.png)
Picture this:
You step out of the elevator onto a rooftop. The lights of Istanbul flicker below. The first thing you notice is the smell! The aroma is of grilled lamb, warm spices, and a hint of citrus. Someone hands you a cold glass of a delicious Welcome Cocktail. Across the room a darbuka picks up, and a dancer starts to sway.
That’s Nomads.
It isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a night out wrapped around a meal. Plates travel from Lebanon to Antakya, then a DJ set pulls you back to modern Istanbul. One minute you’re scooping hummus; the next you’re clapping along to the beat.
Come hungry, dress sharp(-ish), and let the evening run its course. By the time the last song fades and you ride down to the street, you’ll swear the city feels different, like you got to know its secret side for a few hours.
Ready? Let’s dive into what makes this place special.
Step Inside Nomads Istanbul
Walk out of the Sofitel’s rooftop elevator, and the city noise drops away. Soft lantern light bounces off copper walls, the air smells of grilled spices, and a hush of anticipation, equal parts dinner party and backstage whisper, hangs in the room. Nomads is built to slow you down, pull you in, and keep you curious until the last beat of the darbuka fades.
A Rooftop Built for Wonder
Dutch designer Rob Wagemans treated the space like a love letter to Istanbul. He stacked velvet cushions beside brushed-metal tables, hung latticed lanterns over sleek marble floors, and framed every corner with low, wide windows so the skyline never leaves your sight. Step onto the open terrace: the Bosphorus glitters on one side, old-town minarets glow on the other, and a cool breeze reminds you why rooftops were invented in the first place.
A Menu That Travels the Silk Road
Dinner starts with an edible map of the Levant. Hummus whipped till it’s silk, smoky muttabal, and bright beetroot tabbouleh arrive on hammered-copper trays meant for sharing and scooping. Then the grill fires up: Adana kebab with just-enough heat, chicken skewers brushed with pomegranate molasses, sea-bass fillets that taste like they jumped from Galata to your plate. Save room—warm semolina halva melts into buttery syrup, and the brownie, studded with walnuts, feels almost sinful against the night air. Unlimited local rakı, crisp white wine, or an easy pilsner keep the storytelling loose and the laughter louder.
A Night That Moves to the Beat
At nine, the lights dim and Nomads shifts gears. A hush, a drumroll then a swirl of silk as the first oriental dancer spins beneath a spotlight. Zenne performers follow, their footwork sharp, their smiles sharper, turning centuries-old tradition into pure show. The darbuka kicks in, a heartbeat you feel in your ribs, and just when you think the energy can’t climb higher, the DJ slips in a modern groove that locks East and West in the same four-four pulse. Between sets, the music drops low enough to swap platefuls and stories before it soars again.
The Vibe: Chic, Warm, Unforgettable
Nomads walks a fine line: polished enough for a proposal, loose enough for a last-minute “why not?” It’s the kind of place where a birthday toast might stand next to a corporate win, where strangers trade mezze tips across tables, and where every server seems to anticipate what you need a half-second before you know it yourself. When the final track fades and you ride the elevator back to street level, Istanbul feels different, larger, somehow brighter, because for a few hours you were part of the city’s private rooftop rhythm.
Insider Tips for the Perfect Evening
Book a little early: Nomads starts seating at 7 PM, but the sweet spot is 7:30. You settle in, order mezze, and have time to watch the sunset before the first dancer appears at nine.
Ask for the terrace first: On clear nights, nothing beats that Bosphorus view. If the weather turns, staff will slide you inside without fuss, same skyline, warmer breeze.
Dress smart-casual: No tie needed, but swap the beach tee for a crisp shirt or a chic dress. You’ll feel right at home with the copper lamps and velvet cushions.
Pick your photo moments: Blue hour on the rooftop; city lights just waking up.
Copper trays loaded with mezze (lift one for the camera): The opening spin of the first oriental dancer, motion blur is half the magic.
Order a starter the minute you sit. The kitchen moves fast, but the beetroot tabbouleh and hummus land quickest. Perfect bites while you choose mains and sip the first round of rakı.
Follow these tiny moves and the whole night flows: no scrambling, no missed shots, just an easy glide from first toast to last beat.
Planning Your Istanbul Trip?
Istanbul Tourist Pass®️ is your digital pass to 100+ attractions, including Istanbul’s top sights, guided tours and unique experiences. It gives you skip-the-line access and nothing to pay at the door.
Claim Your Exclusive Discount!
Use code PROMO5 at checkout
Limited time offer
100% savings guarantee