Best Turkish Breakfast in Istanbul (+ Vegan Options & Sea Views)

Going out to eat Turkish breakfast in Istanbul is one of my favorite things to do in the city. Because it is not just a meal, it is an experience that allows one to immerse in the rich culinary heritage and culture of Turkey, offering a delightful start to the day amidst busy streets.

An array of small dishes with jams and spreads, boards adorned with cheeses and cured meats, sizzling pans of menemen omelets or creamy cornmeal porridge… they are easy to captivate as much as some architectural landmarks. I am surprised this delightful tradition is not yet on the list of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, although efforts are underway as traditional breakfast deserves to be recognized for its unique contribution to Turkish cuisine.

When you are visiting Istanbul (not just on a first trip to the city, but any time), eating breakfast outside the hotel or apartment is simply a must, at least once, to be able to experience this unique tradition and eat dishes that you won’t be able to find anywhere else in the world.

But as the city is huge and every corner reveals a new discovery, navigating through all restaurants can be a challenge. With countless options to explore, you may find yourself on a quest that spans hours and eventually end up in the wrong place.

To make it easier for you to find the best Turkish breakfast in Istanbul, I made this article with my curated selection of different places across different Istanbul neighborhoods. They are all based on my personal explorations while living in the city.

So below you’ll find the best Turkish breakfast places in Istanbul for me personally with famous Turkish breakfast restaurants, lesser-known (local) breakfast spots, and my preferred breakfast places with sea views! I am showing you exactly where to go and what type of breakfast food to order at each place!

In the end of the post, there is a map for those who prefer a visual representation. Get ready to have a morning feast!

What to Eat for Turkish Breakfast in Istanbul – Quick Overview

First things first. what can you expect to find for Turkish breakfast in Istanbul or anywhere in Turkey?

Lots of various spreads (like jams, marmalades, caramel, tahini sesame paste, butter, olives, and pickles), cheeses, smoked meats, vegetables, nuts, dried fruits, variations of bread, and of course eggs with black tea.

For a more detailed list, you should read my post about must-have traditional Turkish breakfast foods.

Best Turkish Breakfast Places on Istanbul’s European Side

Here are some of my favorite breakfast joints for a hearty Turkish breakfast on Istanbul’s European side. These include breakfast in the Sultanahmet neighborhood, Karakoy, Cihangir, Taksim, and others. I also mention one breakfast spot in Balat:

Van Kahvaltı Evi (in Cihangir, Beyoğlu)

• Specialties Here: Traditional Breakfast From Eastern Turkey

You may or may not know it – Van is a city is Eastern Turkey. And Van Kahvaltısı means “Van Breakfast” or “Van Style Breakfast” which is now a concept in Turkey.

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It is basically a type of Turkish breakfast in which the table is populated with all kinds of different jams, cheeses, pastry, sucuk (Turkish sausage), and several other products typical to this region (some are regional products brought from the east) in very small plates. So you can try a little of basically everything.

There are a lot of “Van kahvaltısı” spots in Istanbul, but I picked this one in Cihangir which is a nice place that I personally love. It is also in a beautiful area of the town that you can explore before and/or after breakfast. Use my guide to Cihangir to find other places in the area.

One thing with this concept though – as they bring in too much food, it is almost impossible to finish it all. So some of it might get wasted. Thus come here as hungry as you can or get the leftovers packed to snack on them later during the day!

Kahve6 (Famous Turkish Breakfast in Cihangir)

• Specialties Here: Very Good Vegan Turkish Breakfast & Fusion Brunch

I probably shouldn’t be mentioning this place as it is too famous, but I am still going to as not many people know it is one of the best places where to eat vegan Turkish breakfast in Istanbul. Vegan plates cost between 250-300 TL ($8-$9) and each option includes not only vegetables, nuts, and plant-based spreads, but also vegan cheeses and pastries.

Also, it is a place for those who are looking for something different than traditional Turkish food as many dishes combine elements from different culinary cultures to create unique and innovative plates.

Another thing, Kahve6 (a word play on “kahvaltı”, a Turkish word for “breakfast) offers a “fusion breakfast” menu and has a wide range of options in addition to the classic Turkish breakfast experience. And it also has a lunch menu!

Kahvaltıcılar Sokağı – Istanbul Breakfast Street in Beşiktaş

• Specialties Here: The whole street with many breakfast places, the majority are fantastic!

Let’s continue with a whole street rather than a single place!

