20 Best Cafes in Istanbul (2024): Hidden Gems and Unique Istanbul Cafes You Have to Try!
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If you’re searching for the best cafes Istanbul has to offer, then my caffeinated comrades, you’re definitely in the right place.
As a local Istanbulite who’s lived in the city for four years and a self-confessed cafe lover (it all started with an overpriced mocha in Costa Coffee many moons ago), I know a thing or two about the best coffee shops in Istanbul.
Istanbul is the original home of the world’s first coffee shop which opened in the 16th century, so it’s no surprise that every neighbourhood street is crammed to the hilt with cafes.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a neighbourhood in Istanbul without a cafe - I’d go as far as to say that I actually don’t think that exists.
Many of these places serve excellent cups of joe (and cups of tea if that’s your preferred poison) but Istanbul coffee shops are about so much more than the beverages they offer. The cafes themselves are an experience!
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Why Cafe Hop in Istanbul?
You may wonder, with so many incredible things to do in Istanbul, why waste your precious holiday time sipping coffee in one of the city’s many cafes?
Well, spending time in Istanbul cafes is actually a really good way to get under the skin of this hugely diverse city and do as locals do.
Sit back and observe people discussing business deals over Turkish coffee, friends socialising, students with their noses buried deep in textbooks, couples canoodling and at least one man hurrying along the street with a silver tray carrying glasses of tea.
This is your chance to just soak up the rhythms of city life.
Secondly, the best coffee shops in Istanbul come in all shapes and sizes: you’ll find charming cafes located in historical houses or converted tram stations; cafes eclectically furnished with antiques, mismatched furniture and surrealist paintings or boasting mesmerising panoramic city or Bosphorus views.
It being Istanbul, most cafes will have a resident cat that peacefully slumbers on a cushion next to you, waking only to ask for a belly rub as you sip your coffee!
You’ll find sleek and minimalist cafes with laptop charging points and expert baristas who approach the art of coffee-making as though it’s a science experiment, sitting beside simple tea houses frequented by old men playing backgammon.
Thirdly, most Istanbul cafes also serve excellent coffee. As well as cafes offering traditional Turkish coffee, you’ll find plenty of third-wave coffee shops, cafes with their own in-house coffee roasteries, and places offering regional coffee varieties and speciality coffees.
Coffee connoisseurs looking for the perfect roast or latte art have nothing to fear here!
📍 Map of the Best Cafes in Istanbul
Click here for an interactive Google map showing the best coffee shops in Istanbul Turkey. As Istanbul is a huge city, you might want to choose cafes based on the area that you are staying in or the attractions you are visiting that day.
Not sure where to stay in Istanbul? Check out our locals’ guide to the Best Areas to Stay in Istanbul which covers 6 districts and 15 different neighbourhoods. It’s the most detailed guide to accommodation in Istanbul on the internet!
☕ The Full List of 20 Best Cafes in Istanbul
Our list of the best cafes in Istanbul has something for everyone. Are you a digital nomad looking to combine productivity with a damn good brew? We’ve got you covered with our recommendations for the best cafes to work in Istanbul.
Perhaps you’re a photographer on the hunt for breathtaking views of the city? We’ve selected cafes in Istanbul with views that will leave you spellbound and rooftop cafes in Istanbul where your cappuccino comes with a side order of ‘wow’.
Or maybe you’re a bibliophile like us and prefer nothing more than curling up in a cosy nook with a steaming cuppa and a good book. Well, good news, many of the cute cafes in Istanbul are bookshops too!
Whatever vibe you’re looking for, we’ve made sure that there is a simply brew-tiful cafe in Istanbul for you!
1) Mandabatmaz, Istiklal Caddesi
If you’re looking for a traditional Istanbul coffee shop, then you should look no further than Mandabatmaz.
Tucked away up a steep side street just off Istanbul’s lively Istiklal Caddesi, this cafe has a reputation for serving the best Turkish coffee in Istanbul and is one of our favourite authentic coffeehouses in the city.
Mandabatmaz first opened in 1967 and the focus from the beginning was to offer its customers delicious Turkish coffee.
The original cafe/shop is tiny: featuring a few wooden benches and decorated with old newspaper articles, a portrait of Ataturk and various paintings of Istanbul, this could be any Turkish cornerstone.
We like to sit outside at one of the small tables: they’re perfect for watching the comings and goings of the cafe’s many customers.
Although Mandabatmaz has expanded to include a larger modern cafe, the small shop is where the traditional Turkish coffee is still prepared, using a samovar and a two-burner stove.
Unlike other cafes, at Mandabatmaz, Turkish coffee is made using hot water to bring out the flavour of the coffee grounds and the coffee is then boiled for two minutes over a high heat.
Our first sip of Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz told us it was in a different league. The coffee is velvety, dark, rich and almost chocolatey, with a thick layer of foam on top. So thick, in fact, that a water buffalo wouldn’t sink in it - which is what the name ‘Mandabatmaz’ actually means!
It’s no surprise that locals and foreigners alike flock to Mandabatmaz - Istanbul Turkish coffee really doesn’t get much better than this!
Address: Asmalı Mescit, Olivya Gç. 1/A, 34430 Beyoğlu/Istanbul.
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9:30am - 12.00am.
READ NEXT: Are you a caffeine addict? Then the Istanbul Coffee Festival could be for you! Read more about this amazing festival and many others in our article about The Best Festivals in Istanbul.
2) Velvet Cafe, Balat
Velvet Cafe is one of our favourite cafes in the gorgeous area of Balat. We are suckers for a cafe with a garden and during Istanbul’s sweltering summers, the beautiful garden terrace at Velvet Cafe provides a welcoming respite from the heat.
Velvet Cafe is eclectically decorated with dark mahogany furniture and mismatched antiques and is definitely one of the cutest cafes in Istanbul Turkey.
Our favourite thing about this cafe is that one of the exposed brick walls is decorated with multiple shelves of antique traditional Turkish coffee cups. If you order a classic Turkish coffee you can select one of these lovely cups to have your coffee in!
Velvet Cafe also has a fabulous menu which offers a variety of breakfast and lunch dishes. While hungry folks should try the traditional Turkish breakfast, we’d recommend accompanying your coffee with one of their delectable crescent-shaped apple cookies.
There are also many other light snacks, mouthwatering homemade desserts (such as orange cake, banana pudding and lattice fruit tart) börek (stuffed Turkish pastry), tost (toasted sandwiches) and wraps. If you’re trying to be healthy, they offer salads and soups too!
Although the Turkish coffee is delicious here, the star of the show for us is the reyhan sherbet. Made with purple basil leaves, this pretty pink drink is extremely tasty and super refreshing in the summer.
Address: Balat, Çimen Sk. No:8a, 34087 Fatih/Istanbul.
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday & Saturday-Sunday, 9.30/10.00am-5.00pm, closed Mondays and Fridays.
READ NEXT: Are you vegan? Then check out the Best Vegan Fast Food Options in Istanbul!
3) Siete Cafe & Art Studio, Kurtuluş-Feriköy
If you’re looking for nice cafes in Istanbul that are off the beaten track, look no further than Siete Cafe, located between the neighbourhoods of Kurtuluş and Feriköy.
Housed in a historic building owned by the Gormezano family since 1919, Siete Cafe speaks to Istanbul’s ethnic diversity, unique history and Jewish cultural heritage.
‘Siete’ actually means seven in Ladino/Judaeo Spanish, the language of Sephardic Jews, and refers to the fact that the building has seven floors and is also located at door number 7.
Marisa Gormezano, who now runs Siete with her daughter Joelle, grew up in this building and had a childhood dream of opening a cafe here.
Marisa’s maternal grandfather made hats for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (the founding father of the Republic of Türkiye) during the hat revolution, whilst her grandmother’s sister was Atatürk’s French teacher. A few of these original hats are on display at the front of the cafe!
The building used to be the tallest structure in the area and during World War II even had anti-aircraft guns placed on its roof!
READ NEXT: If you visit Istanbul in April you should explore the Istanbul Tulip Festival!
One of the rooms in Siete is a ‘museum room’ decorated with restored antiques belonging to Marisa’s paternal grandparents and features a mirrored antique cabinet, table and beautiful armchairs that are around 123 years old.
During the winter, this cosy room is our favourite place to enjoy a steaming cup of coffee.
The outdoor terrace is a pleasant escape from the cacophony of the city and features upcycled window frames and mirrors. It’s a lovely shady spot in the summer and in winter there are heaters all around to keep you feeling toasty.
Siete serves some of the tastiest and best quality coffee Istanbul has to offer but the star of the show here is their lunch and dessert menu, which features homemade family recipes.
We love the cinnamon buns and the chocolate brownies with sour cherries or walnuts. The homemade quiche (spinach or cheese and tomato) has the perfect balance between flaky shortcrust pastry and a yummy filling.
The apple pie, mosaic and lemon cakes are family recipes passed down through the generations. Siete also serves börekitas: a traditional Sephardic Jewish dish that was brought to Turkey by the Jews who were expelled from Spain in 1492.
Börekitas is related to empanadas, a type of half-moon-shaped pastry usually stuffed with meat and vegetables. Influenced by Turkish cuisine, börekitas is now totally vegetarian and filled with potatoes and cheese or aubergine. Yummy!
The final jewel in Siete’s crown is the art studio at the entrance. You can sign up for ceramic, polymer-clay and embroidery workshops here - you can even buy ceramics from the cafe! As well as art workshops, Siete also holds cinema nights and live music in the summer.
A lovely community cafe and art studio with a unique history, Siete is easily one of the most interesting places to enjoy a cuppa in Istanbul. If you do visit, their friendly resident cat Çamur will also make you feel right at home!
Address: Feriköy, Savaş Sk. No:7 D:1, 34379 Şişli/Istanbul.
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11.00am-11.00pm, closed on Mondays.
READ NEXT: Are you planning a trip to Turkey? Then check out our Ultimate Turkey Itinerary 10 Days!
4) Şirin Firin, Galata
Oozing Parisian vibes, this picturesque cafe is located on a cobbled side street leading up to the Galata Tower and is considered to be one of the top 10 coffee shops in Istanbul.
One of the best bakeries in Istanbul, Şirin Firin offers a wide range of mouthwatering sweet and savoury baked goods from the simple and ubiquitous simit (a Turkish sesame-coated bagel) to San Sebastian cheesecakes, lemon tarts, various cookies, baklava, sandwiches, croissants, quiches...we think you get the picture!
However, the fantastic baked goods aren’t the only attraction at this charming cafe because this Istanbul coffee house also has a stellar view of the Galata Tower.
We’d recommend sitting at one of the pavement tables, getting a çay or Türk kahvesi and just people-watching to your heart’s content. It’s also a great place to relax in the evening when the Galata Tower is lit up.
If you’ve been searching for the best cafe in Istanbul with view of the Galata Tower - you’ve found it!
Address: Şahkulu, Büyük Hendek Cd. No:16/A, 34420 Beyoğlu/Istanbul.
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 6.00am - 12.00am.
5) Minoa Akaretler, Beşiktaş
Calling all bibliophiles: this next cafe on our list is the perfect Istanbul coffee shop for book lovers!
First opened in 2014 and located in the trendy Akaretler area of Beşiktaş, Minoa is an independent bookstore and cafe.
Spread across three floors, Minoa has over 60,000 English and Turkish books covering all interests - you’ll find books on art, literature, cooking, politics and more here.
The cafe-brasserie area of the store is also surrounded by books and although it does get busy, we’ve found it to be a great place to get some work done or simply settle down with a good book.
You can either sit inside (spacious and cosy in the winter but a little sweaty in the summer) or in the small outside area at the front of the store.
Minoa is quite a stunning cafe - you’ll notice that books are displayed in all sorts of ingenious ways, from book chandeliers to lampshades! It’s no wonder that it is one of the most Instagrammable cafes in Istanbul.
READ NEXT: 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.
Minoa’s cafe menu is great for vegetarians (there are some vegan options too but if you want a full vegan/vege menu head over to the Minoa-VE in Nişantaşı).
Minoa Akaretler has an extensive drinks selection - from regular teas, coffees and juices to beer, wine and cocktails (this is a book cafe that closes at 1.00am after all.)
We’ve often worked the whole day here - starting off with a coffee and then closing our laptops to enjoy a cocktail as the sun goes down.
The food is also excellent - we’d recommend trying their sandwiches and paninis (my favourite is the vegan falafel panini) and if you want something more substantial check out their lengthy dinner menu. Early risers can even enjoy breakfast as the cafe opens at 8.00am!
Address: Vişnezade, Süleyman Seba Cd. No:52/A, 34357 Beşiktaş/Istanbul.
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 8.00am - 1.00am.
6) 1 Kahve/1 Coffee, Cihangir
1 Kahve is a fantastic cafe to get some work done.
Kahve 1 is one of the best cafes for digital nomads in Istanbul. Why do we say that?
Well, this minimalist cafe has basically been designed with the frequently spotted Istanbul digital nomad in mind. There are long tables and plenty of plug sockets and chairs all over the cafe and the Wi-Fi signal is strong and fast - basically, it’s the ideal co-working space.
As it’s designed for remote working, you feel comfortable spending most of the day here, plus the coffee is also more affordable than other trendier cafes in the city.
There are also plenty of feline friends at Kahve 1 which we personally think makes any working day better. Just make sure that a cat doesn’t steal your chair!
We like to grab a table near Kahve 1’s big sliding doors - during the summer you get a nice breeze while you’re working and the huge windows let in plenty of natural light. It’s also the perfect place to take a break from your work and people-watch!
Coffee at Kahve 1 is excellent - we usually order traditional Turkish coffee, iced coffee, mocha or tea and it’s always been great. If you’re hankering after something sweet, it’s worth checking out their desserts, particularly the apple pie and cheesecakes.
If you’re looking for a productive workday in a cafe with delicious coffee and a friendly atmosphere, you really can’t beat Kahve 1. It’s certainly one of the best cafes to work in Istanbul!
Address: Cihangir, Bakraç Sk. No:19, 34433 Beyoğlu/Istanbul.
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9.00am-10.30pm.
7) Cafe Naftalin K, Balat
The slightly eccentric Cafe Naftalin K was our go-to coffee shop when we lived in the charming neighbourhood of Balat Istanbul. We were there pretty much 24/7 because we loved everything about it, from the quirky decor to the unique food and drink menu.
As soon as you walk into Cafe Naftalin, you know you’re somewhere unique. Vintage treasures adorn the walls - you’ll see old telephones, biscuit tins, soda bottles, books and even mini classic cars!
Meanwhile, the tables are decorated with colourful crochet cloths, the entrance to the toilet is through a bright orange retro fridge door and the menus are gorgeously handwritten and designed to look like antique airmail letters.
If all of that wasn’t cute enough, you’ll find various cats that doze on the windowsills and chairs around the cafe!
However, the adorable aesthetic isn’t the only reason that Cafe Naftalin has become one of the most famous coffee shops in Istanbul. It’s actually the best cafe Istanbul has for regional coffee specialities.
Coffee addicts looking to try Istanbul speciality coffee are in for a treat!
You can sample menengiç coffee made from wild pistachio berries, dibek coffee (named after the process of grinding coffee beans in a mortar and mixing them with various sweet spices) and Syriac-style coffee with cardamom. Cafe Naftalin really does offer some of the best Turkish coffee in Istanbul!
All these coffees hail from southeastern Turkey and are served with sugarcoated almonds, a traditional sweet from this region. My favourite is the Mardin-style coffee - it tastes of cardamom, pistachio and caramel. One cup just isn’t enough!
Cafe Naftalin also serves nice light meals for breakfast and lunch - there are some great vegetarian and vegan options on the menu too.
Address: Balat, Yıldırım Cd. No:27/A, 34087 Fatih/Istanbul.
Hours: Monday - Sunday, 9.00am - 9.00pm.
8) Nevmekan Bağlarbaşı, Üsküdar
Some of the most beautiful cafes in Istanbul are truly hidden gems that most visitors to the city never step foot in.
Luckily for you, we’re locals and we want to tell you all about Nevmekan Bağlarbaşı because it’s one of our favourite haunts!
Located on the Asian side of Istanbul in Üsküdar, Nevmekan is housed in a converted former IETT tram hangar and garage and features a cafe, library, art gallery and stage.
The building retains some of the features from its former days - if you look up you’ll see the original red metal beams under the roof.
The whole building is stunning - gorgeous arched windows let in plenty of light which is complemented by the dramatic chandeliers that dangle from the roof. The floor is decorated with beautiful Ottoman-style tiles.
As well as being pretty unique, this cafe in Istanbul Turkey also has a very reasonably priced menu (which includes breakfast, lunch and great dessert options). This is why you’ll see plenty of students working here!
The menu has decent options for vegetarians - we’ve enjoyed a tasty pizza and falafel burger here.
