8 Best Restaurants For The Ultimate “Turkish Breakfast Experience” in Istanbul

Foodies rejoice!

if you are like me and absolutely love to enjoy the local food, this current Istanbul food blog will show you some of the best places to sample.

This food blog will especially focus on Breakfast spots in the Turkish metropolitan.

Turkey is well know for their lavish multi plates breakfast. So it is no wonder that this is usually the focal point of many travellers.

All of which have repeatedly blown up on TikTok. After having tried them myself, I totally understand.

If you are a solo female traveling alone, don’t worry.

These breakfast spots are totally perfect for you to head there all by yourself for a solo meal 🙂

I also believe that food is a major component of self care. So just enjoy the experience to the max.

Let’s dive in ! 🤭

The house cafe Ortakoy

Ok I need to be honest, the house cafe’s food is just Ok. Some people might find the food mediocre or passable at best.

I do believe that their claim to fame is the ambiance and overall experience.

I still recommend this place. The reason why I added it to the list is because of the location. This cafe is a whole vibe and has spectacular views overlooking the Bosphorus.

And as if it wasn’t enough, you can also admire the beautiful Ortakoy mosque

Insider tip

• I recommend showing up on one of your first mornings
• Also you can reserve before to secure one of those table directly facing the water
• There is also a nice little patio with so many lush greeneries that is less busy but equally beautiful

Mr Simone

Where do I even begin?

Mr Simone puts the bar so high.

I absolutely LOVE this place.

Now Mr Simone doesn’t have any view. But think garden instead

They did a fantastic job modelling the place. The spreads are to die for and the food is absolutely delicious.

I also had one of the best orange juice in ages. And I love how they put a massive tea carafe on your table.

They also keep walking around with fresh bread to keep you satiated.

I also love how you can see Turkish grandmas preparing fresh bread in the common area, next to the beautiful garden.

And you can also purchase homemade goods such as various jams to bring back home with you. I also love how everyone was so caring and lovely and welcoming

Cost: It is absolutely worth it. It ended up costing us around 50 USD for two breakfast ( for two) + two freshly squeezed orange juices and a massive tea carafe.

Insider tip

• Do show up as early as you can. We showed up without reservations at 9am and it was ok. We noticed it got crowded around 10. That’s when the tiktok crowd started showing up. Yes, it does move relatively fast but still people had to sit and wait a bit. I would go at 8 AM for the most peaceful eating experience

Bazlama Bazaar

Another experience that is so lovely and super wholesome.

It is extremely colourful and the Turkish spreads are absolutely amazing. The food is tasty. The waiters are extremely cheeky and flirty but in a cute non overbearing way.

You will also be welcomed by Turkish grandmas preparing fresh bread. And omg , the jam spread is to die for. They have a spicy one that you should definitely buy.

I can’t wait to go back. And next time I will make sure to bring some jams back home. As they have a lovely shop with tons of selection.

The only thing is they didn’t have any 100ml jars. And because I didn’t have any checked bag and was traveling light with a cary on only, I had to forgo. 🙂

Insider tip

• Again, show up before 9 am, before the TikTok crowd. That said, it still moves very swiftly. I noticed it was a bit quiet again around 1pm.
• Make space in your luggage to bring some goodies back home with you

Cesme Art Cafe

We found this place by accident. But it was the most adorable little coffee shop. I didn’t get to try their breakfast. We went at night and had some of the tastiest San Sebastian cake.

What makes this place special, is the cozy intimate vibes. And also it offers a very lovely view of the Galata tower.

Insider tip

• Come for dessert
• There is also more seating tables inside

Seven hills cafe restaurant

Now I am very hesitant to recommend this place. This is why I need to be as transparent as possible.

I only include this place for the views. If you come here after going to Mr Simone, Bazlama or Cesme, you WILL be highly disappointed.

So keep your expectations at bay. The food was extremely mediocre and the service a little bit lax because I felt they were understaffed for the amount of patrons coming in.

So why am I recommending this one again?

It is just for the views. I believe the views are quite lovely

Plus what makes this place super unique is that is right smack in the middle of two mosques. So the call to prayer is a unique experience.

