Best Breakfast in Istanbul (2024): 17 Incredible Places to Try
Last updated August 2024
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When you think of Turkish food breakfast probably isn’t the first meal that comes to your mind. Doner kebabs? Yes. Other kinds of meat-filled skewers? Probably.
However, Turkish cuisine is so much more varied than this. And after living in Istanbul for four years, we know that when it comes to breakfast Turkish people seriously know how to throw down.
Breakfast in Turkey is nothing short of an event - a dizzying array of dishes, a multitude of flavours and in some places, never-ending (well, until you beg the waiters to stop bringing you food, that is).
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We’ve eaten amazing breakfasts in many different countries and would say that Turkey is definitely up there as having some of the best breakfasts in the world.
If you’re in Istanbul you definitely shouldn’t miss the chance to try at least one Turkish breakfast during your trip. (We’d go as far as to argue that you haven’t really visited the city properly if you leave without doing this).
Eating ‘kahvaltı’ (breakfast) Turkish-style is one of the best things to do in Istanbul: it certainly cemented our love for this incredible city, gave us a better understanding of Turkey’s regional cuisine and is also a great way to spend time with friends and family.
With this in mind, we’ve spent a few years researching some of the best places in Istanbul for breakfast. Hard work eh, but someone’s gotta do it!
This list of breakfast restaurants is basically a foodie love letter to our last four years of living in Istanbul, where we’ve spent most of our weekends (and admittedly some weekdays) hunting down the next breakfast place we want to try.
We’ve included popular restaurants famous for their Turkish breakfast spread and under-the-radar places that only locals like us really know about. Plus a few cafes serving alternatives to Turkish breakfast for when you’re craving something different!
Whatever you’re looking for, you can be sure that the places we recommend will leave your tastebuds tingling and your stomach satisfied.
So stop Googling “best Turkish breakfast near me”, kick back and check out our definitive list of the top places for breakfast in Istanbul, which includes some of the best restaurants Istanbul has to offer.
Ready to experience the best of Istanbul through its stellar food scene?
📍 Map of the Best Breakfast in Istanbul - 17 Top Restaurants in Istanbul for a Turkish Breakfast
Click here for an interactive Google map of the best Turkish restaurants in Istanbul serving a fantastic breakfast spread. The map also shows markets and bakeries that are also mentioned in this Best Breakfast in Istanbul guide.
What is a Traditional Turkish Breakfast?
If you’ve never heard of Turkish breakfast before, we’d recommend reading our very detailed guide to Turkish breakfast which covers everything you need to know so you can eat breakfast like a pro.
A traditional Turkish breakfast or ‘serpme kahvaltı’, meaning ‘spread’ or ‘sprinkled breakfast’ is an unmissable experience for any visitor to Istanbul.
Designed to be savoured slowly over a number of hours, a traditional Türk kahvaltı consists of a wide variety of small plates featuring green and black olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, nuts and dried fruit, homemade jams, honey, assorted cheeses, butter, pastries and bagels, all washed down with a considerable amount of Turkish çay (tea).
If you think that already sounds like a lot of food, well, there’s more.
READ NEXT: Best Areas to Stay in Istanbul: Best Neighbourhoods + Hotels
In a Turkish breakfast eggs are very important and there are a number of ways they can be served. Menemen (Turkish breakfast scrambled eggs with chilli flakes, tomatoes and green peppers) or sahanda yumurta (fried eggs) are a staple at most breakfast tables.
Most dishes in a Turkish breakfast are vegetarian or vegan, but meat eaters don’t need to worry - you can often find a Turkish breakfast sausage known as sucuk on your breakfast table.
Sucuk is a spicy sausage and it is often fried either on its own or with eggs, when it is known as sucuklu yumurta. Some breakfasts also include kavurma (stir-fried beef or lamb) and salam, which is beef salami.
Given Turkey’s size and diversity, it’s unsurprising that there are also many regional breakfast dishes, from cities such as Van and Hatay and even rustic village-style breakfasts known as ‘köy kahvalti’. The great thing about breakfast in Istanbul is that you get to try all these varieties!
If the idea of a huge breakfast doesn’t appeal to you, you can always try a kahvaltı tabağı (breakfast plate) which has a small selection of items and is usually available in cafes, delis and bakeries.
A simit (a Turkish sesame bagel) and börek (a flaky pastry filled with potatoes, spinach, cheese or meat) are other grab-and-go breakfasts.
The word for breakfast in Turkish is ‘kahvaltı’ meaning ‘before’ or ‘under coffee’, so make sure to finish your breakfast with a rich cup of Türk kahvesi (Turkish coffee).
READ NEXT: Are you looking for the best kebab in Istanbul instead? Check out our guide to Istanbul’s best street food!
The List of Best Breakfasts in Istanbul - From Serpme Kahvalti to Organic Markets, We've Covered Them All!
1) Sureya Kahvaltı - The Best Under-the-Radar Istanbul Breakfast
This little known, family-run restaurant in Istanbul is mostly frequented by locals and serves a lip-smacking breakfast.
Sureya’s Turkish breakfasts always feature fresh, seasonal produce, plus plenty of homemade goodies. This is one of the best places to eat in Istanbul because their breakfast spread invariably includes a couple of unique items that you won’t see on other Turkish breakfast menus.
At Sureya you’ll see a range of classic Turkish breakfast food, including a selection of fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs (watermelon, orange slices, grapes, parsley, mint, tomato and cucumber); home-cured black and green olives; a cheese platter and menemen (Turkish scrambled eggs with tomatoes, peppers, onion and spices).
Homemade jams and dips at Sureya Kahvaltı
You’ll also find spicy acuka (a dip made with pomegranate syrup, tomatoes, walnuts, pepper paste and olive oil); a fresh tomato dip; walnuts with sundried tomatoes; chilli olive oil; honey and butter.
They also serve a homemade olive bread topped with a delicious tapenade; a bazlama sourdough bread (a type of flatbread); pişi (a doughnut-like bread made from sweetened sourdough) and gözleme (stuffed Turkish pancakes) with either cheese or potato fillings.
