Cafés · 15 of the best in Istanbul
Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi
Coffee since the 19th century
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Dudva · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi
Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi has roasted and ground coffee on Tahmis Sokak, beside the Spice Bazaar, since the 19th century. Join the queue at the original shop for a packet of freshly ground Turkish coffee, and smell it from the end of the street.
Why it's on our list
- Freshly ground coffee
- Behind the Spice Bazaar
- A classic gift
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro & tram stops
- EminönüT1T5250 m3 min walk
- SirkeciT1500 m6 min walk
- KaraköyT1750 m9 min walk
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank, Maliye Caddesi950 m12 min walk
- Taxi rank, Şehzadebaşı Caddesi1.0 km13 min walk
Key sights
- Spice Bazaar50 mWalk 1 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 3 min
- Galata Bridge450 mWalk 6 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 4 min
- Süleymaniye Mosque550 mWalk 7 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Grand Bazaar550 mWalk 7 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Galata Tower1.1 kmWalk 13 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Basilica Cistern1.1 kmWalk 14 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Hagia Sophia1.2 kmWalk 15 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Topkapı Palace1.2 kmWalk 15 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Blue Mosque1.4 kmWalk 17 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 7 min
- İstiklal Avenue2.0 kmWalk 25 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 9 min
Getting around
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)31 kmCar or taxi 97 min
- Istanbul Airport (IST)34 kmCar or taxi 105 min