Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day for Turkish people and it’s definitely a long affair where the table is filled with many varieties of cheeses, olives, jams, baked goods, and, of course, eggs with sucuk. We chose some of the best places in Istanbul for Turkish and non-Turkish breakfasts.
Definitely one of the best places to start your day, Mangerie is like something that was transported from New York to the third floor of a building in the upscale Bebek neighborhood overlooking the Bosphorus. You’ll find everything from pancakes to Eggs Benedict with bacon to the classic Turkish breakfast spread.
The area around the Şair Veysi Street in the Beşiktaş neighborhood is famous for its many breakfast cafes where you can indulge in the full Turkish breakfast (if you can find a seat, that is). One of the best and oldest among the many is Çakmak, where the breakfast spread comes with cheese and olive varieties from all over Turkey, honey and clotted cream, eggs (the menemen-omelette with peppers and tomatoes comes recommended), and their famous kavurma (braised lamb meat).
One of the best places to have breakfast right by the Bosphorus, Aşşk Kahve is hidden away past a grocery store and stands out with its shabby-chic décor. You’ll find the full Turkish breakfast spread including honey and olives from Datça, homemade jams, and even bacon. You can also choose to make your breakfast a little special with a few Mimosas or Bellinis.
An Istanbul institution when it comes to the traditional Turkish breakfast spread, Kale (which translates to tower in Turkish, not to be confused with the leaf cabbage) is a simple Kahvaltıcı (breakfast café) by the Bosphorus. What the venue lacks in décor it makes up for with its very large Serpme Kahvaltısı, which means your table will be inundated with a mix of all the specialties.
The cool crowd in Istanbul love Backyard for its garden where they hang out on the weekends when the weather is finally warm. Located in the hills above Bebek, you can enjoy your homemade granola, Eggs Benedict, pancakes, or breakfast platter (all composed of seasonal and local ingredients) in the sun.
One of the most popular breakfast spots on the weekend, Van Kahvaltı Evi in Cihangir is always full so expect to wait a little for a table. Deriving its name from the Turkish city of Van, famous for its breakfast, the café definitely pays homage to its roots with a full breakfast spread of Turkish classics.