Sureya prides itself on using the best ingredients and produce: the bread is made with flour ground from the family’s own wheat, the gözleme is freshly made on-site and the jams are made with fruit picked from their garden.
These vary according to the season - in the past, I’ve had persimmon, strawberry, green fig, cherry and apricot jams.
READ NEXT: Istanbul is beautiful all year round! Check out Why You Should Visit Istanbul in Winter.
Olive bread and fried pişi - completely delicious!
The tea, gözleme and bazlama bread are unlimited, so there’s no chance of you leaving hungry.
Sureya is my local breakfast haunt and easily serves some of the best Turkish food in Istanbul. The staff are really friendly and breakfast is served in a gorgeous sun-lit garden - perfect in the summer (there’s a retractable roof so it’s cosy in the winter and on rainy days too!).
Make sure you visit to try their güzel kahvaltı (beautiful breakfast!)
Address: Sureya Kahvaltı, Ergenekon Cad, Bilezikçi Sk. No:21-23, 34375 Şişli/Istanbul
Hours: 8.00am - 5.00pm
READ NEXT: Are you planning a trip to Turkey? Then check out our Ultimate Turkey Itinerary 10 Days!
One of the most famous Turkish breakfast restaurants in Istanbul and now with three outlets in the trendy Nişantaşı area is Ceşme Bazlama Kahvaltı.
Ceşme Bazlama Kahvaltı is widely considered to be one of the best Turkish restaurants in Istanbul for breakfast and it’s one of the places we always take our friends and family to when they come to visit us in Istanbul. In the last four years, we’ve eaten breakfast here over ten times!
Given its reputation, it’s not unusual to find queues of hungry people waiting outside all year round, eager to try its famous köy kahvaltı (village breakfast). If you want to sample Turkish breakfast traditional style, then this is the restaurant for you.
Operating an ‘all-you-can-eat’ concept, Ceşme does not have a Turkish breakfast menu: the food basically arrives at your table and keeps coming until you actually beg them to stop.
This is one of the many reasons that the breakfasts at Ceşme are so popular with Istanbulites and tourists alike!
You’ll see this quote: “doymadan kalmak yasak” all around the restaurant, which means it is forbidden for you to get up before you are fully satisfied. So come hungry!
Ceşme aims to showcase regional flavours and produce from across Turkey - this is reflected in the huge variety of Turkish breakfast foods that you’ll find on your table.
On any given day you can expect to find roasted cottage cheese mixed with spices from Aydın; menemen made with tomatoes from Ceşme; tea from the Black Sea region of Rize; butter from Trabzon; green and black olives from Hatay and Aydın, black mulberry jam from Izmir and lots more!
My favourite Turkish breakfast dish here is a soft white cheese mixed with mulberry jam - it’s so moreish!
READ NEXT: Are you vegan? Then check out the Best Vegan Fast Food Options in Istanbul!
The salad platter and homemade jams at Ceşme Bazlama Kahvaltı
You’ll also be served a selection of breads including bazlama and pişi, plus three different varieties of hot, freshly made gözleme (spinach, cheese and potato). Turkish food in Istanbul doesn’t get much better than this!
And there’s still more food to come: a platter of seasonal fruits and vegetable, yaprak sarma (vine leaves stuffed with spiced rice), bal kaymak (honey mixed with clotted cream), tahini combined with grape molasses, five types of cheese, fried potatoes with caramelised onions and slices of spicy sausage.
Ceşme is also famous for its selection of homemade jams (at last count there were 36 varieties to choose from). I’ve been trying to work my way through the list and so far have sampled lavender, persimmon, fig, carrot and cinnamon, strawberry and grapefruit but there are plenty I still haven’t tried yet!
With its huge range of dishes, high-quality ingredients, and top-notch flavours, Ceşme serves some of the best food in Istanbul. You can basically taste the whole of Turkey in one meal!
Looking for the best brunch in Istanbul? Ceşme should be your top choice: breakfast is served all day and you can linger for as long as you want because the food just keeps coming.
If you’re after the best food Istanbul has to offer and want to start your day with a humongous breakfast, then definitely check out Ceşme Bazlama Kahvaltı!
Tip: All three outlets of Ceşme Bazlama Kahvaltı are extremely popular (especially in the summer) so arrive early if you don’t want to queue for ages (the restaurant has a no-reservations system). Weekdays are less crowded and it’s also easier to grab a table if you visit Istanbul in winter.
Address: Ceşme Bazlama Kahvalti, Teşvikiye, Teşvikiye Mahallesi, Osman F. Seden Sk. No:8, 34365 Şişli/Istanbul
Hours: 9.00am - 5.00pm
The incredible Lebanese breakfast at Arada Cafe
When you are searching for a good kahvalti Istanbul seemingly has a million and one places doing the same thing, but the restaurants that really stand out are putting a new spin on the concept of Turkish breakfast.
Arada Cafe doesn't just serve you a typical Turkish breakfast - this is kahvalti Lebanese style!
The Turkish breakfast menu at Arada includes muhammara - a dip made from roasted red peppers and pomegranate molasses; crispy falafel; light melt-in-your-mouth pisi; hummus drizzled with chilli oil and two types of Lebanese flatbread coated in olive oil and za’atar (a spice blend made up of thyme, sesame seeds, marjoram and oregano).
Sounds delicious right? And we’re not done yet! The set breakfast at Arada also includes menemen; small pastries stuffed with courgettes; bal kaymak; stuffed vine leaves; a cheeseboard and salad and fruit platter and labne (a type of cream cheese) mixed with chickpeas.
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You’ll also find many other Turkish breakfast plates dotted around your breakfast table such as za’atar mixed with olive oil; green and black olives; tahini with molasses and homemade jams such as orange, persimmon and cherry.
The breakfast at Arada makes a refreshing change from the classic Turkish breakfasts offered everywhere and is definitely the best place for breakfast in Istanbul if you are hankering after something different!
