Turkish Wine Bar Review: Beyoğlu Şaraphanesi
I’ve been a little neglectful of my wine bar reviews of late. November and December were insane! Hopefully with the new year things will calm down a bit and I can really dig back into things. I’m starting the year with a wine bar review of Beyoğlu Şaraphanesi.
Tucked away in the warren of bars that is Asmalı Mescit, Beyoğlu Şaraphanesi is like a calm oasis of class and excellent wine. The French bistro-style façade opens into a long gallery warm, exposed brick walls and warm lighting gleaming off shining glassware. One of the things I love about the place is the mix of brick, stone, stained glass, and wood … fake plants that don’t look fake (well done there), different types of seating, and an outdoor patio in the back. It’s very well done.
The wine list is extensive and full of names rarely found elsewhere. The best part is that it’s color-coded by wine style (aromatic, light-bodied etc.). The bar has followed that through by adding the codes to the food menu to help assist diners in selecting a wine to best pair with the food! Although, for a restaurant that calls itself a winehouse (şaraphane) there are a disappointingly few wines available by the glass. However, to its credit, Beyoğlu Şaraphanesi’s by the glass selection covers wines of all quality and price ranges.
Not going to lie, I’ve had an up and down relationship with this place. Which is the reason I did not include it in my book in the end. The first time I visited the service was not good. The second time it was appalling. I recently decided to give it another go and it was like night and day! Rather than being shirty and almost yelling at us that he wasn’t expected to know what wines they had available (seriously, appalling service), the server my friend and I had this round was fantastic. Rather than bringing already filled glasses of wine to us, he brought the bottles to the table. Poured us each a tasting sip, and only then filled our glasses. Generously.
That’s a kind of by the glass service one does not see here. Heck, you don’t see that in most places!
Where to find Beyoğlu Şaraphanesi
You’re definitely going to want to make a reservation if you go in the evening.
Asmalı Mescit Mah., Sofyalı Sk. No:7, Beyoğlu
+90 212 245 45 40