Premium Dining Experience & Live Shows at Nomads Istanbul

• Reservations are recommended due to high demand.
• The experience starts at 7:30 PM and continues until 01:00 AM.
• Shows begin at 9:00 PM and feature six different performances throughout the evening.
• Unlimited local alcoholic (Rakı, wine, beer) and soft drinks are included with the discounted price.
• A 7% service fee applies to all guests and must be paid in cash
• Reservations for 9 or more guests are subject to approval by restaurant management.
• Gender distribution may be considered when evaluating group reservations.
• Shorts, flip-flops, and sweatpants are not permitted inside the venue.
• If you arrive later than your reserved time, your table and reservation may not be guaranteed.

Nomads is a place where rich eating and lively cultural events mix together in ideal harmony, not only a restaurant.  This exclusive site above the Sofitel Hotel in Taksim provides stunning views of Istanbul and a special atmosphere combining Turkish cultural richness with contemporary elegance.

Founded in Amsterdam in 2002, Nomads grew to Istanbul in 2010 and fast became one of the most sought-after fine dining and nightlife experiences in the city.  Nomads offers an unforgettable evening where music, performance, and cuisine blend seamlessly, inspired by Turkish architecture.

Design & Concept

Nomads began in Amsterdam in 2002, shaped by the bold vision of Dutch architect Rob Wagemans. From the start it turned heads. Women across Europe traded their salsa steps for graceful oriental dance classes. Living rooms filled with lanterns, cushions, and carved wood as Eastern décor found its way into Western homes. Even the music scene felt the ripple: Nomads DJs blended oud, darbuka, and deep bass into albums that reached listeners around the world and sold in the tens of thousands.

Eight years later, Wagemans and the Nomads crew introduced the concept to Istanbul. They combined Turkish motifs with clean, modern lines, letting each detail echo the city’s own layers of history. The result sits perfectly beside Ottoman facades and Bosphorus breezes. Today Nomads is one of Istanbul’s signature spots. Visitors come for the music, stay for the inventive dishes and cocktails, and leave with a fresh sense of how tradition and modernity can share the same rhythm.

Culinary Adventure: An Eastern Journey

Nomads puts Turkey’s kitchen traditions on one plate. The chefs mix classic flavors from all over the country with the bold, fragrant tastes of Antakya. Each dish leaves the kitchen on a shining copper tray, arranged so it looks as good as it smells. A basket of warm Antakya bread lands beside it, ready to scoop up every last bit of sauce. Simple, honest cooking served in elegant copper trays for a truly authentic touch with a touch of showmanship.

Nomads’ menu is a refined blend of Turkish and Antioch (Antakya) regional cuisines, curated by expert chefs. Each dish is carefully prepared using high-quality ingredients and traditional cooking methods. 

Here is a preview of what lies ahead:

Starters & Mezes

Lebanese Fava: A mixture of broad beans, onion, dill, olive oil, turmeric and garlic
Cacık: Refreshing yogurt dip with cucumber, mint, and garlic.
Atom: Strained yogurt with spicy roasted chili peppers and garlic.
Black-Eyed Pea: Black-eyed peas mixed with pickles, fresh herbs, and olive oil.
Beetroot Tabbouleh: Bulgur wheat salad with beetroot, lemon, olive oil, and pomegranate molasses.
Cherry Leaf Wraps: Stuffed grape leaves with rice and a tangy cherry sauce.
Hummus: A perfect blend of chickpeas with tahini
Muttabel: Creamy smoked eggplant dip with tahini, garlic, and yogurt.

Hot Appetizers, Salads & Garniture

Falafel: Chickpeas and spices, deep-fried to perfection.
Stuffed Meatballs: Ground minced meat, walnut, parsley, fine bulgur, and semolina in a crispy shell.
French Fries: Golden, crispy, and served with a side of dipping sauce.
Hatay Salad: Tomatoes, lettuce, pomegranate syrup, sumac, scallion, mint, parsley, cucumber, purslane, and walnuts.

Meat & Chicken Main Courses

Vegetable Meat Kebab: Mint, Parsley, Capsia Pepper, Lamb Meat, Veal, Tail Fat
Nomads Kebab: Chicken, Lamb Meat, Lamb Tail, Spices, Zahter, Basil, Red Pepper, Onion, Garlic, Salt
Adana Kebab: with Bulgur Rice, Tomato, Pepper
Chicken Wings: Spices, Tomato Paste, Milk, Garlic Curry, Salt
Chicken Skewers: with Bulgur Rice, Tomato, Pepper

Fish Main Courses 

Sea Bass: with Arugula, Potatoes, Lemon, Onion
Salmon: with Arugula, Potatoes, Lemon, Onion

Pasta

Fettuccine with Cream: Parmesan, butter, cream, garlic, and olive oil.
Penne Arrabbiata: Garlic, tomato, tomato paste, and Parmesan cheese.

Desserts

Semolina Halva: A warm and comforting dessert made with semolina, butter, and syrup.
Brownie: Rich chocolate brownie with walnuts and a hint of cocoa.
Seasonal Fruits: A fresh selection of the best seasonal fruits.

Entertainment: A Wonderful Show

Dinner doesn't finish the event. Night after night, dinner at Nomads turns into a small festival. A crew of more than ten dancers drifts between tables, bringing flashes of Turkish rhythm and culture. One set appears while you taste your meze, another while you finish dessert, and the music keeps rolling until late. A tight creative team plans each step, and local tailors in Istanbul stitch every costume by hand. The whole thing feels less like theater and more like being invited into someone’s home: lively, genuine, and hard to forget.

Nomads puts on a vibrant cultural performance that will last long after dinner. Featuring more than 10 performing talents, the entertainment consists of:

• Graceful, strong, and historically rich Turkish Dance Shows
• Zenne Performances: A distinctive and spectacular display of Turkish culture with amazing male dancers
• Live percussion that makes your heart race is darbuka drumming.
• DJ Sets: Combining Turkish and modern sounds for a great party mood

Every show offers a captivating trip through sound and culture by being matched with the atmosphere of the venue and the rhythm of the night.