Address: Arada Cafe, Hacımimi, Lüleci Hendek Cd. 23a, 34425 Beyoğlu/Istanbul
Hours: 8.30am - 1.00am
4) Doğaciyiz Gourmet - The Best Turkish Restaurant in Istanbul serving an Antakya Breakfast
Breakfast at Doğaciyiz Gourmet
Antakya, the capital of Hatay province in Southern Turkey, is famous for its unique cuisine.
Influenced by its proximity to Syria, the food here is noticeably different, featuring meze and special herbs and spices only found in the region. In fact, the food is so good that Antakya became a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2011!
Don’t have time to visit Antakya? Worry not - some of the best cafes in Istanbul specialise in serving an Antakya/Hatay style breakfast and Doğaciyiz Gourmet is one of them!
Doğaciyiz Gourmet's Turkish breakfast spread features many dishes unique to the Hatay region including salted yogurt; a wild thyme salad with olives; clotted cream made with buffalo milk and combined with honey; hummus; an eggplant and grilled red pepper salad; and biberli ceviz, a walnut and red pepper dip that’s similar to acuka.
Red pepper bread, an Antakya speciality
The Turkish breakfast bread at Doğaciyiz Gourmet is also different - instead of regular bazlama bread you will be served delicious flatbreads coated in hot pepper paste or crumbled cheese.
Another great thing about this Turkish breakfast restaurant is that many of the products are locally sourced, homemade or organic.
You'll find homemade Antioch butter on your table plus organic eggs (fried or scrambled); a specially made peanut butter without sugar and a selection of homemade jams.
Last time we ate breakfast at Doğaciyiz Gourmet there was an incredible red plum jam that was flavoured with mahalleb cherries - I ended up asking for more!
Doğaciyiz Gourmet is one of the best breakfast places in Istanbul because you can also order breakfast items à la carte from the menu. So if you are in the mood for a simple Turkish breakfast, just pick the items you want to try.
If you love food as much as we do, consider going on an Istanbul food tour. Check out our guide to the best food tours in Istanbul.
And if you’re hungry, greedy (or both), you can add other items to your breakfast too! Doğaciyiz Gourmet offers a selection of gözleme, omelettes and menemen for an additional cost.
With their use of quality ingredients straight from Antakya, homemade products and regional flavours, it’s no surprise that Doğaciyiz Gourmet is considered to be the best Turkish breakfast in Istanbul for a Hatay style breakfast.
So if you’re looking for the best Antakya kahvaltı Istanbul has to offer, then step into Doğaciyiz Gourmet. Your stomach will thank you.
Note: I have included a couple of other Antakya style breakfasts on this list too, just because I love them!
Address: Kılıçali Paşa, Akarsu Ykş. Sok. No:41, 34433 Beyoğlu/Istanbul
Hours: 8.00am - 10.00pm
5) Van Kahvaltı Evi - The Best Van Serpme Kahvaltı Istanbul Has to Offer
Van Kahvaltı Evi Turkish breakfast spread
As you will have seen already, many of the best foods in Istanbul actually come from all over Turkey!
Turkish breakfast recipes vary greatly depending on the region and some of the most famous breakfast dishes come from the city of Van in Eastern Turkey.
Van has a reputation for serving the best Turkish breakfast in the country (there’s even an article on BBC travel about it) but luckily you don’t have to travel all the way there to experience it.
Van Kahvalti Evi is one of the most famous restaurants in Istanbul serving a Van-style breakfast.
Kavut - a delicious breakfast speciality from the Van region
The Turkish breakfast table here includes many specialities from the region such as kavut, made from melted butter, pounded flour and sugar and muturga, a rich combination of egg, butter and flour.
There’s also a special Turkish breakfast cheese, otlu peynir, which is unique to Van. Made from a matured cheese combined with herbs, it’s a must-have item in a Van Turkish breakfast.
The restaurant also serves all the usual breakfast items alongside its Van specialities including green and black olives; a selection of jams; a salad and herb platter; creamy, garlic cacik (or tzatziki); fried eggs, acuka and honey with clotted cream.
Murtaga with cherry jam
Otlu peynir, a special herb cheese from Van
Tea and bread are unlimited and the quality and size of the various dishes means that you definitely won’t be leaving hungry.
Van Kahvaltı Evi is the best cafe Istanbul has to offer for an authentic Van breakfast!
Address: Kılıçali Paşa, Defterdar Ykş. 52/A, 34425 Beyoğlu/Istanbul
Hours: 8.00am - 5.00pm
6) Yiğit Sofram Gözleme and Kahvaltı - The Best Breakfast Istanbul Has for Fans of Gözleme (Turkish Pancake) and Eggs
Breakfast at Yiğit Sofram
Located on a side street in Cihangir, family-run Yiğit Sofram is famous for serving high-quality village style breakfasts and top-notch gözleme.
Here you can order a full serpme kahvaltı or, if you want something smaller or just want lunch instead, you can simply order a plate of gözleme.
I’d personally recommend ordering the big breakfast with a side order of gözleme so you can try everything, but that’s just my greedy old self.
Many breakfast places in Istanbul have gözleme on their menus but I’ve never seen a selection as extensive as at Yiğit Sofram.
Spinach and potato gözleme
As well as the regular gözleme fillings such as yellow cheese and potato and white cheese and spinach, there’s a seemingly endless array of other variations including: roast beef and cheese; tahini and walnuts; Turkish sausages and cheese; chocolate; pastrami and cheese; mushrooms and cheese and more.
There’s even a special gözleme that you can only eat here!
The full Turkish breakfast at Yiğit Sofram also has a few items you don’t see on other breakfast menus, including halloumi pan-fried in butter and boiled eggs cooked in butter, black pepper and chilli flakes.
Fried halloumi at Yiğit Sofram
There’s also a generous cheese platter; a cucumber and tomato salad plate; various jams, acuka and a tomato and chilli dip. As usual, bread and tea are unlimited.
If you are someone who loves Turkish eggs, breakfast at Yiğit Sofram is for you. A whole section of the menu is dedicated to eggs cooked in all sorts of wonderful ways.
On my last visit I counted six different types of menemen (Turkish scrambled eggs) on the menu - you can order it regular or with Turkish sausages, roast beef, cheese or pastrami.
