Updated October 2026
For a first date in Izmir, try Scappi at Swissôtel Büyük Efes, Deniz Restaurant, or Arkas Sanat Alsancak. Weekday evenings are calmer; on Friday and Saturday, book ahead where you can.
Dating in Izmir is easygoing and often happens by the sea: a walk on the Kordon, tea on a ferry, dinner with a view of the bay. The city is warm for much of the year, so outdoor plans work far into autumn.
Here are ten real places for every budget, from free sunset views at Kadifekale and a boyoz breakfast in Alsancak to a ninth-floor dinner over the water, plus two unusual meeting points at the end.
See who nearby is free this evening and send one message. No swiping. Free, 18+.
Rooftop restaurantAlsancak₺₺₺30s
A Mediterranean and Italian restaurant on the hotel's ninth floor with a wide view over the bay, music and well-made cocktails. A special-occasion choice; book a table by the window for sunset.
Gaziosmanpaşa Bulvarı No:1, 35210 Alsancak, İzmir · Takes bookings
Seafood restaurantAlsancak (Kordon)₺₺₺40+
A classic seafood restaurant on the Kordon, in the İzmir Palas hotel building, with fish, Aegean starters and the bay right across the road. Perfect for a long dinner after a sunset walk.
Atatürk Caddesi No:188/B, Alsancak, İzmir · Takes bookings
Art centreAlsancak₺All ages
Ten exhibition rooms in the sea-facing part of the 1906 French consulate building, a short walk from the Kordon. Open daily except Monday, until 20:00 on Thursdays, and free for everyone on Tuesdays (otherwise 400 TL).
Fransa Sokak (1380 Sk.) No:1, Alsancak, İzmir · Takes bookings
Concert hallGüzelyalı₺₺All ages
İzmir's modern concert hall, with a 1,153-seat main hall known for its acoustics, a smaller hall and restored 19th-century buildings in the grounds. A concert here, then a walk by the sea, makes a polished evening.
Güzelyalı, Konak, İzmir (Ahmed Adnan Saygun Sanat Merkezi tram stop) · Takes bookings
Archaeological siteKonak₺All ages
The heart of ancient Smyrna, rebuilt after an earthquake in 178 AD, with its western portico and basilica still standing in the middle of the modern city. Quiet, atmospheric and a good start to an afternoon in Kemeraltı.
Agora, Konak, İzmir · Walk-in
Castle viewpointKadifekale₺All ages
The old acropolis of Smyrna on Mount Pagos, with ancient walls and a view over the whole bay. Go up for sunset and you get the best panorama in the city for free.
Kadifekale, Konak, İzmir · Walk-in
BakeryAlsancak₺All ages
A bakery on Alsancak's main pedestrian street since 1983, famous for boyoz, the flaky pastry that is İzmir's signature breakfast. Boyoz with a boiled egg and tea is the cheapest, most local first date there is.
Kıbrıs Şehitleri Caddesi No:120, Alsancak, İzmir · Walk-in
Seafront restaurants and cinemaKonak₺₺All ages
The old customs building on the water, credited to Gustave Eiffel, now has sea-view restaurants and cafés, shops and a cinema. Dinner over the water followed by a film is an easy plan in any weather.
Konak Pier, Atatürk Caddesi, Konak, İzmir · Walk-in
Ferry rideKonak, Pasaport, Alsancak, Karşıyaka₺All ages
The city ferries cross the bay all day between the piers on both shores, and a ride at sunset with tea from the counter is one of İzmir's simple pleasures. Cheap, scenic and a natural way to talk.
Pasaport, Konak or Alsancak ferry pier, İzmir · Walk-in
Historic innKemeraltı₺All ages
A caravanserai built in 1744 in the middle of Kemeraltı, now full of small craft and souvenir shops. Browsing together and then stopping for a Turkish coffee nearby is a relaxed daytime date.
Kızlarağası Hanı, Kemeraltı, Konak, İzmir · Walk-in
Unusual places worth a special trip when you want a date nobody forgets.
Historic elevator towerKarataş₺All ages
A 40-metre elevator tower built in 1907 to save people climbing 155 steps up the cliff, entered from Dario Moreno Street. The terrace at the top is one of the best places in town to watch the sunset over the bay.
Dario Moreno Sokağı, Karataş, Konak, İzmir · Walk-in
Landmark meeting pointKonak₺All ages
İzmir's ornate clock tower from 1901, on the main square, is the classic place to say 'meet me there'. From here the bazaar, the seafront and the ferry pier are all a few minutes away, so a first meeting can turn into anything.
Konak Meydanı, Konak, İzmir · Walk-in
Popular places to meet people in Izmir include Kordon (seafront promenade), Kıbrıs Şehitleri Caddesi (pedestrian street), and Kültürpark (city park and fairground). All of them are easy to visit alone or with friends.
Pick an indoor spot such as Deniz Restaurant or Arkas Sanat Alsancak. Both work well for a first date in any weather.
Open YesTonite and see who in Izmir is going out tonight. Say hi, agree on a time and meet at one of the places on this page.
Checked October 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so call or check the website before you go.
· 6 min read
What helps before, during and after a first meeting with someone you met online: a quick call, a public place, a friend who knows, your own way home, and the red flags worth taking seriously.
Read the full guide· 3 min read
Two beers and two coffees cost 5.20 EUR in Hanoi and 36.70 EUR in Reykjavik. The 10 cheapest and 10 most expensive cities for a first date, plus ways to keep it cheap anywhere.
Read the full guide· 5 min read
Austin ties for 8th of 20 US cities in our 2026 City Index: good outdoors and fairly safe for the US, average on nightlife, weak on date budget. The numbers, and where to go.
Read the full guideOn YesTonite you see who nearby is going out tonight, say hi and meet the same evening. Free and 18+.
Join free18+