Hayyam Meyhanesi

About Hayyam Meyhanesi

Hayyam Meyhanesi is a small neighbourhood meyhane on Anafartalar Caddesi in Basmane. According to Culinary Backstreets, it has served the neighbourhood for three-quarters of a century, drawing diners from near and far for the mezes and grilled dishes of Nihat Sezgin, the usta who has run the place for decades and is now approaching 80. The guide suggests starting with yaprak sarma, stuffed vine leaves, a properly spicy çiğ köfte served in broad lettuce leaves with plenty of lemon, and whatever else the usta has prepared that day, then moving on after a few glasses of rakı to grilled köfte and lamb chops. Culinary Backstreets calls Hayyam the epitome of salaş, the Turkish word for a pleasantly rough-around-the-edges place, and one of its favourite backstreet institutions. It is not the same business as the Hayyam meyhane in Bayraklı. Opening hours are not published online.