Istanbul

The 10 Best Rooftop Bars in Istanbul

Istanbul's skyline drinks better than its postcards. The rooftop bars on this list span every neighbourhood worth a trip — the central districts all show up — and every price tier from a $5 local pour to a $25 hotel-bar tasting. Each bar earns its spot for a different reason. We have visited every one.

  1. 01

    360 East

    CADDEBOSTAN · $$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    360 East draws a steady local crowd in Caddebostan. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

  2. 02

    360 Istanbul

    BEYOGLU · $$$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    360 Istanbul draws a steady local crowd in Beyoglu. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

  3. 03

    Balcon Bar at Lazzoni Hotel

    MECIDIYEKOY · $$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    Balcon Bar at Lazzoni Hotel draws a steady local crowd in Mecidiyekoy. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.

  4. 04

    5.Kat Rooftop

    CIHANGIR · $$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    5.Kat Rooftop draws a steady local crowd in Cihangir. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.

  5. 05

    Leb-i Derya Kumbaraci

    BEYOGLU · $$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    Leb-i Derya Kumbaraci draws a steady local crowd in Beyoglu. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

  6. 06

    Mama Shelter Istanbul Bar

    BEYOGLU · $$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    Mama Shelter Istanbul Bar draws a steady local crowd in Beyoglu. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

  7. 07

    Mikla

    BEYOGLU · $$$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    Mikla draws a steady local crowd in Beyoglu. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.

  8. 08

    Ortakoy Iskelesi

    ORTAKOY · $$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    Ortakoy Iskelesi draws a steady local crowd in Ortakoy. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.

  9. 09

    Roof Mezze 360

    BEYOGLU · $$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    Roof Mezze 360 draws a steady local crowd in Beyoglu. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

  10. 10

    Banyan Rooftop

    SUADIYE · $$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    Banyan Rooftop draws a steady local crowd in Suadiye. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

Use this guide either as a single curated route through Istanbul or as a checklist to revisit over a long weekend. Reservations are flagged where they matter. Otherwise, walk in. Below: the ten rooftop bars that any serious drinker in Istanbul would tell you to put on the list.

360 East draws a steady local crowd in Caddebostan. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

360 Istanbul draws a steady local crowd in Beyoglu. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

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