Nevmekan Bağlarbaşı is a superb place to get some work done, read your favourite book or just relax - we’ve been here many times and really enjoy the atmosphere. It’s one of the most unique cafes in Istanbul!
Address: Selamiali, Gazi Cd. No:12, 34664 Üsküdar/Istanbul.
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 10.00am-11.00pm.
9) Orient Express Restaurant, Sirkeci Train Station
Sticking loosely with the transport theme, the Orient Express Cafe at Sirkeci train station is a must-visit for transport geeks (we see you!), history buffs or fans of unusual architecture.
This is a cafe in Turkey with a long history. Sirkeci Station was built in 1890 by the Oriental Railway Company and was the final stop of the famous Orient Express train that operated between Paris and Constantinople (Istanbul).
Designed by August Jasmund, a Prussian architect, this breathtaking building is a fantastic example of European Orientalist design and features elaborate stained glass windows and arched brickwork.
The Orient Express Restaurant had its heyday during the 1950s and 60s when it became a popular meeting point for renowned journalists, artists and writers. Some even described it as their ‘second address’.
Nowadays the elegant restaurant is mostly visited by tourists but it has still retained its nostalgic charm.
Black and white photos of celebrities, paintings and old posters about the Orient Express adorn the walls. There’s even a small museum area with old newspaper clippings and train memorabilia.
As it’s one of the most famous cafes in Istanbul, the prices on the menu are fairly high. We prefer to get a simple glass of tea and sit in the part of the restaurant that is actually on the platform.
And then perhaps have a little daydream about what it would have been like a century ago, filled with glamorous commuters.
Address: Hoca Paşa, Sirkeci İstasyon Cd. No:2, 34110 Fatih/Istanbul.
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9.00am-11.00pm.
10) Fahriye Cafe, Moda, Kadıköy
We love vintage cafes and Fahriye Cafe in the trendy area of Moda on Istanbul’s Asian side is one of the best.
This is one of our top cafes in Istanbul as it’s such a lovely place to work. They play some cool music (but not enough to distract you) and there is a fairly decent internet connection (it gets a little patchy when you are upstairs or when there are a lot of people).
Our favourite thing is the super cosy atmosphere which is perfect, especially during winter in Istanbul: you’re surrounded by various antiques, knicknacks and stuffed bookshelves.
You’ll also find some of the best coffee in Istanbul here but what keeps us coming back to Fahriye are their homemade desserts.
We’ve tried their delectable brownies and flavourful carrot cake but the standout sweet treat has to be their Fahriye cookies (Fahriye kurabiyesi).
Made with chocolate, hazelnut and coffee, they are baked to order and served hot. If you try anything here, it has to be these cookies!
The staff are also friendly and happy to serve their generous mugs of tea with a side of milk for weird British folk like us.
Address: Caferağa Mahallesi, Moda Caddesi & Leylek Sokak 3/A, 34710 Kadıköy/Istanbul.
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9.00am-12.00am.
11) Rooftop Cafe - Büyük Valide Han, Grand Bazaar Area
The view from Buyuk Valide Han Rooftop Cafe on a wintry day.
One of the best rooftop cafes Istanbul has is actually hidden in the warren-like backstreets near the Grand Bazaar.
Büyük Valide Han is a 17th-century inn that used to be home to workshops, warehouses, shops and restaurants.
More recently, Büyük Valide Han became ‘insta-famous’ for the panoramic Bosphorus views from its rooftop. People started flooding to take pictures and sadly the domed rooftop of the historical han was damaged and the ‘photo spot’ was eventually closed.
Nowadays Büyük Valide Han is mostly empty, although there are a few workshops still operating. It is a fascinating place to walk around as you can see the original archways and domes of the somewhat crumbling building.
The cafe inside Büyük Valide Han is decorated in a slightly haphazard way which adds to its charm.
There are paintings scattered everywhere, wildly colourful shirts, dresses and leather satchels hang from the walls, old telephones sit on the tables and there’s even a gramophone in the corner.
It’s not clear whether these items are for sale, but they certainly add to the atmosphere!
And the view from the window is absolutely incredible: you can see over the rooftops and mosques out towards the water and in the other direction, the Galata Tower. This is undoubtedly one of the best cafes in Istanbul with view of the Bosphorus!
The menu is really simple - just coffee or teas. We had a decent Turkish coffee and sat at the table near the window where we enjoyed the view. They only take payment in cash or with IBAN - there is no card machine here.
If you’re looking for one of the best cafes in Istanbul with a view, you’ve found it!
Address: Mercan, 34116 Fatih/Istanbul.
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9.00am-7.00pm. Closed on Sundays.
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!
12) Le Pierre Loti Crepe ve Cafe, Pierre Loti Hill, Eyüp Sultan
Serving up scrumptious French crepes and croissants made from scratch is the wonderful Le Pierre Loti Crepe ve Cafe.
Located in the author Pierre Loti’s original house, this cafe is run by the charming Bekir Shihab - a man so passionate about Pierre Loti’s life that he tracked down the author’s relatives in France and got official permission to use his name on the cafe for 10 years. (He has a certificate on the wall to prove it!)
Known by his pen name Pierre Loti, Louis Marie-Julien Viaud was a French naval officer, writer and self-confessed Turkophile who fell in love with Istanbul and eventually lived in the district of Eyüp.
Bekir is a wealth of information about Pierre Loti - he told us all about the author’s fascinating love story with a young woman, which inspired his famous novel Aziyade.
Bekir even showed us an original edition of Loti’s book, Fantome d’Orient, and his scissors, both of which are well over 100 years old.
As well as being a fascinating person to simply talk to, Bekir also serves amazing food. He was trained for several months with a French pastry chef and it shows!
