It's not an option to visit Istanbul without passing by Reina, for a dinner and dancing night out.
I would say that Reina is the equivalent to Lebanon's Skybar only with more developed dining options that gives the visitor the feeling that they are visiting many restaurants in one. At Reina you have the choice between five different cuisines. If you are craving for Italian, Turkish or French food, Reina has it all. They serve food until 12am since a transformation occurs at midnight.
The night we went, the hotel concierge had reserved a table for us at the local cuisine restaurant situated on the left after the entrance. A perfect table arrangement with candle lights on a nice white cloth with all the cutlery set needed.
I got excited as I had imagined a five stars culinary experience, but unfortunately it turned out to be less than average, lacking taste and choices especially that it was a set dinner. All of us at the table ordered the filet as a main dish and here was the disaster. Over-cooked small pieces that taste like nothing.
What happens at midnight you ask? At midnight everybody stands up to start a different kind of night, dancing until dawn.
As the clock strikes 12, a complete transformation occurs at Reina. The music suddenly changes from soft and commercial to house music, while waiters start removing the dinner tables and high tables and chairs make their appearance all around the central bar area.
The wealthy guests start arriving by boat while long curtains block the view from the curious sailors. The five restaurants merge together into the biggest nightclub in town, making way for clubber to dance until the wee hours of the morning.
Be prepared to pay a hefty price for their experience as the bottles are priced at 800 Turkish Liras reaching up to 1500 (around $500 a bottle).
As I have already stated before, despite the unsatisfactory food experience, Reina is a place to visit on your first night in Istanbul but try to make it after 12 for the dancing ambiance. If you want to try the food, give me your opinion on the other cuisines, they might be better. But be sure to avoid the Blue Topaz.
Let the images speak more details of the place....