In central Beşiktaş -a very popular area of Istanbul’s European side- there is an area known as “Kahvaltıcılar Sokağı”, meaning the street of breakfast places. In English many people refer to it simply – Besiktas Breakfast Street. The exact address of this street is Çelebioğlu Street, on the map location is here.

As the name suggests, it is packed with breakfast and brunch restaurants that you can visit to enjoy a good Turkish-style breakfast. And the best part? You can do it at any time during the day! So even if you roll out of bed at 2 pm and want to have breakfast, you can do it right here on this street, ha.

You can walk this street, and just find a place that has a free spot and looks good to you! But my personal favorite places for Turkish breakfast here are Pişi Breakfast & Burger (I love it particularly for ‘pişi’, a Turkish version of deep-fried donut) and Siyah Cafe because they have very good Muhlama (cheese corn porridge, similar to the porridge in Mestia in Svaneti region if you’ve tried it there) and garden-looking terrace.

Patika Cafe (Best Breakfast in Balat)

• Specialties Here: A mix of Traditional Turkish Breakfast dishes & Western Style Plates

Balat is a very popular area of Istanbul’s European side that I love (so much that I even created a quick overview guide of Balat with things to do). It is filled with colorful old apartments, characteristic streets, and of course, cute cafes and restaurants. Patika Cafe is just one of them – a lovely place for a good Turkish breakfast on a weekend.

It is located on a very beautiful street and serves a delicious traditional Turkish breakfast. But if you like, you can opt for more “Western” style items on the menu, such as cheesecakes and pancakes as well.

If you go there at the weekend and cannot find a place (because it is very popular!), just walk around in Balat, a beautiful neighborhood, and you will be able to come across other good places to have a nice breakfast.

Lades (Best Breakfast in Taksim)

• Specialties Here: Menemen & Kaymak With Honey

Also known as “Lades Menemen” (‘menemen’ being a type of a very popular Turkish breakfast dish made mainly with eggs & tomatoes), Lades is an old breakfast spot that is famous in the Taksim area of Beyoğlu district.

As is the case with almost all “famous” places, it might let you down a little bit (I’ve had much better menemens in a lot of different places) but if you are around, you should try it too, maybe just to be able to say that you have tried it when someone eventually recommends it to you… But I’d say go here only if you are on a short trip (like 1 day in Istanbul or max 2) and don’t have a chance to get to other neighborhoods famous for traditional breakfast.

And, you may love it as well, as the idea of a perfect menemen depends from person to person. There is a debate, for example, about whether it should include onions or not, haha.

Anyway, in my experience, it is the best breakfast place in Taksim which is frequented by both foreigners and locals. It might be a bit crowded, especially at breakfast hours during the weekends. You can try the menemen, but other stuff is very good too. Sitting on one of the side streets of Istiklal, it is easily reachable.

Çeşme Bazlama Kahvaltı (Nişantaşı)

• Specialties Here: Bazlama (Turksih flatbread) & Buffet Style Breakfast

Nişantaşı is a very popular district of Istanbul’s European side, frequented by locals, tourists, expats, famous personalities, and filled with bars, cafés, and restaurants of all concepts.

It has of course, a lot of places that you can visit to kick-start your weekend with a pleasant Turkish breakfast experience, and Çeşme Bazlama Kahvaltı is one of them. It actually reminded me of a couple of breakfast places in Dubai with a few similar food items and decorations.

Here you can have a delicious Turkish breakfast in a warm setting in the buffet-style where you pay one price and eat as much as you want replenishing any type of dish for free. Afterwards, with a full belly, you can go out to explore Nisantasi as it is one of the top neighborhoods in the city!

Here you’ll find my guide to Nisantasi where it is so easy to spend a whole day!

Saade Kahvalti (Best Turkish Breakfast in Sultanahmet)

• Specialties Here: Breakfast With a View of the Blue Mosque & Seasonal Dishes

I have been to a few breakfast venues in Sultanahmet and Saade Kahvalti turned out to be my favorite. Prices here are above average, but everything is always fresh and very tasty and the view is magnificent! Tea is served without limitations during breakfast.

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The menu is very comprehensive, with attention to detail evident in the presentation of each item on the table. The jams served are made from seasonal ingredients which (to me) shows how committed they are to quality and craftsmanship.

Menu has over 20 varieties, including traditional Turkish dishes like menemen and roasted omelets as well as options like eggs with sausage or pancakes as sides. Additionally, there are sweet toasts available, which will be popular among children.

