Van Kahvaltı Evi Istanbul
For an authentic breakfast
The city of Van from Southeast of Turkey is famous for its large, hearty breakfasts. And for a true taste of Eastern Turkey I go to Van Kahvalti Evi regularly. It is one of the most popular breakfast places in Istanbul.
When you are in Cihangir you can easily spot this place by the crowd gathering on the sidewalk. There are many other restaurants that serve this typical breakfast but the quality of the food here, combined with the warm hospitality, was like no other. Both locals and visitors enjoy this place. I always bring new visitors to Istanbul here.
At Van Kahvaltı Evi, along with the standards (cheese, olives, tomato, cucumber and jam) your breakfast comes with an assortment of local Van cheeses, the heavenly kaymak (a type of clotted cream), cacık (thick yogurt spread) and murtuğa (a heavy wheat-flour porridge that looks almost like scrambled eggs). And all these are for 30 lira per person.
Weekends are by far the busiest. Hardworking staff make sure its customers are served a speedy delivery. Tea glasses never go empty, they run around delivering one glass of tea after another.
In order to get in, you may need to wait about ten to twenty minutes but it would totally be worth the wait. And if you're not a morning person or can't be bothered with the long queues on weekends, breakfast is served all day and well into the evening.
Find your way with 237 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
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...
by
Zekeriya
S. Sen
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!
by
Zekeriya
S. Sen
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.
by
Zekeriya
S. Sen
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.
by
Zekeriya
S. Sen
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!
by
Zekeriya
S. Sen
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...
by
Zekeriya
S. Sen
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.
by
Zekeriya
S. Sen
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...
by
Zekeriya
S. Sen
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!
by
Zekeriya
S. Sen
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...
by
Zekeriya
S. Sen
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.
by
Zekeriya
S. Sen
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.
by
Zekeriya
S. Sen
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
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Coffee & tea
Our team loves Istanbul
Get to know our other Spotters from Istanbul
As featured on:
