The best Turkish Breakfast places in Istanbul are on the shores of the Bosphorus (Ortakoy and Bebek), in Beyoglu (Karakoy, Galata, Taksim) and Sultanahmet (Old City). When you go to these districts on the weekend, you can see that Istanbulites enjoy their delicious breakfasts.
It is a great pleasure to have breakfast in Istanbul, especially with the view of the Bosphorus. For this, you can try districts such as Ortakoy, Bebek and Rumeli Hisari on the shores of the European side.
On the other hand, there are great breakfast places on the Asian shores of the Bosphorus. Among these, we can count the shores of Kadikoy, Uskudar and Beykoz. Especially Kadikoy is the most popular district on the Asian side for both domestic and foreign tourists.
As a tour guide in Istanbul for many years, I wanted to introduce the city’s best breakfast restaurants in this article. For those visiting Istanbul, experiencing the Turkish breakfast is a must.
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Best Turkish Breakfast in Istanbul 2023
The best Turkish breakfast in Istanbul is found in places such as the Old City (Sultanahmet and Balat), Beyoglu (Karakoy and Galata), the shores of the Bosphorus (Ortakoy, Bebek and Rumeli Hisari).
The list of 10 Turkish breakfast places in Istanbul in 2023 are mostly similar to the best places to stay in Istanbul. Because restaurants serving delicious Turkish breakfast are located in the most beautiful parts of the city and classy hotels are close to them.
1. The House Cafe
The House Cafe is located in Ortakoy, one of the most beautiful districts of the Bosphorus coast. The restaurant is very close to luxury hotels such as the Four Seasons Bosphorus and Ciragan Palace Kempinski and has a wonderful sea view.
The House Cafe is one of my favorite breakfast places as an Istanbulite. The House Cafe, which serves a very tasty and balanced breakfast, is a quality place that will please those who are fond of their taste buds.
After eating something at The House Cafe, one of the best breakfast places on the Bosphorus, you can visit Ortakoy Mosque and take wonderful souvenir photos in the square by the sea.
Since Ortakoy is a very popular place among locals, it will be very crowded on the weekend. After having breakfast in Ortakoy, walking to Bebek and drinking coffee is a must for Istanbulites. You can enjoy this activity like the locals.
2. Namli Gurme
Namli Gurme is located in Karakoy, which is the transportation hub of Beyoglu. Since Karakoy is a district that also hosts the Istanbul Cruise port, it has developed very rapidly in recent years.
Namli Gurme has been selected as the best breakfast place in Istanbul several times in the last ten years. For this reason, you have to wait in line to find a place at the restaurant on weekends.
Namli Gurme is located in a very central place. After having breakfast here, you can visit the nearby Istanbul Modern Art Museum. Or you can reach Galata Tower with a 20-minute walk.
3. Hotel Arcadia Blue
Hotel Arcadia Blue is located in the most central place of Sultanahmet. Located only five minutes from the Sultanahmet Square (Hippodrome), the hotel has a wonderful view of the Blue Mosque from its terrace.
Sultanahmet is home to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Therefore, it is considered as the most touristic place in Istanbul. However, it should be noted that there are more options for breakfast in Beyoglu and Besiktas.
Among the breakfast places in Sultanahmet, Hotel Arcadia Blue stands out with its magnificent view. You can take great photos from the terrace of Arkadia Blue, which has been known as one of the proper hotels in Sultanahmet for many years.
4. Emirgan Sutis
Emirgan Sutis is a place that has become a brand for having breakfast on the Bosphorus. For this reason, when it comes to breakfast by the sea, many Istanbulites think of this restaurant located in Rumeli Hisari (near Rumeli Fortress).
Sutis is actually a famous sweet shop in Istanbul. Producing its own dairy products on its own farms, Sutis has been serving some of Istanbul’s most delicious milk desserts for years.
After having breakfast at Emirgan Sutis, located on the European side of the Bosphorus shores, you can also visit Emirgan Park and Sakip Sabanci Museum. This Museum sometimes hosts world-famous painting exhibitions.