The only thing – this restaurant is always so popular for breakfast. If you are staying in the area (or if you’ve got a local sim card), try to make a reservation here in advance, especially if you want to sit by the window with direct views of the Blue mosque.

Best Turkish Breakfast Places on Istanbul’s Asian Side

And here is a list of some of my favorite breakfast places on Istanbul’s Asian (Anatolian) side. You’ll see that I mention not only places for Turkish breakfast in Kadikoy, but also also neighborhoods. 

Naga Putrika (Best Breakfast in Kadikoy)

• Specialties Here: Traditional Turkish Breakfasts From Different Regions

Obviously, no list of anything on Istanbul’s Anatolian side would be imagined without mentioning the Kadıköy district with many beautiful neighborhoods.

And my recommendation for breakfast here (although feel free to discover the area and find other spots, there are a lot!) would be Naga Putrika, a breakfast cafe specializing in breakfasts from different regions and cities in Turkey. They even have dishes from Sarajevo and some elements that are also common in Morocco. Get ready to have breakfast here for a few hours!

I tried 5 types of breakfast here when I lived in Moda. My favorites turned out to be Çiçekdağı with flatbread and acuka sauce (from walnuts and tomatoes), Velika with its Bosnian pastry and dried fruits, and Zuğa with Muhlama dish (as you see in the photo).

But there are 7 breakfasts in total (on Naga Putrika’s website they have a good description of what each includes) and you may want to make a reservation online if traveling in the busy summer season or anytime on weekends (besides winter).

Among all the places on this list, I also like it for its setting. It looks like you are eating in the garden!

The only thing to remember – there is no option to order breakfast for one person here. You need to pay for 2 people and price is between 780-900TL ($24-$28) for two.

180 Coffee & Bakery (Kadıköy)

• Specialties Here: Non-Traditional Breakfast Options & Desserts

Another breakfast spot in Kadikoy if you are tired of traditional Turkish foods. It is that type of place that invites you from meters away with its fragrant smell. Being one of the favorite addresses of the people of Kadıköy, it doesn’t only have delicious coffee but also breakfast dishes.

Here, you can have a classic Turkish breakfast as well as other tasty items such as croissants, muffins, pancakes, crispy bacon between muffins, etc. Or if you’re looking for something light or vegan, there are also granola bites, avocado mash, beans in tomato sauce, and various sourdough breads.

So whatever you are feeling like, it is quite a nice place to start your day with a filling breakfast!

Oh, and there are also some desserts here that will tempt your heart – cheesecakes, brownies, and various cakes that you can enjoy alongside coffee.

Nelipide Gurme (Göztepe, Kadıköy)

• Specialties Here: Different Variety of Turkish Breakfast

Located in the famous Bağdat Avenue of the Göztepe area of Kadıköy, Nelipide is another breakfast place that you definitely won’t regret visiting. Although I say “breakfast place”, it is actually a restaurant that offers a rich, delicious traditional breakfast menu.

I like them for the uniqueness of serving Turkish breakfast here – they have traditional items but served in a different way. There are also roasted potatoes and potato casserole with melted cheese, and unique jams like the ones made from mulberry or honeydough. They also bake their own bread which is incredibly good!

In addition to that, you can come here for lunch and dinner as well whenever exploring the Bağdat Avenue to taste some regional plates from Ordu, a city in the Black Sea area of Turkey.

Çınaraltı Tarihi Çay Bahçesi (Çengelköy, Üsküdar)

• Specialties Here: Turkish Tea Garden

This is rather a unique Istanbul breakfast place that doesn’t resemble a traditional breakfast cafe. But you need to come here if you want to have a unique Istanbul experience. Besides that, once in the area, explore Çengelköy, a nontouristy neighborhood in Uskudar that has a picturesque waterfront, beautiful Çengelköy Mosque, and many cheap cafes with Turkish food.

So, Çay Bahçesi is a traditional Tea Garden in Istanbul (and ‘tea gardens’ is a popular concept in Turkey) where people come to socialize while drinking loads of tea and having breakfast on a side, the one they bring from home or order there.

Since it is a garden place, there is an outdoor area where you can go with your family and have tea or coffee if you want to. Although tea gardens are not exactly known as breakfast places, Çınaraltı Tarihi Çay Bahçesi offers a rather extensive menu against a lovely view of the Bosphorus. There are a couple of main dishes available like menemen or fried eggs with sucuk sausage. However, do not expect anything fancy here, this place serves more home-style foods prepared quickly.

