With lots to do on day 3 in Istanbul we wanted to start the day off with more than several cups of…read morecoffee, so we headed to Poika to grab a Turkish breakfast. The eatery was super clean, had a friendly staff and most important, it was a 5 minute walk fromt he hotel and the tram station we wanted to use was almost just across the street. We ordered the traditional breakfast and I got a cup of V60 drip coffee The breakfast was fantastic. We are not traditional breakfast eaters. however this may change my mind. Ours came with sliced cheese nuts and raisins, and a few slices on lunch meat. There was a small roll or barek which is rolled dough and cheese, in the center were two kinds of olives, cups of: Honey, nutella? butter, and stewed blackberries. to the left was sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. A fried egg and pillowy bread completed the meal. WOW, not only were we full but the combination left us light on our feet and not bogged down (like some heavy breakfasts can). The V60 drip was also excellent.

I wanted to love this place, but it just didn't live up to the hype. First, if you sit outside,…read morechance are you'll smell cat urine. Secondly, their bread was cold and the traditional Turkish pastry with cheese didn't come close to other restaurants in the area. Service was subpar as well. On the bright side, it wasn't pricey, but that didn't help the experience.

My first review of the year had to my ultimate favorite place to eat desserts. For me this place is…read moreabove all. I love Turkish desserts over any desi desserts, cakes, pastries, chocolates but maybe not the French croissants. My favorite are anything with walnut and pistachios. I love their Kunafa which is perfectly sized not too big or small super fresh and gives you an option to go with honey or sugar syrup.I always choose the later I'm not too big a fan of honey on a kunafa. But the star here is is the big slice of plain baklava with a thick layer or pistachios courses grounded with their signature ice cream. My goodness it is goodness on a plate. I love it with their basic kewa. The service is always top notch. Their locations their pick are top notch too. Price point -it isn't cheap but definitely worth every penny. There are lots of prepackaged goodies like nuts, Turkish delights etc to buy. I always get their baklava packed in a tin and bring it back their guarantee it's freshness for 10 days. I usually freeze it and eat it as and when I like. Works great. Their locations are beautifully done in their standard theme. I dream of their baklavas every time I'm in Turkey. They do have a few locations in other countries like UAE and England but not in many I hope to see them come to Canada soon.

This one of the must try spots in Istanbul and I saw them all over, lol. I went on a walking tour…read moreduring my stay in Istanbul and the local tour guide also recommended this bakery. He said they were a bit pricey but worth it and I agree. My first visit i went to just try out the goodies. I purchased three baklava treats. (pistachio, chocolate and walnut) They were all delicious and rich. My favorite was the walnut. They also sell other baked goods and coffee. I visited another location and purchased a few to go home. The staff were very sweet and welcoming. Definitely a place to check out.

This is a little cafe with sweets and borek and coffee. It's quiet and clean. They had American…read moremusic. The food was good.

Serving Sultanahmet since 1961 Çiğdem Pastanesi sees its fair share of locals and tourists, a wide…read moreselection of sweets and savories similar to other local spots luring guests in where a tight space is found decorated with aged wood and iron. Surprisingly limited in English, uncommon on the street between Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar, prices are a bit higher than Patisserie further from city-center while the products themselves are fair-to-middling and highlighted by Syrup-soaked Halka Tatlisi with Jam at the center.

Overall not bad food but the prices are just crazy here. 38 lira for kebap! The baklava was not…read moregood but it was reasonably priced along with the drinks, but the kebap was so so for those crazy prices. Definitely hundreds of other places to go, which is disappointing because the kebap was actually pretty good. The staff is friendly enough and it's all self serve, basically running your tray down the line and grabbing or asking the chef to cook what you want. If not for the prices it wouldnt be awful.

Great food and cool people. Being from America this place serves huge portions. Would recommend!!read more

Excellent service and delicious breakfast - Bottomless Turkish tea!…read moreMenemen, salami and eggs, apricot jam, cream honey and selection of village cheeses were outstanding. Highly recommend.

A true Turkish breakfast. One of the highest ranked and most popular breakfast spots in Istanbul…read more Came as a party of 6. Honestly, to feed the whole group, you only need to order two Turkish breakfasts because there is SO MUCH food. Seating was quick with very friendly service. Restaurant stretches two building, bathroom is downstairs and clean. A few outside seat options ideal for smokers. Lots of locals with a few tourists too. Accepts credit cards. As mentioned, it's a lot of food. Standouts included the menemen, lightly fried balls of dough enjoyed with fresh honey, yogurt, and strawberry jam, cheeses, olives, and dips. Honestly everything. Probably one of the two best Turkish breakfast I've ever had. Definitely enjoy Turkish tea with your meal. The easiest path to enjoy here is to simply get the set and try some of everything. Experiment and find what flavors you like!

I came with a tour group and the menu was set for us, so that may have made it different from the…read moreregular experience. But wow, was it wonderful! Everything was so flavorful and satisfying. High marks for the lentil soup and the lamb and chicken kebab. And the baklava was just dreamy. Just fantastic!

This place it's a little hard to find but trust me it's worth it. It's truly a hidden gem. It's…read morelocated at the on of the ends of the Artesanal Market outside the Blue Mosque. Staff is very attentive and helpful with recommendations. The food it's truly the most authentic I was able to find in a touristy place. it's really tasty and fresh. They have outdoor sitting area is nice. Their desserts are amazing. At first looks like a small place but it quite big.

You really need to dine here if you're in the old city. It is very small; so make a reservation…read more It is a family owned restaurant with the dining room on the middle floor of their house. All the food is home cooked by the owner, who is an artist. She has decorated the room with her art and even made the furniture. The food is amazing! You'd better love cats and dogs because they are part of the experience. Our best dining experience so far in Istanbul.

This was the highlight of my trip to Istanbul. Being served homemade food by the amazing chef and…read morecafe owner off a handwritten menu--whatever she made that day--surrounded by art and rescue animals....do not miss out!!

Viyana Kahvesi was one of my favorite café experiences in Istanbul. The location alone is worth…read morevisiting, with an absolutely stunning view of the iconic Galata Tower. Sitting outside, enjoying dessert while taking in one of the city's most recognizable landmarks, creates a truly unforgettable atmosphere. Of course, the star of the show is their famous San Sebastián cheesecake. It lived up to every bit of the hype. Perfectly creamy, rich, and slightly caramelized on the outside, it was incredible on its own--but the warm chocolate drizzle takes it to another level. Every bite was indulgent without being overly sweet, making it one of the best desserts I've had anywhere. The combination of amazing food, excellent coffee, and a front-row view of the beautiful Galata Tower makes this a must-visit spot in Istanbul. Whether you're looking for the perfect dessert, a relaxing café experience, or an Instagram-worthy view, Viyana Kahvesi delivers on all fronts. A true Istanbul gem that I'll be thinking about long after returning home.

This cafe is famous for its fun locations with a nice patio and its rich San Sebastián style…read morecheesecake. I tried the Dubai chocolate version with pistachio, Belgian chocolate and knafeh....it's almost too rich to handle. The plain version is also delicious. There are multiple locations. This one is located in the courtyard of a famous building, the Narmanli Han on Istiklal street, with a lovely fountain outside. Very nice patio and great service. Super polite and fast. There's also a gorgeous location next to the Galata Tower.