Tüm Yazılar

Istanbul is a unique city that holds over 200 hidden ayazmas — sacred water springs — beneath its streets. Dating from the Byzantine era, these holy sites are places where people of all faiths come to pray, make wishes, and seek healing. What Is an Ayazma? Derived from the Greek word for "holy," an ayazma is a small place of worship built over natural springs dedicated to Christian saints. Aya Ekaterini Ayazma (Kadıköy, Moda) One of Istanbul's most extraordinary ayazmas lies

Visiting a meyhane for the first time is exciting — and a little daunting. What do you order? How does it work? What is the etiquette? This guide walks you through the entire meyhane experience from start to finish, so your first visit becomes one you will never forget. What Is a Meyhane? A meyhane is one of the oldest institutions in Turkish dining culture. Unlike a restaurant, the focus is not on the food alone but on the entire table experience: meze is shared, conversatio

The çilingir sofrası is the most intimate and deeply rooted tradition in Turkish meyhane culture. Its name comes from the çilingir — the locksmith — because this table "unlocks" friendship, conversation, and the purest form of togetherness. In this guide, discover the story of the çilingir sofrası and how the perfect one is set. What Is a Çilingir Sofrası? A çilingir sofrası is an unplanned, heartfelt gathering where friends come together over meze and rakı for hours of conve

Discover the stories of Istanbul's century-old meyhanes. From Koço Restaurant to Beyoğlu's historic taverns, explore a living tradition.

Koço Restaurant is not just one of Istanbul's oldest meyhanes — it is a silent witness to Turkish literary history. From the 1960s onward, the most important names in Turkish poetry and literature gathered at Koço's table, wrote poems, debated ideas, and forged lasting friendships. Fazıl Hüsnü Dağlarca: Koço's Resident Poet Dağlarca, one of Turkey's most prolific poets, was a regular at Koço. After walks along the Moda shore, he would settle at his table, sip rakı facing the

Mezes are the heart of the Turkish meyhane experience. These small shared dishes, served before the main course, transform a simple dinner into a leisurely feast. At Koço Restaurant, over 30 varieties of homemade mezes are prepared fresh daily, continuing a tradition that spans nearly a century. Cold Mezes: The Essential Starters Every meyhane meal begins with cold mezes. White cheese and melon open the palate. Then come the classics: haydari (thick yogurt with garlic and min