Banyan Istanbul

After experiencing almost every option in Ortaköy, Banyan is my first choice by far for a drink or dinner after work for a fancier evening.

When you are in the terrace bar, you'll feel as if you are on the deck of a ship and you can enjoy the panoramic view from the old town (Sultanahmet) to Beylerbeyi (Asian side) and the spectacular Ortaköy Mosque and Bosphorus Bridge.

Banyan pays a lot of attention to the quality of the ingredients (mostly organic and even homemade) and cooking. The chef uses spot on techniques with grill, steam & wok, and you can enjoy both fish and beef as the main course.

Still, my choice would be to grab a place in the terrace bar, ask for the best appetizers to match your cocktail and watch the ships go by on the Bosphorus. But never miss the Satay and the steam cooked Wonton. The drink menu is also very rich and the bartender is quite informative. Just let him suggest something for your taste.

I love the ambiance; a fireplace in the winter, good! A good ambiance, view, food and drink comes with a price, of course. Drinks are around 25 - 80 TL for a glass and appetizers are around 25 - 50. More expensive than many places, but if you want to treat yourself, it's worth it.

My all-time personal favorite is the melon, mastika and cinnamon cocktail