Rakı Sofrası in Istanbul
Restaurants in Istanbul serving Rakı Sofrası.
🌍 Origin
The rakı sofrası — the meyhane dining ritual around the anise spirit rakı — is one of Istanbul's oldest and most sophisticated food cultures. Rakı was distilled in the Ottoman Empire as far back as the 16th century; the meyhane institution (from Persian 'mey' wine + 'hane' house) was the non-Muslim social club of Ottoman Istanbul. The combination of cold meze, fish, grilled meat and long conversation over rakı defines the city's most distinctive dining experience.
🧂 Key Ingredients
🍽️ How to Eat
Pour one part rakı and one part cold water — it turns milky white (the 'lion's milk' effect). Add ice after mixing, not before. Start with cold meze: beyaz peynir, kavun (melon), zeytinyağlı yaprak sarma. The main course comes an hour into the session; fish is the classical pairing, then grilled meat. Pace yourself — a good rakı sofrası lasts three to four hours.
Lalezar Meyhanesi
Paşa · Kebap · ₺₺
Lalezar Meyhanesi is a kebap restaurant in Paşa, Beşiktaş, Istanbul.
Meze By Lemon Tree
Istanbul · Turkish, Tapas/Small Plates, Seafood · ₺₺₺
Meze By Lemon Tree is located in Istanbul, Istanbul, offering Turkish, Tapas/Small Plates, Seafood.
A.Ç.T DÜRÜM ve MEZE
Rasimpaşa Mahallesi · Kebap · ₺₺
A.Ç.T DÜRÜM ve MEZE is a kebap restaurant in Rasimpaşa Mahallesi, Kadıköy, Istanbul.
ADAB Eski Usûl Meyhane
Reşitpaşa Mahallesi · Meyhane · ₺₺
ADAB Eski Usûl Meyhane is a traditional Turkish meyhane in Beşiktaş, serving rakı and cold mezes in the old-style meyhane tradition. The word 'adab' refers to proper conduct and etiquette, and the restaurant embodies the ritual of the rakı sofrası — a long evening of cold mezes, warm conversation and anise spirit.
Tutku Meze
Altayçeşme Mahallesi · Restaurant · ₺₺
Tutku Meze is a restaurant restaurant located in Altayçeşme Mahallesi, Maltepe, Istanbul.
Ege Meyhane
Ataşehir · Pub · ₺₺
Ege Meyhane is a pub restaurant in Ataşehir, Ataşehir, Istanbul.
Kadirga Meyhanesi
İstanbul · Beer Garden · ₺₺
Kadirga Meyhanesi is a beer garden restaurant in İstanbul, Kartal, Istanbul.
Müsaade Meyhane
Caferağa Mahallesi · Kebap · ₺₺
Müsaade Meyhane is a kebap restaurant in Caferağa Mahallesi, Kadıköy, Istanbul.
Frida Art Meyhane
Basınköy Mahallesi · Seafood · ₺₺
Frida Art Meyhane is a seafood restaurant located in Basınköy Mahallesi, Bakırköy, Istanbul.
Sıçanlı Meyhane
İstanbul · Meyhane · ₺₺
Sıçanlı Meyhane is a meyhane restaurant in İstanbul, Sarıyer, Istanbul.
Agapia Meyhanesi
Istanbul · Tabernas · ₺₺
Agapia Meyhanesi is located in Istanbul, Istanbul, offering Tabernas.
Astek Restaurant & Meyhane
Şişli · Meyhane · ₺₺
Astek Restaurant & Meyhane is a meyhane restaurant in Şişli, Şişli, Istanbul.
Demeti Meyhanesi
· Meyhane · ₺₺
Demeti Meyhanesi is a restaurant in Beyoğlu, Istanbul.
İnciraltı Meyhanesi
· Meyhane · ₺₺
İnciraltı Meyhanesi is a restaurant in Üsküdar, Istanbul.
