Asmalı Cavit

The cosy front room of this classic Beyoğlu meyhane is a preferred haunt for celebrated Turkish academics and journalists enjoying a slow dinner of meze, fish and a hot debate. Unlike many other traditional restaurants in the area that seem to serve the same tired food and feel more like a fraternity party by the end of the night, Asmali Cavit has a subdued vibe, intensified by excellent food. You can't go wrong with anything on the meze tray – seasonal sautéed vegetables, and the hard-to-find Armenian specialty, topik, mashed chickpeas around a nucleus of onions and currants.

With its stripped wooden floors, bare-brick walls and nostalgia-infused period posters and black and white photographs, Asmali Mescit epitomises the more restrained version of the sometimes over-exuberant Istanbul meyhane (tavern). Choose from 27 cold meze including the Armenian speciality topik, a chickpeapotato, pine nut and tahini dip, and 11 hot starters. Fish mains are priced according to season, with izgara hamsi (grilled anchovies) a particular favourite here, though there are several succulent kebab choices on offer if you’re not a fish lover.

Located on Asmalı Mescit street in the heart of Beyoğlu, Asmalı Cavit is an intimate meyhane (Turkish tavern) and a cherished institution among its many loyal patrons.

Meze and raki is a tradition in the whole of Turkey, not just Istanbul, and this is one of the best places to try it. The range of different meze on offer is mind-blowing, and you’ll be spoilt for choice as you try and choose a selection. I always go for haydari, which is a yogurt and garlic-style dip, and ezme, which is a red pepper dip, as well as several others that usually catch my eye.

Concealed within the quaint lanes of Beyoğlu's Asmalımescit neighborhood, Asmalı Cavit is a humble yet distinguished establishment, celebrated as one of Istanbul's premier taverns. The culinary ethos here emphasizes unadulterated flavors, with signature offerings like meatballs, chops, grilled calamari, and liver, each an ode to their devotion to culinary mastery.

Elsewhere nearby, Asmali Cavit offers a more offal-led vision of Turkish food. Expect liver and tongue served with the classics of börek, kuzu şiş kebab, stunning tekir (red mullet) and çiroz (smoked mackerel). Sitting in the courtyard with a bottle of Turkish raki and some well-barbecued lamb chops, it’s hard to imagine how life could be better.

Regulars here keep their bottles of rakı (with names scrawled on them) on a shelf in the bar. Cavit Saatçi, his daughter Seyhan and son Savaş run the restaurant together. Start with roasted eggplant salad, tarama, fava with caramelised onions, lakerda (salt-preserved bonito), salt-brined bonito, and beyaz peynir (white cheese).

Asmalı Cavit is a traditional Turkish meyhane that also serves up delicious Chinese dishes. Located in the historic neighborhood of Beyoğlu, the restaurant has a cozy, tavern-like interior with wooden tables and chairs. The menu features a range of Chinese dishes, including dim sum, stir-fried noodles, and hot pot.

The meyhane is an intrinsic part of Istanbul life, embodying the conviviality and energy of the city. It is where regulars have their special tables and strangers become friends by the end of the meal. There are many great meyhanes scattered around the city and the family-run Asmalı Cavit is a long-time favourite.

For over 20 years, Asmali Cavit has been dishing up stuffed mussels, Black Sea anchovies, and Armenian topik in the city of Istanbul. The yaprak ciğer is also a popular choice - a plate of sliced and fried liver.

Asmalı Cavit: this traditional bistro is famous for its mezzes and selection of rakı. Asmalı Cavit attracts a loyal clientele thanks to its relaxed atmosphere and authentic dishes.

Asmalı Cavit offers delicious dishes, large varietys of mezes and appetizers in its cosy atmosphere where the prices are very reasonable.

Asmalı Cavit: A meyhane in Beyoğlu and one of the best places in the neighborhood for a traditional meal of mezes and rakı.

A top place for great fish with a touch of class and cosiness with a wide selection of grilled of fried local fish.