Meyhane

Akbaba’lı Meyhane

(0212) 251 43 38
Tünel Geçidi 10, Asmalımescit
Open weekdays from 20.00-02.00.
This restaurant is located by the Tünel passageway. Right after you pass The House Café, you’ll notice a tiny little meyhane, Akbabalı. The small venue is perfect for small celebrations and the prices are very reasonable. Our favourite thing about Akbabalı would have to be the meze prepared with great attention to detail; you won’t complain about the routine meze you are served along with your rakı here! If you go before the weather heats up, you can enjoy mulled wine (9TL by the glass) and topik (Armenian meze). Weekends generally feature a set menu.

Sofyalı 9

(0212) 245 03 62
Asmalımescit Mahallesi Sofyalı Sokak 9, Tünel
Open everyday except Sunday from 12.00-00.00.
Sofyalı 9 is the first place that comes to mind when we think of Asmalımescit meyhanes. The venue is located in an old authentic Asmalımescit house; the walls are decorated with old photos and China (çini). We recommend you mix it up every time you go so as not to miss out on any of the 20-25 delicious meze. Keep in mind the entrees are just as delightful as the meze, so don’t fill up too quickly! Octopus salad is 10TL, ‘kaşarlı börek’ is 2.5 and sautéed chicken is 12TL. Don’t come here looking for a traditional fasıl environment however as the music tends to be soft Greek music. The 3-story venue means that large groups can even reserve an entire floor. Lunchtime features ‘ev yemekleri’ (home cooking). Prices are reasonable.

Refik

(0212) 243 28 34
İstiklal Caddesi Sofyalı Sokak 6-8, Beyoğlu
Open everyday from 12.00-02.00.
If you haven’t been to 65-year-old Refik, you haven’t really been to a meyhane in Asmalımescit if you ask us! If you stop by for lunch, you can enjoy fresh zeytinyağlılar. As for dinner, you must order the arnavut ciğeri (Albanian liver) and kağıtta pastırma (pastrami) to go along with your rakı. While enjoying your food, you might read some of the newspaper clippings on the walls, detailing Refik’s strong and successful history. We love coming here in the summer, but if you want to sit outside in the summer, reservations are a must!

Asmalımescit Balıkçısı

(0212) 251 39 39
Asmalımescit Mahallesi Sofyalı Sokak 5A, Tünel
Open Saturdays from 15.00-01.00; Sundays from 17.00-01.00; all other days from 11.00-00.00.
This small venue has lots of meze to choose from, as well as live music and a large TV to watch games on. Some of our favourite dishes include the anchovies in sauce, eggplant salad and anchovies in corn flour, 15TL each. The fish options range from 20-30TL. Those who don’t like rakı shouldn’t worry; there is also an expansive wine list. On Fridays and Saturdays you can enjoy live guitar performances. The night tends to start out with pop favourites and end with customers singing along, and sometimes even dancing! Football games can be watched here upon special request.