Destina Meyhane
İstanbul · Bar & Meyhane · ₺₺
Destina Meyhane is a bar & meyhane restaurant in İstanbul, Beylikdüzü, Istanbul.
Buselik Meyhane - Anadolu Hisarı
Göksu Mahallesi · Turkish · ₺₺
Buselik Meyhane - Anadolu Hisarı is a turkish restaurant located in Göksu Mahallesi, Beykoz, Istanbul.
Çakıl Meyhane
Kadıköy · Meyhane · ₺₺
Çakıl Meyhane is a meyhane restaurant in Kadıköy, Kadıköy, Istanbul.
Feronia Meyhanesi
Teşvikiye Mahallesi · Restaurant · ₺₺
Feronia Meyhanesi is a restaurant restaurant located in Teşvikiye Mahallesi, Şişli, Istanbul.
Dut Meze
Teşvikiye Mahallesi · Burger & Steak · ₺₺
Dut Meze is a burger & steak restaurant located in Teşvikiye Mahallesi, Şişli, Istanbul.
Dila Meze
Bağlarbaşı Mahallesi · Restaurant · ₺₺
Dila Meze is a restaurant restaurant located in Bağlarbaşı Mahallesi, Maltepe, Istanbul.
Ay Işığı Meze & Soğuk Sandviç
Petrol İş Mahallesi · Restaurant · ₺₺
Ay Işığı Meze & Soğuk Sandviç is a restaurant restaurant located in Petrol İş Mahallesi, Kartal, Istanbul.
Sirtaki Meyhanesi
Büyükşehir Mahallesi · Turkish · ₺₺
Sirtaki Meyhanesi is a turkish restaurant located in Büyükşehir Mahallesi, Beylikdüzü, Istanbul.
Mythos Meyhane
Istanbul · Tapas/Small Plates, Tabernas · ₺₺₺
Mythos Meyhane is located in Istanbul, Istanbul, offering Tapas/Small Plates, Tabernas.
Moda Meyhanesi
Istanbul · Tabernas · ₺₺
Moda Meyhanesi is located in Istanbul, Istanbul, offering Tabernas.
Latife Hanım Meyhanesi
Istanbul · Tabernas · ₺₺₺
Latife Hanım Meyhanesi is located in Istanbul, Istanbul, offering Tabernas.
Despina Meyhane
Istanbul · Pubs, Cafes, Coffee & Tea · ₺₺₺
Despina Meyhane is located in Istanbul, Istanbul, offering Pubs, Cafes, Coffee & Tea.
Duble Meze Bar
Istanbul · Turkish, Lounges · ₺₺₺
Duble Meze Bar is located in Istanbul, Istanbul, offering Turkish, Lounges.
Tombul Meyhanesi
Sarıyer · Meyhane · ₺₺
Tombul Meyhanesi is a meyhane restaurant in Sarıyer, Sarıyer, Istanbul.
Big Meyhane
Ataşehir · Meyhane · ₺₺
Big Meyhane is a meyhane restaurant in Ataşehir, Ataşehir, Istanbul.
Dostlar Meyhanesi
İstanbul · Bar & Meyhane · ₺₺
Dostlar Meyhanesi is a bar & meyhane restaurant in İstanbul, Kartal, Istanbul.
Pargalirummeyhanesi
İstanbul · Meyhane · ₺₺
Pargalirummeyhanesi is a meyhane restaurant in İstanbul, Beylikdüzü, Istanbul.
Deliorman Meyhanesi
İstanbul · Meyhane · ₺₺
Deliorman Meyhanesi is a meyhane restaurant in İstanbul, Esenyurt, Istanbul.
Can-1 Meyhane
İstanbul/Esenler · Meyhane · ₺₺
Can-1 Meyhane is a meyhane restaurant in İstanbul/Esenler, Esenler, Istanbul.
II. Kat Rum Meyhanesi
İstanbul · Meyhane · ₺₺
II. Kat Rum Meyhanesi is a meyhane restaurant in İstanbul, Kadıköy, Istanbul.
Benusen Restaurant
Kadıköy · Meyhane · ₺₺
Benusen Restaurant is a meyhane restaurant in Kadıköy, Kadıköy, Istanbul.
