Istanbul may not be the capital of Turkey but the ancient megapolis is without a doubt among many things the nation's social hub. Turkish culture is rich with relaxation and café based socialization, Istanbul's café goers indulge in coffees, deserts, juices and shisha when they meet with their friends at the city's many cafes. These are some of the best places in the city to indulge in these delights while spending a night out with friends. For those looking for a natural, lush and green environment to enjoy this leisure time with their friends they need not look further than Çamlıca on Istanbul's Asian side.Here you will find two great cafés, Balcoon and Şazeli. For those looking for an open terrace with a view of the Bosporus Bridge, the skyscrapers in Mecidiyeköy and Levent as well as the open sea to set the atmosphere for their relaxing evening, they should look no farther than Balcoon. Here atop the famous Çamlıca hill you can find a first class view of the megacity while you socialize over drinks and a nice meal. If nature, greenery and a more organic look is what you seek, then Şazeli is the place for you.This cafe offers a unique platter of special dishes, cuts of meat and desserts all the while retaining a rich selection of high quality fruits in their vitamin bar. Here you can sit in a large terraced garden with wooden gazebos, feeling like you truly escaped the lights and noise of the city, you and your friends will have a large variety of drinks and meals to choose from.Here I recommend you order the Ottoman Sherbet. This traditional drink which is a mixture of natural fruit nectars and spices has been proven to be accompanied by many health benefits. For those looking for a five-star boasting nightclub like atmosphere and absolute luxury in both their dining, shisha and beverages, Istanbul has a cafe to suit this desire as well - Huqqa. Located a little up the road from Ortaköy, Huqqa offers the absolute highest standards of service and quality.With a mixture of exclusively mixed shishas and beverages, one could not ask for a higher quality venue to enjoy their social night out with friends. With a menu jam packed with a pleathora of local, Western and even mixed cuisine, the menu also includes a rich mix of freshly made lemonades, iced teas and coffes. However, Huqqa does have its downsides.Many items on the menu are inexplicably overpriced and even though the cafe is located right on the coast, the lack of a view is rather disappointing.For those wishing to gather at a more subtle luxurious atmosphere with less lines to be seated there is Al Fakheer in Istanbul's posh district of Bebek. Here the quality of the shisha might not be at the same level as its counterparts at Huqqa, Al Fakheer has its own advantages.When it comes to the quality of its beverages, Al Fakheer is defiantly not far off from the others. Though unlike other shisha cafés, Al Fakheer strictly abides to the cafe label. Dining options are highly restricted and the menu is comprised of appetizers.For the absolute history gurus who wish indulge themselves in a piece of Ottoman and Byzantium history look no further than Kariye Pembe Köşk. Located in a garden clearing of the Kariye (Chora) Church this might be the only place in Istanbul where you can have the pleasure of overlooking a structure built in 414 while enjoying your tea, dessert, coffee or shisha. This wooded garden is not only affordable, but their pides (Turkish pizza) come straight out of a stone stove as does their künefe, a Turkish dessert delicacy made from cheese and Qadayifi (string pastry) drizzled with sherbet. If you happen to be in Istanbul during the holy month of Ramadan, this café remains open until the first morning light and a festive atmosphere fills the air.Want a general urban panoramic view of Istanbul?Head on over to the Süleymaniye Mosque and enter Mimar Sinan Cafe. This cafe comes to life in the spring and summer when the weather permits the establishment to open its rooftop to visitors. This cafe offers not only what is undoubtedly the best view of the magnificent Süleymaniye Mosque, but also being located in the midst of the historic districts of Fatih and Galata, it rewards visitors with an uninterrupted panoramic view of all of Istanbul's greatest historic sights. If you are after the view of Istanbul you see on postcards, posters and advertisements, - although it does not have the best of dining options - I highly advise you pay a visit to Mimar Sinan Cafe. Then there are those who want to enjoy their night out in a more typical and traditional Turkish coffee house manner. To experience the genuine Turkish cafe experience and still enjoy high quality shisha and traditional coffee beverages at their best, Istanbul's original hangout district, Tophane is at your service. Here you will find a whole avenue lined with shisha cafés, most famously Ali Baba Cafe which has become a must see tourist attraction in the city. Located right between Taksim, Karaköy and Beşiktaş, Tophane is the easiest accessible area to find high quality shisha vendors. Unlike other cafés that are highly European influenced, the ones in Tophane are strictly Turkish. Coffee is served in small cups, as is tea. The only food available are kebabs, gyros and baked potatoes, and the locals are regulars who stop by to play Batak, Backgammon and Okey. Nowhere else can you enjoy your night out in a more Turkish atmosphere.While you are here, I highly advise that you order a "Fındıklı Menengiç" coffee. This coffee is made from a special strong domestic coffee mixed with grinded pistachios and oil from Gaziantep. The bitter sweet drink is hard to find away from Tophane and its original flavor is one of a kind.Istanbul is known among many things for its history and social scenes. At these cafes you can choose what you wish to experience. So stop by a cafe and unwind with your friends, coffee, juices and scented vaporized tobacco.