17 Best Cafes In Istanbul, Turkey
Looking for the best cafes in Istanbul to enjoy delicious meals and coffees/teas? This post will give you all the must-visit Istanbul cafes!
Istanbul is a picturesque metropolitan city known for its culture and food, so it’s not surprising that the city is bustling with cafés and restaurants around every nook and cranny.
Apart from the vibrant atmosphere, Istanbul offers a unique blend of Asian and European cultures since it spreads across both continents, and that can also be seen in their food.
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Hence, I would recommend opting for this Istanbul food tour around the city to try out the various cuisines and eateries.
Since the city has a lot of cafés with unique concepts, it can be challenging to choose where to go but I’ve put it on me to provide you with a list of the 17 best cafes in Istanbul that you should check out.
Cutest Cafes in Istanbul, Turkey
These 17 cool and cute cafes in Istanbul offer some of the most delicious food along with a great atmosphere, and there is something for everyone. So, I hope you enjoy this virtual gastronomic tour.
1. Galata Konak Café & Restaurant
Location: Bereketzade, Hacı Ali Sk. No:2, 34425 Beyoğlu | Contact: +90 21 22 52 53 46
Located in Nişantaşı in the heart of the city with an expansive rooftop terrace, Galata Konak Café and Restaurant is considered one of the best cafes in Istanbul because of its mesmerizing 360-degree views of the Bosphorus, Bosphorus bridge, Galata tower, Hagia Sophia, Golden Horn, and Topkapi Palace.
Started in 1975 as Konak Patisseries by the Aki family and well-known for its freshly baked cakes and pastries, it has since then evolved and extended into a café and restaurant, serving delicacies from all around the world by the current generation of the family.
Try out their Turkish coffee (Turk Kahve) or anything from their breakfast and dessert menu while enjoying one of the best views of Istanbul.
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2. 180° Coffee Bakery
Location: Caferaga mahallesi Dr. Esat Işıl Cad. Erdal apartmani no:36 Moda Asya, 34710 Kadıköy | Contact: +90 21 63 37 57 27
180° Coffee Bakery might be small but its cozy and comfortable feel will make you feel right at home.
The café has an indoor as well as a partially outdoor seating option with a street view.
This place is known for its perfectly brewed coffee and desserts, but they have a good breakfast menu as well.
And for those missing a touch of bacon, this is one of the few Instabul cafes that serve real bacon.
Besides the good food, the place has a friendly and welcoming staff who speak English and will gladly help you with suggestions if you want to try something new.
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3. Cuma Café
Location: Firuzağa Mh, Çukur Cuma Cd. 53/A, 34425 Beyoğlu | Contact: +90 21 22 93 20 62
Cuma Café definitely falls in the cute cafés of Istanbul category. It is warm, cozy, and emanates the feeling of enjoying a meal in someone’s home rather than an establishment.
It is located in the Çukurcuma locality, which houses Istanbul’s best vintage and antique dealers.
A unique concept that they have in this café is the long communal table where you can join others and have a conversation with strangers. And if you prefer enjoying your meal with a bit of fresh air, the cafe also has an outdoor sitting area that will impress you.
Don’t forget to check out the blackboard specials on the outside or grab one of their freshly baked pastries. If you’re down for a meal, you won’t be disappointed since they have a variety of foods including vegan options.
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4. Pierre Loti Hill Café
Location: Eyüp Merkez, İdris Köşkü Cd., 34050 Eyüpsultan | Contact: +90 21 24 97 13 13
Located on top of a hill, Pierre Loti Hill Café can be accessed by a cable car which adds to the excitement of eating at one of the most famous Istanbul cafes.
It was named after the famous French novelist Pierre Loti who loved Istanbul so much that he stayed in the city for many years.
The cafe has an indoor area where you will find historic artifacts and photographs from a bygone era.
On the other hand, the outdoor area offers stunning views of the Golden Horn, the major waterway that serves as the primary inlet of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, and some popular landmarks.
A must-try from their menu is the Turkish coffee which is freshly brewed. However, you’ll have to get there early or be ready to wait because the place is pretty crowded most of the time.
5. Minoa Akaretler
Location: Vişnezade, Süleyman Seba Cd. No:52/A, 34357 Beşiktaş | Contact: +90 21 22 36 94 52
Minoa Akaretler is one of the best cafés in Istanbul for bibliophiles. Think of a quaint, cozy bookstore that houses a café and a bar. Shelves of Turkish and English books greet you in a space that is spread over 2 floors.
