Best Breakfast Spots and Foods to Try in Istanbul

Wake up hungry, because Istanbul takes breakfast very seriously—and trust us, your appetite is about to have a very good morning!

Eating breakfast in Istanbul is more than just breakfast before sightseeing. It's a slow social custom, based around fresh bread, cheeses, olives, eggs, honey, kaymak, jams, pastries, and endless glasses of Turkish tea. If you are a first-time visitor to the city, you should put Turkish breakfast in Istanbul at the top of your food list.

Istanbul has breakfast restaurants in a traditional Van style, as well as cafés along the Bosphorus for every palate and budget. So, what's the first thing you need to do? This is a guide to some of the city's most interesting breakfast locations and the classic dishes that should be ordered when sitting at the table.

If you eat breakfast the old-fashioned way, you should begin with Tarihi Van Kahvaltı Evi in Cihangir. The restaurant is renowned for its breakfast service, in the style of Van, offering a wide range of savory and sweet options. Some of the cheeses, olives, honey, kaymak, homemade-style preserves, eggs, fresh bread, and regional specialties can be included in a typical spread.

Search for murtuga, a rich dish of eggs, flour, and butter, and kavut, a traditional roasted-grain dish. They are intended to be shared, so come on an empty stomach and take your time. Cihangir is also a nice place to visit after the day, as it has its own cafés, small shops, and streets that overlook parts of that historic city.

Address:

Zambak Sk. No: 8, Şehit Muhtar Mahallesi, Beyoğlu, Istanbul 34435, Türkiye.

For those looking for a more classic breakfast in an informal environment, Privato Café is a small place near Galata Tower. It serves the traditional Turkish breakfast, which includes cheeses, olives, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, honey, jams, kaymak, and fresh bread. The location of the café is especially convenient should you intend to visit the Galata Tower or head towards İstiklal Street afterwards. Take your time to eat meals. Turkish breakfast is a slow meal in which tea is always served. Following breakfast, stroll the steep streets of Galata, and discover boutiques, cafés, galleries, and historic buildings. Quickly make a morning complete!

Address:

Tımarcı Sok. No: 3/B, Şahkulu Mahallesi, Beyoğlu, Istanbul 34421, Türkiye.

Try the best Turkish breakfast food in Beşiktaş—a city that has a vibrant breakfast culture. Grab a seat at Çakmak Kahvaltı Salonu, which is among the recognized spots for breakfast. It is a casual restaurant with hearty traditional breakfast items and regional specialties in a neighborhood setting. Depending on the menu, you may enjoy dishes of kuymak (cornmeal and melted cheese from the Black Sea), egg dishes, cheeses, olives, breads, or any other breakfast items.

On weekend mornings, the area is of preference, as it has a tradition of people gathering for long periods of time to enjoy breakfast with family and friends. For a more vibrant area than a more upscale and luxurious brunch, the neighborhood of Beşiktaş is perfect to explore.

Address:

Sinanpaşa, Çelebioğlu Sok. No: 6, 34353 Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Türkiye.

Head across the bridge to the Asian side of Istanbul and head to Kale Café in Çengelköy for breakfast. Of course, its location on the Bosphorus is one of the main attractions. Relax by the water and savor a traditional Turkish breakfast, a cup of tea, and the boats and ferries passing by the strait. Cheese, olives, eggs, honey, kaymak, bread, and tea are all part of the menu, familiar to those who have visited the region. Take a stroll around Çengelköy and along the waterfront after breakfast. The area is quieter than the hottest tourist spots, so it's a great option for those who want to enjoy a delicious breakfast combined with a beautiful morning stroll.

Address:

Yahya Kemal Caddesi No: 10, 34470 Rumelihisarı, Sarıyer, Istanbul, Türkiye.