There were also many types of omelettes filled with combinations of cheese and spinach, salami, sausages or mushrooms. The perfect place for Turkish egg breakfast lovers!
One of the other stand-out things about Yiğit Sofram is that you can also order mini breakfasts for one person where you get a small selection of items and one main dish.
I love how creative the mini breakfasts are: the menu includes onions cooked with eggs, a halloumi breakfast, spinach and cheese eggs and roast beef and eggs.
Yiğit Sofram definitely serves up some of the best Turkish food in the city and is a great choice for breakfast, brunch or lunch.
Address: Kılıçalipaşa Mahallesi Sıraselviler Caddesi, Yeni Yuva Sk. 31 A, 34433 Beyoğlu/Istanbul
Hours: 8.00am - 5.00pm
Gloriously wholesome porridge bowls at Porridge and Pastry
As you can tell from this list, we are huge fans of a traditional Turkish village breakfast. However, there are some days where the idea of a mahoosive Turkish breakfast platter is just a little bit too much and we’re in the mood for something less extravagant and a tad healthier.
Enter Porridge and Pastry. This lovely vegetarian and vegan cafe-patisserie offers beautifully presented porridge bowls with incredibly delicious toppings that are almost too gorgeous to eat (but eat them we did and with gusto!)
The creative brain behind Porridge & Pastry is Ceylan Erbay, a professional pastry chef who earned her stripes in numerous chocolatiers, hotels, and patisseries plus a year-long internship at a two-Michelin starred restaurant in Spain before eventually deciding to open her own patisserie.
And boy are we glad that she did!
The poached pear, vanilla yogurt and granola porridge bowl.
The menu includes several wholesome porridge bowls with various toppings. Our favourites include pears poached in sour cherries and spices served with vanilla yogurt and homemade granola and the standard oatmeal bowl with banana, strawberries or raspberries, peanut butter and granola.
As Porridge and Pastry prides itself on using seasonal ingredients, you’ll find that the menu varies throughout the year.
One of the most popular porridge bowls is sweet pumpkin with tahini (yums!) and is only available during winter. Meanwhile, the cocoa mango oatmeal bowl is served with black mulberry jam - a Turkish summer fruit.
All the ingredients are locally sourced and many of the jams and vegan cheeses are made onsite. The porridge bowls can also be veganised - you can specify which plant milk you would like when you order.
The menu even has savoury porridge bowls that reminded us of our time living in Malaysia: the miso oatmeal bowl comes with sauteed mushrooms, carrots, green onions, sesame seeds and an optional fried egg.
Not a fan of porridge? Don’t worry, because there are plenty of other things on the menu to whet your appetite including vegetable or potato pancakes, omelettes, sandwiches and galettes.
And as the cafe’s name suggests, there are also plenty of vegan and vegetarian pastries, including a sweet cherry and whipped ricotta almond cake that is simply exquisite.
Porridge and Pastry is now one of our favourite spots especially during winter - there’s nothing like a steaming hot bowl of porridge to warm the cockles!
Address: Caferağa, Leylek Sk No: 2A, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul
Hours: 10.00am - 8.00pm, closed on Sunday
8) Balat Kapı Restaurant - The Best Turkish Breakfast Istanbul Has to Offer in the Charming Area of Balat
The breakfast spread at Balat Kapı Cafe
Back to more traditional Turkish-style breakfasts!
If you’re planning a trip to this amazing city and thinking about the best places to visit, Istanbul’s Balat area is probably somewhere towards the top of your list. Famous for its charming streets and colourful Ottoman houses, it's a huge draw for visitors from all over the world.
However, Balat isn’t just an Instagrammer’s dream - it has some amazing cafes and restaurants too and one of those is Balat Kapi Restaurant.
This tiny, super friendly and family-run cafe is a lovely place to enjoy breakfast before you hit the streets of Balat with your camera in hand.
The Turkish breakfast set at Balat Kapı features crispy fried pişi (similar to a doughnut), honey on the honeycomb; tahini pekmez (tahini mixed with carob/grape molasses); three types of cheese; cucumbers and tomatoes; green and black olives; simit (Turkish bagels); jams, grapes and za’atar mixed with olive oil.
The staff at Balat Kapi are amazing and also very accommodating: they serve a great Turkish breakfast menemen which they are more than happy to veganise on request.
I ate there recently with my sister who is a vegan and they gave her a few additional items as well, such as artichoke cooked in olive oil and dates.
If you’re after something lighter, Balat Kapı also has a toast menu (there is a choice of toppings such as avocado, beetroot, tomatoes or roast beef), plus omelettes and smoothie and granola bowls.
Sometimes you’ll find that the best food places in Istanbul are tiny cafes like Balat Kapi that not many people know about!
Address: Balat, Yıldırım Cd. 61/A, 34087 Fatih/Istanbul
Hours: 11.00am - 11.00pm
The vegan breakfast plate at Kahve 6
Looking for new Turkish breakfast ideas or fancy trying something a bit lighter than a gargantuan serpme kahvaltı?
If you want to have a simple breakfast or you follow a plant-based diet then check out Kahve 6, the best Turkish cafe Istanbul has to offer for healthy, vegan breakfast and brunch options.
Their vegan Turkish breakfast plate includes a selection of dips that vary day-to-day, such as creamy avocado with olive oil; a spicy and flavoursome acuka; tahini mixed with grape or carob molasses; and pumpkin and sunflower seeds.
You’ll also find homemade cornbread; vegan cheddar; green and black olives; a side salad of cucumbers, tomatoes, parsley and mint and warm simit on your plate. Each breakfast includes a large cup of Turkish çay.
Kahve 6’s breakfast offering might sound small but I assure you that it is not only healthy but filling. The cafe also offers other vegan options for breakfast/brunch including a granola parfait, making it one of the top places in Istanbul for people following a vegan diet.
Are you vegan? Check out our guide to finding the best vegan Turkish breakfast in Istanbul including how to veganise your breakfast at famous place and Turkish phrases that every vegan should know!