The terrace also has a lovely view overlooking the water

Also you can do a photoshoot there with the mosques as a background.

And lastly, you can have your own experience of feeding the infamous Istanbul seagulls

Insider tip

• Perhaps you can skip the actual breakfast since it is quite mediocre. Instead just come for a drink to enjoy the views and take pictures. Then move on with your lovely day 🙂

Bonus Istanbul Coffee shop

Hafiz Mustafa 1864

I found out about this place thanks to my lovely bestie.

We ended up going there one evening for some baklava with ice cream.

The we got greedy and ordered way too many things 😄

That way, I also got to try the caramel milk cake 🤭

And OMG!

I am dreaming about these and can’t wait to go back

Insider Tip

• Don’t worry about the line ups. It’s often for take away. Walk straight past it to have a seat inside
• I went to the branch on Istikal. It’s busy but there is a big seating dining room upstairs
• Do not miss the Baklava with ice cream. It’s their best seller for a reason

Bonus Cappadocia Breakfast

Sato cave hotel

I stayed at Sato cave during my Capadoccia visit. The breakfast was very cozy and prepped by the ladies of the house.

It felt so authentic. They also have a cute little terrace where you can have a nice view of the city.

Insider tip

• I stayed at the hotel but I am pretty sure, you can come over and pay for breakfast
• The hotel is sometimes hard to find. Just enter Henna hotel in your GPS. Then all you have to do is walk up on the pedestrian path. Sato cave will be the next hotel right after Henna Hotel 🙂

Bonus spot for a quick snack in Istanbul

Potato street

Anyone else also obsessed with potatoes like me?

This is perfect for those late night snacks.

This is a street in Istanbul unofficially called potato street. You will find many vendors selling jacket potatoes with all sorts of filling.

It really hits the spot for those late night cravings 🤭

Insider Tip

• I was really pleasantly surprised to see that they also accept credit card. haha how times are changing 🙂
• Take a time to wander around but all the stands are more or less selling the same style of potato

• I recommend accompanying your potato with some juice. My juice of choice was some freshly squeezed orange juice 🙂
• Buy your jacket potato and walk back to the waterfront, then sit down in the square. Enjoy your 5 $ potato with the best water views and music.

Solo Female Travel Group Tour

I did this trip with my bestie and absolutely love traveling with a group of women.

This is why I started offering women only group travel. Our next adventure will be in Iceland for an epic solo female group travel.

Then in October, I am so thrilled to host a women embodiment retreat in our very own private villa in Malta.

We will be a small intimate group of 10 women doing so many cool things and connecting with ourselves and levelling up.

Stay in touch so you never miss out on future women adventures that I put together for our community

More Türkiye Resources

Do check out my other Türkiye Travel resources to help you plan your perfect trip

Solo Female Travel Resources

Women Self Love Wellness Retreat

I am so passionate about women empowerment. Everything I do is based on this. I want to see more women embrace their authentic selves.

Trust me life gets so much better.

That’s the main focus of my self love women retreat. In this Wellness retreat, we go deep. I really love to connect with my fellow sisters.

That’s why I only do small groups of 10-12 women.

This retreat is an invitation to embody your feminine and to dive into radical self love. Growth and shedding past limiting beliefs is the focal point.

We do this through various workshops, wellness practices such as breath work and lots of somatic movement.

As a dance teacher, of course we will also be using the power of dance and music to process, release and shed things that are holding us back so we can be born again.

Welcome to our transformational retreat where the focus is all on YOU.

Not only that, but we do it in style and comfort.

Our next retreat is in a breathtaking villa on the beautiful island of Gozo Malta. We will be staying in our own private villa.

And did I mention our own private chef? with our own private pool 🤭.

It is the perfect time to slow down and prioritize yourself.

Also, don’t forget to stay in touch for my upcoming self love women wellness retreat, for pure feminine embodiment and lots of dancing also.

My Women Self Improvement & Travel Podcast

There is a whole world waiting for you to discover.

Cheers to your next adventure

On that note, I am leaving you with this popular episode from my women podcast “She thrives” with Stef Barti

• 31: My top 5 reasons why I believe women only group travel is life changing

Keep being awesome 🙂

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