A caffeinated tour through the vibrant streets of Kadikoy.
BY BENJAMIN SAND
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Photos by Benjamin Sand
Istanbul, the city where Europe meets Asia, is separated by the Bosphorus Strait. Until fairly recently, Kadikoy on the Asian side was largely unexplored. The majority of tourists flocked to the European side to enjoy the Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, and the cultural offerings in Beyoglu. The locals, however, kept Kadikoy, with its hypnotic alleyways, vibrant markets, and exceptional cuisine, a hushed secret.
The word is well and truly out, and these days, Kadikoy is bristling with energy. Whether you’re searching for a cozy café to read a book, a trendy minimalist spot to sip flat whites, or you want to dig deeper into the rise of specialty coffee in Istanbul, our guide will have an ideal choice for you.
One of the added benefits of a café crawl in Kadikoy is that everything is a ten-minute walk.
Cekirdek
Widely recognized as the man who brought specialty coffee to Kadikoy, Tunca Özgürer started his legendary café in 2012. After a stint as a chef in London, he returned to his homeland and opened Cekirdek, serving micro-roasted coffee to the curious locals. It has gathered a fiercely loyal following over the years, thanks in large part to the welcoming atmosphere and early opening hours.
The café itself is on the periphery of trendy Moda, an area of Kadikoy known for its glitterati and fashion. Milk-based espresso drinks are very popular here, but Tunca also serves up impeccable espresso and lighter filter coffee.
Montag
Resembling a trendy café from Berlin, Montag has two locations in Kadikoy: one in Moda, and another near the harbor on a second floor, with a charming balcony for views of the square below.
You’ll find all your standard coffee drinks here, but they also serve pourovers made with V60, which is a nice touch. The coffee is prepared meticulously, and the baristas are happy to discuss brewing methods with you. It is one of the more serious cafés in Kadikoy for execution and consistency.
Kronotrop
The Kronotrop journey began across the sea in Galatasaray, but has since spread to over 30 locations around Turkey. Their philosophy of sustainable and seasonal coffee sourcing means that every time you’re drinking a cup of coffee at one of their branches, it will be at its peak. One of the interesting things to try at Kronotrop is choosing a bean from, say, Ethiopia, but having it served as a Turkish-style coffee.
The way in which preparation dictates the flavor notes is quite a journey. They roast on the lighter side than many in the local scene, so fans of Nordic-style roasting will find something delicious to drink.
Coffee Manifesto
With a few locations on the Asian side, Coffee Manifesto excels in a touch more developed espresso-based drinks. For fans of juicy, medium-roast Americanos to start the day, point your phone in this direction.
A highlight here is their range of delicious food, cakes, and pastries (especially at the roomy Yeldegirmeni and Caddebostan branches), which are the perfect accompaniment to a rich cup.
Fahriye
Every neighborhood deserves a café that offers as much in ambiance as it does in refreshment. Fahriye is that spot in Kadikoy. Crammed with vinyl records, movie posters, books, and knick-knacks, this dreamy escape is the perfect place to curl up in a corner. The vibes are very bohemian, with elements of Paris-meets-the-East, and the curated music is never too loud.
A handful of seats outside allow people-watchers to sip a nice coffee and take in the morning sun. They have a food menu (including plant-based options), so those looking to spend a long morning wrapped in fiction can head here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Benjamin Sand is a freelance writer and nomad. His first taste of independent coffee was at the Equator Cafe (RIP) in Pasadena, California, back in the late 90s. Since then his tastes have evolved more towards the Nordic Style, and he is always on the lookout for a light-roast pourover. He also writes extensively about local food on his website The Mouth.
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