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31-10-2022 -
Things to Do in Istanbul
A Magical Fine-Dining Experience in Istanbul: Le Vapeur Magique
Istanbul is magnificent with its history, its one-of-a-kind geography, its vibrant life and its position as the meeting of different cultures. There are many attractions all around the city and it is for sure that one lifetime is not enough to see all of Istanbul.
In Istanbul Tourist Pass, we love to share the best parts of Istanbul for you to visit during your short time. So you can enjoy the city which we deeply love, and then come back again to see more!
In this article, we would love to share with you another magical experience you’d love to participate in: Le Vapeur Magique! Let’s have a closer look at this completely renovated historical ferry which is now a fine-dining restaurant serving Antioch cuisine on breakfast and dinner menus while cruising over Bosphorus.
From public service to luxury tourism
History of Le Vapeur Magique
Once the ‘Martyr Adem Yavuz Ferry’ now the Le Vapeur Magique, is a 456 gross ton steamboat with a length of 58.2 meters and a width of 19.6 meters, each with 2 diesel engines of 750 horsepower, which was built in 1976 as motorized passenger ferry at Haliç Shipyard. It was named after journalist Adem Yavuz, who was martyred after being captured by the Greeks while working as a journalist in Cyprus in 1974.
After serving 40 years in Istanbul, it took the name ‘Le Vapeur Magique’ and started sightseeing tours of the Bosphorus to serve Turkish tourism and the business world in 2020. Today it hosts a fine-dining restaurant, an event venue, a meeting room and other experience areas such as 3D Selfie Museum.
A living space with the world’s best view
Today in 2022
Le Vapeur Magique is a floating living space today with a great restaurant. In its restaurant, it’s been serving traditional Antioch cuisine with a fine-dining touch. Routinely there are two cruises daily; one in the morning and one in the evening. But in some special cases, the ferry can be a concert hall for a jazz band or a hall for special events. Wouldn’t it be amazing to listen to smooth jazz while cruising on the Bosphorus?
This amazing Ferry has a meeting hall for 45 people with above-standard decor and technical equipment for private business meetings and a terrace area for 150 people that can be used in spring and summer. The meeting hall, which is open to food and beverage service all day, will be kept ready for use for special invitations and presentations. Le Vapeur Magique will be able to provide travel services to the business world, both at the port and on the Bosphorus.
What to eat and what to do?
Currently, Le Vapeur Magique has two different options for foodies: Breakfast or Dinner. For breakfast, they have a rich menu set and the food and drinks are unlimited! It is great if you love long breakfasts. While having breakfast, you can enjoy the magnificent Bosphorus view with a guide telling you about the landmarks. Throughout the breakfast cruise, you’ll be enjoying live jazz music and feel like you are in a movie. You can see the set menus here:
At dinner starting at sunset, you’ll be tasting samples of Antioch cuisine with a fine-dining touch. There are options with or without alcohol but the belly dancer is an inseparable part of this cruise! You will eat, laugh and take photos throughout the trip!
Other than the food you can also enjoy the ‘Selfie Museum’ prepared specially for its visitors. You will be a part of a famous painting and get a photo with famous artists!
To sum up
It is a great experience to be on ‘the famous black ship’ on the Bosphorus. Normally we don’t expect much in dinner cruises but the food is amazing in the Le Vapeur Magique. So don’t hesitate to try it. There are two pick-up and drop-off locations; Eminonu and Ortakoy piers, so choose the pier closest to you and make a reservation.
For 85+ attractions you can enjoy for FREE, check out our Attractions page here. As we said earlier, we would love to enjoy the city as much as possible with our traditional hospitality. Don’t forget to share your photos and comments with us. Here is our Instagram account: @IstanbulTouristPass
