On bustling Nevizade Sokak, this cafe/bar was originally opened by Monsieur Lambo in the early to mid-1900s. It was especially popular with the city’s literary brigade – particularly the leading Turkish poets Orhan Veli and Ilhan Berk, as well as female authors such as Leyla Erbil, Leyla Umar and Mina Urgan. Lambo was a generous soul and if customers were unable to pay their bills, he would ask for a poem or a story instead.

Today, the scene has dramatically changed but Lambo remains busy. Instead of intellectuals enjoying their nightly pursuits, however, the establishment is filled with a young crowd enjoying reasonably priced beer.

For food, Degustasyon, Tarihi Cumhuriyet Meyhanesi and Seviç were some of the restaurants favoured by the city’s intellectuals in the early to mid-20th century.