5. Forno Balat
Forno is located in Balat, one of the most popular districts of Istanbul in recent years. Taking a walk in Fener and Balat districts has been among the top things to do in Istanbul in recent years.
As seen in the image above, there is a great Turkish breakfast in Forno. While Forno serves breakfast in the morning, it serves products such as Pizza and Lahmacun (also called Turkish pizza) for lunch and dinner.
Forno is indeed a delicious restaurant. However, it is very difficult to find a place on weekends as it has a very small space. For this reason, it is useful to go by making a reservation in advance.
Fener and Balat districts, where Forno is located, have been flooded by curious local and foreign tourists in recent years. Things to do in Fener and Balat article can guide you to explore these neighborhoods.
6. Privato Cafe
Privato Cafe is located very close to Galata Tower. Galata has been one of the coolest districts of Istanbul in recent years. Some of Istanbul’s best Airbnb apartments are located here.
Privato Cafe serves a delicious Turkish breakfast. After having breakfast here, you can reach Istiklal Street via Galip Dede Street and walk in the direction of Taksim Square. There are many museums and shopping places to see on Istiklal Avenue, a 1.5 kilometer pedestrian street.
Privato Cafe stands out as the closest breakfast place to Taksim in our list. There are many breakfast options in Taksim, which is home to many 4 and 5 star hotels of Istanbul. However, as an insider, I wanted to highlight this cozy cafe.
7. Mums Cafe
Mums Cafe is located on a historic street known as the French Pass (locally known as Fransiz Gecidi). This historical street of Karakoy was the meeting place of French sailors and businessmen in Istanbul in the 19th century.
Today, the French Pass is a street full of boutique cafes. Among them, Mums Cafe draws attention with its delicious breakfast. Located only a few minutes from Istanbul Cruise Port, this cafe is worth a try.
In Karakoy, you can visit Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque, an Ottoman mosque dating from the 16th century. Also, Kilic Ali Pasha Hammam next to the mosque is among the best Turkish Baths in Istanbul.
8. Mangerie
Mangerie is located in Bebek, the most elegant district of the Bosphorus shores. Mangerie is one of the best breakfast restaurants in Istanbul and recommended by all local bloggers.
While having breakfast at Mangerie, you can watch the unique view of the Bosphorus. The restaurant has a very diverse menu and the Turkish breakfast plates are equally satisfying.
After breakfast here, you can explore the Bebek Park and walk from the Bebek to Ortakoy. The road between Bebek and Ortakoy is the most enjoyable route to walk on the shores of the Bosphorus.
Mangerie ranks among the best places for Turkish breakfast in Istanbul in 2023. If you are looking for a local restaurant with a beautiful view of the Bosphorus, this is the place for you.
9. Moda Teras
Moda Teras is one of the best places for Turkish breakfast on the Asian side. Located in Moda, one of the coolest districts of Istanbul, the restaurant has a magnificent sea view.
Moda, a district on the Asian side, has been a place where the intellectuals of the city have settled in recent years. In this sense, it resembles the Cihangir district on the European side.
Moda has the best boutique coffee shops and burger places in Istanbul. Moda Teras, on the other hand, is a relatively old and club-like restaurant compared to the new generation places opened in the neighborhood.
10. Midpoint
Midpoint is located in Fenerbahce, one of the most exclusive districts of the Asian side. There is a great sea view from the restaurant, which is very close to the marina.
As someone who lives in Kadikoy, I often go to Midpoint for breakfast. There are cool neighborhoods such as Fenerbahce and Moda in Kadikoy, which is the largest district on the Asian side.
After breakfast at Midpoint, you can go for a walk in Fenerbahce Park. In addition, Bagdat Street, which stretches from Fenerbahce to the interior of the Asian Side, is one of the best shopping streets in Istanbul.
Conclusion
Having breakfast in restaurants overlooking the Bosphorus is a must-do in Istanbul. However, some breakfast places are so attractive that they are worth a try even if there is no sea view.
In this list, I have introduced the most famous breakfast places in Istanbul in recent years. If you liked this article, the best restaurants in Istanbul article may also interest you.
Written by Serhat Engul
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