Discovering a new culture might be interesting, but also challenging at times. Sometimes you might feel like a child, discovering a whole new world. Luckily, some discoveries can be really pleasant, even to the point that makes you want to incorporate them to your own culture. I, for example, have fallen in love with the ‘ritual’ of Turkish breakfast. Since the day I found out about this social activity Turks like to practice on the weekends (well, if you are a student, this means almost every day), the word kahvaltı hasn’t been so difficult to pronounce anymore.
After a few years in Istanbul, I have decided to dive into the culture of Turkish breakfast and discover the best breakfast places (mainly but not only) in Istanbul. Here is a list of some of the most interesting and delicious breakfast spots around the city.
Nice view
One never gets enough of the view of the Bosphorus, right? And to make it even better, wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy the Turkish breakfast at the same time? If you agree with me, then you might enjoy the breakfast delicacies of House Café at Ortaköy or Emirgan Sütiş at Çengelköy. If instead of sitting by the sea, you prefer looking at the Bosphorus from the terrace, then Midpoint at Istiklal Street or far less crowded Metropolitan Hotel’s restaurant Azure the Bosphorus at Fındıklı might be a better choice.
Student-Friendly
We all know the famous “Breakfast Street” in Beşiktaş, which is very popular among students, therefore very crowded all week long. If your pocket is not very deep and Beşiktaş is too crowded for your taste, then I suggest visiting Varuna Gezgin on Istiklal Street (still pretty crowded on weekend mornings).
Alternatively, you can head to the old city. Next to the Istanbul University campus, you will find some reasonably priced breakfast places. One of them is Valens Cafe. There is another option where you can enjoy your breakfast just next to the Bosphorus: Çengelköy Çay Bahçesi. Here, you can bring your own breakfast with you and only order some tea or coffee. If you are too lazy to prepare breakfast at home, you can buy some delicious börek just next to the tea garden.
Instagramable
If the Bosphorus is not photogenic enough, Balat will take your Instagram to the next level. Cooklife Balat has an aesthetically pleasing interior design. Plus, the food is delicious (and Insta-worthy as well!). I recommend Cooklife for those who crave the good old European breakfast such as Eggs Benedict and French Toast, though, you can also find the classic Turkish breakfast here.
Healthy, Vegan and Gluten-Free
No matter how much we love Turkish breakfast, we are also aware of the fact that it can be too greasy and sweet. I mean, who can resist böreks, poğaças, honey, kaymak and sweet marmalade? I think I gained a few kilos while doing taste tests for this article. But, luckily there is always an alternative way too. Plus Kitchen (you can find it in different neighborhoods, but my favorite is located in Teşvikiye) offers a self-service breakfast on weekends. I am sure you will be able to find something suitable to your dietary needs. Plus, they don’t use any plastic at all.
Necko Karaköy is another must-visit breakfast spot where you can find homemade breakfast made with ecological ingredients. Their marmalade contains very little to no sugar. Besides the classic Turkish breakfast option, they also serve porridge. Very close to Necko, there is Dandin Karaköy. Another must-visit restaurant if good and healthy ingredients are important for you. You can have the best avocado toast and eggs, as well as a complete vegan breakfast. If none of these is your cup of tea, then I am sure you might find it at Dem Karaköy (or Moda), a heaven for tea lovers. Besides a wide array of tea, they offer gluten-free breakfast options, avocado salads… AND delicious desserts (in case you are still hungry after breakfast).
I hope this guide helps you find something pleasing to your palate. It’s not a definite list and if you have any recommendations, we would love to hear them. Make sure to leave a comment below and check out my blog for more heavenly breakfast spots to try!
