The spellbinding Turkish city of Istanbul, the world's only metropolis to span two continents, is famous for many things, but its part in the development of the coffee industry is one of the most important. Coffee was introduced to Turkey from Syria in the 16th century but it was here in Istanbul, famous gateway between east and west, where the beverage first caught the eyes of European traders, and where the origins of coffee houses in Europe can be traced.
Istanbul would act as the centre of the European-Middle-Eastern coffee trade over the following few centuries. The impact of the drink here takes on ceremonial importance and affects the city deeply to this day. Suffice it to say that if there was one place in the world for caffeine junkies to get their fix, Istanbul would be it. Below is a brief history of the role the beverage has played in Istanbul history and a low-down on the city's best coffee drinking spots.
A Brief Istanbul Coffee History
An old Turkish proverb runs: "To drink one cup of coffee together guarantees forty year of friendship." The relevance of the drink to Turkish culture would certainly seem to support this. A traditional marital ritual in Turkey is for the bride's family to offer coffee to the groom's family.
Making a perfect coffee is a source of pride for the bride's parents. The ceremony of serving the Sultan coffee was established by the 17th century in Turkey and in Istanbul coffee houses would for the men serve as meeting points to discuss politics and for the women provide important social freedom. A form of avant-garde theatre, Turkish shadow theatre, in which puppets depicted political figures, also has its roots in the early coffee houses.
In Istanbul today plenty of the old coffee houses survive - along with chic modern cafes. In both, socialising over coffee remains one of the cornerstones of Turkish culture. Turkish coffee comes in six different varieties of sweetness - you specify beforehand so no spoon to stir in the sugar is required. Coffee beans are often mixed with cardamon in Turkey for flavour.
Beyoglu Cafes
This is the "see and be seen" pat of Istanbul where the millionaires and the Bohemians alike take to the streets to sit and socialise. The best of the Istanbul nightlife and the Istanbul entertainment scene are located right here.
- Kaktüs (Istiklal Caddesi on Imam Adnan Sokak): A cool venue with large photographs on the walls and a rather Parisian feel. The coffee really is strong here and there is a wide choice of wine too. Writers and artists gather here. If you head down nearby Sopyali Sokak there are several similar, even more Bohemian looking hang-outs like Galatea (no.16).
- Simdi Cafe (Asmali Mesci no. 9): Suave and full of intellectuals, and serving up a somewhat legendary orange cake along with the wide selection of coffees and teas.
- Ada (Istiklal Caddesi 330): A stylish café that’s also part book shop and music store.
- K.V (Southern end of Istiklal Caddesi): Another haunt of Istanbul intellectuals playing good music and with outside tables on a 19th century passageway.
Cafes in Other Istanbul Areas
Beyoglu may be the place to hang, but some of the other districts of Istanbul have more authentic coffee and tea houses. The best ones don't even have names, and will only be found by wandering across them.
- Limonlu Bahce (Yenicarsi Caddesi 98, Galatasaray): A hidden-away tea garden that also serves good food in intimate surroundings.
- Caffe Hane and Giardino (Siraselviler Caddesi, 96 Alman Hastanesi Karsisi) In the mainly ex-pat district of Cihangir, this is a wonderful homely place full of antique furnishings and comfy old sofas. There’s a small garden out back and the quintessentially Turkish owners live above the café. Right by Firuz Aga Mosque in the same distict is anoher large tea garden.
- Yeni Marmara (Cayiroglu Sok 46, Kücük Ayasofya Caddesi, Sultan Ahmet) The really traditional Istanbul coffee houses can be hard to find but this one fits the bill: old men play backgammon overlooking great views of the old city. This is a Nargile café too – where you get the coffee through a pipe. There are other equally authentic venues in the vicinity.
- Java studio (Cankurtaran Mahallesi, Dalbasti Sokak no. 16, Sultan Ahmet): Once a carpet shop, this is now a stylish café serving wickedly strong coffee.
Source for history of coffee: The Turkish Times
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Click here to find out more about the health risks and benefits of coffee drinking,
Luke Waterson - Author Luke Waterson writes, or has written, for various publications including Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, Moon Guidebooks and The ...
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