There are
always several venues around Taksim square which
function as meeting places for gay men in day time and
early evening evenings. Most gay men would spend their
time in such places before they go to gay bars and
clubs. They are mostly coffee shops and the managers /
staff are not particularly gay-friendly. There may also
be rent boys and notorious hustlers of Taksim district
in and around these venues, so please be selective with
the people you happen to meet. These are the most
popular meeting points in recent years.
EspressoLab Taksim
Address: Istiklal Avenue,
No: 15, Taksim, Istanbul.
It is the Taksim branch of a coffee house chain located
on Istiklal Avenue close to Taksim square. You can see
several gay men sitting at the tables facing Istiklal
Avenue, but the terrace floor is especially full of many
gays. Despite it not a gay venue, the terrace floor may
be overwhelmingly gay during weekend nights. There are
usually trendy, younger Turkish gay men.
Simit Sarayi Taksim
Address: Tarlabası Bulvari
No: 6 Taksim, Istanbul.
This is not a gay venue. It is a branch of a
Turkish-owned tea house chain. There are many gays
hanging around on the upper floor, mostly straight
acting men and bears. Beware of some hustlers who also
hang out in this place
Babel Park Cafe & Restaurant
Address:
Sht. Pilot
Mahmut Nedim Sokagi, No:3,Fatih, Istanbul
This cafe & restaurant located right at the basement
floor of gay-friendly
Babil Park Hotel has been a gathering point for
mostly bear gay men since 2018. It is a place where
local bears, straight acting and mature gay men visit
very often in the early evening. Although it rather
looks like a restaurant you can also go just to drink
beer. The prices are average. Being on the main road, it
is not an exclusively gay venue where straight people
passing-by might also visit often.
Taksim Park Beltur Cafe
Address:Taksim
Park, Beyoğlu, Istanbul.
Beltur Cafe is located at the back corner, on the
Bosphorus side of Taksim Park. It is possible to come
across a few gay people around here, usually in the
afternoons and evenings. It should be noted that it is
mainly an open-air place serving to general public and
gays are just a small minority there. Rentboys and
hustlers hanging out in Taksim Park would also be
around. It is self-service and the drink prices are
fairly cheap. Closes at 10 in the evening. It also has a
small closed section.
Istiklal Shopping Mall
Address:
Istiklal Caddesi Taksim, Beyoglu, Istanbul.
This is a shopping mall located in the middle of the
famous Istiklal Avenue. Especially at the terrace floor
and the top floor where there are fast food restaurants
and coffee shops where you can see some local gay men
and rent-boys once in a while. It is an escape place
when the weather is not favorable in the winter season.
Burger King Taksim
Address: Istiklal Caddesi
No:1 Taksim, Istanbul
It is perfectly located facing Taksim square and right
at the start of the bustling Istiklal Avenue. It is a
quick meeting point for gay and lesbian people but there
is no visible gay-scene, since the venue attracts
everyone because of its location. Be aware of some
rent-boys and tourist hustlers hanging around inside and
sometimes waiting in front of the entrance.
These are above
average restaurants that people would usually go on
special occasions.
Besinci Kat Restaurant ( "The Fifth Floor") 09:00 –
02:00
Address: Siraselviler Caddesi, Soganci Sokak
No:7 Kat 5
(5th floor) Cihangir - Beyoglu, Istanbul
Web: http://www.5kat.com/
This roof
top restaurant-bar is on the 5th floor of the same building
and offers a magnificent view of Istanbul. Prices are not
very cheap for an ordinary meal but it is reasonable for
a special night-out dinner considering
the painstakingly prepared meals and breathtaking view
of Bosphorus straight and Asian part of Istanbul. Its
also has a small bar usually busy in the evenings and
open until around 01:00 am. Unlike the food, drink
prices at the bar are cheaper
than most gay clubs. It would make you feel special to
know you are eating your meal or drinking a cup of wine
on Europe, while watching the beginning of Asian
continent laying in front of you.
Click here Tripadvisor reviews about this venue.
360 Restaurant
Address: Istiklal Caddesi,
No: 163 Misir Apartmani, Kat 8 ,
Beyoglu - Istanbul.
Web:
360istanbul.com/ &
Facebook.com / 360istanbul
The restaurant is named 360, referring to a view 360
degree. Although it is less than that, the sea view is
breathtaking. Located on the top (8th) floor of
historical building (Misir Apartmani) right on Istiklal
Caddesi, close to Galatasaray square, across the high
Odakule building, right before St. Antoine Cathedral.
The prices are reasonable compared to the ambiance, but
naturally not a place to eat daily. Recommended if you
want to have a special dinner watching a great Istanbul
panorama.
Cok Cok Thai Restaurant
Address: Mesrutiyet Cad.
No: 51, 34344 Beyoglu, Istanbul.
