Can anyone give recommendations for the best roof-top joint in Istanbul for balmy summer nights?

Price range? What type of view?

View of water, preferably not Halic. View of cityscape. Some reason for being at the top of a building.

Price range...whatever.

Is there any place that has good food AND ambience?

Beşinci Kat is quite popular and has a view of where the Golden Horn meets the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus.

These aren't really rooftop, but if price isn't an issue and you really want to dazzle some out of towners, you could take them to the restaurants in Ulus Park--Ulus 29 and Sunset are both good bets.

The Swiss Hotel has a lovely terrace with a view of the bospherus. It's a bar/ restaraunt very nice beautiful view

If money isn't an issue try Del Mare in Cenglekoy for truly top drawer seafood. The restaurant is right on the waterfront and has a large terrace. There's even a water taxi service running across the Bosphorus. But...it certainly aint cheap.

how can you assemble a list like this without mentioning 'nu teras'...shame on you guys

Within Yildiz university they have a rooftop restaurant; food, ambience and view were all good.

The only downside is that in theory you have to be a member of either the faculty or a former student.

I got mistaken for a student here at school yesterday...but then maybe the person asking was drunk (The oldest kids here are 18..I'm 34). Don't think I could pass for a uni student.

Many of my gay friends go to 5.kat so I think I'll take my visitor there. Nice to have a place where you're sure not to be harassed

There's also a place in Sishane, (unfortunately I cannot remember the name) which has very pleasant views of the goldern horn and serves very nice food. I'll see whether I can find the name, but I seem to recall that there were comfy chairs and sofas.

The only problem is that this is probably almost 2 years ago, so it may have gone by now.

Charly,
I reckon if you opened a place on your roof you would have one of the best views of Istanbul.

not sure if 5. kat is that gay and will be a safe bet not to get harrassed...it's too hip to be a harrassment-free venue...the club in front of the elevator downstairs is definitley a pure gays only club...don't want to lead any non-gay guys into that club!!!

Not too concerned about it since we're going there together, but when meeting up with friends, I usually pick a gay hang out to reduce the harassment factor while sitting alone waiting (Cafe Cute is a good place for meeting up, for this reason)

Indeed - they want a gym upstairs now on our roof - excellent views. I vote for a pool myself!

Leb-i Derya has half our view (no Golden Horn) so not bad...where else......360, Vogue um.....

what is 360 like?