The 10 Best Cafes in Istanbul
Last updated on: 7 May 2022
It’s coffee o’clock! Wondering where you can find the best cup of coffee in Istanbul?
Here is a coffee lovers guide to the best cafes in Istanbul!
But first… coffee. If you are reading this guide it means you must be a coffee lover, or perhaps you are simply looking to snap some photogenic cafes for your Instagram? Don’t worry, we got you covered. Istanbul, home to over15 million people, is a coffee lovers paradise. No matter if it is a traditional cup of Turkish coffee or a fancy cold brew from a third wave coffee place, Istanbul truly has it all. Wandering around neighbourhoods such as Nisantasi, Karaköy and Balat you will find new cafes to explore on every single corner offering deliciously fresh brewed coffee, and often a large range of delicious deserts to pick from! Not sure where to start? Keep on reading to find out which cafes in Istanbul you should be putting on your Istanbul bucket list!
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The 10 Best Cafes in Istanbul
Nevmekan Sahil
Located in Üsküdar, Nevmekan Sahil is one of those cafes that you will easily miss, mainly as it is not just a cafe. Nevmekan Sahil is a library that houses a cafe situated underneath a stunning dome of light. This cafe is unlike anything we have ever seen before, and is undeniably one of the most unique places we have visited in Istanbul. It is the perfect place to sit, relax, or perhaps even catch up on some work or studying. Besides the cafe Nevmekan Sahil, as a librbary, is also home to over 50,000 books and even has its own exhibition hall!
Practical Info
Address | Semsi Pasa Cd. No:2, 34672 Üsküdar
Opening Hours | Daily from 10AM - 11PM
KruVaSan
In the heart of Nisantisi you can find a cafe with a concept that differs a bit from the traditional Turkish breakfast options you will find all over town. Kruvasan, which translates to croissant, is a cafe that has dedicated its cuisine to its name… a cuisine of croissants. From savoury breakfast options with eggs, salmon or avocado to sweet croissants covered in fruits and chocolaty goodness, there is something for everyone here on the menu. While I wouldn’t recommend coming here just for the coffee (we personally found it rather disappointing) Kruvasan is a great stop if you are craving something different then a traditional Turkish breakfast!
Practical Info
Address | Av. Süreyya Agaoglu Sk. No:10
Opening Hours |Mon to Sat 8AM - 11PM, Sun 8AM - 5PM
Good to Know | Kruvasan is one of the more popular cafes in Nisantisi so we recommend visiting earlier in the day on a weekday to prevent having to stand in line!
Montag Moda
In the streets of the hip neighbourhood of Moda you will find a cafe so small that it can easily be missed: Montag. Montag is a no frills cafe with a simple interior highlighting what is important most here: the coffee. Have a quick break from sightseeing and grab a deliciously brewed coffee. The cafe has a couple of seats inside as well as some seats outside up front, perfect for those warm summer days!
Practical Info
Address | Bademaltu Sk. No:22/A
Opening Hours | Daily 10AM - 11.00PM
The House Cafe Örtakoy
Located right next to the instagram famous Ortaköy mosque you will find one of Istanbul’s largest and busiest cafes: The House Cafe. Offering a patio with a picturesque view over the Bosphorus, it is no wonder why this is one of the most popular cafes in the area. While a bit on the pricier side compared to many of the other cafes on the lists, it might be well worth your money if you can score a waterfront table! Simply sip on some tea, enjoy a Turkish breakfast, and enjoy the view before starting a day of sightseeing. The House Cafe has multiple locations all over the city (we personally visited three of them) but we are quite sure the one in Ortaköy will have the best view, because honestly this stunning view will be heard to beat.
Practical Info
Address | Ortaköy Salhanesi Sk. No:1
Opening Hours | Mon to Fri 10AM - 1AM, Sat & Sun 8AM - 1AM
Good to Know | The House Cafe is incredibly popular with locals and tourists, so if you want a waterfront table be sure to go early!
Grandma
Grandma Cafe, located in the beautiful neighbourhood of Nisantisi, is a perfect spot for those who would like something a bit different than the regular Turkish breakfast. While they serve the traditional Turkish breakfast here you will also find items such as bagels, avocado toast, quiche and a wide selection of delicious pastries and croissants on the menu. When you enter Grandma cafe you will be welcomed with all the sweet and savoury goods that you can pick: chocolate cake, carrot cake, almond croissants, brownies and so much more… No matter if you love sweet or savoury, there is something for everyone on Grandma’s menu!
