Description

Most of the meyhanes (taverns) in Ortaköy have vanished as the district has become more and more gentrified: Ilham's Place is the last one remaining. Photographs of several decades of extremely satisfied customers cover the walls. The food here is better than average, the most popular choices being fresh seasonal fish and meaty main courses. Catch a cool Bosphorus breeze on a balmy summer evening by sitting on the upper floor terrace. Typical live entertainment includes fasil (traditional Turkish) music on most nights, which always animates the already lively atmosphere. On the down side, the waiters here are a little too sloppy for most people's liking.