Surely you have heard a lot about Turkey’s rich cuisine and food culture, and of course Turkish coffee and Turkish tea, many cafes in Istanbul offer you a wonderful view on the Bosphorus with its beautiful natural beauties. Since Turkish coffee and Turkish tea are very famous in Turkey, many people associate the city of Istanbul with Turkish tea and coffee.
We present to you the 10 best outdoor cafes in Istanbul. Some of the places offer you a chance to experience historical atmosphere, while others offer an adventure into serenity in the midst of hectic city life. It is highly unlikely that you will try them all during your visit, but I am sure you will find what you are looking for.
Top 7 cafes in Istanbul
çorlulu ali paşa
It is a medrese building next to the Çorlulu Ali Paşa Mosque built in 1709 and its name from the Grand Vizier Ali Paşa who came from Çorlu city. The historical atmosphere offers an amazing peace, as if you are entering into a different dimension. As you enter the venue, you leave the buzzing sound of the city behind. Also, many people agree that this is the best place to smoke water pipes or shisha – hookah in Turkish. Regulars greet anyone who comes to the place because they believe the friendships made here are forever. The place is open daily from 7 am to 2 am.
Address: Yeniçeriler Caddesi 36/28, right while walking towards Beyazıt direction from Sultanahmet.
Galata Konak Cafe
Founded in 1975 in Nişantaşı by the Aki family, Konak Patisseries has a reputation for crunchy cakes and daily baked pastries. The new generation of the family decided to transform their concept into a restaurant/cafe featuring a broader menu with international favourites, and they opened the place in 2006.
This is another surprisingly remote place that can seat 150 people on the rooftop terrace in the historic city center. The place offers a wonderful combination of tranquility and a wonderful 360-degree view of Galata Tower, Bosphorus and its bridge, Golden Horn, Galata Bridge that connects the historical peninsula with the city’s five hills, Topkapi Palace, Yeni Camii Hagia Sophia, and Suleymaniye Mosque.
The place is open daily between 8 am and 12 am and they serve lunch on Sundays.
Address: Bereketzade Mah. Hase Ali Ski No: 2 Kuledibi, Beyoğlu (5 minutes from Galata Tower down the hill)
Phone: +90 212 252 53 46
www.galatakonakcafe.com
Çengelköy Çınaraltı
The first settlement in Çengelköy dates back to the 5th century. The place still features ancient and traditional Bosphorus life to some extent. To locals, Çengelköy is known for its tea garden, Çınaraltı (literally translated under “plane tree”) where one of the most popular TV series, Süper Baba, was filmed in the 1990s. The plane tree that provides shade and uniqueness to the place is believed to be around 900 years old.
You are free to bring any kind of food you wish, but no drinks. Some börek from the shops nearby and the tea in place is what the locals love, especially early in the morning for a quiet breakfast before school or work. My personal favorite view is the view of the Bosphorus and the bridge.
The place is open every day. To get there you can take the city line ferry directly to Cingulkoy from some points like Eminonu, or reach Uskudar (6 km from Şenglkoy), and take a taxi from there to enjoy the coastal road of the Asian side. In case you are in Kadıköy, you can take the bus of line 14M or 15F.
Address: Çengelköy Cad. Çınarlı Camii Sok. No: 4, Üsküdar
Phone: +90 216 422 1036
www.cengelkoycinaralti.com
Mangi Bebek Balcony
There are many fine cafes, restaurants and nightclubs in Bebek. One thing I have noticed is that places in Bebek have a drawback due to its popularity. They are quickly consumed because the turnover is huge and new places can be opened all the time. Manjiri has been able to get away with this ups and downs because her goal is to stick to her own specifications, or even constantly improve.
The place is mostly known among the locals for its brunch or brunch, however they have more. The balcony, the view and the decor make you feel part of this city, but you are privileged to experience its delicious sides. Quiet and cool place, open every day of the week from eight in the morning until midnight.
Address: Cevdet Paşa Caddesi 69, Küçükbebek
Phone: +90 212 263 51 99
www.mangeriebebek.com
Bebek Cafe
Located next to the ferry, adjacent to the Bebek Park Restaurant, the place is surprisingly unassuming unlike other elegant Bebek cafes. This place is famous for serving a traditional Turkish breakfast with a splash of tranquility on the waterfront of the Bosphorus. All day long you can watch people playing backgammon, chatting and sipping Turkish coffee or tea. Another eye-catching point for locals, the place mostly visited by celebrities in Turkey for some informal time. Unfortunately, this affects the prices – they are a little higher than what you pay in a regular coffee shop. But the place stands out so much that it becomes difficult to find an empty spot.
Address: Cevdet Paşa Caddesi No. 137, Bebek
Phone: +90 212 257 54 02
www.bebekkahve.com.tr
Susam Cafe
Cozy home-like café decorated with some antique and mismatched furniture. The place has a simple warm atmosphere of a friendly local coffee shop and a rich menu especially for drinks. The clientele is a mixture of expats, celebrities and locals. I love the street side balcony and the fact that the prices are reasonable.
Susam Sokak No: 11, Cihangir – Beyoğlu
Phone: +90 212 251 59 95
Nişantaşı Mim Kemal Öke Caddesi
You can spend the whole day enjoying this street and jumping from one establishment to another.
How to get there?
When you turn your back to Istiklal Street, you will see the main street called Cumhuriyet Caddesi. Start walking and on your right you will pass the Taksim Art Gallery, Taksim Park and the Military Museum. In front of the museum, the road is divided into two parts. You will follow the right path, Vali Konağı Caddesi. Go past the park on the right, the first street on the right is Mim Kemal Öke Caddesi.
Nişantaşı Mim Kemal Öke Caddesi
This cafe opens at 8 am and is very popular for breakfast. It is a deli like atmosphere with the comfort of the kitchen. Customers enjoy seasonal delicacies with a back-to-basics approach, accompanied by a large wine cellar treatment.
Address: Sisli, Mim Kemal Öke Cad. NO.19
Phone: +90 212 225 06 04