You’ve probably never heard of No. 41 unless you live in Beşiktaş, but once you discover this gem of a coffee shop, you’ll be hooked. Tucked away on Yıldız Caddesi, but easily accessible from Barbaros Boulevard, it’s far removed from the hustle and bustle of Beşiktaş çarşı and, dare I say it, Beşiktaş’ best kept secret.
Opened in April 2014 by friends and co-owners İbrahim and Kazım, No. 41 is a relatively new addition to the Istanbul coffee scene. No. 41 serves all the standards from espresso to pour overs, lattes to Turkish coffee. Customer favorites include coffee brewed with the chemex or syphon, as well as the espresso-based cortado. The cortado, typically an espresso cut with milk, is served as a double at No. 41, and it’s the perfect drink for anyone seeking a less milky version of the latte. Pair it with No. 41’s Nutella cake, and you’ll be in coffee-chocolate heaven. If Nutella cake doesn’t suit your fancy, there’s always a rotating selection of boutique cakes. In the summer, No. 41 changes up the menu to offer salads and the café’s signature watermelon slush. And regardless of the season, Wednesday is always pizza day.
From concept to execution, İbrahim and Kazım have been hands on in every aspect of No. 41, from the cafe’s design and decor to manning the barista counter day in and out. It’s refreshing to know you can always catch one of them when you stop in for coffee, and they do a great job of making their customers feel welcome, remembering the regulars and striking up a conversation with locals and foreigners alike.
The coffee shop is tiny but there’s always space for people (and neighborhood cats), with seating inside and chairs and tables set up on the street. What’s more is the shop has a fun vintage-retro vibe. Drinks in mason jars and cakes on vintage-inspired pink plates? Bring it on. Loyalty cards with tandem bikes stamped on them? Yes, please. Pictures of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s Little Prince flooding their Instagram account? Love it.
No. 41 has an excellent social media presence, and trust me, if you follow them, you won’t be able to resist visiting for long. Check them out on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Location: Abbasağa Mahallesi, Yıldız Caddesi, No 41, Beşiktaş, İstanbul
Weekday hours: 8 am – 7:30 pm
Weekend hours: 9:30 am – 7:30 pm
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