Address: Cihangir, Kiliçali Paşa Mah. Akarsu Cad, Anahtar Sk. No:13/A, 34433 Beyoğlu, Istanbul
Hours: 8.30am - 10.00pm
10) Naga Putrika - The Best Restaurant Istanbul Has for Breakfast on the Asian Side
Breakfast at Naga Putrika Kadıköy - the best breakfast in Istanbul Asian side.
Some of the best restaurants in Istanbul Turkey are in Kadıköy, on the Asian side of the city. In the trendy area of Moda, one of the best areas to stay in Istanbul, you will find Naga Putrika, a lovely, friendly restaurant serving up a mean Turkish breakfast.
The famous Turkish breakfast at Naga Putrika is extremely generous: we had so many items that we struggled to fit them all on the table! The restaurant also serves a number of very unique dishes that I haven’t seen at other breakfast restaurants.
Naga Putrika actually offers seven set Turkish breakfast menus and each one contains slightly different dishes.
For instance, the Hevsel menu offers dishes like fried eggs with sauteed meat and fried potatoes, aubergine and pepper whilst the Zuğa menu features muhlama: a speciality from the Black Sea Region made from melted cheese and cornmeal (very similar to fondue). When we visited we opted for the Velika menu.
The Turkish breakfast items at Naga Putrika include Bosnian-style borek, a type of flaky pastry stuffed with spinach or cheese; tahini milk jam made with sweet condensed milk; red peppers cooked in cream and ajvar, mashed red pepper and aubergine.
There are also dried apricots, almonds and walnuts; two types of honey (pine and flower honey) with clotted cream; nar ekşisi (pomegranate molasses) mixed with olive oil; menemen and fried eggs.
Furthermore, you’ll find butter, acuka, a mixed salad plate, a Turkish cheese plate with at least three regional cheeses; two types of homemade jam, black and green olives, pişi and regular sliced bread. Woah!
So if you’re after a filling morning breakfast in Istanbul and don’t mind travelling, just hop on a ferry and head over to Naga Putrika, the best breakfast Kadikoy has to offer!
Address: Caferağa, Moda Cd. 161/A, 34710 Kadıköy/Istanbul
Hours: 9.00am - 5.00pm
11) Erzincan Yilmaz Tandir Evi - One of the Best Turkish Restaurants Istanbul Has For a Traditional Erzincan breakfast
The deliciously simple breakfast featuring regional ingredients at Erzincan Yilmaz Tandir Evi.
If you’re looking for one of the most unusual and unique Turkish breakfast places in Istanbul, then head to Erzincan Yilmaz Tandir Evi in the backstreets of Feriköy.
Erzincan Yilmaz Tandir Evi originally opened in 1996 as a shop selling delicious tandir (tandoor) baked bread and then expanded to offer an authentic and delicious Turkish style breakfast from the Eastern province of Erzincan.
Mountainous Erzincan is famous for its rich dairy products and Erzincan Yilmaz Tandir Evi prides itself on using only the highest quality Turkish breakfast ingredients. On your table, you can find honey, butter, fresh cheese, nuts, kavurma (a type of sauteed lamb or beef) actually brought in from Erzincan.
The regular spread breakfast includes a hunk of sharp, crumbly and deliciously moreish tulum cheese, made from goat’s milk. This is served alongside a large wedge of velvety butter - we’d recommend spreading the butter on the hot tandir bread and then topping with the tulum cheese. The combination of melted butter and strong cheese is to die for!
You’ll also get fried eggs with kavurma (vegetarians can ask for plain fried eggs); raw honey on the honeycomb; and a small soğuş tabağı (salad plate) of olives, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. Çay and tandir bread are unlimited.
This is a simple breakfast but everything we tried here tasted so utterly delicious, it’s easy to see why Erzincan Yilmaz Tandir Evi has a reputation for serving some of the best food to eat in Istanbul.
There are also a number of à la carte items on the menu such as menemen, patates kızartması (fried potatoes) and bal kaymak (buffalo clotted cream). We’d highly recommend ordering the bal kaymak - it’s so creamy and light and goes perfectly with the flower honey.
The serpme kahvaltı here is smaller than other breakfasts mentioned on this list, but the quality of the ingredients and friendly service more than makes up for it. It really is one of the best places to have breakfast in Istanbul.
Address: Feriköy, Gediz Sk. No:26, 34377 Şişli/İstanbul
Hours: 8.00am - 8.30pm
12) Breakfast Street Istanbul (Besiktas)- The Best in Istanbul for Breakfast on a Budget
Breakfast Street in Beşiktaş
What’s better than one breakfast restaurant? Well, how about a whole street of breakfast restaurants and cafes?!
Illustrating just how much Turkish people love breakfast is Kahvaltı Sokağı, aka ‘Breakfast Street’: an entire street packed full of restaurants completely dedicated to serving classic Turkish breakfast.
These restaurants are open 7 days a week and offer a full serpme kahvaltı, smaller breakfast plates and á la carte options too. If you’re a fan of Turkish breakfast in Istanbul, you simply have to visit this place!
If you’re travelling on a tight budget and want to try an affordable Turkish breakfast, this area should be at the top of your list.
One of the reasons that these restaurants are so popular with university students is because this is one of the best places for breakfast in Istanbul on a budget.
A full breakfast here is much cheaper than in famous Turkish restaurants like Çeşme Bazlama Kahvaltı. You’ll still get around 16 different dishes wherever you decide to eat which is great value for money. This is the best breakfast in Besiktas that doesn’t break the bank!
Breakfast at Eleven Brothers in Breakfast Street
We’ve tried a few different restaurants on Breakfast Street and our favourite ones are Semt Kahvaltı and Eleven Brothers.
Both places serve a very generous breakfast which includes menemen; acuka; pişi and sigara böreği; three types of cheese; black and green olives; homemade jams, honey-cream and Nutella; salami and a mixed salad plate.
Tea is unlimited and you can always add á la carte items like gözleme to the menu if there STILL isn’t enough food. It’s easy to see why this is the best cheap breakfast Istanbul has to offer for travellers on a budget!
