When you go to districts such as Beyoglu, Besiktas, and Kadikoy to have breakfast in Istanbul, you can see the crowds filling the restaurants. Istanbulites love to have breakfast outside on the weekend, especially in places with Bosphorus views. For this reason, the best breakfast places in Istanbul are located in the districts by the Bosphorus.
In the last 10 years, the food industry has developed a lot in Istanbul. The rising trends in the city these days are 3rd wave coffee shops, new generation Turkish taverns and breakfast restaurants that can prepare unique plates.
There are great breakfast places in Besiktas and Beyoglu, Istanbul’s most popular tourist destinations. Also, Kadikoy on the Asian side competes with them. Sultanahmet, where historical monuments are located in Istanbul, has not yet caught up with these new trends.
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20 Best Breakfast Places in Istanbul 2024
The best breakfast places in Istanbul are located in Beyoglu (Taksim, Galata, Karakoy), Sultanahmet and Balat (Old City), Kadikoy (Asian Side), Besiktas, Ortakoy and Rumeli Hisari (on the shores of the Bosphorus).
You can find the best breakfast restaurants on the European Side of Istanbul under the first 15 titles in the article. On the other hand, in the titles between 16 and 20, there are breakfast places on the Asian side of Istanbul.
1. Cesme Bazlama Kahvalti
Cesme Bazlama Kahvalti is located in Nisantasi, a district of Istanbul famous for its fashion boutiques. This is a very popular breakfast place in Istanbul, thanks to the original flavors on its menu.
One of the most popular item in the menu, flatbread, is served with butter from Trabzon, handmade sausage from Kayseri, handmade jam, the best black mulberry and goat cheese from Aegean region.
Unlimited tea is a part of the menu and thanks to the warm starters that are served off and on, customers are able to enjoy the fresh food. Since the restaurant is very successful in its area, it has more than one branch.
Nisantasi district, where this breakfast place is located, is very close to Taksim, Besiktas and Sisli, which are the best places to stay in Istanbul. You can reach Nisantasi in a short time from these districts where the big hotels of Istanbul are located.
2. Hotel Arcadia Blue
Hotel Arcadia Blue is one of the oldest hotels in Sultanahmet and is located in a perfect place. The hotel’s terrace restaurant continues to offer the best breakfast in Sultanahmet for many years.
Hotel Arcadia Blue is located within walking distance of Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. The recently restored hotel welcomes its guests with a very elegant decoration.
On weekends, open buffet breakfast is served on the roof terrace of the hotel. You can take wonderful photos on the terrace of Arcadia Blue, which serves the most diverse Turkish breakfast in Sultanahmet.
3. Kahve 6
Kahve 6 definitely comes forward with its unique menu that includes such options as falafel plate and Chinese plate. In addition to such original items, handmade eggplant and leek pastry are also popular among Kahve 6’s regulars. Additionally, you can enjoy your brunch at Kahve 6 and taste handmade meals and olive oil dishes too.
Cihangir, where Kahve 6 is located, is one of the hip neighborhoods of Istanbul. After having breakfast here, you can visit the Museum of Innocence of Nobel Prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk. In addition, Cukurcuma Street, one of the best photography spots in Istanbul, is also located in Cihangir. Cukurcuma Street is famous for its antique shops.
4. Cakmak Kahvalti Salonu
Cakmak Kahvalti Salonu is located in Besiktas Fish Market, one of the liveliest spots in Istanbul. Besiktas, which is one of the indispensable stops of food tours in Istanbul, has the best doner places in the city besides breakfast.
Cakmak Kahvalti Salonu has a very simple table compared to most places on our list. However, a breakfast you eat here is a real local experience. The breakfast offered by Cakmak is an optimized version of the breakfast prepared by Turkish mothers at home.
