Feb 5, 2025

Cafe Naftalin K. Istanbul

Good vibes & warm atmosphere

"Cafe Naftalin K in Istanbul's Balat is a spot I love going with friends after photography tours in the area. It's so cozy - its stove is a lifesaver!"

Cafe Naftalin K is located in Balat, which is one of my favorite locations in Istanbul. I love to go to Balat for photography tours with my friends. This cafe is generally our last stop before leaving the neighborhood.

The interior design is really nice and fits perfectly in the surrounding environment of the old Balat-Fener area. It's very small, it's super cosy and filled with cool little trinkets, old cameras, pictures etc. If you want to go to the bathroom, do not be surprised, just open the refrigerator door. :)

They have such well designed menu paper which comes with an envelope. There are quotes outside of the envelope from famous authors (i.e. Franz Kafka / Letters to Milena). The mistress serves hand-made cookies and cakes with freshly brewed Turkish tea. On winter days, the stove inside the cafe is something like a lifesaver. Also, this cafe is a pet-friendly place. There are a lot of cats that will accompany you during your visit.

Beside the tea and cookies, they serve snacks, Turkish coffee and other coffee options. The prices are reasonable, considering the neighbouring places.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

About this spot

Yıldırım Caddesi No:22

Turkish coffee:

TL

175

5356438098

Find your way with 236 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Istanbul guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Istanbul

Yenikoy Kitapcisi

Book Coffee Affair in Istanbul

What sets Yenikoy Kitapcisi apart is that they proudly showcase lesser-known publishing houses, celebrating diversity & creativity of the literary world.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Zeynep

Ozortac

Mar 22, 2025

The Bench with a poet

A Poetic View of Istanbul

The bench itself, though simple in design, provides a comfortable and inviting place to rest. Sit in silence, read a book, or watch the world go by...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Zeynep

Ozortac

Mar 22, 2025

Brasserie Di Dante

Church and mosque unite

When you enter Brasserie di Dante, you're greeted by an outdoor seating area surrounded by plants and trees. Even in cold weather, they have fire heaters.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Zeynep

Ozortac

Mar 22, 2025

Çukurcuma Hamamı 1831

Spa day in Istanbul

Çukurcuma Hamam 1831 has a unisex policy, allowing you to enjoy the experience with your partner. As the hamam is not very big, make a reservation.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Zeynep

Ozortac

Mar 22, 2025

Explore Çukurcuma

Art nouveau at Faik Paşa St.

As you walk from Galatasaray to Karaköy, prepare for a nostalgic journey with a contemporary vibe with cobblestone streets and art nouveau-style buildings.

002-building
Art & culture
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Zeynep

Ozortac

Mar 22, 2025

Nadas Istanbul

Ecology and Art in Istanbul

Nadas Istanbul is a creative space dedicated to urban diversity with the goal of creating a more leisurely, conscious, and empathetic living community.

002-building
Art & culture

By

Zeynep

Ozortac

Mar 22, 2025

Isola Cocktail Bar

A stylish escape in Istanbul

Whether for daytime dining or nighttime pleasure, Isola Bomonti promises a Mediterranean-inspired moment that's sure to please...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Zeynep

Ozortac

Mar 22, 2025

Smelt and Co.

Chef Restaurant in Istanbul

Their menu is as perfect as the atmosphere. The menu changes with the seasons, so you may see different recipes and presentations on every visit.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Zeynep

Ozortac

Mar 22, 2025

Feriköy Antique Bazaar

Vintage day in Istanbul

Here you will find vinyls, old books and magazines, original film posters, collections of old coins, old photos, jewels, and much more...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Zeynep

Ozortac

Mar 22, 2025

Çukurcuma 49

Pizza meets rustic vibes

They offer a variety of traditional as well as innovative styles of pizzas, all made with the freshest ingredients and all nineteen of them are delicious!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Zeynep

Ozortac

Mar 22, 2025

Zeyta Emirgan

Wine and olive house in Istanbul

Zeyta Emirgan, is a charming wine house located on the most beautiful street in Emirgan with a great selection of boutique wines from Turkey and Europe.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Zeynep

Ozortac

Mar 22, 2025

Tütün Deposu

Exhibitions in a tobacco warehouse

Tütün Deposu is a non-commercial, flexible, and independent space that welcomes critical voices in Istanbul's cultural landscape.

002-building
Art & culture

By

Zeynep

Ozortac

Mar 22, 2025

Heading to Istanbul?

236 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Istanbul this weekend?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

236 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

Our team loves Istanbul

Get to know our other Spotters from Istanbul

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
cached_response not present
7291
Filters