Turkish coffee, aka Turkish Sand Coffee, is made in a cezve using high-quality coffee beans boiled slowly over hot sand. It is served in small cups with Turkish delight and water. Drinking water beforehand helps the coffee go down smoothly, and the coffee should be allowed to settle before drinking.
Turkish coffee symbolizes conversation, friendship, respect, and hospitality. It has become an essential part of our social and cultural life, with brides required to serve it to their future husbands and families in pre-marriage ceremonies.
So here are some of the best places to drink Turkish coffee:
Best Turkish Coffee in Istanbul
1 – Mandabatmaz
Mandabatmaz has been serving authentic Turkish coffee daily to coffee enthusiasts since 1967. The name originates from the coffee’s thick, velvety foam, which is so dense that it is said even a buffalo could walk over it without sinking (manda means buffalo, and batmaz means unsinkable). The logo of Mandabatmaz represents this popular saying.
The Turkish coffee of this place is produced by selecting and roasting special beans with unique methods that are confined only to Mandabatmaz. This classic cafe, which prepares thick creamy coffee in a copper cezve on its traditional stove, has already earned the title as one of the best Turkish coffees in the world.
Address: Asmalı Mescit, Olivia Gecidi, No: 1/A, Beyoglu, +90 212 243 77 37.
2 – Fazıl Bey’s Turkish Coffee
Operating since 1923 in the historical district of Kadıköy, this compact venue continues to roast and grind their carefully selected beans using antique brewing machines. The aroma of Fazil Bey’s Turkish Coffee captivates you from afar, drawing you inside. The authenticity of Fazil Bey’s Turkish Coffee is evident as the coffee beans are chosen, roasted, and brewed right before your eyes, resulting in a delightfully creamy and aromatic cup of coffee.
Address: Serasker Cad., No: 1/A, Tarihi Kadikoy Carsisi, Kadikoy, +90 216 450 28 70.
3 – Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi
The central branch of Mehmet Efendi, an internationally renowned Turkish coffee producer, upholds its aim of providing superior quality coffee. The tranquillity and fascination of this antique store, adorned with aromatic Arabica beans, are indescribable. A long queue outside the coffee house speaks to the quality and authenticity of Turkish coffee here.
If one cup is not enough for your coffee cravings, bring home Mehmet Efendi’s freshly ground coffee packages, available in markets and online. Don’t know how to brew? No worries! This famous Turkish coffee producer will provide instructions on brewing with a cezve, and even teach you how to interpret the leftover dregs in your cup to predict your future.
Please note that you cannot consume the coffee on-site, but you can make a purchase.
Address: Rüstem Paşa, Tahmis Sok., No: 66, Eminonu, +90 212 511 42 62.
4 – Pierre Loti Cafe
Pierre Loti Cafe is one of the finest historic coffee shops situated atop Pierre Loti Hill, offering exceptional views and is reachable by cable cars. The hill, and consequently, the cafe, are named after a French writer and naval officer who frequently visited and conveyed deep adoration for Istanbul in his novels.
Savoring Turkish coffee at an open-air cafe while engaging in aesthetic conversations with friends and admiring the panoramic views of the Golden Horn estuary and Sarayburnu is a top adventure in Istanbul. A visit to Pierre Loti cafe offers not only the opportunity to enjoy the frothy and dark coffee but also covers other attractions such as the Eyüp Sultan Mosque, the Eyüp-Pierre Loti hill cable car trip, and the all-encompassing city and Golden Horn views through a telescope.
Pierre Loti Hill is an ideal tourist destination, particularly during the summer, offering a great opportunity to relax and take stunning photos. The friendly staff at Pierre Loti, dressed in traditional Ottoman attire and colorful fez hats, are always busy serving coffee in beautifully decorated cups.
Address: Gumussuyu Balmumcu Sk., No: 1, Eyüp, +90 212 497 13 13.
5 – Tarihi Bagdat Kurukahvecisi
Tarihi Bagdat Kuru Kahvecisi is a renowned historical cafe that uniquely prepares Turkish coffee, enhancing its flavor with various ingredients such as gum mastic, cardamom, and chocolate. The gum mastic is sourced directly from Chios island in Greece.
