Jul 1, 2025

Piraye Cafe Istanbul

Relaxed Hangout Under the Trees

"Piraye Cafe is tucked under the trees in the garden of the Nazım Hikmet Cultural Center. It attracts locals across all age groups. Join for a community feel!"

Piraye Cafe is tucked under the trees in the garden of the Nazım Hikmet Cultural Center in Kadikoy, offering a relaxed and shaded escape, especially appealing on hot days. Naturally, weekends can get quite busy, and finding a seat depends on luck. Prices are quite reasonable compared to many other places in the area.

I usually go more for drinks than food; they offer both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. If I do eat, my go-to is fries with a beer. The cafe attracts a mix of locals across all age groups. Since the cultural center hosts workshops and courses, many students and participants gather here before or after their classes. We used to hang out here as a group after dance and acting courses I took a few years ago. There are also music and theatre performances in the cultural center, but I personally do not like the seating arrangement of the performance hall.

There are plenty of staff members working at the cafe, and the service is fast despite the crowd. Piraye Cafe is an easygoing, budget-friendly spot with a community feel, ideal for a casual meetup or solo downtime.

Amsterdam
Antwerp
002-building
Art & culture
002-building
Art & culture
002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

Osmanaga, Ali Suavi Sk. No:7

Turkish coffee:

TL

85

Find your way with 237 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

The Pera Museum

An alternative art museum for all

The "Pera Museum" is for you if you're into art from the life of Istanbul and the Ottoman world between the 17th and early 20th century...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Zekeriya

S. Sen

Jul 1, 2025

The Shoe-shine boys

A unique experience

"The Shoe-shine boys" is a very typical Istanbul sight. Having your shoes painted and polished is a nice experience, just be careful who does it for you!

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Zekeriya

S. Sen

Jul 1, 2025

Fenerbahçe Steamboat

Now in the past

The "Fenerbahçe Steamboat" has carried passengers across Istanbul's Bosphorus over 55 years. Now you can see this historical ship in Rahmi Koc Museum.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Zekeriya

S. Sen

Jul 1, 2025

Holy Fragrance sellers

Various perfumes

"Holy Fragrance" sellers sit just outside mosques and provide refreshing perfumes. I would recommend the ones in Istanbul's Beyazit and Yeni mosques.

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Zekeriya

S. Sen

Jul 1, 2025

Simit

The Turkish Bagel

"Simit" is the delicious Turkish and Istanbul version of bagels. You can get them at the red stands all over the city. Try to get them hot!

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Zekeriya

S. Sen

Jul 1, 2025

Kurucu Ali Baba Restaurant

The best haricot bean

"Kurucu Ali Baba Restaurant" is one of the restaurants that serve haricot beans just outside Suleymaniye in Istanbul. Great service, worth the money...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Zekeriya

S. Sen

Jul 1, 2025

The Tortoise Trainer

Painting by Osman Hamdi Bey

The "Tortoise Trainer" is one of my favorite paintings to be found in Istanbul. You can see it in the contemporary/orientalist Istanbul Pera museum.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Zekeriya

S. Sen

Jul 1, 2025

Grand Bazaar

Fat round evil eyes

"Grand Bazaar" is my place to buy the best Istanbul souvenir: round, fat evil eyes! Just don't forget to bargain...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Zekeriya

S. Sen

Jul 1, 2025

Udonya

A good Japanese restaurant

"Udonya" is one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in Istanbul. I can recommend it when you feel you've had enough of Turkish cuisine!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Zekeriya

S. Sen

Jul 1, 2025

Kontraplak

The best place for 2nd hand vinyl

"Kontraplak" is a 'clean' Istanbul record shop, especially for its selection of second-hand vinyl. The owner, Okan, is very open-minded and will help you...

002-building
Art & culture
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Zekeriya

S. Sen

Jul 1, 2025

Naval Museum

Largest maritime museum

The Istanbul "Naval Museum" is one of the best museums in Turkey - no, I think it's one of the world's most exceptional, and we're lucky to have it.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Zekeriya

S. Sen

Jul 1, 2025

Archaeology Museum

Stop for all history lovers

The Istanbul "Archaeology Museum" is just huge. As someone who always visits these museums, these ones (there's actually three!) are a must.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Zekeriya

S. Sen

Jul 1, 2025

Heading to Istanbul?

237 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Istanbul?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

237 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Istanbul

Get to know our other Spotters from Istanbul

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
7291
Filters