The Best Turkish Breakfast In Istanbul (& 13 Must-Try Foods)

Do you know where to find the best breakfast in Istanbul? I do! Both on the Asian Side and European sides of this amazing city

For the last decade, I have spent months at a time in Istanbul. Here, I have made you a list of the best breakfast places in Istanbul and given you ideas on what you’ll get as part of a full Turkish breakfast.

Spoiler alert – it is a lot and is very tasty! So grab your Turkish coffee, black tea, and a basket of fresh bread, and let’s dig in.

Some say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. When you’re in Istanbul, you’ll need to fuel up as much as possible to check out all the beautiful sights!

The good news is that you can sample one of the best types of Turkish cuisine – a Turkish breakfast called kahvalti locally.

This is a banquet like no other, and while you might think it odd to eat so much so soon after waking up, you won’t be able to help yourself! Also, the foods you’ll find on a Turkish breakfast platter are light, so you won’t feel so full you can’t move.

List Of Best Traditional Turkish Breakfast Restaurants In Istanbul

Where To Find The Best Breakfast In Istanbul

Because breakfast is vital in Turkey, plenty of restaurants serve an all-day Turkish breakfast or breakfast until around 2 p.m.

Here are a few of the best places to eat breakfast in Istanbul that you should add to your itinerary:

1. Breakfast Street (Kahvalti Sokak), Besiktas

Yes, you read that right – one of the best places in Istanbul to start your day is an actual street of breakfast restaurants! The smell is like nothing you’ve ever experienced in the best way possible, and you’ll struggle to figure out which restaurant you should choose!

It’s easy to assume that they’re all the same, but they are slightly different when you check the menus.

My top choice: Eleven Brothers is my top pick, in my opinion! This is the best Turkish breakfast for a first-timer, without a doubt.

2. Namli Gurme, Karakoy

A popular breakfast spot in Istanbul is Namli Gurme, located in the Karakoy area, just below the Galata Tower. This restaurant has been open for more than 40 years and is a marketplace delicatessen and restaurant. That’s great news because it means you can purchase some of their products to take home!

3. Van Kahvaltı Evi, Cihangir

Cihangir, a short distance from Taksim, is one of the best breakfast spots. It serves breakfast with local fresh vegetables and cheeses as the standard. Also, if you adore a cheese platter, this is the perfect place for you—you’ll find more types of cheese from around the country here than anywhere else!

4. Dogaciyiz Gourmet, Beyoglu

This is the perfect place for breakfast in Istanbul if you want to sit somewhere to enjoy a quiet breakfast in Istanbul. If you might have a hangover from partying the night away, you will be glad to know that this spot is never too crowded, but a steady stream of people is always milling in and out.

5. Yiğit Sofram Gözleme Ve Kahvaltı, Beyoglu

For a truly authentic and classic Turkish breakfast, try this great spot. Everything has that ‘made fresh’ feel to it, and it’s a family-run establishment with an open kitchen. The other plus point is that you can order breakfast here until 2 p.m. Definitely try the gozleme; it’s made right in front of you and is as fresh as fresh can be!

6. Arada Cafe, Beyoglu

You’ll find countless breakfast restaurants in Beyoglu, but this one is slightly different because the breakfast is served with a Lebanese twist. Absolutely try their pisi with humus and the Lebanese flatbreads that melt in your mouth. Of course, there’s plenty of Turkish traditional foods in there too, with menemen and different types of cheese with tomatoes, cucumber, etc. It’s a breakfast with a twist, and if you’re looking for something different, I’d highly recommend this place.

7. Kahve 6 Cihangir, Cihangir

Vegans rejoice! This cafe is definitely the best place for hungry vegans at breakfasttime. They serve a lighter type of breakfast, which is excellent if you can’t stomach the colossal breakfast spread most places give you first thing in the morning.

The breakfast place is big enough to fill you but small enough not to overload you, and it’s packed with vegetables and other vegan options.

8. Balat Kapı Restaurant, Balat

While you’re checking out the colorful houses of Balat, drop into this restaurant for breakfast. This restaurant is family-run and pretty small, but that’s what makes it so charming. The Turkish breakfast items are home-cooked with that special traditional hand, and it’s a complete feast that you’ll need to walk off as you take photographs of Balat. You’ll find many locals head to this restaurant, too, which is always a great seal of approval.

9. Ada Kahvalti, Princes’ Islands

If you happen to be in Buyukada for the day or stay over, head to this cafe for a wicked spread. It’s a full-on traditional breakfast, and the amazing view as you eat is entirely different.

After years of living in Istanbul, I love this restaurant as it sits in an old Ottoman Empire-style building dating back around 90 years, and I can enjoy a walk around the gardens after eating.

10. Erzincan Yilmaz Tandir Evi, Ferikoy

Turkish breakfasts vary, and not all experiences are the same everywhere you go. As you travel around the country, you’ll see different traditions and dishes make their way onto the menu. In this case, you can enjoy breakfast from the Erzincan area, which is famous for its dairy. That means a varied Turkish cheese plate and the freshest fruits and veggies around.

All ingredients are sourced from Erzincan itself wherever possible, and absolutely try the kavurma as part of your feast; this is a sauteed meat that goes wonderfully well.

11. Hadika Kahvaltı Evi, Sisli

This restaurant prides itself on serving customers with a traditional Antakya breakfast plate with flavors and delicious ingredients. Everything served here is organic, and your table will be full of food. You also get unlimited traditional Turkish çay (tea) as part of your breakfast, and you probably won’t be able to move for a little while after you’ve finished eating.

The cottage cheese here comes from the Antakya area, and it’s unlikely to feature on other regular breakfast menus you’ll see around the city. Add to this the black olives, which are to die for, and you’re in for a real treat.

12. Ceşme Bazlama Kahvaltı, Nisantasi

Nisantasi is an upmarket part of the city but is also famous for its delicious breakfast menu, which this restaurant does very well. We locals regularly visit this spot for our first meal of the day, and it’s pretty normal to have to wait for a table. The village breakfast is huge but will undoubtedly set you up for the day.

The difference here is that you don’t choose what you want; the dishes keep coming to your table until you tell the server that you’ve had enough. I suggest that you start with the Turkish scrambled eggs.

13. Naga Putrika, Kadikoy

In the Moda area of Kadikoy, Naga Putrika is a trendy breakfast spot that welcomes students and locals alike. Just make sure you’re starving when you go because the size of this breakfast is enormous – which is definitely the best if you want to skip lunch that day.

There are a few different breakfast menus; some offer slightly different dishes, including fried aubergine, spicy sausage and peppers with meat, and some dishes belonging to the Black Sea coast of Turkey.

14. Sureya Kahvaltı, Sisli

This restaurant is famous for its breakfasts, and although it’s a small space, it more than makes up for its quality. This is another family-run restaurant, and we locals who love breakfast head here for our breakfasts on weekend mornings.

Breakfast here makes use of seasonal produce, so it’s always different from month to month. Everything is made fresh to order, and the flavors are mind-blowingly good.

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What Is A Typical Turkish Breakfast?

A Turkish breakfast is an experience for the senses, and it’s definitely a picture you’ll need for your Instagram feed!

Some say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. When you’re in Istanbul, you’ll need to fuel up as much as possible so you can check out all the beautiful sights! Now that you are armed with this list of what you will find on a great Turkish breakfast menu and where to find the best breakfast restaurants, you’re all set.

Best Breakfast Place In Istanbul FAQs

So, now that you know where to find the best breakfast in Istanbul, we hope you enjoy your Turkish breakfast.