Tarihi Bagdat Kuru Kahvecisi captures the essence of the Aegean spirit through its products, music, and decor. The cafe is situated on Bagdat Avenue, a prominent street in the Anatolian region of Istanbul. Savoring a cup of rich Turkish coffee while listening to soothing Greek music in the background brings a sense of peace and tranquility to your leisure moments.
All the Turkish coffee flavors here are incredible, and don’t leave without trying their appetizing Turkish delights. Tarihi Bagdat Kuru Kahvecisi also serves a unique caffeine-free coffee, similar to Turkish coffee, made from wild pistachios. This special coffee, known locally as “menengiç kahvesi,” is a must-try beverage.
This place is suitable for both socializing with friends and enjoying quiet moments alone. It is also renowned for its gum paste, Turkish delight varieties, and Kavala cookies. Additionally, the place offers the Book Exchange Project, allowing you to bring in your read books and exchange them with others in their library.
Address: Suadiye, Bağdat Cad./Kazım Özalp Sok., Kazım Kulan Pasajı, No: 371, D: 6, Kadıköy, +90 216 363 69 64.
6 – Sade Kahve
Sade Kahve is another charming coffee house, situated near the Bosphorus waterfront just adjacent to the historical Rumeli Hisarı fortress, that still prepares Turkish coffee slowly on ash. On top of its flavorful Turkish coffee, the place is also very prominent for its superb breakfast, available all day long, and served in its signature style.
Located in the garden of an ancient wooden house, this coffeehouse offers a pleasant atmosphere and expansive water views. Sade Kahve is known for its commitment to delivering high-quality service at affordable prices. I particularly appreciate their authentic coffee preparation, flavorful menemen cooked in copper pans, and fragrant tea made with spring water.
Address: Rumeli Hisarı, Yahya Kemal Cd., No: 20, Sarıyer, +90 212 358 23 24.
7 – Şark Kahvesi
Although Şark Kahvesi is a more touristy place, operating in Istanbul’s historical Grand Bazaar, we still like its truly traditional and distinguished atmosphere very much. The place, which was originally established to serve the artisans of the Grand Bazaar, has quickly gained a good reputation and emerged as a benchmark of the authenticity of Turkish coffee and a hotspot for tourists to hang around.
Şark Kahvesi is renowned for its slow coffee brewing method in copper cezve over hot sand, classic interiors with wooden furniture, and prime tourist location. The service is quick, but due to its small size and popularity, seating availability may be limited at times.
Şark Kahvesi is ideal for taking a quick break while exploring the Grand Bazaar and savoring a refreshing cup of Turkish coffee accompanied by baklava or other Turkish delights.
Address: Beyazıt, Yağlıkçılar Sk., No: 134, Fatih, +90 212 512 11 44.
8 – Okkalı Kahve
Okkalı Kahve is a charming café located in the center of Beşiktaş, highly praised by both locals and tourists. If you are in the historic district of Istanbul and craving coffee, head to Okkalı Kahve for a delicious cup of Turkish coffee.
Okkalı Kahve offers a diverse menu of sixteen types of Turkish coffee, making it challenging to select just one. Notable options include Adana Gar, Carvansaray, Gum Mastic, Dibek, and Menengiç.
Okkalı Kahve offers a distinctive coffee experience that blends various cultures in a single cup of Turkish coffee. I thoroughly enjoy the ambience of the place, and the combination of the Turkish coffee infused with gum mastic flavor alongside a delectable carrot cake.
Address: Sinanpaşa, Yeni Hamam Sk., No: 3, Beşiktaş, +90 212 236 95 06.
Turkish coffee is an integral part of our daily routines, whether at work, in meetings, social gatherings, or catching up with friends. Therefore, it would be beneficial for you to be aware of some excellent places to experience Turkish coffee. Hopefully, whenever you have a craving for coffee, you can refer to the cafes I have listed below. Undoubtedly, there is nothing more refreshing than beginning our day with a cup of rich and smooth Turkish coffee.