Love at first sight

It’s difficult to charm this blogger with traditional, wallet-draining, overly romantic gestures, but it’s easy with atmospheric beauty, friendliness, and casual elegance in a charming green and idyllic environment. You’ll find all of this at Viktor Levi Şarap Evi wine restaurant, which is why our first encounter was love at first sight.

The best calling card for Viktor Levi Şarap Evi restaurant is its historic facade. The restaurant simply invites you in, pulling you towards it like a magnet.

While a successful restaurant experience begins at the street level (outside the restaurant door), the most important factor is the vibe and atmosphere inside. For me, this defines enjoyment even more than the menu. In Viktor Levi Şarap Evi restaurant, everything is just right. History and style are elegantly showcased without excessive showiness. As a customer, you feel warmly welcomed.

In the image above, you can already catch a glimpse of the restaurant’s green surprise through the back wall windows. But first, a few words about the restaurant’s history – which, in this case, of course, involves wine.

Viktor Levi & wine

Viktor Levi originally came from Gallipoli in the Çanakkale province of Northwest Türkiye. In his youth, he was involved in the wholesale trade of sardines and grapes. When he arrived in Istanbul for this business, he noticed the demand for wine. After many ventures, Viktor Levi acquired his own vineyard, and the first Viktor Levi Şarap Evi wine house opened in 1914 in the Beyoğlu district on the European side. Eventually, due to the overwhelming popularity, Viktor Levi left the sardine and grape business to focus solely on wine until his death in 1967.

After his death, the vineyard remained in the family until 1985, after which it was closed. Fevzi Büyükerol bought the place in 1999 and, with the support and cooperation from Viktor Levi’s family, revived it as a wine restaurant in Moda on the Asian side in 2022, while still respecting its traditions and history. Naturally, it continues to offer wines from that era.

Charming and green surprise

Now, we leave the history behind and move onto the present moment, and my absolute favorite part of this restaurant: the green oasis in the inner courtyard, especially the second-floor balcony.

The courtyard is a particularly charming part of this restaurant. And in the end, you don’t really know whether you’re inside or outside, or whether you’re on the terrace or in the courtyard. As evening falls, this becomes even more unclear, until, through the crystal chandelier, you notice laundry drying on a neighbor’s balcony – yes, you’re still outside. A high-end wine restaurant paired with laundry is an amusingly contradictory combination, but this is exactly the slice of “real” life in Istanbul that I love…

Menu and wine selection

The wine selection is naturally extensive, and as a red wine lover, I can say it’s a bit different from what I’m used to. Perhaps this is because Türkiye is traditionally more of a rakı country than a wine country. I’m not a wine expert, so I can only say that I believe everyone will find their favorite wine among these countless options.

Wine is, of course, always enjoyed with food. The food here, like everywhere in Türkiye, is tasty, but overall, I notice that the focus in this wine restaurant is particularly on the wines, as it should be.

And, as is common in Istanbul, you’ll always have some furry company while eating – although this black and white beauty doesn’t seem too interested in the wines…

I guarantee that you’ll have no trouble enjoying your time here until the evening. And that’s a good thing, because in the dimming light, the beauty and atmosphere of this courtyard green oasis truly come to life.

Romantic and beautiful dinner spot

To me, Viktor Levi Şarap Evi is primarily a dinner place. Dinner is usually eaten in Turkish style at no earlier than seven in the evening, but preferably even later. Given that this is a wine restaurant, it’s clear that it’s not really meant to be a restaurant for families eating with children. This is somewhat of an exception in Türkiye, as, typically, children of all ages are present at late family dinners in all restaurants. And during these dinners, beer, rakı, or wine is often served as a drink.

In particular, I can recommend this restaurant as a date spot. At least in our family and friend circle, first dates here have always led to a good and romantic outcome. So yes, there really is magic in a beautiful place with good wine.

Everywhere you look in this restaurant, in addition to the greenery, you’ll see refined beauty. These metal “tulip walls” are particularly appealing to me.

The tulip is Türkiye’s national flower, and so you’ll see tulips everywhere, including in tile art. But beyond that, the tulip is especially the flower of Istanbul, as tulips, the symbols of Holland, originally came from Istanbul, from where they were sent to the Netherlands.

Thank you – until next time

But even a wonderful evening comes to an end, and now it’s time for us to say goodbye to these many delicious wines. And continue our wine tasting at the next dinner.

Warm thanks, Viktor Levi Şarap Evi! It’s a bit sad to leave, but on the other hand, it’s always a joy to return. And surely, we’ll be back – out of love for wine and the charm of this idyllic Viktor Levi wine house.

More information: Viktor Levi Şarap Evi

Ps. I recommend noting that Viktor Levi Şarap Evi is a very popular restaurant, so you’ll need a reservation, especially at weekends. Otherwise, it will likely be impossible to enjoy wine in the green beauty of the courtyard.