Straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a melting pot for culture, arts, history and gastronomy. Even better, it’s also full of great watering holes for wine lovers! So, we’ve rounded up our picks of the best wine bars in Istanbul.
Whether you’re looking for a local Turkish wine or want to sip on a mellow syrah, this list has you in mind.
Solera is a small wine bar with a big reputation. This winery-slash- wine-bar-slash-cosy-corner is perfect for anyone exploring Istanbul. The owner, Süleyman Er, is extremely personable and always ready to help with any suggestions. Be sure to try their daily special with your glass of delicious wine.
Family owned and award-winning, number two is Suvla Kanyon. This adorable wine bar has excellent service, a delicious snack menu and of course, diverse wine options. We recommend their Kırmızı with a small cheese platter.
Founded in 1914 by Jewish journalist and wino extraordinaire, Viktor Levi, it’s one of Istanbul’s oldest wine bars. Sip away the afternoon in the lush garden with small treats and good conversation. They offer a vast selection of signature wines. We suggest you try the kavaklidere.
Indulge in İncirli Şaraphane whose winery offers 650 local wine options along with imports such as syrah. In addition to a massive wine list, you can enjoy the scenery of the ancient city through their panoramic windows. Alçıtepe is an absolute must-try on your visit to this great wine bar.
This cosy and eccentric wine bar is great for any occasion. Hazzo Pulo is tucked away on an old city side street, with a warm atmosphere, a unique design and great food options. On occasion, they also have live music we recommend having an afternoon glass of their house wine to take a break from exploring the city.
Whether you’re wanting to enjoy a few glasses of wine over local cheese and snacks or looking to take a few bottles home, Sensus has you covered. Head down to the cellar and see for yourself the limitless Turkish wine options they have. In addition to one of the best wine selections in Istanbul, the food is to die for, too. You can’t leave without having the charcuterie with a glass of their famous house Yanık Ülke.
The romantic atmosphere is made up of a cosy patio area and cellar style interior with soft lighting. Ambiyans is considered one of Istanbul’s best kept secrets and is known for its staff recommendations of red meat and red wine pairings. Ambiyans is perfect for a few post-dinner glasses and can’t be missed while in Istanbul.
Melanie is an avid traveller with a passion for history and global foods. She is currently based in Tbilisi, Georgia where most of her time is occupied with qvevri wine and Soviet history. Having do-si-do'd her way across Europe and Latin America, she's enjoyed some of the world's most exciting places firsthand and can't wait to tell you about them.
