The 7 Best Places for Turkish Breakfast in Istanbul (European Side)

Breakfast in Turkey is a giant spread of local cheeses, local slices of bread, lovely baked pastries and sesame bagels and fried eggs. Tomatoes, greens and cucumbers are had alongside yellow butter, clotted cream and cured meats.

Most Turks enjoy a smaller variety at home and start their day this way. But it’s the breakfast out that hits the spot, especially Serpme Kahvaltı or mixed breakfast accompanied by unlimited Turkish tea! Enjoy it leisurely at the dizzying array of restaurants and neighbourhood favourites all across the city. Dishes are shared, conversations and gossip are exchanged and some places have tons of options! Try a shared platter with limited offerings or order sides of scrambled eggs with sausages!

Try some of the classic names that have been there for generations or try some of the newer spots we’ve listed below. They’ve quickly become popular with both locals and tourists alike. All-day breakfast can be had at Mangerie, a Bebek favourite as well as popular with the Instagram set. However, to become a breakfast expert, you’ll have to venture out into the city and try some of the lesser-known bistros that offer something unique and different.

In short, it’s a relief that there are 365 days in the year and a ton of options to indulge in your Turkish breakfast fantasy! But for now, take a peek below at our top 7 best places for a Turkish breakfast on the European side of Istanbul!

1. Emirgan Sütiş

A neighbourhood favourite, Emirgan Sütiş in Sarıyer stands out among the notable waterfront restaurants in upscale neighbourhoods in Istanbul.

Image sourced from Emirgan Sutiş’s Facebook

For breakfast, you’ll find cold cuts, pastirma, eggs with spicy sucuk, Black sea style pide and many kinds of bread. Bread is made fresh 24/7 and with their own sourdough and honey is produced via traditional honey-making processes. It’s no wonder that this place is known for its high-quality ingredients.

Offering a rather classic Turkish breakfast with cheese and milk sourced from their farm, the restaurant is known for its milk puddings. Indeed, the literal translation of its name Sütiş means“milk business”. It’s housed in a small white pavilion with an adjacent seating area under tall trees.

Enjoy the view here but be ready to wait to be seated and pay for the view, the quality of ingredients and the location. It’s usually extremely busy so catch a table early if you wish!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: YOU CAN VISIT BETWEEN 6 AM AND 2 aM

ADDRESS: KEMANKEŞ KARAMUSTAFA PAŞA, RIHTIM CAD. KATOTOPARK 1/1, 34425 BEYOĞLU/İSTANBUL

FERRY/BUS STOP: emirgan/ÇINARALTI

2. Lokma Bebek

Delicious breakfast with a stellar Bosphorus view awaits you at Lokma (Turkish for “bite”) a few metres away from Rumeli Hisarı. The restaurant sits beside a mosque overlooking small patches of grass and the second Bosphorus Bridge.

Image sourced from Lokma’s website

On the menu, an entire page lists tons of options such as local braided cheeses, halloumi and even a regional speciality cheese called Deri Tulum. You’ll find regional favourites such Muhlama (also called Mıhlama) and Kuymak from the Black Sea region. Others such as Katmer, El Açması and Warm Pastrami Hummus offer something different than the other breakfast joints.

Parking is a problem in the narrow streets of the area and there is no easy way to get there by public transport. But once you do, make it a day out in this corner of Istanbul and explore the Rumeli Hisarı, the Borusan Contemporary art gallery and the area’s Ottoman-era fountains and wooden houses.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: YOU CAN VISIT BETWEEN 6 AM AND 2 aM

ADDRESS: RUMELI HISARI, MAHALLESI, YAHYA KEMAL CD. NO:12, 34470 SARIYER/İSTANBUL

bus STOP: RUMELI HISARI

3. Van Kahvalti Cihangir

There are many breakfast joints in Istanbul from the far eastern city of Van in the city. But it’s Van Kahvalti Evi in Cihangir and its other branches across the city that entice us with their offerings.

Image sourced from Van Kahvalti’s Facebook page

Breakfast plates with fresh ingredients at this cosy and simple place is a local favourite.

Pişi, cheese with herbs, honey, fried eggs, menemen, and many varieties of gözleme are on offer. Furthermore, interesting options such as murtuğa, kuvat (regional dishes from Van) and eggplant and mushroom gözleme peak your interests.

Unfortunately, it’s now quite popular with tourists alike and even has other branches in upscale Nişantaşı and Kuruçesme. As a result, long wait times are not uncommon here. Reservations ahead of time are recommended especially on the weekends.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: YOU CAN VISIT BETWEEN 8 AM AND 10 PM

ADDRESS: KILIÇALI PAŞA, DEFTERDAR YKŞ. 52/A, 34425 BEYOĞLU/İSTANBUL

TRAMWAY STOP: TOPHANE

4. Pişi Breakfast & Burger Beşiktaş

Image sourced from Pişi Breakfast’s Facebook page

This unpretentious spot is part of the “breakfast street” in the popular shopping district of Beşiktaş. There are tons of other places offering breakfast in this area but come here for what it’s famous for.