Practical Info
Address | Ahmet Fetgari Sk No:38
Opening Hours | Mon to Sun 8.30AM - 9.30PM
Velvet Cafe
Hidden in the colourful neighbourhood of Balat you will find a unique vintage inspired cafe named Velvet cafe. Upon entering you are welcomed with a wall of vintage tea cups, vintage looking furniture and quirky decorations that will make you feel like you have stepped back in time. Velvet cafe is undeniably one of our favourite cafes we have visited during our time in Istanbul, not only because of the way it looks but also because of the kind staff that will welcome you with open arms. We ordered a Turkish breakfast here, and were given an array of unique dishes including nut butters, orange zest infused butter, a carrot jam, cheese and of course a large basket of an assortment of breads. The food was fresh and absolutely delicious, Velvet Cafe is an absolute must try when visiting Balat!
Practical Info
Address | Balat, Çimen Sk. No:8a
Opening Hours |
Coffee Sapiens
In the area of Karakoy, located only a short walk from the Galata tower, you will find a neighbourhood that is filled with restaurants and small cafes, the perfect spot to take a break from sightseeing. In the middle of a cobble stoned street covered in green you will find Coffee Sapiens, a small cafe that can easily be overlooked. Upon entering the establishment we were warmly greeted by the people working here, and we were served with a delicious coffee while we were accompanied by the stray cats that hang out in the neighbourhood!
Practical Info
Address | Ali Pasa Mescidi Sk. No:10 D:C
Opening Hours | Daily from 8am - 10pm
Good to Know | Seating here is limited, so be prepared that you might have to take your coffee to go
Minoa Akaretler
What better place to study then in a cafe that is based in a bookstore? Minoa Akaretler is situated in Besiktas, one of Istanbul’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, and after visiting we knew why. Small streets filled with cafes, bars and restaurants guaranteed to satisfy your food cravings, Besiktas is an absolute must see when visiting Istanbul even if it just to enjoy a cup of coffee at this beautiful cafe. Browse around this cozy bookstore or sit down at the cafe to work and to simply enjoy a cup of coffee in such a beautiful surrounding. If you have some time left on your itinerary, and you are visiting this cafe on a Saturday, then we highly recommend heading over to the Saturday market located a bit further up in Besiktas to see the more local side of Istanbul!
Practical Info
Address | Süleyman Seba Cd. No:52/A
Opening Hours | Mon to Thur 8AM to 12AM, Fri & Sat 9AM to 1AM and Sun 10AM - 12AM
Interesting Fact | Minoa has a selection of over 45,000 books in both English and Turkish!
MOC
MOC, short for Ministry of Coffee, is a coffee lovers paradise. When you enter you will be welcomed by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the delicious smell of fresh goods baking in the back, the perfect place to sit down, unwind and simply enjoy a good cup of coffee after a day of exploring Istanbul. MOC has an extensive menu that includes simple filter coffee, cold brews and specialty coffees including a raspberry mocha and a marshmallow coffee, so no matter if you prefer to stick to the originals or looking to try something new, MOC has something for everyone. After having tried many cafes in Istanbul we have to admit that we love MOC coffee’s the best! Our personal choice is a mocha, but I’m sure all the other coffees on the menu are just as delicious!
Practical Info
Address | Sakayik Sk. No: 4/A
Opening Hours | Mon to Sat 7.30AM - 11.30PM, Sun 10AM - 11.30PM
Good to Know | MOC has multiple locations all over the city the photos and address are from the branch we visited in Nisantisi
KronotRop
Similar to MOC Kronotrop is a chain of cafes that you will find all over Istanbul. You will find them in some of Istanbul must see neighbourhoods, including Karaköy, Moda and Nisantisi. Kronotrop’s first location near Taksim square has been open since 2012 and is considered one of the first third wave cafes and coffee roasters in Turkey. Kronotrop prides themself for the use of sustainably sourced coffee beans that come from Africa, South and Central America. Try one of their filter coffees or perhaps opt for a more specialty coffee such as the Kyoto Cold Brew or the Rooibos Cortado, Kronotrop is one of the best cafes in Istanbul to take a break from exploring Istanbul!