The staff are friendly in both places - at Semt we were even offered Turkish coffees on the house at the end of our meal!
Kahvaltı Sokağı is one of the best breakfast spots in Istanbul and a must-try experience for everyone!
Address: Sinanpaşa, Çelebi Oğlu Sk. 34353 Beşiktaş/Istanbul
Hours: Various - each restaurant has its own hours
The fantastic breakfast at Ada Kahvaltı
If you’re looking for a unique place to enjoy an Istanbul Turkish breakfast, then hop on a ferry to Büyükada, the largest island in the Princess Islands.
Famous for being some of the best places in Istanbul to visit, the Princess Islands’ relaxed vibe and beaches mean that tons of domestic and international tourists flock to the islands in the height of summer. The islands are also great for hiking enthusiasts and boast some of the best views in Istanbul.
It takes about 1.5 hours on the ferry to reach the largest of the islands, but the good news is that once you get there, you can have a fantastic breakfast!
Located in the small flower-filled garden of a 90-year-old Ottoman mansion, Ada Kahvaltı (Island Breakfast) is the perfect place for a relaxed breakfast before you set off on an exploration of the island.
The breakfast menu at Ada Kahvaltı includes menemen; three types of regional cheese; cottage cheese mixed with peppers; spicy acuka; three types of homemade jam, made to their mother’s special recipe; green and black olives; bal kaymak, honey and clotted cream; butter; olive oil and za’atar; fresh tomatoes with olive oil and oregano and a cucumber and mixed herb salad plate.
Ada Kahvaltı also serves a Turkish breakfast pastry of the day - sometimes this is katmer, a dessert made out of filo pastry and filled with pistachios and cream; börek, a filo pastry pie filled with cheese, potatoes, meat or spinach; or poğaca, a focaccia-like bread filled with cheese.
The staff at Ada Kahvaltı are amazingly friendly and helpful - they even offered to veganise some of the breakfast dishes when we visited with my sister so she could try more things!
The breakfast at Ada Kahvaltı is very generous, so if you are feeling a little full afterwards you can walk it off by heading up to the top of Aya Yorgi Hill to take in the best view in Istanbul.
Definitely one to add to your Turkish breakfast list!
Address: Büyükada-maden, Akdemir Sk. No:6, 34970 Adalar/Istanbul
Hours: 9.00am - 5.00pm
14) Feriköy Ekolojk Pazar - For Breakfast Lovers looking for the Best Organic Turkish Food Istanbul Has to Offer
The best breakfast places Istanbul has to offer aren’t always fancy restaurants or cafes - you can actually find Turkish breakfast culture at markets and street food stalls!
If you are a breakfast-on-the-go kind of person, head on down to Feriköy Ekolojik Pazar, a weekly Saturday organic market. This is the best bazaar in Istanbul to shop for organic products: you can find everything from organic fruit and vegetables to detergents here!
At the front of the market are several stalls serving up piping hot gözleme and börek filled with seasonal organic vegetables.
What really makes these stalls stand out are the unique flavour combinations: instead of the usual cheese, spinach, potato and meat fillings, you’ll find gözleme filled with tomatoes, olives, white cheese and potatoes.
In the winter, pumpkin takes centre stage - the börek filled with ginger and pumpkin and the gözleme stuffed with pumpkin and cheese are to die for!
There are also a couple of guys selling çay around the market, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on your Turkish breakfast tea.
Alternatively, we’d recommend getting a freshly squeezed juice from the juice stalls around the market that do a roaring trade, especially in the summer. My favourite is the beetroot, carrot and ginger juice - I could drink tons of the stuff!
The market is one of the popular breakfast spots in Istanbul amongst locals looking to do their weekly organic shop and have a breakfast snack. It’s definitely the best kahvalti in Istanbul from a market stall!
Address: Cumhuriyet, 34380 Şişli/İstanbul, Turkey
Hours: Saturday, 8.00am - 7.00pm
15) Tarihi Cihangir Simit Firini - The Best Breakfast Place in Istanbul for Turkish Baked Goods Like Simits, Boreks and Pastries
The lovely Tarihi Cihangir Simit Firini
Is this the best bakery in Istanbul? This is probably an outlandish claim to make given the staggering number of bakeries in this city, but hot damn, the pastries are amazing here!
The friendly Tarihi Cihangir Simit Firini is the perfect place for the days when you aren’t in the mood for a big Turkish breakfast, but still want to try traditional Turkish treats.
I’ve had the best simit in Istanbul here - freshly baked and warm from the oven, these Turkish bagels are incredibly moreish and perfectly paired with a tulip glass of tea.
Simits are a traditional breakfast in Istanbul and you’ll see plenty of people walking around with a simit in their hand as they rush to work in the morning.
The bakery also offers sandwiches; börek filled with cheese or spinach; macaroons; tahini çörek, a coiled pastry made with tahini, cinnamon and sugar; croissants; mini pizzas; baklava; doughnuts and many different sweet pies, cakes and cookies.
Whilst pastries and cakes don’t exactly constitute a healthy Turkish breakfast, these baked goods are yummy and worth the indulgence. Plus, this is the best breakfast in Istanbul for when you are running around sightseeing - you can just grab something from this bakery and be on your way!
Sometimes the best Istanbul breakfast is about keeping things simple.
Address: Firuzağa, 59/A, Türkgücü Cd., 34425 Beyoğlu/Istanbul
Hours: 6.30am - 6.30pm
16) Hadika Kahvaltı Evi - The Best Breakfast Restaurant in Istanbul Serving Breakfast Products Straight from Antakya
A yummy Antakya breakfast at Hadika Kahvaltı Evi
Yes I know I have mentioned one Antakya/Hatay breakfast places already but I have just discovered this cute little restaurant in my local area and it serves a stellar breakfast.
Hadika Kahvaltı Evi gets all its breakfast products straight from Antakya - the waiter explained that they don’t buy ingredients from any of the local markets and everything they serve is 100% organic.
I was pretty impressed with this dedication to quality and authenticity so I figured this breakfast must be good. And I was right!