Thus – if you are looking for a not-so-fancy Turkish breakfast experience reasonably priced and among locals, you need to try this tea house. Find it here by the Bosphorus Strait.

Hatay Gurme (Ataşehir)

• Specialties Here: Hatay Type of Breakfast

My next recommendation comes from Ataşehir of the Anatolian side. Hatay Gurme offers a traditional breakfast menu from Hatay, the southernmost city of the country.

The Hatay type of breakfast (to help you understand what that is) includes dishes like künefe (a sweet pastry made with shredded phyllo dough and cheese), various cheese pastries, muhammara (spread from red peppers, I also tried it when in Dubai), menemen as well, hummus, olives (lots of varieties), and fresh fruits.

Breakfast here is served between 9 AM – 15 PM every day. If you come here, ask for the “Dahiye Sultan” breakfast, a special traditional breakfast menu that gets its name from the mother of the owner of the joint! Location is here.

Ethem Efendi Kahvaltı (Erenköy)

• Specialties Here: Jams! (Dozens of Types) & All Other Traditional Breakfast Items

How about a filling breakfast experience in a historical Istanbul mansion, inside a garden, surrounded by beautiful trees?

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If this sounds appealing enough to you, visit the Ethem Efendi Kahvaltı in Erenköy, for a very rich menu of traditional Turkish breakfast items, served every day from the morning until 5 PM. Prices are on the higher side but the environment is so special and food is heavenly.

And they make their own jams too! A perfect place for a serene breakfast or brunch if you plan to go to the Caddebostan neighborhood to spend time in the park or by the beach.

Brekkie (Moda, Kadıköy)

• Specialties Here: Breakfast Croissants

My extra entry for a non-Turkish breakfast in the city’s Anatolian side comes from Moda, Kadıköy’s popular by-the-sea-area that is always delightful to explore.

Brekkie is a croissant place, that serves almost everything sandwiched between well, fresh and delicious croissants! It has a nice ambiance and a lot of items on its menu worth trying if you are looking for something different.

Bonus: Best Breakfast in Istanbul With Sea Views

House Cafe (Ortaköy)

• Specialties Here: Breakfast With a View, Best for Photos & If You Want Western-Style Food

And for the last Istanbul breakfast place on the European side, I want to bring you to Ortaköy, where you can enjoy a good breakfast (or brunch) while taking in the stunning view of the Bosphorus.

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House Cafe, thanks to its very privileged location just by the blue waters of Bosphorus, is the perfect place for this.

Here you can browse a rich menu, in which, in addition to classic Turkish breakfast items, you can find other interesting things worth-trying such as smoked salmon & scrambled eggs croissant, porridge, pancakes, and granola.

Divan Brasserie (Bebek)

• Specialties Here: Traditional Menu

It is a picturesque spot known for its quality breakfast experience, offering both a feast for the eyes with its stunning sea view and a refined menu renowned throughout Turkey.

While its ambiance resembles more of a café than a traditional breakfast spot, the breathtaking view from its windows makes it an ideal spot for a morning meal overlooking the Bosporus.

Divan Brasserie provides a diverse range of breakfast options, including their signature “Divan Breakfast” for two and delightful pancakes.

Of course, it doesn’t make much sense to come here just for breakfast. It is best to plan a morning meal here if you plan to visit Arnavutkoy and/or possibly go to Rumeli Fortress. Although Bebek on its own is a jewel too!

Kuleli Yakamoz (Üsküdar)

• Specialties Here: Buffet-Type of Breakfast Directly on the Bosphorus

Üsküdar district is famous for having breakfast places with a view and Kuleli Yakamoz is just one of them.

Being actually a restaurant, it has an open-buffet breakfast on weekends. The place is located in a such privileged location (just by the waters of the Bosphorus, that you will feel like you are on the sea) that it is actually worth going there just for the view alone.

But of course, a fulfilling, relaxed weekend breakfast/brunch experience will feel good too!

All These Istanbul Breakfast Places On a Map

More Tips For Istanbul

• 4 Days Itinerary for Istanbul – best route for first-timers
• What & Where to Eat in Istanbul Besides Breakfast – best restaurants and food guide
• Places to Visit Near Istanbul – if you want to go outside the city
• Istanbul for Couples – romantic places and things to do
• Istanbul Airport Transfer – how to get from both Istanbul airports into the city
• Best Sunset Spots in Istanbul – where to watch sun go down