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Istanbul: Restaurant & Alcohol

Hello, we need experienced Istanbul voices on three questions. We have two hotel choices, both in Sultanahmet. 1 is upscale and on big discount. The second is mid-range, more expensive, but has a lovely terrace for breakfast.

1) Does anyone know if the Raymond Hotel - opened just this month - has a terrace restaurant/breakfast area?

2) Are there restaurants on roof tops that offer good views?

3) We enjoy a bottle of wine with our meal. Is wine readily available for purchase at a restaurant and at a store? If yes, any suggestions for a medium body red or dry white?

Thanks for your help

Posted by
3250 posts

RE #3: Tom's right though some restaurants near the Blue Mosque (and maybe other mosques) do not serve alcohol.

Posted by
2876 posts

I can answer question #3. Yes, wine is readily available at most restaurants in Istanbul. In fact, there are many Turkish wines you might want to try. One red we liked was called Karasi (sp?).

Posted by
9110 posts

Armada Hotel has a bunch or restaurants. There's an inside one and a terrace on the roof. Depending on where you sit, the city's one one side and the Sea of Marmara on the other with the Bosphorus in the distance. Price is about fifty bucks a head for the big deal. Booze is available. There's also a bar with the same view if you don't want to eat.

I've never heard of the Raymond.

Posted by
990 posts

Lots of hotels in Sultanahmet have rooftop restaurants with nice views, though I think the best of them is the Hotel Seven Hills, which has a 360 degree panoramic view of the Bosphorus and Sultanahmet. Unfortunately, the food there is mediocre and overpriced. I'd have a long lingering drink there, enjoy the view, maybe have some mezes, and eat somewhere else afterward.

Wine is available in most restaurants in Istanbul, though there are a few without alcohol. But foreign wine is crazy-expensive due to duty levied on it, and Turkish wine is not cheap, either, especially given its not so terrific quality. The two most commonly available wines are from the wineries of Doluca and Kavaklidere, and most of what you will find of their wine is low level vin de table. We did get some better wine occasionally--Turasan was particularly nice--and some godawful swill, too--Pamukkale is a brand to watch out for. And both Doluca and Kavaklidere make some higher end wines, though they aren't often found in most restaurants.

Wine is not likely to be a highlight of your Turkish food experience. We drink wine nearly everyday with dinner at home, but in Turkey, most of the time I stick with bottled water or beer.

Posted by
239 posts

We stayed at the Hotel Adamar in Sultanhamet and it had an amazing rooftop terrace with 360 degree views where you felt you could reach out and touch the Bosphorus, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Aya Sofia. The restaurant is glass enclosed with the same views. Food is not cheap, but was very good!! We had wine and snacks on the terrace and dinner in the restaurant twice on our trip and loved it!

Posted by
39 posts

Thanks everyone, all of this is great information. We appreciate your thoughtful insights as we finalize our plans.

Posted by
3 posts

Hi Jeff --

I've visited Istanbul on 4 different occasions and stayed in Sultanahmet each time. Most of the small family operated hotels there have a breakfast terrace, but most don't serve dinner. For dinner, you're better off going to a real restaurant -- the one on top of the Galata Tower has the best views, but is somewhat touristy.

I can recommend the Zeynep Sultan Hotel:
http://www.zeynepsultanhotel.com/
Small and basic, but clean and a great staff -- and breakfast terrace!

Yes, wine is available, but why not try the local liqueur, raki, at dinner?

Enjoy Turkey!
Jerry

Posted by
39 posts

Thanks Jerry, good advice. We are well aware of Raki and will indeed enjoy it again.