The breakfast at Hadika includes four types of cheese; biberli ekmek, bread coated in a spicy red pepper paste; fried eggs; three types of homemade jam; salted yogurt with chilli oil and surk, Antakya spicy cottage cheese.
There is also muhammara; za’atar and olive oil; bal kaymak, Turkish honey cream; a salad and fruit platter; green and black Halhali olives (directly from the Hatay region) and unlimited tea.
At Hadika you can also add lots of á la carte items to your breakfast. The waiter recommended that we try the fried Antakya cheese which was really tasty and quite similar in texture to halloumi.
You can also order menemen, various types of omelettes (with cheese or potatoes), gözleme (Turkish pancakes) filled with white or yellow cheese; fried sucuk (a fermented, spicy sausage) and chips.
The quality of the food at Hadika is incredible: I especially loved the homemade jams. We visited at the beginning of spring and tried walnut, orange and carrot jam and all of them were delicious!
One of the best things in Istanbul is discovering local breakfast restaurants and I was so pleased to stumble upon Hadika Kahvalti Evi.
With its focus on quality ingredients, a wide range of unique dishes and an unlimited supply of tea, this is the best Turkish restaurant Istanbul has for a supremely authentic Antakya-style köy kahvaltı.
The staff are really friendly and if you don’t speak Turkish they are more than happy to explain everything to you in English. A top breakfast in Istanbul!
Address: Meşrutiyet, Ebe Kızı Sokağı No: 16/40, 34363 Şişli/İstanbul
Hours: 8.30am - 5.00pm
17) Crumpet London 1992 - One of the Only Istanbul Breakfast Places Serving a Quintessential English Breakfast
Even after living in Istanbul for four years, we still get cravings for British foods that are hard to find here. And one of those things is crumpets.
Crumpets aka English griddle cakes are a British breakfast or afternoon tea treat and are basically what would happen if a pancake and an English muffin decided to have a baby.
Golden and crispy on the outside and gloriously pillowy and soft on the inside, crumpets are covered in a constellation of tiny holes that allow them to really soak up any spreads or toppings that you slather on them. And this, paired with a steaming cup of tea, makes every bite of a crumpet a true delight.
Vincent is something of a crumpet connoisseur so you can imagine our excitement when Crumpet London 1992 popped up on our Instagram feed one day.
A place in Istanbul serving homemade crumpets (far superior to store bought ones) with all sorts of toppings, plus English tea with milk? Of course we had to go!
You can’t beat a crumpet with cheese and baked beans.
I love sweet crumpets and this version with strawberry jam hit the spot.
The owner of Crumpet London was born and raised in London. After returning to Istanbul in 2013, he finally achieved his dream of opening this restaurant in memory of his younger brother (1992 is his brother’s date of birth).
Growing up, the brothers used to make crumpets together at home and all the crumpets on the menu have unique names that reference nicknames the brothers had for each other, their neighbourhood, school and other memories they shared.
The menu features eight types of crumpets plus six totally vegan versions!
We tried three types: the Brixton with butter, garlic and chives; the Northcote Road with Swiss cheese fondue, English baked beans and butter (it usually also comes with a poached egg but Vincent doesn’t eat eggs); and the Ernest Bevin with butter and French strawberry jam.
Food of the gods.
Vincent - a man who likes a good bit of crumpet.
All of them were completely scrumptious and the texture of the crumpets was perfect! Sadly the Blue Golf - a crumpet topped with garlic avocado puree, red peppers, tomatoes, walnuts, balsamic glaze and lemon and butter - was sold out on our last visit. I can’t wait to try that next time!
Although the menu is mostly vegetarian and vegan, meat lovers can enjoy the Lavender Hill crumpet with sweet chilli beef bacon, hot Mexican red chilli, cream cheese, butter and poppy seeds. There is also a vegan version of this crumpet which is pretty cool!
We paired our crumpets with two generous mugs of English tea with milk (if you find this weird, don’t worry there are many other drinks available too!)
Crumpet London 1992 is a great place to go if you’re craving an English treat or a totally new kind of breakfast experience. It’s yummy and also affordable, proving that you don’t need to go to expensive breakfast restaurants for a kick-ass breakfast!
Address: Caferağa, Gen. Asım Gündüz Cd. no:81 D:20, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul
Hours: 10.00am - 6.00pm
🍳 The Best Food Tours of Istanbul
If you love breakfast and food in general then I would highly recommend checking out the amazing food tours in the city. We had such a great experience that we wrote a whole guide to the best food tours in Istanbul.
Don’t have time to read another article? Then check out some of the tours we have recommended below:
The Taste of Two Continents Food Tour
The Taste of Two Continents Food Tour is a fantastic way to experience and enjoy Istanbul’s incredible food scene.
Beginning in the old city of Sultanahmet, the tour begins with an exploration of the spice market and an indulgent traditional Turkish breakfast.
You will then take the ferry over to the Asian side of the city to explore the hip area of Kadıköy, where you will visit many different restaurants and cafes and sample a wide range of Turkey’s best dishes.
The group sizes for this tour are small and it’s a great way to become familiar with the country’s diverse cuisine. Make sure you come hungry!
The 10 Tastings of Istanbul With Locals: Private Food Tour
Group tours not your thing? Why not check out this amazing food tour of the top 10 Turkish Foods with a private guide?
The The 10 Tastings of Istanbul With Locals Private Food Tour is a fabulous way to get a better understanding of Turkish cuisine and sample local specialities. On the tour you will get to sample all the must-try Turkish dishes including baklava, dürüm, kebabs and more!
With a private tour you have the advantage of having a guide all to yourself and you can ask as many questions as you like. The tour will also give you the knowledge to go into Turkish bakeries, restaurants and cafes and confidently order Turkish dishes, because you will have tried many of them before.
Make sure to memorise the places that you visit on the tour because you’ll definitely want to return to them later!
Istanbul Foodie Tour by Night: Traditional Meyhane & Street Food Tour
Istanbul has a vibrant street food scene and this tour is perfect for travellers who want to explore the street food culture of this cosmopolitan city.
