A century-old wine bar and an Istanbul institution

Word to the wise: If you want to sit reservations are a must, especially at weekends.

This atmospheric wine bar is a Turkish take on a traditional Greek taverna, with wood-panelled walls and giant wine barrels lined up above the bar. Always lively, as the night wears on it often becomes standing-room only.

Squeeze in around one of the waist-high tables to sample the reasonably priced local and imported wines, by the glass or bottle. There’s cheap beer and hot and cold meze available too.