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Best Cafés in Istanbul (2026)

Café culture in Istanbul revolves around tea, Turkish coffee and sweets, and many of the best places have been serving the same specialities for generations. Mandabatmaz, in a passage off İstiklal Avenue, is famous for its thick Turkish coffee, best ordered plain, medium or sweet. Vefa Bozacısı, below the Süleymaniye, has served boza, a fermented grain drink topped with chickpeas, since 1876, and it is at its best on a winter evening.

For desserts, Hafız Mustafa 1864 in Sirkeci is handy between the sights, with baklava, puddings and Turkish delight to eat in or take away. The city's historic patisseries are worth seeking out too. İnci Pastanesi, just off İstiklal, has served chocolate-covered profiteroles since 1944, Baylan in Kadıköy is known for its Kup Griye ice-cream coupe, and Patisserie de Pera, in the Pera Palace Hotel, sells handmade chocolates and French-style pastries. Most cafés open from the morning, but check the hours of smaller places before making a special trip.

6 places · Updated November 12, 2026

Our top 3 cafés in Istanbul

  1. Mandabatmaz Turkish coffee, BeyoğluA tiny Turkish coffee spot in a passage off İstiklal Avenue, known for thick, strong coffee served to customers perched on stools in the alley.
  2. Hafız Mustafa 1864 Sirkeci Dessert café and patisserie, SirkeciThe Sirkeci branch of the confectioner dating back to 1864, serving baklava, kadayıf, puddings and Turkish delight with tea and Turkish coffee.
  3. Vefa Bozacısı Historic boza shop, VefaIstanbul's oldest boza shop, opened in Vefa in 1876 by Hacı Sadık Bey, serving boza, the thick fermented grain drink, topped with chickpeas.

Café

1. Mandabatmaz

Turkish coffee$Beyoğlu

A tiny Turkish coffee spot in a passage off İstiklal Avenue, known for thick, strong coffee served to customers perched on stools in the alley.

View details — Mandabatmaz

Café

4. İnci Pastanesi

Historic patisserie$Beyoğlu

A Beyoğlu patisserie serving its famous chocolate-sauced profiteroles since 1944, now on Mis Sokak just off İstiklal after leaving its original avenue premises.

View details — İnci Pastanesi