2. Kat Greek Meyhane
Kadıköy · Bar & Meyhane · ₺₺
2. Kat Greek Meyhane is a bar & meyhane restaurant in Kadıköy, Kadıköy, Istanbul.
Buselik Moda Teras Meyhane
İstanbul · Turkish · ₺₺
Buselik Moda Teras Meyhane is a turkish restaurant in İstanbul, Kadıköy, Istanbul.
hot dog ve meze evi
Kadıköy · Café · ₺₺
hot dog ve meze evi is a café restaurant in Kadıköy, Kadıköy, Istanbul.
Koço Meyhane
Kadıköy · Meyhane · ₺₺
Koço Meyhane is a meyhane restaurant in Kadıköy, Kadıköy, Istanbul.
1A Meyhanesi
İstanbul · Bar & Meyhane · ₺₺
1A Meyhanesi is a bar & meyhane restaurant in İstanbul, Kadıköy, Istanbul.
Hatay Restaurant 1967
Kadıköy · Meyhane · ₺₺
Hatay Restaurant 1967 is a meyhane restaurant in Kadıköy, Kadıköy, Istanbul.
Maziden Meyhane
İstanbul · Meyhane · ₺₺
Maziden Meyhane is a meyhane restaurant in İstanbul, Kadıköy, Istanbul.
1A Meyhanesi
Kadıköy · Restaurant · ₺₺
1A Meyhanesi is a restaurant restaurant in Kadıköy, Kadıköy, Istanbul.
Bebek Meyhanesi
Beşiktaş · Theme Restaurant · ₺₺
Bebek Meyhanesi is a theme restaurant restaurant in Beşiktaş, Beşiktaş, Istanbul.
Arada Meyhane
İstanbul · Restaurant · ₺₺
Arada Meyhane is a restaurant restaurant in İstanbul, Beşiktaş, Istanbul.
Victoria Ocak Başi Meyhane
Şişli · Bar & Meyhane · ₺₺
Victoria Ocak Başi Meyhane is a bar & meyhane restaurant in Şişli, Beyoğlu, Istanbul.
Meyhane-i Ara
İstanbul · Bistro · ₺₺
Meyhane-i Ara is a bistro restaurant in İstanbul, Şişli, Istanbul.
Tuşba Uzman Mezeci
Şişli · Deli · ₺₺
Tuşba Uzman Mezeci is a deli restaurant in Şişli, Şişli, Istanbul.
Pangaltı Meyhane
Şişli · Meyhane · ₺₺
Pangaltı Meyhane is a meyhane restaurant in Şişli, Şişli, Istanbul.
Orhan Baba Meyhanesi
İstanbul · Meyhane · ₺₺
Orhan Baba Meyhanesi is a meyhane restaurant in İstanbul, Pendik, Istanbul.
Filika Meyhane
İstanbul · Meyhane · ₺₺
Filika Meyhane is a meyhane restaurant in İstanbul, Bakırköy, Istanbul.
Seviç Meyhanesi
Galatasaray · Meyhane · ₺₺
Seviç Meyhanesi, İstanbul'un en ikonik pasajlarından biri olan ve 1876'da inşa edilen Çiçek Pasajı'nın (Cité de Péra) içinde yer almaktadır. Yaşar Kemal, Can Yücel ve Özdemir Asaf gibi Türk edebiyatının devlerinin müdavimi olduğu bu meyhane, Bohemien Beyoğlu'nun son yaşayan tanıklarından biridir. Tarihi pasajın taş döşemeli zemini ve 19. yüzyıl mimarisiyle çerçevelenen bir ortamda meze ve rakı keyfi, İstanbul'un başka hiçbir yerinde bu şekilde yaşanamaz.
Todori
Kalamış · Meyhane · ₺₺
Todori is a restaurant in Kalamış, Istanbul.