Ney'le Mey'le

Ney'le Mey'le brings the time-honored heritage of Istanbul's tavern culture directly to Ankara's bustling commercial corridor in Söğütözü. The establishment draws its name from a poem penned by celebrated Turkish poet Can Yücel in honor of the revered musician and poet Neyzen Tevfik. Originally founded more than 23 years ago through the shared efforts of close friends, the foundational Istanbul house is recognized as one of the earliest and most enduring meyhanes along historic Nevizade Street, an avenue named after classical Ottoman poet Nev'îzâde Atâyî. In 2015, managers Görkem Sarıyüce and Berat Görek brought this rich tavern legacy to the capital by launching the Ankara branch within the Via Flat Yaşam Sokağı complex.

Operating with both open-air and indoor dining areas, Ney'le Mey'le Ankara provides a structured yet relaxed setting for guests seeking authentic tavern hospitality. The kitchen prepares classic Turkish recipes alongside house-specialized cold and warm starters, fresh seafood dishes, and grilled meats. Whether guests gather for informal weekday catch-ups or dedicated weekend dinners, the venue maintains a straightforward commitment to traditional meze culture, attentive table hospitality, and continuous conversation in a dedicated setting. The venue's identity reflects its founding slogan celebrating over two decades of enduring friendship and distinct tastes, offering both smoking and non-smoking dining sections tailored to guest preferences.

Cuisine and Menu

The culinary program at Ney'le Mey'le balances authentic Turkish tavern staples with house-original cold starters and daily experimental preparations. The cold meze selection features distinct recipes that set the venue apart, such as Şakriye, Topik, Kuşkonmaz (fresh asparagus), and Fesleğenli Mezgit (whiting infused with basil). Guests can also choose from traditional seafood mezes and cold appetizers including Karides Söğüş (cold shrimp salad), Levrek Marin (marinated sea bass), Fava (mashed broad beans), Deniz Börülcesi (samphire), Patlıcan Salata (smoked eggplant salad), Pancar Sapı Salatası (beetroot stem salad), and Peynirli Biber Turşusu (cheese-stuffed pickled peppers). Fresh salads like Domatesli Roka Salatası offer crisp accompaniments to the starter spread.

The hot starter (ara sıcak) offerings provide substantial warm plates to complement the table. Notable selections include the crisp Fincan Böreği, savory Pastırmalı Humus (warm hummus baked with cured pastırma), Karidesli Enginar (artichoke hearts topped with shrimp), Etli Sarma (stuffed grape leaves with minced meat), Yaprak Sarma (traditional vegetarian stuffed vine leaves), and Karışık Sebze Izgara (grilled seasonal vegetables).

For main courses, seafood forms a central pillar of the kitchen. Fish preparations span whole fish and rolled fillets, such as Izgara Levrek Sarma (grilled wrapped sea bass), Izgara Çinokop Sarma, and Mezgit Sarma, as well as comforting classics like Levrek Buğlama (poached sea bass), Hardal Soslu Levrek (sea bass in mustard sauce), Domates Soslu Somon (salmon in tomato sauce), Izgara Somon, Ahtapot Izgara (grilled octopus), Fesleğen Soslu Izgara Balık Köfte (grilled fish meatballs with basil sauce), and hearty Balık Kavurma. Diners who prefer meat dishes can select from traditional plates such as Çoban Kavurma (pan-sautéed diced meat), Külbastı (tenderized cutlet), Fesleğen Soslu Et Fajita, and Soya Soslu Tavuk.

The dessert menu finishes the meal with time-tested Turkish sweets, featuring Revani (semolina sponge cake with syrup), Fırın Helva (warm baked halva), Ballı Ceviz Kızartması (fried walnuts with honey), Kabak Tatlısı (candied pumpkin), Ayva Tatlısı (poached quince), and the distinctive Domates Tatlısı (candied tomato dessert).

Atmosphere and Who It Suits

Ney'le Mey'le cultivates a relaxed, warm, and familiar environment focused on extended table conversations, known traditionally as 'muhabbet'. Unlike many contemporary entertainment-focused venues, the establishment strictly avoids intrusive acoustic elements such as loud drums (davul), shrill pipes (zurna), or itinerant, tip-seeking violinists. By eliminating these loud performance interruptions, the dining room preserves an unhurried, comfortable acoustic setting where guests can converse naturally across the table from the beginning of the meal until late into the night.

