Join us on a flavorful journey through Istanbul’s best wine bars—where local grapes, bold culinary offerings, and distinctive atmospheres come together in perfect harmony.
In my previous piece, I shared a vision of what my dream wine bar would look like. Naturally, the next step was to explore how closely Istanbul’s wine bars align with that ideal. I embarked on an in-depth search to curate this list, scouring every source I could find. I dove into social media pages, studied customer reviews, and asked prominent voices in the wine world the all-important question: “What truly defines a wine bar?”
After thorough research, we landed on eight venues that genuinely earn the title of “wine bar”—each doing justice to the craft. Four of them are located in Taksim and will be the focus of our next article. Today, we turn our attention to one standout on the Asian side and several gems scattered across the European side. So without further ado, here are the best wine bars in Istanbul…
Wayana Wine Bar
With its cozy and memorable name, Wayana is the sole representative from the Asian side on our list—but it certainly doesn’t play second fiddle. In fact, its remarkable and diverse wine selection has citywide impact. The story begins in Moda, where the team behind Wayana took over the beloved Beppe Pizzeria. Seeking a new adventure, they transformed the space entirely, reopening it in the summer of 2022 as a wine-focused destination. Today, Wayana boasts an impressive menu featuring around 450 wines from over 100 local producers—all exclusively Turkish. And here’s the real headline: every single one of those wines is available by the glass, thanks to the ingenious Coravin system. Globally, there are few places—let alone in Istanbul—that offer such a vast selection by the glass.
Every year on our wedding anniversary, my wife and I mark the occasion by revisiting our favorite restaurants—always bringing along a bottle from the 2013 vintage, the year we got married. For 2024, our destination was Foxy.
I’ve been frequenting Foxy for quite some time—whether for a launch event, a tasting, a casual drop-in, or in the company of a lively group. But on our most recent visit, it was just my wife and me, and for the first time, I felt like we experienced Foxy in its truest form.
Foxy is the product of a beautiful collaboration between two culinary forces: our dear friend Levon Bağış, the passionate oenophile and foreword writer of our book Soil and Wine, and the renowned Maksut Aşkar, whom many will recognize from Neolocal. With this duo at the helm, one thing is certain: you will eat well. Though I’ve often said that food can take a backseat when imagining my ideal wine bar, Foxy’s kitchen stands in a league of its own among Istanbul’s wine bars. They’ve assembled a rock-solid team, they work from thoughtful recipes, and they execute everything with precision. It’s difficult to single out one dish to praise—everything here exceeds expectations and is prepared with that unmistakable Foxy flair.
If I had to choose just one standout from the seasonally evolving menu, it would be the cardamom profiterole filled with banana cream and cardamom—easily one of my all-time favorite desserts.
As for the wines, Foxy has made a clear and deliberate choice—and they’re confidently sticking to it: only wines made from local grapes are served here. That said, you might still come across a few wines made from international varietals, but even those are crafted with wild yeast, full of character and individuality. In our chat with Levon Bağış, we brought up this direction, and his response was heartening: customers embraced it without hesitation. As someone deeply committed to the wines of this land, nothing delights me more than seeing local grapes being given a stage where they can truly shine.
With around 150 wines by the bottle and 15 to 20 available by the glass, Foxy delivers on its mission to champion indigenous varietals. Its embrace of natural wines and its curated, thoughtful selections should serve as an inspiration. Add to that a knowledgeable staff guiding guests with ease, wines served at just the right moment and in the right way, and a warm, inviting atmosphere that pulls you in from the moment you enter—it’s a winning formula.
Their cocktail program adds a playful twist, divided into “Negroni and Others.” The Mahlep-infused Negroni is a must-try—a sophisticated reinterpretation of a classic. Beyond that, the menu also includes a selection of beers, various spirits, and of course, raki, rounding out the experience with something for every taste. If you’re looking to enjoy exceptional food alongside thoughtfully curated wine, Foxy should be at the very top of your list. It’s one of those rare places that gets both sides of the equation exactly right.
Parantez Karaköy
Parantez Karaköy earns its spot on this list as a charming tapas bar with wine bar potential—and with a few thoughtful tweaks on the wine side, it could easily claim that title outright. Let’s start with the wine. The menu features 25 to 30 wines by the bottle, alongside a modest four wines by the glass. Still, the selection strikes a nice balance between big-name producers and smaller, artisanal ones. That said, the wines served by the glass are largely “table wines,” limiting the opportunity for adventurous wine exploration without committing to a full bottle.
While the whites were served at just the right temperature, we did run into the occasional service hiccup—our red, for example, arrived a bit too chilled. With a few adjustments—like expanding the by-the-glass list and offering more distinctive pours—Parantez Karaköy could become a go-to destination for wine lovers looking to sip and snack in equal measure.
So why does this place still win me over? Because in a neighborhood like Karaköy—heavy with foot traffic and light on truly “good” establishments—Parantez stands out with genuine personality. It channels the casual spirit of a Spanish tapas bar, yet the flavors are rooted in local traditions and, more importantly, the chef’s own touch. Impressively, they make most of their charcuterie in-house, which is a rarity. Items like Çubuk pickles, Hatay-style crushed olives, or sardine marinade are perfect for those who appreciate simple, well-prepared fare.
The real joy, though, lies in the “meats” section, which leans heavily into offal—think liver, heart, spleen, and sleeper. It’s an absolute treat for anyone who knows how beautifully offal pairs with lighter reds made from Çal Karası, Karasakız, or Papaskarası. Each dish here seems designed to complement wine.
And the space itself? Parantez is cozy, intimate, and perfectly balanced between shabby and elegant. The high ceilings and warm atmosphere make you feel like you’ve stepped into a hidden culinary nook—welcoming, relaxed, and full of promise.
Think cheese-forward starters, salads built with wine pairings in mind, and hot-and-cold dishes that are fun, flavorful, and entirely original. A handful of desserts—some made with wine or spirits—add a sweet note to the experience. And everything is served on sleek steel plates, a nod to the industrial steel tanks that inspired the venue’s name.
Come hungry, and you’ll be well rewarded—not just by the food, but by the welcoming staff and the place’s unmistakable charm. Whether you’re people-watching from a street-facing seat or soaking up the cozy interior, one detail will likely catch your eye: a magnificent wall ceramic featuring women reminiscent of Frida Kahlo. It’s touches like this that breathe life and personality into a venue—and for me, that’s essential to becoming a regular. 316 has that rare ability to feel both personal and complete.
As for the wines, there are around 40 bottles on the list, with roughly half available by the glass. For those who don’t want a whole bottle (or just a glass), several wines are also offered in charming 37.5 cl carafes. The wine list is curated by Dilara İlter, the creative force behind 316, and reflects a strong commitment to local, small-scale producers. The wines you see on the menu are often those with stories the team has bonded with, wines that have captured their curiosity, affection, and palate. It’s a dynamic, ever-evolving list, perfect for those who enjoy discovering something new with each visit.
Aside from wine, the only other drinks available are a small selection of local craft beers—just enough to round things out.
316 is more than just a wine bar. It’s a space to linger, to eat and drink and observe the city as it flows around you. It’s where you come to feel present, and where the food and wine are never just background noise—they’re part of the moment.