You can choose from a selection of sweet and savoury Brittany-style crepes - Bekir will only make the batter when you’re there so they are super fresh. The menu also includes French onion soup, homemade plain, almond and chocolate croissants, pizzas and waffles.
If you aren’t in the mood for coffee, we’d recommend trying the Iraqi tea made with cardamom - it’s so fragrant!
The cafe is decorated in an endearingly kitsch style - we noticed several dolls around the windows which Bekir informed us were quite rare (one is a Chanel doll) and belonged to his wife.
(He apparently has to send a video of the dolls to his wife every day to show they are being taken care of!)
Le Pierre Loti Crepe ve Cafe supports a domestic violence charity: several of the shelves in the cafe sell products made by victims of domestic violence, with 100% of the proceeds from these sales going back to the charity.
Bekir is also a trained pharmacologist (is there anything this man can’t do?!) and produces his own perfume oils. The scents are out-of-this-world and last for ages - I bought a small bottle because I haven’t smelt anything like it!
The impeccable service, and quality of the food and coffee, make this the best coffee shop Istanbul has to offer in the Pierre Loti Hill area.
Address: Eyüp Merkez, İdris Köşkü Cd. No:1 D:7A, 34050 Eyüpsultan/Istanbul (Pierre Loti Hill).
Hours: Monday-Thursday, Saturday & Sunday, 11.00am-8.00pm. Closed on Sundays.
💡 Top Tips: In the summer this cafe gets very busy so we’d recommend going early. As Bekir mostly does everything himself, he tends to turn people away if he feels he cannot provide a good level of service.
Most other blogs will recommend visiting Tarihi Kahve (sometimes called Pierre Loti Cafe) on the hill, for its fabulous views of the Golden Horn and its historic association with Pierre Loti (this is supposedly the cafe he went to).
We’d recommend taking photos at the viewpoint near the cable car, perhaps having a tea at Tarihi Kahve or Teras Cafe and then heading to Pierre Loti Crepe ve Cafe instead as it’s much better. The 5* reviews on Google don’t lie!
13) Bohem’s Coffee, Harbiye
Bohem’s Coffee is a fairly recent discovery for us and it’s quickly become one of our favourite cafes.
Housed on the ground floor of a gorgeous historic apartment building, Bohem’s serves some of the best speciality coffee Istanbul has to offer.
The friendly staff at Bohem’s recommended that we try their raspberry mocha and boy, were we glad we did! It was the perfect blend of chocolate and coffee and it had actual raspberries in it!
The menu here also includes a Spanish latte (coffee with cream, milk, cinnamon and orange extract), turmeric and cinnamon latte, a ‘Zebra’ mocha made with dark and white chocolate and a twist on a traditional Turkish winter drink, sahlep, with added pistachio and chocolate.
Their regular coffees are also first-class - I had a cappuccino with almond milk and it was simply beautiful.
Tea lovers can enjoy various herbal teas (served in cute metal teapots) and there are also iced coffees, croissants and cookies. If you’ve been searching for the best coffee Istanbul has, you’re likely to find it at Bohem’s!
Decorated with antiques, Bohem’s has a museum-like atmosphere that points to its unique history. The apartment building was constructed by Dr Arif Paşa, grandson of Ekda Sarıca Paşa, who was one of the last Ottoman palace doctors.
Bohem’s mezzanine floor is also a great place to work - there are plug points along the shelf on the wall, great Wi-Fi, comfortable chairs and the music is relaxing.
Our favourite spot is right near the window which looks out onto the trees and apartment windows in the courtyard of the building. So peaceful!
Address: İnönü mah. Elmadağ cad. Arif Paşa Apt. No.10B Harbiye Elmadağ, 34360 Şişli/Istanbul.
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 8.00am-10.00pm.
14) Ministry of Coffee (MOC), Nişantaşı
As you can probably tell from this list, we love independent cafes. However, some of the cool cafes in Istanbul actually happen to be chains.
Ministry of Coffee aka MOC is an Australian-Turkish brand and was one of the first companies to introduce third wave coffee to Turkey.
MOC has 15 branches across Istanbul - our favourite is the Nişantaşı branch. This cafe has a relaxing vibe and is decorated with books. You can choose between lounging on the comfortable sofas or settling down with your favourite book in a comfortable armchair.
MOC is also a great option for digital nomads - the Nişantaşı branch has plenty of plug points and long tables that are ideal for getting some work done. (The MOC branches in Feriköy and Osmanbey are also great for remote workers.)
Coffee lovers can find all sorts of caffeinated delights here - we’d recommend trying MOC’s speciality cafe miel (coffee with honey and cinnamon). They also serve great Turkish coffee, americanos, mochas and cappuccinos!
Address: Teşvikiye, Şakayık Sk. No: 4/A, 34365 Şişli/Istanbul.
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 7.30am - 11.30pm, Sunday, 10.00am-11.30pm.
15) Cihangir Tarihi Simit Firini, Cihangir
Cihangir Tarihi Simit Firini is one of our favourite places to have breakfast in Istanbul and it is also the perfect place to have tea or traditional Turkish coffee.
This historical Turkish bakery and cafe offers all sorts of freshly baked delights. The croissants are a particular favourite of ours - they go perfectly with a glass of çay!
They also serve simits (hot from the oven!), sandwiches, baklava, various cookies and cakes, mini pizzas, and börek, a thin, flaky pastry filled with spinach or cheese.
Cihangir Tarihi Simit Firini is a simple place with basic outdoor seating and is popular with locals and foreigners alike.
The quality of the baked goods easily makes this one of the best bakeries in Istanbul (and we know that’s quite the statement, given the number of bakeries in this city!)