A core operational pillar emphasized across the venue's philosophy is meticulous cleanliness. Hygiene is treated as a top priority throughout every step of service, spanning the careful washing and preparation of fresh ingredients in the kitchen, the presentation of dishes, the crisp condition of table linens, and the continuous upkeep of restroom facilities. This disciplined attention to sanitation reinforces the tavern's reputation as a reliable and welcoming dining space.

The layout accommodates diverse dining preferences with separate indoor and open-air outdoor seating areas. Guests are also able to choose between designated smoking and non-smoking zones during reservation, ensuring comfort for every member of the party.

The venue is particularly well-suited for groups of friends, dedicated tavern regulars ('müdavimler'), and professional colleagues looking for an authentic meyhane experience without unnecessary commotion. The venue's atmosphere reflects its foundational motto, 'Ney'le Mey'le Dostluktur' (Ney'le Mey'le is Friendship), reinforcing the concept of a classic neighborhood tavern where regulars are greeted by name and newcomers feel immediately at ease.

Location and Practical Details

Ney'le Mey'le Ankara is situated in the city's active Söğütözü business district, occupying a prominent position within the Via Flat İş Merkezi / Yaşam Sokağı complex, along the extension of Armada Hayat Sokağı. The venue benefits from excellent connectivity and landmark neighbors, located immediately adjacent to Armada Shopping Mall (Armada AVM) and within short walking distance of both the ATO Congresium convention center and the JW Marriott Hotel. For those using public transit, the location is conveniently accessible on foot from the Söğütözü Metro Station, making it an easy gathering point for both local residents and out-of-town visitors.

The restaurant maintains extensive operational hours throughout the week. It welcomes guests Monday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 01:00 AM, while Sunday service runs from 11:00 AM until midnight (00:00). These hours accommodate both daytime dining and extended evening tavern gatherings. The venue operates year-round across both its indoor dining room and sheltered outdoor open-air area, adapting comfortably to seasonal weather conditions in the capital.

Advance reservations are recommended, particularly for large groups and weekend evenings. Guests can book tables directly through the official website's reservation system. The online form requests key details including Full Name, Contact Phone Number, Email Address, Reservation Date, Arrival Time (formatted in standard 24-hour time such as 18:00), Total Party Size, Smoking Preference (Yes or No), and any specific seating notes.

Direct phone inquiries and table bookings for the Ankara branch can be completed by calling (0312) 219 12 19 or 0 545 219 12 19. General questions and group event coordination can also be submitted via email to [email protected].

The Mio Angle: As a Meeting Spot

Within the Mio Social community, Ney'le Mey'le Ankara stands out as a dependable recommendation for anyone asking 'where should we go for a proper tavern evening in Söğütözü?' Its position within Via Flat Yaşam Sokağı makes it particularly practical for professionals working in the surrounding Söğütözü office towers, conference attendees visiting the neighboring ATO Congresium, or groups seeking a relaxed dinner spot after shopping at Armada. The space transitions seamlessly from midday lunches to leisurely evening dining.

For social sharing and table photography, the venue offers visually appealing culinary presentations. A traditional meze spread featuring colorful plates of green Deniz Börülcesi, golden Fava, and house-exclusive starters like Şakriye and Fesleğenli Mezgit creates an inviting table aesthetic. Hot starters like the oven-baked Pastırmalı Humus and golden-brown Fincan Böreği, followed by specialty desserts such as the candied Domates Tatlısı and honeyed Ballı Ceviz Kızartması, provide distinctive talking points for food enthusiasts documenting their dining experiences.

What makes this location particularly noteworthy among Mio members is its intentional acoustic balance. While many dining spots in busy entertainment hubs can become overly loud or interrupted by roving performers, Ney'le Mey'le's policy against zurnas, drums, and wandering violinists ensures that social gatherings remain focused on genuine, face-to-face interaction. Combined with its rigorous cleanliness standards, flexible open-air and indoor sections, and historical roots tracing back over 23 years to Nevizade, it delivers a consistent, high-quality tavern experience tailored for genuine connection.