“Where do I take my friend who is sick of Turkish tea?”
Don’t get me wrong: I love Turkish çay. And it also proves to be a cheap way to stay for hours in cafés with good wireless and still get away with a less-than-10TL hesap. But if you are a tea lover who wants to experience something different, you should try my favorite tea room in Istanbul: Cha’ya Galata. Who would have guessed that this quiet and super cozy place is only two minutes away from “Frenzied Istiklal”? You can choose from 40 different types of teas coming from all over the world or ask someone from the friendly staff for guidance. I personally enjoy the stress-free atmosphere, the charming decoration and the soothing oldies-but-goodies playlist. I usually order the white Jasmine Pearls tea, but for those who’d like something stronger, I recommend the Lynchee Black tea or the Indian Blend from Cha’ya (more suitable for breakfast). The Green Dragon Oolong is the right pick if you want something between black and green tea, or you can go for the red Crimson Rooibos tea, which is a favorite of customers. While your tea is infusing in one of their stylish and unique pots, you can enjoy the heart-shaped cinnamon cake that comes with it. Another thing that I like about this tea haven is that they also serve great food, from the amazing Turkish breakfast to the tasty snacks and super yummy cupcakes (the chocolate fudge is ridiculously good). By the time you are done, you will certainly feel relaxed and grateful for this break from your daily routine. Go check it out now, you can thank me later!
Opening hours: 9 am to 11 pm every day
Address: Şah Kulu Bostan Sok. No: 22/A, İstanbul (2-minute walk from Sishane metro, Istiklal exit downhill)
Image sources: J. Migan and Cha’ya Galata’s Facebook page
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