The simple answer to the question «where to drink coffee in Istanbul?» is. — Wherever locals stop by is always the best indicator of quality. My list of places are trendy and legendary coffee shops that make Istanbul’s coffee map richer and more interesting. A cup of coffee costs about the same: from 8 to 15 Turkish lira per drink (1 lira is about 11 Russian rubles).
Paradise for sweet tooth — Hafiz Mustafa
The first pastry shop of the Hafiz Mustafa chain opened back in the 19th century, and the interiors of the establishments remain the same to this day. Coffee shops usually occupy several floors. The baklava and rahat loukoum in the pastry shop are said to be the most authentic in Istanbul. I suggest going to the pastry shop on Istiklal Street, climbing to the top floor and watching the never-quiet tourist artery through the window.
Try salep — although it is not coffee, but rather closer to cocoa, the drink is made on the basis of ground orchid roots. Salep has a sweet, delicate flavor and a rather thick consistency — so take your time drinking it, it cools down slowly.
- Works until midnight
- Website
For fans of soap operas and chemistry, Walter’s Coffee Roastery
Walter’s Coffee lurks on the Asian side of Istanbul in the Moda neighborhood. Its creators were inspired by the immortal TV series Breaking Bad. The interior of the coffee shop was decorated as a chemical laboratory, the menu looks like a table of chemical elements, drinks are served in test tubes and laboratory flasks. There is also a corner-photo zone where you can try on protective coveralls and gas masks and buy an apron or a mug as a souvenir. The place will be interesting even for those who are not familiar with the series.
- Open from 10:00 to 23:00.
- There’s wi-fi
Traditional breakfasts are at Mado
This chain establishment can be found in almost every neighborhood of Istanbul. It is good to come here in the morning, order a Turkish breakfast — a large tray with scrambled eggs, cheeses, olives, pastries and sweets — and coffee. In the afternoon, stop by for coffee and traditional desserts such as kadaif, muhallebi, künefe, and buy sweets for your friends before you leave.
- Open from 6:30.
- Website
The world famous Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi
This is the most popular store in the Egyptian Bazaar, or spice market (Mısır Çarşısı) — there is always a long line in front of the store, and the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee spreads for a couple of blocks around. Mehmet Efendi, the founder of the brand, was the first in Istanbul in 1871 to sell roasted and ground coffee, which only needed to be brewed. The firm quickly became one of the most popular places among coffee drinkers in the city and then in the world. Here you can drink a cup of strong black coffee and then buy a pack of beans — the coffee is ground daily and packed right in the store. Prices are favorable: 27.5 Turkish liras for half a kilo (a little over 300 Russian rubles).
- Opening hours are from 07:00 to 21:00
- How to find: from the Galata Bridge side, walk along the main gallery of the spice market until you turn left. Opposite the turn is the exit to the open part of the market — this shop will be on the left side, orient yourself to the aroma of coffee and the long queue.
- Website
In the rhythm of the metropolis — Starbucks.
There is a ubiquitous Starbucks in Istanbul, too. The chain’s coffee shops are located in various parts of the city, and they are never empty — visitors drink coffee, socialize and work at tables and on the open terrace. The menu is about the same as in Russia, but a pleasant surprise will be the prices — drinks in Istanbul Starbucks are at least twice as cheap as in Russian coffee shops.
- Check the website for opening times of each establishment, on average they are open from 07:00 am.
Buying coffee beans for home or as a gift appears to everyone who has tasted real Turkish coffee. I do not advise buying beans in chain supermarkets like Koska — coffee from them turns out not very tasty and sour. It is better to buy coffee beans in specialized stores: first you can taste and choose the variety you like.