Web: http://www.cokcok.com.tr/
It is a Thai food restaurant
located on Mesrutiyet street parallel to Istiklal
avenue. When you walk from Taksim turn right from
Galatasaray square, and take the first turn to left, and
pass British Consulate. According to their own
description: "The name Cok Cok precisely captures the
wide variety of flavors found in each dish of this much
talk-about restaurant. Established since 2006, it has
fast gained followers both local and foreign. The fresh
spices and herbs used in the cooking, purely Thai and
South East Asian, relate back to the Silk Route that
once connected with Istanbul, where the restaurant is
now located.".
Develi Restaurant
Address: Gümüsyüzük Sokak, No 7, Samatya/Istanbul Tel :
0 212 529 08 33/34
Famous restaurant for kebab lovers and to discover
traditional Ottoman & Turkish cousin. No alcohol is
served. It has opened many branches in other districts
but the original location in traditional Samatya town is
still the most popular one.
Web:
www.develikebap.com/
Mikla Restaurant
Address: Mesrutiyet Caddesi No: 15, Beyoglu, Istanbul.
Located at the terrace of the Marmara Pera Hotel the
restaurant has unique view of Golden Horn and Bosphorus.
They describe themselves briefly as "The restaurant is
funky retro with chrome 70's and 50's furniture and a
stunning wooden rail-sleepers bar. Mikla is Urban, sleek
and stylish; reflecting well Turkish and Scandinavian
background of the restaurant's Chef-Owner."
Web:
Miklarestaurant.com
Leander's Tower (Kiz Kulesi)
Famous 12th century stone tower erected on a rock in the
middle of the sea (Bosphorus) which had served as a
prison and a lighthouse is undertaken by private
entrepreneurs is now being used as a cafe & restaurants
after being completely renovated. Regular transportation
is provided by boats from Uskudar and Kabatas, which is
free for guests who make reservation for the restaurant.
Web:
Kizkulesi.com.tr
Galata Tower Restaurant.
Address: Galata Kulesi, Sishane, Istanbul
There is a tourist restaurant at the top floor of famous
Galata Tower, which had 360 degree view of Istanbul.
Galata tower is a medieval stone tower in the Galata
district of Istanbul, Turkey, just to the north of the
Golden Horn.
Web:
Tripadvisor
Nevizade Street
The famous Nevizade Street, which has rows of historic
pubs and fish restaurants next to each other. It is
located behind Cicek Pasaji close to Galatasaray square
on Istiklal avenue. It is the traditional night -life
area of Beyoglu and always busy, if the weather is fine.
Cicek Pasaji itself is also a famous venue with many
restaurants located next to each other along the
L-shaped passage passing through the historical
building. Cumhuriyet Restaurant is one of the oldest and
most popular restaurant out of many others on Nevizade
street.
Click here for Google Map
Fransiz Sokagi
Some historic neighborhoods around Istiklal Avenue have
recently been recreated, such as
Cezayir Sokak behind Galatasaray Lisesi, which became known as La Rue
Française (French Street) and has rows of francophone
pubs, cafés and restaurants playing live French music.
Artiste Terasse (Artist Teras) on Cezayir Street is a
popular restaurant-bar which offers panoramic views of
the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Sultanahmet Mosque and
Galata Tower.
Asmalimescit
The narrow back-streets near Tunel (the other end of the
Istiklal avenue with respect to Taksim square) has rows
of traditional Turkish restaurants and Ocakbasi (grill)
houses. The restaurants are concentrated mainly on
Asmalimescit and connecting
Sofyali streets. Previously the neighborhood had an
a more intellectual atmosphere as a meeting point of
artists, painters etc, but later become more
commercialized with the opening of new restaurants. The
restaurants are average priced, but there are
alternative places dotted around where cheap-bear and
food will be available. It is usually very busy on
weekend evenings.
Kumkapi
Quarter
Kumkapi is famous traditional fish restaurant
street/quarter close to the coast of Marmara sea, behind
Sultanahmet with respect to Golden Horn. It is mostly
frequented by local people as well as tourists. The
restaurants are next to each other along several small
streets, and all put tables outside in summer. Local
musicians wander from one restaurant to another playing
traditional music, expecting to be tipped. During late
Ottoman period Kumkapi was mostly inhabited by
Armenians, who still have a community school and several
churches there. It is also the seat of the Armenian
Patriarchate of Constantinople. It is best reached by a
short taxi from Sultanahmet. Kumkapi has a station on
the suburban train line Sirkeci-Halkali.
Click here for Google map locating Kumkapi
restaurants' street
Vegan
restaurants are concentrated around
Kurabiye Sokak (street) connecting to Istiklal via Zambak Sokak
near Taksim Square.
Parsifal,
Zencefil Cafe are good
samples of venues where you can eat vegetarian food.
There are several other vegetarian restaurants in other parts of
Istanbul, naturally.
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