Cafés · 15 of the best in Istanbul
Mandabatmaz
The city’s favourite Turkish coffee
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Garrett Ziegler · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Mandabatmaz
Mandabatmaz, in the narrow Olivya Geçidi passage just off İstiklal Avenue, is a small counter with a few stools in the lane, and has a devoted following for its rich, foamy Turkish coffee. Its name jokes that the coffee is so thick even a water buffalo would not sink in it.
Why it's on our list
- Thick, foamy Turkish coffee
- Tiny passage off İstiklal
- Stools in the lane
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Mandabatmaz before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Mandabatmaz 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
- OdakuleT2150 m2 min walk
- Galatasaray LisesiT2150 m2 min walk
- Hüseyin Ağa CamiiT2450 m6 min walk
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank500 m6 min walk
- Taxi rank, Şimşirci Sokağı700 m9 min walk
Key sights
- İstiklal Avenue150 mWalk 2 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 3 min
- Galata Tower800 mWalk 10 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Taksim Square900 mWalk 11 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Galata Bridge1.4 kmWalk 18 minCycle 6 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Spice Bazaar1.9 kmWalk 23 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Dolmabahçe Palace2.1 kmWalk 26 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Süleymaniye Mosque2.1 kmWalk 26 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Grand Bazaar2.4 kmWalk 30 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 10 min
- Topkapı Palace2.5 kmWalk 31 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 10 min
- Basilica Cistern2.7 kmWalk 34 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 11 min
Getting around
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)32 kmCar or taxi 98 min
- Istanbul Airport (IST)33 kmCar or taxi 102 min