, roughly a 45-minute drive,...
Best Hamams in Istanbul: First-Time Turkish Bath Guide, Prices, Tips
Most first-time visitors worry about the wrong thing. They worry about being uncomfortable. About not knowing what to do. About awkward moments inside a...
Top Entertainment Venues in Istanbul: Music, Theater, Cinema
Istanbul doesn’t really switch off. It just changes tempo. One night you’re sitting in a velvet seat listening to a full orchestra. The next,...