Great Cafes in Ankara, Turkey
Ankara locals love meeting up over a cup of coffee to chat and gossip for hours especially in the summer when a lot of the city’s cafes start setting up their gardens and terraces. We choose some of the best cafes; where you can mingle with locals, get some work done, or just get a relaxing cup of coffee with something sweet on the side.
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Gramofon Café
Cafe, Turkish, Coffee, $
Loyal to its name, this café has plenty of antique gramophones as well other antique musical knick-knacks like pianos, radios, and records. Half antique collection, half café, you’ll love the cozy atmosphere at Gramofon Cafe, with simple wooden chairs and a menu of Turkish classics like gözleme and tea with cloves.
Café Des Cafes
Cafe, Bar, Turkish, American, Italian, Coffee, $
Open since 1995, this classic café has a very French vibe, with its vintage chairs and piano in the corner. Occupying a spacious area that used to be a market, Café Des Cafes has plenty to eat and even cocktails from the bar.
Aylak Madam
Cafe, Turkish, American, Coffee, $
A lively and young café with colorful walls covered in framed art, Aylak Madam is cozy in the winter, with plenty of comfy armchairs and breezy in the summer, with a large outside seating area. The menu also has plenty of food from breakfast to mains to dessert, and, of course, plenty of coffee.
Cafemiz
Restaurant, Cafe, Turkish, $$
The word “rococo,” would be appropriate to describe the décor at this very popular café, where floral patterns and shiny chandeliers are just part of the atmosphere. In the summer, Cafemiz’s garden is always full of people enjoying their coffee and some sweet or savory treats.
Café Kish
Bakery, Cafe, Turkish, French, American
True to its name, Café Kish serves up freshly baked quiche varieties on a daily basis in a laid back atmosphere, with simple wooden chairs and potted plants. Make sure to check out the refrigerated display case because there’s always a great selection of French and Turkish baked goods and desserts.
Coffee Lab
Cafe, Coffee Shop, American, Turkish, Coffee, $
One of the more modern cafes in Ankara, Coffee Lab is a favorite among freelancers who like to sit at the communal table and work. The coffee shop is also very serious about their brews, with different beans from around the world, as well as coffee making techniques such as cold brew or chemex.
Café Botanica
Cafe, American, Turkish, $
Reminiscent of a winter chalet, Café Botanica has a cozy wooden interior and a wonderful flowery garden that’s very popular in the summer. As expected of an Ankara café, the menu is very extensive, including a Sunday open buffet breakfast.
Bi’Kavanoz
Bakery, Cafe, Pastelaria, French, American, $
There’s something very feminine about the mostly white, sea-foam green, and pink, floral décor at Bi’Kavanoz, where the daily changing desserts in the display case always look perfectly delectable. From extensive breakfast options to coffee accompanied by a sweet treat, the café is also proud to use only natural ingredients in all their creations.