15 of the best · Istanbul, Türkiye
Turkish coffee, tea by the water and something sweet: where Istanbul takes its breaks.
Our 15 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
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Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Istanbul.
The city’s favourite Turkish coffee
A tiny Turkish coffee shop in a passage off İstiklal, famous for its thick, foamy coffee.
Olivya Geçidi Sokağı No:1A, BeyoğluExplore View on map
Tea above the Golden Horn
The hilltop café above Eyüp named after the French writer Pierre Loti, with a sweeping view down the Golden Horn.
Pierre Loti, EyüpExplore View on map
Baklava by the piers
The famous baklava house of Karaköy: pistachio baklava, börek and tea in a busy hall by the waterfront.
Kemankeş Caddesi No:67, Karaköy, BeyoğluExplore View on map
Coffee and tea in Istanbul.
The back story
Coffee arrived in Istanbul in the 16th century and the city never looked back; tea came later and became the national drink. Both are about time and company more than caffeine.
The real thing.
Coffee in the Kadıköy market
A classic Turkish coffee house in the Kadıköy market lanes.
Kadıköy Çarşı, KadıköyExplore View on map
Coffee since the 19th century
The historic coffee roaster behind the Spice Bazaar, where the queue for freshly ground Turkish coffee never ends.
Tahmis Sokağı, Eminönü, FatihExplore View on map
The city’s favourite Turkish coffee
A tiny Turkish coffee shop in a passage off İstiklal, famous for its thick, foamy coffee.
Olivya Geçidi Sokağı No:1A, BeyoğluExplore View on map
Tulip glasses and a view.
Tea in a medrese courtyard
Tea and nargile in the courtyard of the Çorlulu Ali Paşa Medresesi, steps from the Grand Bazaar.
Çorlulu Ali Paşa Medresesi, Yeniçeriler Caddesi, Beyazıt, FatihExplore View on map
Tea above the Golden Horn
The hilltop café above Eyüp named after the French writer Pierre Loti, with a sweeping view down the Golden Horn.
Pierre Loti, EyüpExplore View on map
The new wave.
Coffee in colourful Balat
A specialty coffee shop in the lanes of Balat, among the painted houses.
Kürkçü Çeşmesi Sokağı No:5/A, Balat, FatihExplore View on map
Istanbul’s third-wave pioneer
One of the cafés that started Istanbul’s specialty coffee scene, in a corner café in Cihangir.
Firuzağa Camii Sokağı No:2/B, Cihangir, BeyoğluExplore View on map
An Istanbul roaster
One of the city’s best-known specialty coffee roasters, with cafés in several districts including Gayrettepe and Bebek.
Küçükbebek Caddesi No:38, Bebek, BeşiktaşExplore View on map
A cult café in Moda
A playful specialty coffee shop in Moda, themed on a famous television chemistry lab.
Bademaltı Sokak No:21/B, Moda, KadıköyExplore View on map
Baklava, boza and kahvaltı.
Sweets since 1864
A historic sweet shop founded in 1864: baklava, lokum, puddings and tea, with branches around the old city.
Sirkeci and Divan Yolu Caddesi, FatihExplore View on map
Baklava by the piers
The famous baklava house of Karaköy: pistachio baklava, börek and tea in a busy hall by the waterfront.
Kemankeş Caddesi No:67, Karaköy, BeyoğluExplore View on map
Milk puddings on İstiklal
A long-running pudding shop on İstiklal: tavuk göğsü, kazandibi, sütlaç and baklava.
İstiklal Caddesi, BeyoğluExplore View on map
A breakfast from Van
A Cihangir favourite for a full Turkish breakfast in the style of Van, in eastern Turkey.
Defterdar Yokuşu, Cihangir, BeyoğluExplore View on map
Boza since 1876
The historic boza shop near the Süleymaniye, serving the thick fermented millet drink since 1876.
Vefa Caddesi No:66, Vefa, FatihExplore View on map
