dulcinea.org

You go to Istanbul, maybe it’s your first time, maybe it’s your tenth, and your peeps tell you to head to a mega-club like Reina and rain cash down on the shores of the Bosporus. But maybe that isn’t your style, maybe you want something else. Good: grab a cab, head to Dulcinea, and get comfortable. The joint has a café and a bar — and small art gallery in the basement — and is the perfect way to soak in slick, diverse Istanbul. Dulcinea, named after Don Quixote’s imaginary lover, never runs short on style and atmosphere and easily slides from a relaxed coffee house vibe to a packed bar to a down-tempo after-party to a tasty lunch spot. The minimalist décor is classic: wood tables and chairs dot the spacious interior, contemporary art hangs on the large walls, and simple hanging lights throw just enough wattage around, leaving plenty of room for the young, hip crowd to get wild. Be yourself, or be someone completely new; no one will care, unless you aren’t having fun.

20 Me_elik Sokak   +90 212 249 8753