On the Istanbul Foodie Tour by Night: Traditional Meyhane & Street Food Tour, you will get the chance to sample a ton of local specialities from midye dolma (stuffed mussels) and roasted chestnuts to the famous Turkish baklava.
During this 3.5 hour tour, you will browse the stalls and food markets in Beyoğlu trying locally grown olives, dates and more; discover street food specialities in the Karaköy and Istiklal neighbourhoods; sample tons of mezzes; snack on deep fried Turkish meatballs; drink pistachio coffee and even experience Istanbul’s nightlife scene at a traditional meyhane (a wine house/tavern).
Cooking Class in Turkey From Istanbul
If you want to learn how to make Turkish cuisine in your own home, then this 3-hour cooking class in Istanbul is for you.
With expert guidance and tips from a professional chef, you’ll get hands-on experience of how to make some of Turkey’s most popular and authentic dishes such as stuffed vine leaves and kirde kebab!
Click here for prices and more information on the Cooking Class in Turkey from Istanbul on Viator.
🏠 Where to Stay in Istanbul, Turkey
Our favourite place to stay in Istanbul is the NOA Apartments in Galata (⭐ 9.5)
The studio apartments are bright and spacious and feature a fully fitted kitchen with a washing machine and tumble dryer. There’s also an attached gym which is really handy after indulging in all those breakfasts! The location is also perfect - only a few minutes walk to the vibrant cafes and restaurants in the Galata district.
Photo courtesy of NOA Apartments via Booking.com
Galata is quite a hilly area so can be a difficult place to stay for anyone with mobility issues. It can also get quite crowded during the summer, although the area around these apartments is always quiet at night.
We’ve written a whole guide about the Best Areas to Stay in Istanbul - we’d recommend checking it out as it covers all the major neighbourhoods and districts of Istanbul.
Here are some other alternatives for places to stay which would suit any budget:
Photo courtesy of Hot Budget Ortaköy via Booking.com
TOP BUDGET PICK: Hot Budget Ortaköy (⭐ 8.7)
Located in the buzzing area of Beşiktaş and just 3 minutes walk from Ortaköy Square this affordable hotel has brilliant ensuite rooms with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and flatscreen TVs. There’s also a complimentary American breakfast - perfect for the days you don't feel like eating a Turkish one!
Photo courtesy of Hammahane via Booking.com
BEST MID-RANGE CHOICE: Hammahane (⭐ 9.5)
Only 600 yards from the lively shopping street of Istiklal Caddesi and in the hipster area of Cihangir near Taksim Square, this elegant hotel features spacious ensuite rooms with flatscreen TVs, free WiFi and a private kitchen. Hotel guests can also use the amazing Turkish bath next door at a discounted rate.
Photo courtesy of Boutique Saint Sophia via Booking.com
TOP BOUTIQUE OPTION: Boutique Saint Sophia (⭐ 9.2)
This lovely boutique hotel is the perfect choice for couples looking to stay in the historical centre of Istanbul. Each room has a flatscreen TV, an ensuite bathroom with Bulgari toiletries and free WiFi. The Blue Mosque is only 250 yards away and some rooms offer a view over the Hagia Sophia. There is also a delicious á la carte breakfast.
Photo courtesy of Çirağan Palace Kempinski via Booking.com
TOP LUXURY OPTION: Çirağan Palace Kempinski (⭐ 8.9)
If you have plenty of cash to splash, why not stay in a former 19th Century Ottoman Palace? Boasting a spa, fully equipped fitness centre, a heated indoor pool, an outdoor infinity pool with views of the Bosphorus and several restaurants, this hotel is the epitome of luxury. Perfect for couples looking for the ultimate romantic getaway, the rooms here are magnificent - some even have a private butler service!
Make Your Own Turkish Breakfast at Home!
You might miss Turkish style breakfasts after your holiday ends, so check out these authentic Turkish breakfast glasses, utensils and items that will give your breakfast at home a Turkish twist!
These authentic Turkish tea glasses from Pasabahçe are perfect for your morning cup of Turkish çay! You can also brew your tea in this fantastic traditional Turkish tea pot and really feel like you are back in Istanbul.
If you want to serve your breakfast in real Ottoman style, then this luxurious Turkish breakfast tray will do the job! It's perfect for serving coffee, tea or any Turkish breakfast dishes.
When I make Turkish breakfast at home, I always run out of bowls to serve all the dishes in. So I love these handcrafted ceramic Turkish bowls - not only are they the perfect size for olives, jam, dried fruits etc. but they are really pretty too!
I hope this guide to the best breakfast in Istanbul has inspired you to go on some gastronomic adventures!
Before you go, check out these other articles about Istanbul and Turkey/Türkiye:
🍲 The Best Istanbul Food Tours
🏠 Best Areas to Stay in Istanbul: Coolest Neighbourhoods & Top Hotels
🌟 22 Best Hotels in Istanbul With a View
🗓 The Ultimate Turkey Itinerary 10 Days
🇹🇷 The Best Places to Visit in Turkey
🏔 Cappadocia in Winter: 7 Reasons to Visit & 16 Amazing Things to Do
🎄 Christmas in Istanbul: All You Need to Know for a Magical Stay
🌷 Visit Istanbul Tulip Festival (Istanbul Lale Festivali)
🎪 18 Best Festivals in Istanbul
🛫 How to Get from Istanbul Airport to the City Centre
✈️ How to Get From SAW Airport to Istanbul City Center
🔍 Exploring Balat Istanbul: An Insider's Guide to One of Istanbul's Most Unique Neighbourhoods
⛄ 9 Awesome Reasons to Spend Winter in Istanbul
✅ 12 Things You Must Do in Istanbul
🍔 Off the Eaten Track: The Best Street Food in Istanbul
🍟 The Best Vegan Fast Food in Istanbul
🥦 Where to Find the Best Vegan Turkish Breakfast in Istanbul
🥑 Vegan Istanbul: The Best Under-the-Radar Restaurants
🖼️ 14 Top Things To Do in Gaziantep
Find more travel guides about Turkey here
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