The Turkish coffee here is strong and tasty and a reminder that some of the best Turkish coffee Istanbul has to offer can often be found in the simplest places.
Sometimes we have a light breakfast here before heading over to one of the other cafes in Cihangir to get some work done.
Address: Firuzağa, 59/A, Türkgücü Cd., 34425 Beyoğlu/Istanbul.
Hours: Open 24 hours.
16) Nostalji Kitap ve Kahve, Kurtuluş
Some of Istanbul’s best coffee shops are veritable institutions that only locals know about and this friendly cafe and bookstore is one of them!
Located in the Kurtuluş district of Şişli, Nostalji Kitap ve Kahve has been a community neighbourhood bookstore for more than 30 years and expanded to selling coffee seven years ago.
The books on offer at Nostalji Kitap ve Kahve are very different to your typical Turkish chain bookstore as they reflect the cultural diversity of Kurtuluş.
Historically, there were Greek, Armenian and Jewish communities here and whilst these communities have declined over the years, a significant number of people from these minority backgrounds still live in the area.
Consequently, it’s common to see novels, reference and non-fiction books in Armenian and Greek as well as Turkish at Nostalji. There are also novels that have been translated from other languages into Turkish.
Nostalji is also a popular event space and hosts regular workshops, film screenings, panel discussions and NGO meetings. In 2022, it was the main venue for the Poetry Line project as part of the 17th Istanbul Biennial.
Another great thing about Nostalji is that it is a fantastic place to work. There is good Wi-Fi, the upstairs area is quiet and there are spacious tables with plug points and extension leads.
The coffee, baked goods (we’d recommend their mixed vegetable or spinach börek and tasty homemade cakes) and other drinks are also surprisingly affordable.
Address: Cumhuriyet, Teyyareci Fehmi Sk., 34380 Şişli/Istanbul.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9.00am-11.00pm; Saturday, 9.30am-11.00pm; Sunday, 10.00am-11.00pm.
17) YOLO Art Center and Cafe, Balat
Those craving creative caffeinated concoctions should head over to lovely Balat and the gorgeous Yolo Art Center and Cafe.
We’ve written extensively about the Balat area and YOLO is one of the cafes we recommend to everyone because it is such a cool place.
If you’re looking for unusual tea or speciality coffee in Istanbul, then you’re in for a treat!
Amongst a standard menu of cappuccinos and americanos, YOLO offers caffe con panna (an espresso with a dollop of chantilly cream), an indulgent Snickers latte, caramel latte macchiato and Arabic coffee flavoured with cardamom.
Tea lovers will enjoy choosing from the lengthy tea menu - there are all sorts of flavours, including lemon-cumin, ginger-orange, pomegranate, mint, apple and chamomile teas!
YOLO also offers a range of smoothies, milkshakes, Italian sodas, juices and mocktails - we particularly love the Sharab al-Loz, a sweet, frothy almond milk drink that’s the perfect summer beverage.
As you can probably tell by the name, YOLO isn’t just a cafe. Opened by a Syrian architect and a film director, the aim of YOLO is to provide a communal, creative and artistic meeting space for Istanbul’s young Arab population that hails primarily from Syria.
YOLO boasts a stage area which hosts musicians, stand-up comedians and singers from all around the world plus theatre performances, open mic nights and karaoke. Meanwhile, the training centre offers art classes, language clubs, music workshops and discussion groups.
We’ve attended some of the discussion events (a couple are held in Arabic and English), met interesting people and had amazing thought-provoking conversations!
YOLO is also the best coworking space Istanbul has for remote workers on a budget - they offer co-working at very reasonable prices plus 10% off food and drink at the cafe. There is also high-speed internet and plenty of tables and plug points.
Address: Yavuz Sultan Selim, Kara Sarıklı Sk. 3A, 34083 Fatih/Istanbul.
Hours: Monday-Tuesday & Thursday-Sunday, 12.00pm-12.00am. Closed on Wednesdays.
18) Nail Kitabevi & Kafe, Kuzguncuk, Üsküdar
Across the water on the Asian side, in the very photogenic area of Kuzguncuk, is Nail Kitabevi - a cosy bookstore and cafe that’s a dream for bookworms.
Housed in a historical 19th-century building, this bookstore and cafe first opened in 2015. Belonging to the publishing house of the same name, it’s a popular meeting place for literature and art lovers.
You’ll find the cafe on the ground floor - we had a traditional Turkish coffee and a glass of tea, but they also offer your standard cappuccinos, lattes and americanos plus homemade lemonade.
The ground floor is also home to a small art gallery which hosts various exhibitions throughout the year.
The stunning bookstore is on the first floor - featuring cosy chairs, comfy reading nooks with windows that look out onto the picturesque street and large tables, it’s the ideal place to study, work or curl up with your favourite tome and a steaming cuppa.
This bookstore is so photogenic that it’s recently become something of a sensation on Instagram, so come early if you want to secure a spot or read in peace. (Of course, feel free to tell people you are actually reading and not just posing.)
The first floor also hosts author workshops, book launches and writing classes, so if you’ve been looking to up your writing game, this might be the place to do it!
Address: Kuzguncuk, İcadiye Cd. No:32, 34674 Üsküdar/Istanbul.
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9.00am-7.00pm.
19) Müz Botanik ve Kahve, Cihangir
We can’t talk about the top coffee shops in Istanbul without mentioning the exceptionally lovely Müz Botanik ve Kahve.
Walking into this cafe made us feel like we were in an elegant, uber-cool garden centre: minimalist wooden shelves packed with plants displayed in ceramic pots of all shapes, sizes and colours are everywhere you look.
Drawings of cacti and small mirrors adorn the walls and even the large table and benches at the centre of the cafe are surrounded by tall potted plants. The small mezzanine floor is festooned with luxuriant greenery that cascades down towards the floor below.