If you visit in the morning, you can try their Minoa Fit breakfast with an espresso after you build up an appetite browsing for books to read or purchase.
If you prefer dropping in after work in the evening, order a mocktail or juice to keep yourself going till you finish reading.
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6. Casa Cooklife
Location: Bomonti silahşör caddesi Yeniyol Sk. No:2 now, Silahşör Cd., 34440 Şişli/ | Contact: +90 53 03 76 50 39
Casa Cooklife has a very rustic yet chic atmosphere with old interiors that impress both locals and tourists alike.
The lovely details that decorate the walls both inside and outside make it stand out among the other establishments on Silahşör Cd.
Owned by the folks at Cooklife Magazine, a quarterly culture and lifestyle publication in Istanbul, this cafe goes all out in making sure it provides the best dining experience in the city.
Enjoy a traditional Turkish breakfast while here or relish their freshly made cakes. You can even try out their famous smoothie bowls.
7. Cafe Ara
Location: Tomtom, Ara Güler Sk No:2, 34433 Beyoğlu | Contact: +90 21 22 45 41 05
Located on Ara Güler behind the Yapi Kredi Cultural Center, Café Ara or Kafe Ara was named after a famous Turkish photographer, Ara Güler, whose vintage photos you will find inside.
They have plenty of seating areas inside and outside, so don’t worry about getting a table. It is also an ideal place to work for those looking to catch up on some work.
The cafe has plenty of international fare on their menu for you to try out, but if you have to go for just one thing, then they host a sumptuous breakfast buffet every Sunday that you shouldn’t miss out on.
An artist’s spot with wooden interiors, Kare Ara is one of the hidden gems among all the Istanbul cafés.
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8. Emilia Café
Location: Suadiye, Mücahit Sk. no:402/B, 34740 Kadıköy/İstanbul | Contact: +90 21 63 02 03 04
Emilia Café is one of the most Instagrammable cafes in Istanbul, without a doubt!
The floral arrangements that adorn its interiors and exterior are just the tip of the iceberg. Wait till you see all the details inside.
The café is decorated in hues of pink with multiple photo spots for the gram, including the cup-shaped seat, the bathtub, and the fancy pink with gold highlight seats (which, btw, match their cutlery).
Even their mirrors have a pink floral frame around them. Every little detail at this cafe screams Instagram-worthy.
Besides the elegant and charming decor, the cafe also serves delicious delicacies. You can try one of their many desserts, milkshakes, or mocktails, and you’ll find a dash of pink in many of the items.
9. FilBooks Café
Location: Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Ali Paşa Değirmeni Sk. No:1 D:1, 34425 Beyoğlu | Contact: +90 21 22 43 19 94
Lots of Istanbul cafes cater to bibliophiles, and FilBooks is another of that lot that book lovers will love.
It is an aesthetic space with white and sky blue accents and marble countertops. They have an indoor sitting area with a large bookshelf adorned with books for all ages and an outdoor seating area if you prefer getting some air.
You can enjoy a nice, quiet reading session while being suspended in the air (on seats that hang from a rope attached to the ceiling) or attend a workshop/talk/book launch, which they started hosting after turning into a publishing house.
You can try their Turkish tea, chocolate brownies, pancakes, or any of their cakes while there.
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10. Yer Café
Location: Caferağa, Ferit Tek Sok. 25/A, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul | Contact: +90 21 64 50 16 70
Yer’s uniqueness lies in their mismatched vintage furniture, which might seem odd individually, but they fit the overall design of the café.
You can even work from this café, especially by picking one of their seats by the window. But be warned, you may end up people watching instead of working since this café overlooks the hip Moda neighborhood, which is always bustling.
They serve a lot of scrumptious meals like kofte, pasta, burgers, salmon, and salads — be it for breakfast or lunch. But you can come here in the evening to try out their little bar, too.
11. Velvet Café, Balat
Location: Balat, Çimen Sk. No:8a, 34087 Fatih | Contact: +90 54 52 25 05 28
Velvet Café is one of those cute cafes in Istanbul that will charm you right from the time you set foot in it.
Its vintage interiors, cozy corners, reading nook, and garden seating will leave you mesmerized.
Their cutlery, antique artifacts that adorn the walls, and attention to detail will make you wonder if you have been transported to a period gone by.
The downside is that it has limited seating, so make sure you make a reservation to avoid any disappointments.
The cafe serves an authentic Turkish breakfast, so do not miss out on that.