Known for its namesake, fried dough or Pişi is on offer at this cute spot. Other than the plain variety, pişi stuffed with different cheeses, sausage, cold cuts, minced meat and braised lamb meat, for example. Special sauces with Basil and Mexican peppers are also on offer.

The place is known for its unique hamburgers with hot jalapeño and pesto sauce and eggplant puree (known for the Hunkar Beğendi dish).

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: YOU CAN VISIT BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM

ADDRESS: SINANPAŞA, ÇELEBI OĞLU SK. NO:14 D:B, 34353 BEŞIKTAŞ/İSTANBUL

bus STOP: AKARETLER

5. Namlı Gurme

Namlı Gurme’s main branch in Karaköy can be described as food heaven and is a favourite place for many in Istanbul.

Image sourced from Namlı Gurme’s Facebook page.

By no means cheap, this buzzing place can be your one-stop-shop for a Turkish breakfast and for taking home samples of local delicacies – honey, helva, dried and smoked meat, molasses, pickles and dry goods.

Located fairly close to the Karaköy ferry station connecting the Asian side, this deli and restaurant hybrid offers a unique concept. The hostess assigns a table and once you’re ready, then head to the deli to order your breakfast. Breakfast specials such as böreks are a must here and don’t forget to try the Menemen! Cheeses are priced per slice, for example. Smoked and dried meat are on the menu (aged pastrami!) and hot appetizers are made to order. Heavenly Kaymak with local honey is on the menu, of course! As it’s also a charcuterie, you can take some of your favourite things home to enjoy!

Furthermore, don’t forget to explore the area and visit the bookstores Rob389 or Homer bookshop nearby. Alternatively, you can also visit the bright bookshop-cafe hybrid Fil and later take a stroll up to the Galata Tower neighbourhood.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: YOU CAN VISIT BETWEEN 7 AM AND 10 PM

ADDRESS: KEMANKEŞ KARAMUSTAFA PAŞA, RIHTIM CAD. KATOTOPARK 1/1, 34425 BEYOĞLU/İSTANBUL

FERRY/TRAMWAY STOP: KARAKÖY

6. Galata Konak Cafe

Image sourced from Galata Konak Cafe’s Facebook page

This terrace restaurant offers amazing 360-degree views of the Golden Horn, the Galata Bridge and the Galata Tower. On one side, you’ll have a great view of both the old district of Eminönu and the Golden Horn.

On the other side, you’ll see residential buildings and the Galata Tower dominating the view. Walking up a tiled floored and stained glass window above metal doors, you’ll find a kitschy indoor area with many tables and art on the walls. However, it’s the terrace that refreshes you with its unparalleled views.

Grab the breakfast platter with Su Böreği (water börek), tahini and pekmez (molasses) and Macar (Hungarian) salami. Besides, there’s also snacks and mains for those looking for more than breakfast.

The place is a great pit stop in your adventures exploring the European district.

Image sourced from Galata Konak Cafe’s Facebook page

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: YOU CAN VISIT BETWEEN 9 AM AND 12 PM

ADDRESS: BEREKETZADE, HACI ALI SK. NO:2, 34425 BEYOĞLU/İSTANBUL

FERRY/TRAMWAY/funicular STOP: KARAKÖY

7. Forno Balat

Image sourced from Forno Balat’s website

Offering a buffet-style breakfast spread on weekends, Forno Balat is in the colourful Jewish district of Fener Balat, not far away from the Golden Horn and the old district. On the menu, one can find Black Sea area style Pide and both Turkish pizza aka Lahmacun and Italian-style crispy pizza.

Fast becoming a favourite with the locals, this small breakfast joint offers a big buffet spread with many kinds of local cheese and olives, for instance. Firstly, there’s stone-oven baked eggs, local spicy sausage, organic jams, butter croissants and unlimited tea on the menu.

Additionally, for a lesser price, there’s an a la carte breakfast option for instance. Moreover, Homemade lemonade with fresh mint and a fermented turnip drink called şalgam are on the drinks menu. Finally, to finish off your breakfast with a sweet touch, try Forno’s special organic apricot soufflé!

Later, explore the cute district and even venture out to the Chora museum and the Old Walls of Constantinople.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: YOU CAN VISIT BETWEEN 9.30 AM AND 10 PM

ADDRESS: BALAT, VODINA CADDESI, FENER KIREÇHANE SK. NO:13/A, 34087 FATIH/İSTANBUL

TRAMWAY/bus STOP: eminönü/fener