At this breakfast place, you can have a breakfast of delicious Turkish cheese, Aegean olives, fresh tomatoes and peppers, and magnificent menemen (eggs, tomatoes and peppers). Of course, at the end, don’t forget to spread the mixture of honey and cream on bread and eat it with Turkish tea!
Cakmak Kahvalti Salonu offers you a real Turkish breakfast experience in Istanbul. After having breakfast in the perfectly located restaurant, you can go to Dolmabahce Palace or take a walk from Besiktas to Ortakoy.
5. Namli Gurme
Namli Gurme is located in Karakoy, one of the most popular districts of Beyoglu. Namli Gurme, which has the most diverse breakfast table in Istanbul, is also an organic market where you can shop for breakfast.
Namli Gurme has been chosen as “the best breakfast place in Istanbul” several times by local food authorities. For this reason, it is very difficult to find a place here on weekends.
The restaurant has everything you can think of about Turkish breakfast. Namli Gurme, which is right next to Galataport, the cruise port of Istanbul, is within walking distance of touristic places such as Taksim and Sultanahmet.
6. Saade Kahvalti
Saade Kahvalti is located in Sultanahmet, in the heart of Istanbul’s Old City. Saade Kahvalti is a place that focuses on local Turkish breakfast and is very successful in this regard.
When you look at Saade Kahvalti’s instagram page, you see delicious Turkish breakfasts. The restaurant, which offers Anatolian specialties such as ezine cheese, zahter olive oil, Erzincan tulum cheese and Antep tomato paste, really makes a difference.
Saade Kahvalti has become the most popular breakfast place in Sultanahmet in recent years. You can try both Arcadia Blue and Saade Kahvalti in Sultanahmet and decide which one is the best.
7. The House Cafe
The House Cafe is located at the best spot of Ortakoy and you can enjoy the wide view of the Bosphorus from the restaurant. The House Cafe has a very colorful and modern design and is very popular among Istanbulites. For this reason, if you do not go early in the morning, it is difficult to find a table by the sea.
The breakfast in this restaurant is a quite balanced menu. Hot food and classical Turkish breakfast items are served together and the way the breakfast is served appeals both to eyes and mouth.
The House Cafe in Ortakoy serves the best Turkish breakfast plate of Istanbul with views of the Bosphorus. After a nice breakfast in Ortakoy, you can go for a walk to Bebek as Istanbulites do. Because the most beautiful walking route in Istanbul is located between these two districts.
8. Mangerie
Mangerie has an interesting feature that makes it one of the popular options. Mangerie is open 7 days a week (from 08:00 to midnight) and you can enjoy its amazing food whenever you feel like. Mangerie was also formerly awarded as the “Best Place for Breakfast in Istanbul”.
In addition to breakfast classics, pear-mascarpone toast and focaccia toast are also some of the choices. The breakfast menu at Mangerie gets even richer thanks to items like fruit salad and nut butter. Mangerie is also among the best burger restaurants in Istanbul with its rich menu.
Mangerie is located in Bebek, one of the most beautiful districts of the Bosphorus. After breakfast, walking from Bebek to Rumeli Hisari is among the best things to do in Istanbul. On this route, you can take great photos and enjoy the Bosphorus view. If you wish, you can also visit the Rumeli Fortress, a 15-century structure, at the end of this walk.
9. Emirgan Sutis
Emirgan Sutis is one of the places identified with breakfast in Istanbul. Located in Emirgan, one of the most beautiful districts of the Bosphorus, this restaurant produces most of its products on its own farm.
The restaurant, which serves mouth-watering Turkish omelettes such as “menemen” and “sucuklu yumurta”, is one of the best places in Istanbul to have breakfast while enjoying the view of the Bosphorus.
Sutis Emirgan composes its menu with the milk they produce in their own farm and it stands out as a great choice for classical Turkish breakfast lovers. Besides eggs, its amazing pastry choices complete the breakfast that is accompanied by 14 types of organic bread that are made of sourdough.