All these plants give this stylish cafe an inside-outside feel and the whole atmosphere is extremely calming. We also love watching the friendly staff going around and carefully watering the plants!
Müz Botanik ve Kahve is small but the large central table and the table by the window are perfect for a day working on your laptop. We particularly love the window table because it faces a huge wall of foliage outside. Just get there early before all the seats are filled.
The coffee and tea selection at this cafe is excellent. Müz actually offers a lot of different speciality teas - I tried the spice masala tea which was served in a proper pot and tasted amazing.
Müz also has a selection of totally vegan cakes that go perfectly with your brew - we tried the pear and gingerbread sponge cake and it was yummy! They also had a lemon cake and banana bread which we’ll definitely be sampling next time.
Address: Firuzağa, Hayriye Cd. 18/A, 34425 Beyoğlu/Istanbul.
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10.00am-7.00pm. Closed on Sundays.
20) Rustique Mutfak, Arnavutköy
Rustique Mutfak is a stunning bakery and cafe owned by two women who are passionate about creating delicious, freshly baked products made with high-quality, natural ingredients and without any preservatives.
Housed in a 300-year-old mansion, this bright and fashionable cafe reminded us of a conservatory and is a gorgeous place to enjoy their homemade lemonade, breakfast or a sweet treat, especially in the summer.
Everything at Rustique Mutfak is meticulously prepared and utterly delicious. On our first visit, we tried a sourdough chocolate croissant, a vegan plum cake and a savoury pastry called poğaça.
All of our dishes were beautifully presented on the cafe’s ceramic dishes and honestly, it all tasted exquisite.
We came back again to try their pizza and scrambled eggs on sourdough toast and we weren’t disappointed!
Located in the backstreets of charming Arnavutköy amongst many historical mansions and just minutes from the water, Rustique Mutfak is the best cafe in the Istanbul Bosphorus area.
If you’re searching for the best bakery in Istanbul, Rustique Mutfak’s divine homemade pastries, cakes, desserts and breakfasts are sure to satisfy you!
Address: Arnavutköy, Eğlence Sk. No.8, 34345 Beşiktaş/Istanbul. Second branch at Arnavutköy, Satış Meydanı Sk. no: 13/A, 34345 Beşiktaş/Istanbul.
Hours: Monday & Wednesday-Sunday, 9.00am-5.30pm at the first branch and 9.00am-7.00pm at the second branch. Both cafes are closed on Tuesdays.
🧿 Coffee Culture in Istanbul
Coffee and Istanbul are inextricably linked. Istanbul’s first coffeehouses, known as ‘kahvehanes’, opened in the Tahtakale District in the 16th century and were where the city’s intellectual elites gathered to discuss politics, literature, poetry and art and play backgammon and socialise.
During the late 16th century, Ottoman authorities became so worried that coffeehouses were encouraging the development of anti-government thoughts and movements that they tried to close down all of Istanbul’s cafes!
Despite this, the number of coffeehouses in Istanbul continued to increase from 600 at the end of the 16th century to 2500 at the beginning of the 19th century.
Ottoman coffeehouses were reserved for men only - women could only drink coffee at home. Today you’ll find a gender balance in most modern Istanbul coffee shops, though smaller local tea and coffeehouses (çay evi or kıraathane) mainly still have a predominantly older male clientele.
Turkish Coffee
Legend has it that the history of Türk kahvesi/Turkish coffee dates back to the 16th century when the Ottoman Governer to Yemen introduced the beverage to Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.
Traditional Turkish coffee is strong, rich and velvety - finely ground coffee is combined with water and sugar and brought to a boil in a long-handled pot called a cezve.
As soon as the mixture begins to foam, the cezve is removed from the heat and the thick chocolate-coloured coffee is poured into a small cup. It is usually served with a small glass of water and a square of lokum (Turkish delight) or chocolate.
Turkish coffee culture is about much more than a simple drink: it’s still a key part of social and community traditions such as weddings.
Before the wedding ceremony, the groom will visit the bride’s house with his family and the bride is expected to prepare the perfect Turkish coffee for her guests.
In the past, the bride would sometimes add salt to the groom’s coffee if she wasn’t keen on him. These days, some brides make salty coffee to check the extent of their partner’s love: if he still drinks the coffee with a smile then he’s a keeper!
When you finish a cup of Turkish coffee, you’ll find a thick layer of coffee grounds at the bottom of your cup. Whilst you aren’t supposed to drink this (I’ve made this mistake once before and ended up with black teeth), you can use it to read your fortune.
If you can’t wait to hear what life has in store for you, then place your saucer over your cup, turn it a few times and make a wish.
You’ll need an expert to read the pattern in the coffee grounds - traditionally fortune tellers are women and they’ll be able to tell you about your past, present and future.
You can find coffee fortune tellers located down some of the side streets in Istikal Caddesi.
Turkish Tea
As a Brit, I am passionate about my tea, and I am glad to say that in Turkey, tea is just as popular as coffee.
Black tea or çay is ubiquitous in Turkey and you’ll find it in every cafe in Istanbul. Traditionally made in a çaydanlık (a Turkish double teapot) and served in delicate tulip glasses, the amber-hued Turkish tea is strong and yet still refreshing.
It’s also one of the cheapest drinks in Turkey - so if you are travelling on a budget and desperately need a caffeine hit, this should be your top choice!
It’s also common for restaurants and shops to offer you a complimentary çay (and sometimes coffee). In shops, this is just part of being friendly and welcoming - you don’t have to feel pressured to buy anything.
I’ve had plenty of lovely and interesting chats with locals this way and often wish I could do this in shops back home!
