Romantic Restaurant in Side — Old-Town Dinner for Two at Hawaii

You've come to Side for the sunsets, the ancient columns and the slow evenings by the water — and now you want one dinner that actually feels like the two of you. Not a buffet queue, not a plastic-menu tourist trap, but a proper table where you can linger, share a bottle, and let the night stretch out. That's the evening we've been setting up at Hawaii Restaurant & Bar since 2000, tucked into the heart of Side's old town.

Why Hawaii works for a date night in Side

The old town is the romantic part of Side — narrow cobbled lanes, warm light, the sea a few minutes away on foot. We're right in the middle of it, which means you can wander the harbour and the ancient ruins before dinner and stroll back for a nightcap afterwards. We're open every day until 02:00, so there's no rush to finish your plates or hurry a second cocktail. A long, unhurried evening is exactly the point.

Everything on the grill comes off a real wood fire and charcoal, and the ingredients are prepped fresh each day. That matters for a special dinner: you can taste the difference between something char-grilled over embers and something reheated. If you want to understand what makes the kitchen tick, our wood fire and charcoal grill guide walks through it.

Dishes built for two

The nicest thing about dining as a couple is sharing, and a few of our plates are made exactly for that. Here's where to start when it's the two of you:

• Chateaubriand (for two) — the classic special-occasion centrepiece, a generous cut carved to share. It's the plate people book ahead for; there's a whole story to it in our Chateaubriand for two guide.
• Hawaii Special (for two) — our house sharing plate, if you want a bit of everything the kitchen does well.
• Mixed sea plate (for two) — a good call if you'd rather lean lighter and coastal. See what goes on it in the mixed sea plate for two guide.
• Testi kebab (for two) — the theatrical one, slow-cooked and cracked open at the table. It always gets a reaction. More in our testi kebab guide.

Prefer to each have your own? The steak side of the menu is deep — Fillet Mignon, Pepper steak, Gorgonzola steak, a T-bone — and if you're not sure how to order it, steak cooking levels explained takes the guesswork out. We won't invent a fixed romantic set menu or a price for you here; the current dishes and portions are on the live menu, and your waiter is happy to talk you through it.

Cocktails and wine to share

Half of a good date night is what's in the glass. We're a proper cocktail and karaoke bar, so there's plenty to raise. For something celebratory, an Espresso Martini or our Blue Hawaii sets the tone; a Pina Colada or Sex On The Beach leans into the holiday mood. If cocktails are your reason to come out, our best cocktail bar in Side roundup is a good primer.

If you're more of a wine couple, there's a Turkish wine list by the glass and the bottle — a lovely way to actually taste the region you're holidaying in. Bottles like Kavaklıdere Yakut and the Idol and Mon Rêve labels sit alongside a handful of whites and rosés. Not sure what pairs with a steak versus a sea plate? Ask your waiter, or read our Turkish wine guide before you come.

Finish sweet

Don't skip dessert on a date. The ice-cream coupes are made for sharing two spoons out of one glass — a Dolce Vita, a Cup Dream or the classic Banana Split. Pair it with an espresso or a Baileys coffee and let the evening wind down slowly.

Getting here and booking your table

Because we're in the old-town lanes, the easiest thing is to plan the table first and the logistics second. We offer free round-trip hotel pickup from selected hotels, and an affordable two-way transfer for hotels a little further out — worth asking about when you book, so a romantic night doesn't turn into a taxi hunt. More detail on that in free hotel pickup.

A date night is one meal you genuinely want to reserve, especially for the for-two plates that take a little longer in the kitchen. Book a table through our reservation page, or message us on WhatsApp at +90 533 930 12 83 — tell us it's an anniversary, honeymoon or birthday and we'll make sure your table's ready when you arrive.

If you're still weighing up where to eat overall, our best restaurant in Side overview covers the full picture. But for two people, a bottle of wine and a plate worth cracking open at the table, this is the one to book.