Indulgences

1. rakı

   Rakı (anise-flavoured distilled spirit that turns milky with water)

   Usage

   TDK: a spirit distilled from fermented grapes, figs or plums, also called "aslansütü" (lion's milk). Drunk diluted with water and ice over a long table of meze. Note the dotless ı

2. bira

   Beer

   Usage

   TDK: brewed from barley and hops. TDK also records the colloquial name "arpa suyu" (barley water)

3. şarap

   Wine

   Usage

   TDK: an alcoholic drink made by fermenting grape or other fruit juice. Phrases for ordering are in tr/the Wine & Spirits category

4. nargile

   Nargile (water pipe / hookah)

   Usage

   TDK: a device for drawing tobacco smoke through water. Since indoor smoking is banned, nargile is served only where there is open-air seating

5. sigara

   Cigarette

   Usage

   TDK: shredded tobacco rolled in thin paper. Law 4207 bans smoking in all indoor spaces except homes — smoke only in outdoor seating

6. içkili

   Licensed — alcohol is served here

   Usage

   One of TDK's senses is "where alcohol is drunk". It appears on signs as "içkili lokanta". Look for it if you want a drink with your meal

7. içkisiz

   Unlicensed — no alcohol served

   Usage

   TDK: "where alcohol is not drunk". Many Turkish eateries simply do not serve alcohol; checking this word on the door avoids an awkward request

8. meyhane

   Meyhane (tavern where drinks are served with meze)

   Usage

   TDK: a place where alcohol is sold and drunk. From Persian mey (wine) + ḫāne (house). The setting for a long evening of rakı and meze

9. kahvehane

   Kahvehane (traditional coffee house for tea, cards and backgammon)

   Usage

   TDK: a place for coffee, tea, linden tea and nargile, with backgammon, dominoes, billiards and cards. TDK also gives "kıraathane" as a synonym. Alcohol is not served

10. çay bahçesi

    Çay bahçesi (open-air tea garden)

    Usage

    TDK: a garden where tea, coffee and non-alcoholic drinks are drunk. Being outdoors, some also offer nargile. By definition no alcohol is served

11. ay çekirdeği

    Ay çekirdeği (sunflower seeds, the classic thing to nibble while passing time)

    Usage

    TDK's second sense is "a nut eaten mainly to pass the time". A fixture in parks and football stands

12. leblebi

    Leblebi (roasted chickpeas eaten as a snack)

    Usage

    TDK: chickpeas with the skin removed, roasted in an oven and eaten as "çerez" — the general word for snacks eaten outside meals

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