Practical Info
Address | Tesvikiye Mahallesi Prof. Dr. Orhan Ersek Sk. Gücer Apt, D:18C
Opening Hours | Mon to Fri 7AM - 10PM, Sat & Sun 8AM - 10PM
Good to Know | Kronotrop has multiple locations all over the city, the photo and the address are from the branch we visited in Nisantisi
Tips for visiting Cafes in Istanbul
Tipping in Istanbul
When visiting cafes or restaurants in Istanbul it is isn’t mandatory to tip, however, it is customary to tip around 5-10%. In some cafes and restaurants a service charge (often around 10%) is standard added to the bill, if it is then you do not have to tip. If you are visiting a more upscale restaurant though it is common to tip around 10-15%. It might be good to know though that adding your tip to the bill when you would like to pay with card is not always possible in Turkey. As such it is recommended to always keep some cash on hand for your tips!
Prices of Food and Drinks in Istanbul
When planning your visit to cafes you might we wondering what kind of prices you can expect. It might be good to know that prices in Istanbul change frequently, especially due to the inflation of the Turkish Lira. For that reason we will give some example prices we came across at the above mentioned cafes in both Turkish Lira and US Dollars (at the time of writing 1 USD = 14.85 Turkish Lira):
Brownie - 35 Turkish Lira or $2.35
Croissant - 20 Turkish Lira or $1.35
Cheesecake - 35 Turkish Lira or $2.35
Menemen - 62 Turkish Lira or $4.23
Flat white - 32 Turkish Lira or $2.15
Americano - 27 Turkish Lira or $1.82
Lemonade - 32 Turkish Lira or $2.15
Soft Drink - 14 Turkish Lira or $0.94
Istanbul Travel Tips & Essentials
ACCOMMODATION IN ISTANBUL | There is no shortage of accommodation in Istanbul. No matter if it is luxury or budget, there is something for everyone in Istanbul. We personally used AirBnB as we stayed in Istanbul for multiple months, however, for a short stay we recommend checking out Booking.com to find the perfect place for you!
HOW TO GET AROUND ISTANBUL | The easiest way to get around Istanbul is by either using public transport, or by getting a taxi. Read our extensive guide filled with prices, tips and tricks on how to get around Istanbul here.
VISA FOR TURKEY | You might need a visa to visit Turkey so before you leave check here to see if you can get an e-visa, or even to see if you are visa exempt!
ISTANBUL TRAVEL ESSENTIALS | Planning your trip to Istanbul? Be sure to put these travel essentials in your backpack!
Power Adapter - Turkey uses the type C and F plugs, so if you are coming from a country that uses any other type of plug (such as UK, USA or Canada) be sure to put a power adapter in your suitcase so you can charge your electronics during your trip to Istanbul!
Earplugs - Turkey has a predominantly Muslim population and as such the call to prayer, also known as ezan, can be heard five times a day in Istanbul. The call to prayer times change throughout the year, however, some of the call to prayers can take place during the night or around dawn. If you are staying close to a mosque and you are not used to the call of prayer you might want to pack a set of foam or silicone earplugs if you are a light sleeper.
(Head)scarf - Istanbul is filled with stunning mosques with many of them absolute must sees during your trip to Istanbul. However, each of these mosques have a conservative dress code requiring you to cover shoulders, legs and for women also their hair. A large scarf to cover your hair and possibly even shoulders as such could come in handy when sightseeing in Istanbul.
VPN - While you technically can’t put a VPN in your backpack, it truly is a must have travel essential for your cyber safety. When traveling you will often log in to tens of different wifi networks, not knowing how safe these wifi networks truly are! We personally use Surfshark VPN to make sure that our data and privacy is protected when using public Wi-Fi!
EXPLORE ISTANBUL WITH OUR TRAVEL GUIDES
And there you have it, the best 28 cafes in Istanbul! Any cafes we have missed that we should visit on our next trip to Istanbul? Be sure to let us know in the comment section down below. Don’t forget to check out our other practical travel guides that will help you plan your trip to Istanbul:
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