Emirgan district, where Emirgan Sutis is located, is a place where you can take wonderful photos of the Bosphorus. Also, Sabanci Museum, one of Istanbul’s most important museums, is very close to the restaurant.
10. Halat by Divan
Halat by Divan is located inside the Rahmi Koc Museum on the shores of the Golden Horn in Istanbul. Operated by one of Turkey’s biggest food brands, Divan, the restaurant is also very popular among Istanbulites.
Halat by Divan allows you to have breakfast with an exquisite view on the shore of the Golden Horn, which has an important place in Istanbul’s history. After breakfast, you can visit the Rahmi Koc Museum, one of the best museums in Istanbul.
11. Forno
Forno is located in Balat, one of the oldest districts of Istanbul. Forno’s open buffet breakfast includes organic jam, eggs on the wood fire, and a lot more different types of choices, which deserves giving a try. If you love pastry, Forno also includes such choices as butter croissant and hot pitta in its buffet.
Forno is a pretty small place and it’s usually full on weekends. Apart from breakfast, the restaurant also serves meals such as pizza and lahmacun (oval-shaped flatbread topped with ground meat, spices and vegetables).
Fener and Balat districts are one of the most popular walking routes in Istanbul in recent years. This area, where many synagogues, churches and mosques are located, was the most cosmopolitan area of Ottoman-era Istanbul.
Forno Restaurant is within walking distance of Patriarchal Church of St George, one of the most important stops of Fener Balat walking tours. You can reach Forno, one of the best breakfast places in Istanbul, by taxi from Sultanahmet in 15 minutes.
12. Perispri
Perispri, like the previous Forno, is located in Balat. Perispri, which has one of the most delicious breakfast buffets in Istanbul, offers its customers a stylish and spacious environment.
Perispri Cafe is a place that stands out with its stylish decoration. Antique items related to the history of Istanbul adorn the ground floor of the cafe. Since the owner of the cafe is a collector, the elegance of the decoration is not a coincidence.
It should also be noted that the prices in Perispri are a little high compared to the restaurants on the Golden Horn coast of Istanbul. However, the stylish ambiance and delicious breakfast buffet of the cafe will make you feel that it is worth the price.
13. Naif Restaurant
Naif Restaurant is a place that serves Aegean style breakfast. Bergama tulum cheese, Edremit olives, handmade jam and every other item in its menu is brought to you from its source. Special delicacies like French style eggy bread and omelet with egg make the menu even better. Moreover, the elegant presentation of the breakfast appeals to the eye too.
Naif Restaurant is located in Karakoy, one of the most popular districts of Istanbul in recent years. Naif is also among the best breakfast places within walking distance of popular tourist destinations Taksim, Galata and Cihangir.
After having breakfast at Naif Restaurant, you can visit Kilic Ali Pasa Mosque, a 500-year-old Ottoman structure. Also, Kilic Ali Pasa Hamami, one of the best Turkish hammams in Istanbul, is right next to the mosque.
14. Privato Cafe
Privato Cafe is on the right side of the way from Tunnel to Galata Tower and everything at Privato is handmade and organic. In addition to that, the honey served at Privato is from Bitlis and the nut butter is from Giresun.
The menu also includes such choices as a honey pancake and different types of pastries. Moreover, Privato’s sugar-free jam just tastes like a real fruit and it’s definitely a must try item in the menu. If you want to have a breakfast at a place that has a vintage atmosphere and delicious food, Privato Café is a good choice.
Privato Cafe is located very near to Taksim, Cihangir, Galata and Karakoy neighborhoods. It’s also accessible from Sultanahmet via tram. This central location and unique service makes Private Cafe one of the best breakfast places in Istanbul.
15. Mums Cafe
Mums Cafe is located in Karakoy, a historical harbor district of Beyoglu. Located in a stylish passage, Mums Cafe has a menu where you can find the best flavors of Turkish breakfast.