🏠 Where to Stay in Istanbul, Turkey
Our favourite place to stay in Istanbul is the NOA Apartments in Galata (⭐ 9.5)
These bright studio apartments are lovely and have everything you need, including a fully fitted kitchen with a tumble dryer and washing machine. There’s also an attached gym if you want to work off some of the desserts you’ve been eating! The location is also ideal - just steps away from the vibrant Galata district.
Photo courtesy of NOA Apartments via Booking.com
We love the Galata area but Istanbul has many other wonderful neighbourhoods that you can stay in too.
We’ve written a very detailed guide about the Best Areas to Stay in Istanbul - we’d recommend checking it out as it covers 6 districts and 15 different neighbourhoods in Istanbul. Plus there’s an overview of the pros and cons of staying in each area and the top attractions.
Here are some other alternatives for places to stay - just pick the one that suits your budget.
Photo courtesy of Hostel Le Banc via Booking.com
BEST HOSTEL (GALATA): Hostel Le Banc (⭐ 9.5)
This hostel offers sparkling clean mixed and female-only dormitories with air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Guests can prepare meals in the well-equipped kitchen plus enjoy a shared lounge and terrace area. There is also a tasty daily buffet breakfast. The hostel also offers reasonably priced private ensuite rooms.
Photo courtesy of Fener Sweet via Booking.com
TOP BUDGET CHOICE (BALAT): Fener Sweet (⭐ 9.5)
Budget travellers will love this friendly homestay with super clean rooms and free tea/coffee making facilities, ensuite bathrooms and free Wi-Fi. Guests have access to a lovely shared lounge, a rooftop garden and a fully equipped kitchen (including a washing machine). The location is amazing: Balat's numerous cafes and restaurants and the famous coloured houses are right outside!
Photo courtesy of Ayramin Hotel Taksim via Booking.com
BEST MID-RANGE PICK (TAKSIM): Ayramin Hotel Taksim (⭐ 9.3)
Located a stone’s throw from Istiklal Caddesi and Taksim, this hotel features tasteful ensuite rooms with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. You can even stay in a room with your own private Turkish bath! Guests can also enjoy a delicious and varied breakfast buffet.
Photo courtesy of Boutique Saint Sophia via Booking.com
TOP BOUTIQUE OPTION (SULTANAHMET): Boutique Saint Sophia (⭐ 9.1)
Couples looking for a romantic stay in the heart of historical Istanbul should consider this gorgeous boutique hotel. Every room offers an ensuite bathroom with Bulgari toiletries, a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms even offer a stunning view over the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque is just 250 yards away. Guests can also enjoy a tasty á la carte breakfast.
Photo courtesy of Çirağan Palace Kempinski via Booking.com
TOP LUXURY OPTION (BEŞIKTAŞ): Çirağan Palace Kempinski (⭐ 8.9)
If you want to feel like royalty then why not spend a few nights in a former 19th Century Ottoman Palace? This extremely luxurious hotel boasts a stunning outdoor infinity pool with panoramic Bosphorus views, a heated indoor pool, a full-service spa and fitness centre and several restaurants. The rooms here ooze old-worldly Ottoman charm and if money is no object you can even have a private butler service!
🇹🇷 Make Your Own Turkish Tea and Coffee At Home!
If you miss cafe-hopping and Turkish coffee/tea culture when your holiday ends, don’t worry! Here are some Turkish items that make preparing Turkish tea or coffee at home a breeze.
These stylish Turkish tea glasses from Pasabahçe are perfect for your morning cup of çay! You can also brew your tea in this fantastic traditional Turkish teapot and bring back memories of your Istanbul adventures.
If coffee is more your thing, you should check out this stunning ornately engraved antique copper Turkish coffee pot. You can even buy some traditional Turkish coffee grounds from the famous Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi to go with it!
❓ FAQs About the Best Cafes in Istanbul
Is Turkish coffee worth trying?
Yes! It’s very different - strong, rich and quite thick but it’s certainly something you should experience during any trip to Istanbul.
How much is a cup of coffee in Istanbul?
Due to soaring inflation, prices in Istanbul and the rest of Turkey are constantly changing.
At the time of writing, you’re likely to pay around 40-50TL for a traditional Turkish coffee in the cheapest places. Cappuccinos, mochas and other ‘international’ coffees tend to cost more - around 75-100TL, depending on the cafe.
Why are there so many coffee shops in Istanbul?
Cafés are an integral part of Turkish culture and you are guaranteed to find coffee shops and tea houses in all neighbourhoods across Istanbul.
This is where friends and families go to socialise and relax or where people wind down after work. Generally, it’s now also much cheaper to sit in a coffee shop than go out for a meal in a restaurant or drinks at a bar.
It’s common to see plenty of locals working remotely in coffee shops, students studying for exams or catching up on homework and even people holding business meetings, so these cafes serve multiple purposes!
🌉 Enjoy Exploring Istanbul's Cafes!
We hope that we’ve inspired you to take some time out of your vacation to visit some of the best cafes in Istanbul.
Whether you’re looking for a cosy place to enjoy a good book, get some work done or just sip on a mighty good brew, you’re sure to find something suitable on our list.
Exploring Istanbul’s cafe scene gives you the chance to experience a different side to this frenetic, ever-changing city. Plus, you never know who you might get talking to over a honey-coloured glass of çay or a strong Turkish coffee.
We love Istanbul’s cafe culture and intend to visit plenty more cafes while we are living here. So you can expect updates to this article when we find more places that we fall in love with!
In the meantime, if you have any recommendations for cafes we simply must try, do let us know!
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
🏖️ Where to Stay in Izmir: Best Izmir Districts, Top Hotels + Useful Tips
🇹🇷 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.
Looking for more travel inspiration? Click here to discover more of our favourite places around the world.
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