Best Breakfast In Istanbul – Enjoy A Turkish Breakfast

Post author Nicky

Written by our local expert Nicky

Nicky, originally from the UK, is now a local in Turkey. She moved there for love 12 years ago and is now a specialist Turkey travel planner.

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!

The good news is that you can sample one of the best types of cuisine available – 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 at a Turkish breakfast banquet are light, so you’re not going to feel so full you can’t move.

 

Turkey Travel Blog_Best Breakfast In Istanbul

 

What Is A Typical Turkish Breakfast?

What To Eat In Turkey - Menemen
Menemen

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

TYPICAL KAHVALTI BREAKFAST ITEMS
  • Different cheeses
  • Olives
  • Fried and boiled eggs
  • Menemen – a type of omelet with tomatoes and peppers
  • Borek – pastries with different fillings, such as potato, cheese, or ground meat
  • Gozleme – A flatbread with different fillings
  • Sucuk – fermented meat similar to pepperoni
  • Honey
  • Jam
  • Chocolate spread
  • Cucumber
  • Tomatoes
  • Cay (tea)

Best Spots For A Turkish Breakfast In Istanbul

Breakfast in Istanbul - Delicious traditional turkish breakfast

Because breakfast is vitally important in Turkey, you’ll find plenty of restaurants that serve an all-day Turkish breakfast or a breakfast until around 2 pm.

Here are a few of the best places to eat breakfast in Istanbul that you should add to your visit list.

Breakfast Street (Kahvalti Sokak), Besiktas

Turkey Travel Blog_Best Breakfast In Istanbul_Eleven Brothers
Photo Credit: Eleven Brothers

Yes, you read that right – 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. Eleven Brothers is a top pick, in my opinion!

Namli Gurme, Karakoy

Turkey Travel Blog_Best Breakfast In Istanbul_Namli Gurme, Karakoy
Photo Credit: Namli Gurme, Karakoy

A popular choice for breakfast 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 it’s a marketplace delicatessen and a restaurant. That’s great news because it means you can purchase some of their products to take home!

Van Kahvaltı Evi, Cihangir

Turkey Travel Blog_Best Places For Breakfast In Istanbul_Van Kahvaltı Evi, Cihangir
Van Kahvaltı Evi Cheese Selection. Photo Credit: Van Kahvaltı Evi, Cihangir

Cihangir is located a short distance from Taksim and makes a wonderful Istanbul breakfast with local produce as the standard. Also, if you’re someone who adores cheese, this is the place for you – you’ll find more types of cheese from around the country here than anywhere else!

Dogaciyiz Gourmet, Beyoglu

Turkey Travel Blog_Best Places For Breakfast In Istanbul_Dogaciyiz Gourmet, Beyoglu
Photo Credit: Dogaciyiz Gourmet, Beyoglu

This is an excellent option 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.

Yiğit Sofram Gözleme Ve Kahvaltı, Beyoglu

Turkey Travel Blog_Best Places For Breakfast In Istanbul_Yiğit Sofram Gözleme Ve Kahvaltı, Beyoglu
Photo Credit: Yiğit Sofram Gözleme Ve Kahvaltı, Beyoglu

For a truly authentic and homemade Turkish breakfast, try this 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 pm. Definitely try the gozleme; it’s made right in front of you and is as fresh as fresh can be!

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

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!

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