The Fransiz Gecidi (French Passage), where Mums Cafe is located, has existed since the Ottoman period. Built during the architectural transformation of Istanbul in the 19th century, this passage was built for French sailors and European merchants in Istanbul to negotiate business.
If you want to have a rich Turkish breakfast in a historical environment, you can try Mums Cafe, which is located very close to Galataport (Istanbul Cruise Port). Mums Cafe is also one of the closest breakfast places to Taksim.
16. Sut, Yumurta, Recel
Sut, Yumurta, Recel brings local breakfast style and foreign kitchen together and it gives you tons of options for breakfast. Local delicacies like boyoz from Aegean kitchen, cornbread from Black Sea kitchen or gruyere from Kars are some of the options on its menu.
If you are a vegan or if you bring your kids along, there are special breakfast plates for vegans and kids. If you would like to go for some other options, classical breakfast plates with cheese, olives, and eggs are some other items on the menu. And if you love just sweet things in your breakfast, you can try French breakfast plate.
17. Midpoint
Midpoint is located at the best spot of Fenerbahce (in Kadikoy). Midpoint has a really elegant design and it offers an amazing sea view. However, if you want to sit at the tables nearby the sea, you had better be there before 10:00 a.m.
There are two breakfast plates that stand out. One of them is a classical breakfast plate with choices of cheese, tomatoes, olives, and jam. The second one is the breakfast plate called “Warm Breakfast” and it comes with such items as french fries and sausages. I highly recommend you to order both of the plates if you go there with your friend or partner. Therefore, you will have a very delicious and balanced breakfast.
After your breakfast at Midpoint, one of the best breakfast places on the Asian Side of Istanbul, you can also visit Fenerbahce Park and take a walk in nature. The park is just a walking distance from Midpoint.
18. Moda Teras
Moda Teras has an amazing view that you can watch Kalamis Bay, Fenerbahce and even Prince Islands on the Sea of Marmara. Alongside its great view, the breakfast served at Moda Teras is equally amazing. You can choose open buffet option or go for Turkish or American breakfast plate at Moda Teras.
Moda has been one of the liveliest districts of the Asian side in recent years. Some of Istanbul’s most popular bars, boutique cafes and stylish restaurants are located in Moda.
In order to reach Moda, you can first come to Kadikoy by ferry from Eminonu (near Sultanahmet) or Karakoy (near Taksim). If you go to Moda by walking through Kadikoy Fish Market, it will be a very pleasant walk.
19. Kuff
Kuff is located in Kadikoy, one of Istanbul’s most popular tourist destinations. Yeldegirmeni Street in Kadikoy has started to stand out with its boutique cafes and breakfast places in recent years. Kuff is also located on this street.
At Kuff, you can try the classic Turkish breakfast plate or the village breakfast, which offers a richer experience. There are also fried dough plates and pancakes if you look for alternatives. Since Kuff is also the 3rd wave coffee shop, don’t forget to enjoy the coffees here.
20. Beyaz Firin
Beyaz Firin is located in Suadiye, on the Asian side of Istanbul. Beyaz Firin is the place for special delicacies like Hatay olive with Za’atar and walnuts, halloumi cheese from Cyprus or tahini with hard consistency on the wood fire.
You can expect to see great breakfast options at Beyaz Firin. Breakfast pan that includes fried halloumi cheese, fried eggs on sourdough bread, fried jambon, sautéed mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and, avocado or a special omelet for athletes are some of such delicacies.
After breakfast at Beyaz Firin, you can visit Bagdat Street, which is the best place to shop on the Asian Side. This 15-kilometer-long shopping street along the Kadikoy district is a paradise for shopping lovers.
Caddebostan neighborhood of Bagdat Street is one of the liveliest spots on the Asian side. One of the best Italian restaurants in Istanbul for a nice lunch is located here. In addition, those who want to have fun with live music in the evenings go to the fish restaurants in Caddebostan.
Best Breakfast Places in Istanbul by Serhat Engul