Related post: How to Travel to Istanbul on a Budget
12. Café Naftalin K
Location: Balat, Yıldırım Cd. No:27/A, 34087 Fatih | Contact: +90 53 32 02 27 68
If there ever was an ailurophile meeting, Café Naftalin K is where they would all meet.
Cat lovers will call this Istanbul cafe paradise with its retro interiors, an abundance of cats purring around, and cute cat cookies.
This vegan café also doubles as a pub where youngsters chill in the hipster atmosphere and come to socialize with their friends apart from stroking cats.
From cat-themed cookies to delicious coffees and teas, your visit to Cafe Naftalin K will be worthwhile. You can also try their healthy smoothies and vegan snacks.
13. Mandabatmaz
Location: Asmalı Mescit, Olivya Gç. 1/A, 34430 Beyoğlu/ | Contact: +90 21 22 43 77 37
This homely Istanbul cafe might seem inconspicuous but is a precious hidden gem.
It has simple, wooden seating inside and out, with the outdoor seating having equally high stools and tables (read: short).
The antique frames and photographs hanging on the walls, the grilled door and window, the fireplace, and the simple no-frills kitchen setup might make you think you have entered someone’s home.
Mandabatmaz is famous for its beverages, especially coffee (most people say it has the best Turkish coffee in the area), and hot chocolate but they have a wide variety of eating options as well.
14. Mimar Sinan Teras Café
Location: Demirtaş, Fetva Ykş. No:34, 34134 Fatih | Contact: +90 21 22 43 22 62
After the Galata Konak café (#1 on this list), Mimar Sinan Teras Café comes a close 2nd for being the best cafe in Istanbul when it comes to offering stunning 360-degree views of the Bosphorus, Süleymaniye Mosque, and the Golden Horn.
Located just 2 minutes away from Süleymaniye Mosque, it’s the perfect place to pop in for a quick coffee after admiring one of Istanbul’s most visited attractions.
They have a varied choice on their menu, ranging from continental to fast food to Turkish food but bear in mind that they do not serve alcohol here.
15. Susam Café
Location: Cihangir, Susam Sk. No:11, 34433 Beyoğlu | Contact +90 21 22 51 59 95
Susam café is a great place to unwind after a long, tiresome day of sightseeing. The drinks will refresh you while the food will keep you satiated.
The café has a nice, chill vibe with mismatched furniture that looks very well put together.
They have a good choice of English fare, and the friendly staff speak English too, so you will find a lot of tourists and expats.
The cafe serves both English and Turkish breakfast so you can choose whatever you’re craving and if you pop in for lunch, be sure to try their Yogurt Kebap or Turkish Ravioli if you’re not sure what to try on their varied menu.
16. Müz Botanik & Kahve
Location: Firuzağa, Hayriye Cd. 18/A, 34425 Beyoğlu | Contact: +90 212 243 22 62
Another cafe in Istanbul that has a communal table and is worth stopping by is Müz, a botanical garden-inspired café.
The cafe has a large variety of indoor plants and terrariums that you can not only admire but can also purchase.
With its quiet atmosphere, good coffee, and cool music, the cafe brings out a nice ambiance that you’d want to enjoy for hours.
Though they have a limited menu, they’re most known for their coffee (kahve), so give that a shot (pun intended!).
Whether you come here to grab a coffee and browse the various plants, Müz Botanik & Kahve is truly one of the most beautiful cafes in Istanbul.
17. Harab’be Café
Location: Alemdar, Ticarethane Çk. No:4B, 34122 Fatih | Contact +90 554 788 28 67
Harab’be Café is a hookah lounge and café with funky interiors that match the setup.
It has a very laidback vibe, with people mostly visiting it in the evening or at night. In fact, it closes in the wee hours of the morning for anyone craving a late-night dinner.
Though it might seem like just a smoking joint, they also have a variety of snacks, appetizers, small bites, and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) to enjoy your hookah with.
Final Thoughts on the Best Istanbul cafes
Known for its variety of foods, it’s no doubt that Istanbul has lots of cafes to explore and while it may be challenging to zero down on one, I hope this list of the 17 best cafes in Istanbul that I put together inspires you.
And if you feel that I missed out on one of your favorites or you want to recommend a café that you frequent, do let me know in the comments below.
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I had no idea Instanbul was such a beautiful city! It looks so romantic and so decorated, absolutely stunning. I would love to visit one day, the culture and architecture of the city are so intriguing!
Yes, Istanbul is incredibly beautiful. I hope you get a chance to see its magnificent beauty soon.