Pubs in Istanbul: Best places for Liverpool fans to eat and drink

Liverpool will continue their Champions League campaign with a trip to face Fenerbahce at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on November 4, and fans will be sure to pack out the best pubs in Istanbul during their stay in the city.

The Reds may not have been perfect so far this season, but it would be fair to say that the club has been revitalised under Andoni Iraola, and supporters will find plenty to do in Istanbul with their energy.

Whether they have tickets to the match or not, visitors will find no shortage of great places to grab a bite in town, with highly-rated spots serving everything from local cuisines to international favourites.

Making the trip yourself? Read on as Football Ground Guide covers some of the best places for Liverpool fans to eat and drink in Istanbul.

Best Pubs in Istanbul for Liverpool fans

James Joyce Irish Pub – Huseyinaga, Balo Sk. No:26, 34435 Beyoglu/Istanbul, Turkiye

One of the more iconic pubs in Istanbul for football fans, the James Joyce Irish Pub is said to be the city's ‘original Irish pub', and was amongst the venues that partied long into the night when Liverpool won the Champions League at the Ataturk Stadium in 2005.

Featuring two floors and a healthy mixture of locals, expats and tourists of all ages, fans often gather to enjoy a pre-match drink here or watch the game if they do not have a ticket.

Corner Irish Pub – Asmali Mescit Mesrutiyet Cd. No:11/A Galatasaray, 34430 Beyoglu/Istanbul, Turkiye

Simply known as Corner Irish Pub, this bar is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, and is known to conjure a great atmosphere around big events, likely thanks to its reasonably-priced drinks (for the area).

There are plenty of screens inside for watching live sports, while the food on offer is nothing to sneeze at either, with the burgers in particular rated well.

U2 Istanbul Irish Pub – Sehit Muhtar, Bekar Sk. No:21, 34435 Beyoglu/Istanbul, Turkiye

Another Irish pub to add to the list, the U2 Istanbul Irish Pub is a charming smaller venue that is a regular haunt for visiting football fans, as well as those who enjoy live music.

The management are Celtic fans with a soft spot for Liverpool, but supporters of all clubs are welcome as long as they are not put off by the sight of the Bhoys' and Reds' merch adorning the bar.

The Populist – Tarihi Bomonti Bira FabrikasI, Cumhuriyet, Birahane Sk. No: 1/D, 34381 Sisli/Istanbul, Turkiye

Located within the redeveloped Bomonti Brewery, The Populist is a great spot for fans of award-winning beer and American-style food to go with it.

The Populist is a stylish place to sample craft beer and meet up before the game, not to mention the friendly cats that often stop by to say hello.

Best places for Liverpool fans to eat in Istanbul

Karakoy Lokantasi – Kemankes Mahallesi, Kemankes Cd. No:57, 34425 Beyoglu/Istanbul, Turkiye

Karakoy Lokantasi is an award-winning family-run restaurant that offers traditional and international dishes through a lunch and dinner service.

The restaurant follows the ‘esnaf lokantasi'(tradesman's restaurant) tradition for lunch, meaning that it serves home-style meals. For dinner, it transforms into a tavern-style spot, specialising in mezes with raki.

Zubeyir Ocakbasi – Sehit Muhtar Mahallesi Bekar Sokak No:28, 34435 Beyoglu/Istanbul, Turkiye

The Zubeyir Ocakbasi in Taksim is a highly-rated restaurant amongst locals for its kebab menu, as well as the variety of meze on offer.

The cosy interior makes for a fine place to grab a bite to eat and have a chat before heading out, and the staff have also received positive reviews from patrons.

Neolokal – Mahi, Arap Cami, Bankalar Cd. No:11, 34420, 34421 Beyoglu/Istanbul, Turkiye

If you are looking for a fine-dining option, then check out Neolokal, a Michelin-starred restaurant in the Karakoy district that is located within a piece of history – the former Imperial Ottoman Bank building.

The menu consists of dishes that are based on traditional meals given a twist using modern methods, ingredients and sustainable practices, as part of a philosophy termed the ‘New Anatolian Kitchen'.