Looking for some of the best breakfast spots in Istanbul with a Bosphorus view? Emirgan Sütiş is one of the most popular options in the Emirgan neighborhood. The restaurant has a long history of Turkish cuisine and serves traditional Turkish breakfast items as well as other Turkish specialties. It's located on the water, and it's a great experience on a nice morning. Order a selection of cheeses, olives, eggs, bread, honey, and kaymak, and then pour a cup of Turkish tea over the top and enjoy the scenery. Following breakfast, one can walk through the green space of Emirgan Park, one of the green spaces that the city should be proud of. This is a great choice for an easy morning as it has a view out over the water, breakfast, and a park stroll.

Address:

Emirgan, Sakıp Sabancı Cd. No: 46, 34467 Sarıyer, Istanbul, Türkiye.

If you are not looking for a massive, shared breakfast spread, then you can try Namlı Gurme in Karaköy. It's a well-known gourmet corner shop featuring Turkish products, cold cuts, cheeses, and ready-made dishes. Eggs, cheeses, olives, bread, and pastırma (a spiced cured beef) make basic ingredients of a satisfying breakfast. Another benefit is its location. Once eaten, you can easily access the restaurants in Karaköy, Galata waterfront, and the historic Galata neighborhood. Namlı Gurme might be a good option if you have a lot of sightseeing plans and you do not want to spend half your morning at breakfast, but at the same time you want a tasty breakfast.

Address:

Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa Mahallesi, Mumhane Caddesi, Atilla İş Hanı No: 6/A, Karaköy, Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Türkiye.

For a more relaxed and ambient experience, head to Çengelköy Tarihi Çınaraltı. The area under the old trees near Bosphorus has a laid-back neighborhood ambiance. It's not about the fancy presentation, but about the simple breakfast favorites, tea, conversation, and waterfront vibes. Cheese, olives, eggs, bread, and more traditional foods are available while watching the local life around you. The area is a favourite when you don't have to rush anywhere. Follow the narrow streets of Çengelköy after breakfast or head towards the waterfront on the Asian side. The simplest meals are the best times.

Address:

Çengelköy Cad. Çınarlı Camii Sok. No: 4, Üsküdar, Istanbul 34680, Türkiye.

Bebek Kahve is another option of the same vintage for travelers who wish to have breakfast next to Bosphorus. The café is situated in one of the most beautiful water-front districts in Istanbul, where you can have a leisurely breakfast and then stroll along the coastline. Either order the traditional breakfast or lighter items in accordance with your appetite and then order Turkish tea and relax in front of the view. Bebek is especially nice in the morning when the waterfront is not as busy. If you have time, walk towards Arnavutköy after eating. You'll have the chance to visit beautiful houses on the water, café culture, boats, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life on Bosphorus.

Address:

Bebek, Bebek Parkı No: 16, 34342 Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Türkiye.

Always pick one restaurant; why not a neighborhood breakfast? Locally known as Kahvaltıcılar Sokağı, Beşiktaş Breakfast Street is crammed with breakfast restaurants and cafés. The region is famous for its thick spreads of eggs, cheeses, olives, honey, kaymak, sucuk, breads, jams, and local specialties. This is especially useful if traveling in a group so everyone can all have something different. Weekend mornings can be busy, so it may be helpful to be early. After breakfast, you can get near to Beşiktaş Square and the Bosphorus, and the neighborhood is a convenient starting point for a day of sightseeing.

Address:

Çelebioğlu Sokak, Sinanpaşa, 34353 Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Türkiye.

Van Kahvaltı Sofrası in Cihangir is another place where you can experience the region's breakfast customs. The Van breakfast style is especially huge, and several different small dishes are served at the same time instead of a single plate. Plates will include ingredients like cheeses, olives, eggs, honey, kaymak, butter, jams, fresh bread, and regional specialties. This type of breakfast is great for those who want to explore multiple flavors at a time. Arrive hungry and ask the staff about new foods. There's a stroll and a cup of tea after, in the cafés and streets of Cihangir.

Choose Prime Suites Ataturk Airport Hotel for a comfortable Istanbul stay with spa facilities, a Turkish bath, sauna, restaurant, and convenient access to nearby shopping.